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Patience. It’s not one of my virtues lately. Used to be I could sit and wait for a mark to show. Didn’t matter if it took hours or even days. I’d lay in wait, and when they finally appeared I’d be on them like flies on shit. I’ve been trackin’ Jimmy for three years, what’s a few more hours? You’d think that would make some kind of sense to me. But right now all I want to do is go down there and gut the bastard. But my pack is right, we don’t know how many there are. We don’t know where Violet is or if Daniel is with her.
We have to go in smart. It’s obvious that Jimmy knows we’re here and who I actually am. He’s called us out. If Montgomery is right and Charlie had a hand in what went down, which the scents seem to agree with, then he’s told ‘em everythin’ that was said in front of him. Hell I don’t even know how much he knows. He was so fuckin’ quiet. I should have paid closer attention. But there were too many distractions. Too many people to keep track of. I’ve already told the boys that when we go in, they need to watch out for each other. I’m going straight for Jimmy, nothin’ is going to stop me this time.
***
MONTGOMERY GIVES J.D. a quick breakdown of how the solar works. Startin’ it up and pushin’ it faster. It’s got a built in map system that shows how to get to the ferry. He says just to follow it and he’ll be sure that there’s a boat to get us out of here. I’m trustin’ him cuz my gut says he’s good people. Hope I can still trust it. We park it a block from the shoreline and go up high again. They didn’t seem to notice us the first time, so we are hopin’ that since the wind is still comin’ at us that we’re still covered well. If it shifts unexpectedly we’re fucked.
The twins go around to the east and J.D. and I go around the back. Jumpin’ from container to container our agility helps us to not make much noise. J.D. stops me before I jump to the last container, pullin’ me down and pointin’ to the warehouse windows.
Inside we can see two large cages filled with people. Men, women, children. No one is being spared. They are takin’ whoever they want. My blood is on fire, my wolf achin’ to come out.
“I don’t see Violet,” He whispers, almost soundlessly.
I nod and he points as to say we should get down. I don’t much like his idea, but with the twins being able to keep tabs on me, it is probably the best approach. We climb down. He stops me again, his hand sliding up my back pullin’ me urgently to him as he kisses me. He kisses me as if he might never see me again. My eyes well up as I wrap my fingers into his hair not wantin’ to let him go. It is he who breaks contact.
“I love you.” He whispers pressing his forehead to mine. “Be careful in there.”
I sniff, squeezin’ his hand as I nod. “Promise me you’ll look out for yourself.”
He smiles his answer with a nod as we head straight for the front doors. All I have on me is my huntin’ knife in my boot. Fortunately the boot is just too big and it is well concealed. Better it is the one dipped in silver, from Aiolos. At least something good came out of that affair. The two that stand sentry snarl as we approach, pointin’ their guns at us.
“Who are you?” The bigger one asks. He is taller than J.D. so probably six three or four, has a clean bald head and beady brown eyes. He holds a large gun I have never seen before. It is all black and has extra parts. I know I don’t want to stay on its business end for very long. We put up our hands and I smile. Here goes. I think as I take a deep breath and look him straight in the eyes. I lock him immediately.
“Listen to me.” I say softly. “I’m Danny Johnston and you are going to tell me where Jimmy Straights is, and where he is keepin’ Violet and the baby.” He tries to look away, but I am on him fast, the other with him tries to run but J.D. grabs him puttin’ him in a head lock quick and easy like. I hold the big guy’s gaze, and repeat my command addin’, “I will not tolerate insolence, loyalty is given and earned.” I smile again, and he relaxes.
“Jimmy is in the pens, the woman was upstairs last I saw. She has the baby with her.” I let him go.
“Good boy.” I pat his head. “Now why don’t you give me that big old gun and run along away from here?”
I turn to J.D.
“Well now what?” He asks me.
Hell I didn’t expect that to work. I let out a low laugh. “In we go. Do you know these ones?”
“Nah, they’re green though. Too easily swayed not to be. This one’s asleep now.” He lowers the subdued man to the ground, and we enter the warehouse.