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Crouching in the dark, the door cracked open just a hair so that I can open it quickly, I think over the plan again. The knife in my hand is more like a machete and could easily take off someone’s head. But can I do this, cause injury to someone? Yeah, the plan is to just incapacitate them and then hand them over to the authorities. But what do I know of fighting? It really doesn’t matter, I will not go back and that is all that will happen if John and his goons win.
The hiss of the cargo door opening heralds the beginning of the end, no the beginning of me taking charge of my own life.
“This should be easy taking,” a gruff voice says.
“John said not to hurt her. He has plans for her.” The dark chuckle that follows his statement has me shivering. I don’t want to know what he has planned for Akiyra. Her light is too bright to sully with these bullies.
Peeking out into the large storage area, I grimace. Instead of two invaders, there are three, which wouldn’t be that big a deal if it weren’t for their size. I’m not sure where John Wild managed to find these guys, but he obviously had been looking at brawn more than brains. The one leading the trio is a man that is close to seven-foot-tall and by the look of his chest and biceps, I really don’t want to be caught in hand to hand with him. The other two are smaller but look no less adept at bashing my head in.
Bruno turns to look at the guy next to him, “There is a large range between hurting her and teaching her who her betters are. I have some sweet plans for her little ass before we return to John.”
Leader Bruno turns to Bruno minor, “Any lessons to be taught will be mine. Including yours.” I can hear his knuckles crack, the sound going through me.
My hands clench around the machete. I knew this was going to be bad but now....I watch as they start up the stairs, praying Jax stays hidden. He will be squashed under them or worse. Images of him, of Akiyra in the hands of these men, have a fire I have never felt running through me. Akiyra’s plan to just incapacitate them, to turn them over to the authorities, isn't an option.
Quietly, I push the door open, stepping out with silent steps. I have one chance to stop them, even knowing that Tobis, Fynn, and Roberd are upstairs to deal with whoever makes it up there. The size of the leader alone will be enough of a challenge for the guys upstairs.
As I reach the bottom of the stairs, a creak has me stopping foot in the air. Jax! I can’t have him do this, have him lose his innocence or his love of life. With a roar, arm raised I run up the stairs, slashing my blade, not seeing or caring what I hit. Just knowing that I am hitting something, hot, sticky liquid coating me. But I can’t stop, can’t breathe, can’t let them touch my family.