By My Sword Alone by David Black (ebook reader ink TXT) 📕

now? Any changes?” I asked. He filled me in on his current location and direction of travel.

“I’ll be there in less than five minutes,” I said.

“Roger that,” he replied as I rounded the bend in the road that skirted the lake. Ahead, I saw headlights and taillights breaking through the pitch-black night. “Is that you coming up?”

“Yep. Pull off to the side, and I’ll keep going. With any luck he’ll think I’m just a random traveler coming up behind him. And Baker?”

“Yeah?”

“I owe you one,” I admitted. He snorted in disagreement.

“Dude, whatever. Like I said before, you’ve helped me on more occasions than I could count. I’m not worried about it, but try not to leave me a mess to explain or clean up,” he replied with a sigh.

“I got you,” I assured him as I passed his cruiser on the side of the road. We ended our call, and I made note of the turnoff Edwards took as I went past. Once I was sure he’d gone far enough up the drive, I whipped a U-turn and killed my lights as I coasted to the side of the road before the driveway he’d taken.

I check my weapons, sent my location to the boys, and went in on foot.

The driveway was bordered on either side by tall trees and curved back and forth as it seemed to go on forever. In the back of my mind the place seemed familiar, but I couldn’t place it in the dark.

Once I reached the clearing at the end of the drive, I realized why I knew the location. It was the old bible camp. When we were kids, everyone used to go stay there for a couple of weeks every summer.

It had been owned by Edwards’s parents and run in conjunction with their church. I’d forgotten about it after I left for the army. I didn’t know they still owned it before they died. Then again, it had been years.

My phone vibrated, and I stepped back in the deep shadows of the trees.

“You got my location I sent you?” I whispered as I kept my attention on my surroundings.

“Yeah, but what happened to you not going in alone?” Hacker demanded. I snorted softly.

“I don’t have time for a lecture,” I quietly argued.

“Yeah, well, you might like to know that ol’ Chet likely killed his parents off for their money and that property you’re on right now,” Hacker said.

“What? I thought they died in a boating accident?”

“They did, but the details never sat well with the sheriff’s department. No one could prove it wasn’t an accident, despite the fact that the boat was brand-new and they were proficient boaters. It was too convenient, but the proof was lacking,” Hacker explained.

“Look, we can discuss this later, I need to get up to the house before he hurts her. See you soon.” Hailey and her impulsive ass needed me.

As I ended the call, I heard Hacker cursing. I turned my phone to silent and shoved it back in my pocket.

Staying along the tree line, I mapped out the lay of the place. The old lake home had seen better days. The cabins the kids stayed in weren’t in much better shape. There was a single light on in the old cafe where everyone used to gather to eat and have activities when it was raining. I’d have to cross through the open to get there, but at least I was wearing a black T-shirt and the yard lights weren’t working.

The snap of every dry twig I stepped on seemed to be magnified, and my heart jumped into my throat several times. The last one was so loud I froze, sure Edwards would come racing out guns blazing.

The entire building was screened in but otherwise open to the outdoors. So any little noise I made could potentially be heard by whoever was inside.

When no alarm ensued, I made my way up to the windows in a crouch. The area with all the tables was empty. Moving on, I cautiously peeked into the kitchen.

Chet was pacing back and forth with his phone to his ear. Hands cuffed to the handle of the old industrial stove, Hailey sat on the ground. Eyes wide, and tears tracking down her cheeks, she quietly watched Chet.

That’s when it hit me. Not only was she the only woman to capture my goddamn heart, she was likely carrying my child. Because of my stubborn misconceptions, I’d essentially thrown her in the path of Chet the psychopath—putting them both in danger.

My stomach churned at the thought.

I’d fucked up. Bad.

I needed to come up with a plan and quick. Who knew who he was talking to or what he’d set in motion? Sure, I could probably pick him off, but what if I missed?

I’d never been so unsure in my fucking life.

A faint sound in the trees had me turning with my weapon pointed that direction. Reaper, Joker, Apollo, and Hollywood silently emerged from the wooded edge of the property. Relief bled through me.

I motioned that it was only Chet and Hailey in there as I saw Hacker, Vinny, Soap, and Dice working their way around to the other side of the building.

“While it’s only him, I suggest we finish this,” Reaper whispered next to me. I nodded.

“I’m going to lure him out here. When I do, you and Hollywood go in and get Hailey out of there.” I expected them not to like my idea, but I was the president and that was my woman.

“Pres—” Reaper mouthed, wanting to silently argue, but I cut him off with a motion of my hand and a glare. Then I quietly made my way toward the back door. The old metal trashcans were still there from years ago with a small pile of rotting lumber. I thought about tipping them but decided that might be too much. Instead, I grabbed the sturdiest piece of wood from the pile, then scooped up some gravel and tossed it at the