Page 5 of Between Steel and Secrets
“Yeah! I’ve got Massimo pinned and unconscious.”
“What the hell are you waiting for? Finish the job!” Halsey’s voice echoes through the forest.
I glance at Ashton. “That would be murder.”
I’ve never killed anyone in my life.
“Do you think he’s going to stop coming after your family?” Ashton snaps at me.
He’s right.
Massimo doesn’t make empty threats.
My mouth is dry, and I want to kill the man who has been threatening my family, but how will I know the threats end with him?
Footsteps crunch over dried leaves and branches.
Halsey slides a few feet down the mountainside until he comes to tower above me with Ashton at his side.
“What are you waiting for? He threatened your wife and your son.” Halsey’s eyes tighten. “He kidnapped those children!” he shouts and points up toward the top of the ridge where this all began.
I grab the gun from Ashton. It’s the only way to know Harper and Zeke are safe—my wife and son.
Heat and anger surge through me as I unload the clip.
There’s zero chance Massimo survived the stream of bullets to his head.
Halsey smiles.
His sinister grin makes my stomach flip, and I climb off Massimo and hold my stomach.
I will not vomit on the dead body.
Ashton offers me a hand.
I’m covered in blood, it’s smeared on my hands, but my shirt is caked in splatter. It’s not a great sight.
“We’ll dispose of the body,” Halsey says. “Ashton, take Luca back to the compound.” He tosses him the car keys.
My mind is in a fog, playing over the events repeatedly. “What about the girls?” My eyes widen in horror. If we did this for Dante so that he could traffic them, I’ll kill my father myself.
“We have a contact who can help them.”
“Please tell me it isn’t the police.” Ashton’s brow is furrowed.
Is he worried for me because I killed Massimo, the fact that I just used his gun, or for the other men who were killed?
“Of course not. We have a few officers on our payroll, but not to worry. Dante will reach out to our source. He’ll get the girls new identities and arrange for their safe travel out of town.”
Dante, a good guy?
I’m not sure I believe it.
My head swims as Ashton and I head up the mountain, a difficult terrain to climb, and we reach the awaiting vehicle.
I shut my eyes, trying not to replay Massimo’s threats and his death over in my head.
It’s a bad movie that I can’t erase.
