Broken Kingdom (Corium University Trilogy 3)

“Take it,” I order, a second before I fire my own shot. I hit Matteo’s friend dead center between his eyes. The bullet hits with such force that I can see half of his head explode in my scope.

A grin tucks at the corner of my lips when I see Matteo freak out and run inside, where he is going to find another dead body. This night is already great. I can’t wait for the rest of it.

We leave our sniper rifles behind and make our way down the hill we were hiding out on. We are armed from head to toe, wearing Kevlar thin enough to let us move freely but strong enough to stop a bullet or knife. Not that I’m particularly worried about dying, but neither one of my parents would have let me go if I hadn’t put this on.

By the time we get to the house, backup from the other side of the property is already there. We crouch in front of one of the large bay windows, looking inside the living room. No one is inside as far as we can see, but of course, we have to expect anything.

“All in position?” Luke whispers, and multiple voices come through my earpiece, confirming everyone is ready. “Three, two, go.”

We all move at the same time, a synchronized team just as we trained for. Luke fires two quick shots in opposite corners of the window, making the entire glass shatter in front of us.

Guns raised, we step over the window frame and into the room. Shards of glass crunch underneath our boots as we move farther into the house.

Adrenaline is pumping through my veins, heightening my senses. I clear my mind, leaving nothing behind but one single thought, one mission… find Matteo.

I’m vaguely aware of voices coming through the headset, but I drown them out and keep walking through the house. I see two of my men, recognizing them instantly since we are all wearing midnight blue. Matteo’s shirt was gray, and when I finally catch sight of the gray figure rushing around the corner, I’m like a bull seeing red.

I follow him, each move precise and controlled.

He spins around when he realizes I’m coming for him. Matteo is holding a gun, but he doesn’t even have a chance to point it at me before I shoot it out of his hand. He groans, holding his bleeding fingers to his chest, and turns, still trying to get away from me.

Lowering my gun, I shoot him in the back of the calf, making him scream out in pain and crumple to the floor like a rag doll. While he is crying like the worthless piece of shit he is, I kick his fallen gun behind me so he can’t get to it.

I watch patiently as he rolls onto his back and sprawls out, looking up at me. Casually leaning against the wall, I stand there and simply enjoy the view for a few moments. I don’t have to worry about anyone else attacking me since I know my team has taken care of anyone else in this house.

“Kill me already,” Matteo rasps after a while. His breathing is heavy with blood pooling around his leg.

“I will, but not until you suffer, and trust me when I say this… I have a lot of suffering planned for you.”

“The house is clear!” Luke announces from down the hall.

“I got what I came for, so we can leave,” I yell back.

Taking two steps toward Matteo, I swing my leg back and kick him full force in his upper thigh, right above his bullet wound. To my ears, his cries of anguish sound like a beautiful symphony composed just for me. In a pitiful attempt to roll away from me, he moves to his side. I use the new angle to give his ribs a swift kick before raising my foot and driving my heel into his nose.

Matteo’s head snaps back so hard that, for a moment, I’m worried I broke his neck. His pained groan and the blood gushing from his nose make me breathe easier. He’s still alive.

Luke comes up behind me, and we make quick work of tying Matteo up while he is out. After I tighten the rope around his ankles, I wrap the end of it around my hand and start dragging him through the house by his feet.

He doesn’t wake up until I drag him down the front steps, making sure his head hits each corner. Matteo groans and mumbles something inaudible as I drag his body through the gravel outside, then, with Luke’s help, lift him into the car's trunk.

“Everything is set up at the warehouse,” Luke confirms when we get into the car.

“Good.” I can’t remember the last time I was so excited for something. Maybe Christmas morning when I was five? No, I don’t think I’ve ever been this excited before. I feel like I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this.