“We were always on the right side. At the end of the day, we do what is best for the club. Carlos didn’t fuck with us, so we didn’t have a reason to go after him.” Grit shrugged and sipped the beer in front of him. “You’re right, though, this move is best for Las Vegas and for the club.”
“Here’s to mutual interests.” I took a beer from the bartender and raised it.
“I hope you understand that putting on that jacket isn’t a one time thing. You don’t get to take it off once the fight is over. You might not agree with what we do, but you’re a member of the Vegas Scourge now, and that’s a lifetime commitment. If one of us falls, all of us fall.” Grit raised his beer and sipped it again.
“I know.” I nodded and sipped my beer.
I know exactly what I’m getting myself into, but Aurora’s freedom is worth more than anything else in the world.
It took time for Grit to figure out where Thaddeus was staying, but his sources came through. Thaddeus had turned an old mansion in the desert into his base of operations. That was the most likely place for him to be holding Aurora. I thought the guns I kept in my safe were impressive, but the Vegas Scourge MC had an arsenal. They were certainly prepared for battle, even if they weren’t planning to pick a fight. We drove out to the desert under the cover of darkness and found a decent position on a hill overlooking Thaddeus’ house. I couldn’t even count the number of guys he had walking around the perimeter carrying M16s. We were definitely outmanned. I just hoped we would have the element of surprise.
“How would you do this, Cole?” Grit dropped down on the ground beside me and took my binoculars. “Our normal strategy is to just go in guns blazing.”
“A small group—guys that know how to fight with their hands and use a knife. Back them up with a sniper. Do as much damage as possible before they realize we’re there, then it’s guns blazing.” I looked over at him and nodded.
“See, that’s why I wanted you in the Vegas Scourge. You understand strategy.” Grit patted me on my back.
“Yeah, that’s just the Marine in me. We don’t like to waste men if we don’t have to.” I nodded to him.
The plan was set. I was in the group that approached the house on foot with a knife in my hand and a gun in my belt. I would have preferred to have something with more firepower, but it was too bulky. I just hoped we weren’t too late—I hoped Aurora hadn’t been harmed. If Thaddeus laid a hand on her, his death would be slow and painful instead of quick. We started with two guys walking by themselves, and quickly took them out. Two of the Vegas Scourge MC members dragged their bodies into the darkness while the man with me approached our next target. Another one down. Then another one after him. We weren’t going to have the element of surprise for long, especially when someone noticed that the perimeter patrol had gotten quite thin.
“Hello? Charlie? Why aren’t you answering?” The radio on the ground started to crackle.
“That’s our cue.” I motioned to the guys with me.
It didn’t take long for the men that were closer to the house to get word that something was wrong. Once they started approaching the perimeter, the sniper let bullets fly. Bodies dropped, and I started weaving between them as I rushed towards the house. Once our cover was blown and bullets started echoing in the night air, chaos erupted. The two sides traded fire, and I kept pushing forward towards the house. If I could get inside, I would be able to save Aurora—at least, I hoped that was the case. I sincerely hoped Thaddeus wouldn’t hurt her once he realized she was the reason he was under attack. The best way to prevent that was to get into the house as soon as possible. I had one guy by my side once we made it to the back door. I splintered it with my boot, and then we were inside.
“Fuck!” The guy beside me raised his weapon but a bullet tore through his shoulder before he could fire.
I fired, dropping the guy that took out the Vegas Scourge MC member beside me. He wasn’t dead, but he wasn’t going to be able to keep going. I carried him back outside and dropped him in the bushes near the house. It was good enough to keep anyone from seeing him unless they were looking. Once he had his gun firmly in his hand in case it was needed, I rushed back into the house with my finger on the trigger. A couple of shots nearly grazed my skull, and I returned fire, dropping the men that fired. I ran into the living room and looked around. It was empty. I had no idea where Aurora was. I decided to start checking upstairs first. As soon as my foot hit the bottom step, I saw a large, hulking shadow at the top of the stairs holding a gun.
“Well, this is a surprise.” Thaddeus shook his head and started walking down the stairs. “I didn’t think you would give your life for her—she must have a damn good pussy. I’m going to have to see what all the fuss is about once we exterminate all of you fucking rats.”
“You won’t have a chance!” I lifted my gun and started firing, sending several into Thaddeus’ chest, but he didn’t stop walking.
“That was your one chance.” Thaddeus fired at me, and a bullet ripped through my left arm, causing me to drop my gun. “You blew it.”
Fuck! He’s wearing a bullet proof vest!
“It’s not over yet.” I dove for my gun with my right hand, but before I could grab it, Thaddeus pressed his boot on my knuckles.
“Yes, it is.” Thaddeus nodded and pointed the gun at my skull. “Tell Ryker I said hello.”
The end had come. I survived Afghanistan just to be killed by some scumbag Mafia idolizer in fucking Las Vegas. I wasn’t going to be able to save Aurora. I couldn’t even save myself. I stared at the gun and let my wounded arm fall to my side—then I felt my knife in my belt. I had on
e more chance, and I couldn’t blow it. I pulled my knife, ignoring the pain and jammed it into Thaddeus’ hamstring. A howl of pain followed and he took a step back. He pointed the gun at me and fired, but I rolled out of the way. I came to my feet and charged him, slamming all of my weight into his muscular frame. We both hit the railing on the side of the stairs and it cracked. I was falling. I braced for impact with Thaddeus underneath me and landed directly on his chest.
“Get off me, you fucking bastard!” Thaddeus was so strong that he nearly sent me flying when he pushed me off his chest. “Forget fucking that bitch—I’m going to carve her into pieces and tell her every second of her agony is your fault.”
I got to my feet before Thaddeus and saw him reaching for the gun that had fallen on the ground beside him. I launched myself into the air and crashed into him with all of my weight again. My fists started flying, each one landing directly in the center of the hulking bastard’s face. The pain in my arm wasn’t enough to stop me from turning his face into a blood stain. He tried to get his massive arms up to block, but I was faster than him. I bounced his head against the wooden floor until he wasn’t moving and then I heard someone coming through the door. I reached for the gun beside me out of instinct, but when I raised it, I saw Grit’s face.
“Easy.” Grit held up his hand. “It’s over. Thaddeus’ men are retreating into the desert. I guess they weren’t all willing to die for that sack of shit.”
“It’s not over.” I dropped my hand and put the barrel of the gun against Thaddeus’ head. “Not until this motherfucker is dead.”
One bullet between the eyes ended his life. He was too dangerous to leave alive. He had crawled from nothingness before, and he would spend his life rebuilding his army just so he could come for me again. I stood to my feet and clenched my arm, but I couldn’t focus on my wound. I had to find Aurora. I ran to the stairs and took them two at a time, grimacing as the pain swept through my body. I checked each room until I found one that was locked. She had to be on the other side of the door. I took a step back and hit it as hard as I could with my boot.
“Aurora, are you in here?” I pushed against the wood and stepped into the room.