Page 85 of Caged Hunger

“I can assure you that I have all my teeth,” Blade’s voice snarled from the darkness. “And just so you know, that’s my husband you are talking to, so I would choose your words very carefully the next time you speak. Oh, and in case you didn’t realize, I’m a wicked shot when it comes to throwing blades.”

Before anyone could react, another flash of silver sliced through the darkness.

One of Caplan’s men suddenly froze, his eyes widening in shock. The weapon had struck true, and he swayed unsteadily on his feet as the color drained from his face.

For a split second, the entire ranch fell silent.

Then the man collapsed to the ground.

A second later, Caplan’s team quickly moved into action. They raised their guns, aiming in all directions—some at Ace, others scanning the darkness for an unseen threat.

Ace shook his head.

“You boys really aren’t understanding how things are going here. This isn’t something that you will survive. I’m just stalling so my buddies can get set up and into position.”

A wicked smile spread across Ace’s face.

Behind him, several headlights came to life, temporarily blinding the men in front of them.

Gunfire erupted as the first of Caplan’s men panicked, shooting aimlessly into the darkness. The men began shooting in every direction, some bullets hitting ranch equipment, others flying into empty fields. None of them managed to hit any of Marcus’s men.

Ace chuckled.

“You guys really are shite at killing people. Not one of those bullets hit any of our men.”

The man in the suit rubbed his eyes as he signaled for his men to stop shooting.

“Who the fuck are you?” the man shouted, blinking repeatedly as he tried to regain his sight.

“Like I said, you took our friend Basher, and we’re here to get him back. Now, I’ll give you one last warning before unleashing all of hell on you,” Ace threatened.

The man in the suit began to laugh.

“You’ve got to be kidding. Do you know who the fuck I am?”

“Judging by the van’s rental agreement, the ranch’s land title, and your own words, you would be part of the Caplan crew. Sadly, not a very smart part of the crew, considering how bad you are at kidnapping and apparently killing things,” Ace taunted.

The man let out a growl as his eyes focused on Ace.

It was almost time.

From somewhere far overhead, a faint buzzing grew louder and louder.

The man in the suit looked up, trying to identify the source of the buzzing sound.

“Last chance,” Ace warned.

“Fuck you, asshole,” Caplan shouted, raising his gun and pointing it at Ace.

The man cried out in pain as another dagger streaked through the air, stabbing him in the center of his hand, causing Caplan to drop his gun.

“I told you to speak respectfully to my husband,” Blade’s voice snarled from somewhere in the darkness.

“Thanks, babe! Love you!” Ace shouted, blowing a kiss into the darkness behind him. “Isn’t my man just the greatest?” he asked, spinning back around, completely unbothered by the chaos around them.

“Kill them!” Caplan shouted, gripping his bleeding hand with the blade still sticking out of it.

The buzzing sound got louder before descending quickly, then stopping just ten feet above their heads.