Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 545(@200wpm)___ 436(@250wpm)___ 363(@300wpm)
“I’ll take my time then, just in case you need additional information from him,” I promised as I lifted my right arm and fired straight into his groin. “But he’s going to feel immeasurable pain every single second he remains alive.”
I pulled the gag from his mouth and listened to him sob, begging for his life. My response was to fire another bullet, this time into his knee. He screamed in pain until his voice cracked before he started to plead for a quick death. By the time Brandon received word that the rescue had gone off without a hitch, I’d shot Sean in the other knee and both shoulders. He’d passed out twice, and I’d had one of my men bring in a cold bucket of water both times so I could toss it in his face and rouse him again. Between the lack of food and my pregnancy, I was starting to feel light-headed, so I finished him off with a shot straight between his eyes.
“Feel free to take your time with the other one,” I told Brandon, when I really wanted him to do anything but. “I’ll wait for you outside.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
BRANDON
Iwatched her backtrack the way she’d come in, followed closely by Thomas and a few other men. Seeing her in Thomas’ shirt was driving me crazy and it struck me that I didn’t give a fuck about being the one to take out the Haitian. It wasn’t about a thirst for killing, it was about revenge and someone else could just as easily accomplish the task. I needed my Carly. Needed to make sure she was safe and unharmed, to hold her and never let her go.
Turning to Aiden, I gestured to Josué. “Handle it. I’m going to my wife. Meet us back at the plane in an hour.”
Aiden raised an eyebrow in surprise, but nodded his agreement. Turning my back, I showed him a high level of trust by putting myself in a vulnerable position. Before I walked out the door, I glanced back and saw him smirking at Josué, his chest puffed up with pride at knowing his superior had confidence in him.
Carly was resting her back against the wall of the house, so I joined her, then pulled her into my arms, chest to chest, with her head tucked under my chin. I slipped a hand between us for a moment, caressing her flat stomach. My heart hadn’t stopped racing since the moment she was taken, but the feel of her in my arms was slowing the pace. I held her for a moment, reassuring myself that she was real.
“Brandon.” Thomas interrupted our moment. I glared at him, contemplating adding a broken jaw to his list of maladies. “The house. It’s done.”
I grunted in acknowledgement, cuddling Carly a little closer, her little sigh soothing me. I kissed the top of her head and then reluctantly released her, placing one hand on the back of her neck. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.” Carly didn’t question anything, her eyes filled with trust and love, never doubting for a second that I would keep her safe.
My eyes swept over her body from head to toe, assessing for injuries. She appeared to be mostly unharmed, but it reminded me what she was wearing. I held my tongue, not wanting to start anything in front of the men, but she was going to get her ass spanked later.
A corner of her mouth lifted in a smirk and my eyes lifted to meet her laughing green orbs. She must have seen the heat in my expression, and I glared at her. She snickered and I rolled my eyes as I headed towards the compound exit, lifting her into my arms and keeping her close to my chest.
Once we hit the access road, I helped her into one of the trucks we’d kept hidden in the brush off to the side. Hauling myself up, I sat beside her and shut the door before tugging her onto my lap. She squirmed, glancing at the other guys, but when she saw my face, she stilled. “Don’t push me, kitten,” I ground out quietly, for her ears only. “You’re in enough trouble as it is.” She pouted, and I stifled a smile at how damn adorable she was. I loved her so fucking much.
We left the other vehicle for the handful of men still inside the gates and took off for the airstrip. As we drove, the anger inside me simmered, a tornado of other emotions feeding it.
The plane was fueled and ready to go so we boarded, settling in to wait the last fifteen minutes for the rest of our party to catch up. They arrived with five minutes to spare and we took off.
Having Carly in my embrace was the only thing keeping me sane during the three-plus hours we were in the air. I wanted nothing more than to strip her down and worship her body, feel her wrapped around me, and hear her calling my name in ecstasy rather than fear. But I wasn’t about to take her on a plane full of men, particularly ones who worked for us. Even if there was a bedroom on board. Besides, she’d fallen asleep on my lap a few minutes after we hit cruising altitude, clearly worn the fuck out.