Tempest was gone and the O'Malleys had her. I was so stupid thinking she would be safe at my apartment. I ran all the way back to my Dodge Charger, not paying attention to my labored breathing or burning muscles. All that mattered was Tempest. I'd do whatever it took to get her back—even if it meant my life.
My car raced through the streets, weaving in and out of traffic. There was only one place Tempest could be. The O'Malleys and I had a fallback plan in case the cops were ever on to us. We were to go to the log cabin on the edge of the lake. It was a remote area and far from civilization. I'd been there a couple times with them, securing the place and making sure we had everything we could possibly need in the event that we had to stay for a long period of time.
I pulled off the freeway and navigated through the wooded area on a dirt path. My knuckles were white from gripping the steering wheel too hard. I was going to kill the O'Malleys if they touched Tempest. Breaking their necks with only my bare hands would give me no satisfaction. These men were my brothers for so long. But they had crossed the line.
When the log cabin came into view I parked to the side of the road. I needed to approach it on foot. I was most likely walking into a trap. I needed to be careful. I wasn't going to let my rage mess this up.
I hid behind some dense bushes and watched the log cabin. I counted two of Murphy's henchmen, holding AK-47s. One guarded the front door while the other made the rounds around the cabin. Only two men? Surely the O'Malleys thought more of me than that. I'd have to take them out quietly. Couldn't afford raising the alarm.
I sneaked around the back of the log cabin and waited in the shadows for the the one goon to come around. I'd only have one chance at this. If the man screamed, my surprise would be blown. I listened carefully and heard his footsteps coming closer. The sound of leaves breaking and twigs snapping increased. I pulled out my switchblade and popped it open.
The man came around the corner and I sprung into action. My left hand covered his mouth while my knife slipped under his chin, slicing his throat open. The man squirmed in my grasp, blood spurting out of his neck. I slowly lowered him to the ground and he was dead. I picked up the AK and slung it over my shoulder, knowing that I wouldn't be able to use it.
I rounded the cabin and peeked around the corner at the guard by the front door. He had no clue what was about to happen to him. I picked up a rock and threw it about fifty feet in front of the guard. It made a loud crack as it hit another rock. The guard became alert and drew his AK. I waited patiently as the guard tiptoed forward. I came up behind him and did the same to him as I did to his buddy. I dropped him to the ground and blood gurgled out of his mouth as he tried to speak to me.
I looked through the window and spotted Ian and Russel talking alone. I wouldn't be able to take them both at the same time. I needed to wait for them to separate. But where the fuck was Tempest? I didn't have much time before they realized their guards were all dead. I crawled on the ground and peered through the window that looked into the living room. There she was. Tempest was sitting against a wall with her head down. She was still alive.
Ian came into the room and I ducked out of the way. I'd take out Russel first. I quietly opened the front door and turned to my immediate left to the bedroom. Russel had his back turned to me, looking at a map on a laptop. I had to kill him before he saw me. It wasn't the death he deserved but it was the only way.
I popped up behind him and clenched his head with both hands. I twisted with all my might. Russel's head snapped around and made a pop. His body became lifeless instantly and dropped to the ground.
“Sorry old friend,” I whispered to him. I dragged his heavy body out of the bedroom and heard Ian calling out.
I came into the living room and dropped Russel to the ground. I drew my AK and pointed it right at Ian's chest. All I had to do was pull the trigger and this entire nightmare would be over.
But Ian was pointing the end of his pistol right at Tempest's head.
“Don't even think about it, Ryker. One move and I'll blow her brains out. Put your gun down.” Ian forced his pistol against Tempest's temple. I did my best to avoid any eye contact with Tempest. One look from her and I'd go weak in the knees. I needed my whole focus on the task at hand. Our lives depended on it.
I placed my boot on Russel's dead neck and pressed down just a little. “Let Tempest go and I won't kill your brother.” Ian didn't need to know that his brother was already dead. He looked like he could be passed out. I didn't leave any visible marks on him.
“Let's not get too hasty here, Ryker. How are we going to settle this?” Ian was beginning to sweat. He knew I was just crazy enough to kill Russel. And he was right because I already did it. But I also knew he was evil enough to kill Tempest and not feel a thing.
“We settle this like we did back in school. No weapons. Just our fists,” I proposed.
Ian grinned the same way he used to back in school when a fight would break out. He loved the sound of bones crunching and the feeling of beating a kid within an inch of his life. I know because he told me. Ian tossed his gun to the side and I could hear Tempest breathe a sigh of relief. I lifted my boot off of Russel and dropped my AK to the ground.
Ian cracked his knuckles and raised his fists in a defensive stance. “Last time we got in a fight, I nearly killed you, Ryker. What makes you think this time will be any different?”
I craned my neck to side until it cracked and jumped on my toes to loosen my body up. “Last time I let you win. Wouldn't be good to beat the boss now would it?”
“Fucking liar,” Ian growled, charging at me and throwing the first punch. He was fast. But not fast enough. I ducked under and sent my fist flying into his stomach. Ian doubled over and bull rushed my legs. I lost my balance and fell over, crashing backwards onto the ground.
“You son of a bitch! You betrayed me!” Ian climbed on top of me and battered my face with blows. Every hit brought me back to the schoolyard. Those bullies used me as a punching bag everyday. Ian saved me from them but I realized that all I did was trade one bully for another.
Time to take back my life.
I brought my knee up with all the force I could muster and knocked Ian off. My head felt dizzy and I had to use my knee to lift myself off the floor. Ian grinned as he stood up to meet me. He always loved a good fight.
“This ends here, Ian. I won't be your bulldog any longer.”
Ian laughed. “You think you've already won? I taught you everything you know, Ryker. And I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
This time it was my turn to charge Ian. I gathered all the rage in my heart and channeled it into my fist. I swung hard and fast, aiming for Ian's head. His arm came up for a block and deflected my blow. Ian returned with an uppercut to my chin that sent my head rocking back. The dizziness became more apparent. I didn't know how many more blows I could take to the head.
“See how pathetic you've become, Ryker. Fighting to the death all for some junkie whore.” Ian pointed right at Tempest. “She's done this to you. Can't you see? You've become soft.”
I looked behind to see Tempest on the floor all tied up. She shook her head slowly, tears filling her eyes. Bad idea for Ian to mention Tempest. I didn't want to admit to myself that it was all for her.
But it was.
My love for Tempest rejuvenated me. My head became clear and my fists lighter. I faked with my right hand and surprised Ian with a left hook to the jaw. Bones cracked as Ian's head swiveled side to side. His blank stare gazed up at me as he fell to the ground.
I didn't even wait for him to hit the floor before I went to Tempest. “Are you okay?” I asked, bending down and examining her bloody lip.
Tempest nodded. “I'm all right. Just get me the hell out of here.”
I went around Tempest to untie her but the ziptie was too strong. I needed my switchblade to cut it.
As I got up, Tempest screamed, “Look out!”
I turned around to Ian on the ground and in slow motion, watched as he pulled a small gun from his ankle holster. How could I have forgotten? He always kept a spare gun for situations like this. My blind love for Tempest had gotten me killed.
“I told you I still had a few tricks up my sleeve,” Ian sneered.
I closed my eyes and remembered my first time with Tempest—her soft naked flesh and my hard cock pounding in and out of her. At least I could die happy.
BANG!