Page 102 of Striker
He thought of her sweet, tinkling laugh. Of how scared and roughed up she’d been when they’d found her in Rex’s jungle villa.
But her spirit had burned brighter than the North Star, which was visible outside of his window. The memory of her swinging the jagged edge of a broken plate at his neck nearly brought forth a laugh.
Molly was a fighter.
She wouldn’t give up.
She’d survive. Above all else, Molly would survive. That little piece of comfort was all he could hang on to until?—
“Go to the harbor,” Rogue said. “Anton’s lending us his boat. He’ll meet us there in ten.”
Atlas heaved a sigh. “Good.”
Thank god.
He took out his phone and brought up the satellite image with the island’s coordinates. Rogue had said his friend had a speedboat. If his calculations were correct, they’d reach Willy’s island in less than an hour.
As they got closer to the marina, the city lights fell behind them. This area of town was even quieter than the neighborhoods they’d passed on the way. Boats rocked gently in the harbor. Rain still fell heavily.
Viper found a parking spot and pulled in. They all got out. Atlas retrieved his rifle from the back and slung it over his shoulder. The others grabbed their weapons as well, and Rogue picked up the case holding the drone.
“Where’s the boat?” Atlas asked, hating every blasted second he couldn’t get to Molly.
“Don’t know. He’ll be here in a few.”
Ring, ring, ring
Viper dug into his pocket. Worry puckered his face as he looked at the screen of his phone. “It’s Reaper. He might have news about Wraith.”
“Put it on speaker,” Rogue ordered.
He tapped the screen. “Hey. We’re all here. How’s that bastard doing?”
No one smiled. Atlas clenched the strap of the rifle. The need to run, move, and get to Molly was almost blinding, but fear for his friend and comrade kept him frozen.
He couldn’t take any loss right now. Wasn’t in the right state to process. And if for some reason Wraith had lost too much blood?—
“His ugly face will live to see another day,” Reaper announced. “So will his leg.”
“As soon as I’m outta this shithole I’m putting my foot up your ass,” Wraith called to Reaper. His words came out stringy and slurred.
“They gave him the good shit. He’s flyin’ higher than a kite right now.”
Rogue cracked a smile and Havoc and Viper laughed. Some of the tension left Atlas’s body. Despite the dire circumstances, he was grateful Wraith was all right. And he’d be sure to voice adequate words as soon as he could.
“How’re things going there? Got any leads on Molly?”
“Got a damn good one,” Viper said. “Should have her home in a jiffy.” He threw a wink Atlas’s way.
Atlas grimaced, wishing like hell he could believe those words. Headlights stretched into the lot and a sedan cruised to the parking spot next to their SUV.
“Gotta go. Give Wraith a kiss from Rogue.” Viper hung up.
Rogue smacked the back of Viper’s head, earning another laugh from the big oaf.
A man got out of the car. The lean dude jogged toward them pulling the hood of his coat over his head. “Y’all are crazy going out in this.”
The guy smiled at Rogue and fell into step with him. They led the way to the docks.
