Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106003 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 530(@200wpm)___ 424(@250wpm)___ 353(@300wpm)
I leave it where the tunnel of trees ends and slide into the bushes, eyes fixed on the bright light. I blink to adjust my vision and peer through the leaves to see vegetation reclaiming an area that must have previously been cleared of trees. Beyond it, on the background of a rocky hill is a huge wooden structure. It must have been abandoned years ago, since the facade is deteriorating, and I even spot holes in the roof, but it still stands, its mouth wide open for shipments of whatever product used to be processed here.
Domino is already off his bike, and I want to run there, choke him to death and make sure Angel is safe, but I have to keep my cool when I stalk closer to the factory that seems to be a home for rust and mold.
When I see him venture inside, I move faster, dash out of the bushes and then sneak along the shadows cast by the wall. My mind is messing with me because I swear I smell blood, and that’s impossible. I want to follow him inside, my heart beating like mad, but I hear locks closing, and when I reach the heavy door through which he entered, it’s like facing a steel wall. This door isn’t some rotting wood I could crack with a few well-positioned kicks. It’s new, it’s sturdy, and fitted with a lock I don’t know how to pick.
I put my ear against it, but all the noise I hear is muffled. How deep does the rabbit hole go? And if Angel is in there, Domino could kill him if provoked. I’ve known him for long enough to bank on that. The man would kill Angel even just to spite me, so no one else could have him. If I go about this rescue mission incorrectly, a split second will stand between Angel and death.
If he’s in there, of course. I swear he must be—
The proof I needed is resting in the dirt. A part of me hoped I was wrong. I would have died of heartache if Angel really did ghost me, but I would have preferred that to him suffering at Domino’s hand.
There is no more place for delusion when I pick up the patch with my nickname. It has been ripped off so roughly a piece of leather is still attached to it. It’s from Angel’s property vest.
He must be inside.
I can’t just barge in there, shoot the lock or something. But could noise lure Domino out? Could I shoot at his bike? Try to get his number from Prophet and call him?
Were Angel’s life not on the line, those would all be valid options, but nothing matters more than saving my boy. If Angel dies here, Domino might as well shoot me too.
I step away from the building and take it in. Only the base of the structure is made of brick, and a brief survey of the locked entrance tells me it leads underground, so I make my way around the factory, finally spotting a tiny window where foundations meet soil.
My heart is racing against time remaining until Angel might get seriously hurt, but I’ll achieve nothing if I set off the alarms in Domino’s head. Instead of knocking on the window or shoving my entire face against the dusty glass, I lower my body and peek in through the brown-and-gray film created by years of neglect. I can barely see a couple of shadows. They look like storage shelves piled with all kinds of items, but I can’t see anything beyond them.
Frustrated, I cover my hand with the sleeve of my jacket and rub it against the glass. I’m relieved when some of the dirt crust thins, revealing the basement. I swear I see movement, so it’s not impossible Angel and Domino are right there, beyond this tiny window.
“What are we doing?” someone whispers right behind me, and I have to bite my tongue, but a split second later my brain understands the voice I’m hearing belongs to Rooster.
I turn to him, eyes wide and put a finger to my lips, but I have to give it to Rooster that he approached me silently.
I gather my thoughts, trying to work out how to make use of my ally when Angel’s voice reaches me like the cry of a canary deep in the mine. He’s screaming. Needs my help. He’s all alone with this madman, and I need to act now. Domino could be hurting Angel at this very moment. I can’t waste time and wait until everyone else arrives.
Rooster’s face is shadowed by the growing darkness, but I still see none of the usual cockiness in his expression. He must have heard the scream as well.
“I’m going in. You stay here as backup in case he tries to flee through the door.”