Chapter 50

JASPER

W e turned down a dirt road and pulled off to the side. As badly as I was itching to get to Harper, we had no idea what we were walking into. Going in without backup wasn't an option. Joseph sent over several of his guys right after we left the city, and he assured me they weren't far behind. I jumped out of the vehicle anxiously waiting. Pacing, the gravel crunching under my feet.

A few minutes later there were headlights in the distance.

"Be ready for anything!" I hissed.

Hector nodded. Max pulled his Glock from his waistband and pointed it toward the approaching vehicle, where he was positioned in the backseat, hidden from view.

We couldn't just assume it was our guys, especially when we were vulnerable meeting so close to where Harper was being held.

The blacked-out sedan came to a stop behind us. The engine turned off, and the headlights went dark. All four doors opened swiftly, and five large men emerged.

"Those are Josephs new guys," Max announced. I'm glad he recognized them because I didn't. A couple more steps and one of them may have ended up with a bullet hole in their chest.

I'll need to set up a meet and greet for these new guys.

I took a couple of breaths to calm the steadily increasing rage building. Losing my cool wouldn't do anybody any good, but neither would standing around.

"What the fuck are we waiting on. let's get those sons of bitches." I snarled.

We needed to reach her before they could harm her in any way. I could never forgive myself if we didn't get there in time.

The hour was ending, and they would be expecting my call but instead, I would be gracing them with an in-person visit. I couldn't wait to see the look in that bastard's eyes when he got up close and personal with my Forty-five.

Max examined the blueprints of the warehouse, where she was being held. Judging by the picture he sent to my phone, and the size of the window in the photo's background, it was clear they were holding her in a basement of some kind.

Max and I planned to walk right to the fucking front door. Hector and one of Joseph's guys would take the back, and the other four would take any windows or doors surrounding the building.

From the looks of it, the window had bars, but Hector seemed to think he could find a way in and get Harper out safely.

I fucking hope so.

We parked several hundred feet from the small warehouse, staying hidden in the shadows as much as possible we walked toward the door. Coming into the parking lot Hector shot out the streetlights near the doors. Max had already hacked into the surveillance system and worked his magic so that we could sneak in undetected.

The heavy metal doors squealed when Max and I entered the front entrance.

"Unlocked" I scoffed. "Amateurs." I rolled my eyes with a smirk. Even though I harbored a strong dislike for my father's way of life, I have to confess, that whenever I got the rare chance to get involved in something worthwhile, I relished it immensely.

Max opened his mouth but quickly closed it. The sound of voices echoed through the building. From what I could tell it was just two male voices. The muffled sounds were inaudible but seemed clearer the closer we got to the only room with a light on. The door was propped open with a cinder block.

I signaled Max to stop when I saw the shadowing of someone walking toward the door.

"It's been an hour. He's playing with us now." One voice stated.

"Looks like we'll need to send him something to show how serious we are." The second voice persisted cheerfully.

Too cheerfully.

"Havoc, if we go back down there don't fucking touch her. Crushed balls won't be the only thing you need to worry about, do you hear me?"

"Come on Malice, the bitch deserves it after kneeing me, plus we already had her, it would be like revisiting an old friend." He teased.

"Remember how good she was?" he asked sucking in a breath as if he were reminiscing.

Picturing Harper kneeing that asshole in the balls helped ease my anger. I glanced at Max, who sported a smirk identical to mine. The grin on his face said it all – he was just as excited about this as I was.

No one hurts Harper and laughs about it. We will enjoy making them pay.

They walked toward a door on the opposite side of the room. I grabbed my phone and sent a quick text to Hector warning him that they were on the move. Hopefully, he already reached Harper and ensured her safety. My wishful thinking was short-lived when I heard Harper's voice come out of nowhere.

"Get your hands off of me, you disgusting pig!" Her screams were followed by a very audible, ‘hawk tuah'

A fire was set in my veins at the thought of anyone's hands on her but mine. I gave Max a stern look and gestured toward the brothers' direction. Max went first and I followed close behind. We managed to reach the other door, which was left slightly open.

I cautiously descended an old staircase, making sure to miss any broken steps to avoid noise. As soon as I was far enough down to peer into the room, I found Hector hidden in a corner behind some old machinery.

I glanced over the room to see Harper still hanging as she was in the photo. One of those fuckers had his hand down her shirt.

Harper thrashed about trying to get him from her, but it only fueled his behavior. He started to let his hands roam further down her abdomen, I looked over at Max with Fury in my eyes. Without warning I stepped out into view.

"I believe the lady asked you to get your hands off of her," I spoke loudly, drawing the attention of both Havoc and Malice as they snapped their heads in my direction. Malice reached to grab the gun from his waistband.

Wagging my finger, I said, "Ah, ah!'".

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Max warned as he walked from behind me pointing his gun at Malice's head. With one swift movement, he pulled another and pointed it at Havoc's groin.

"He's been itching to castrate someone," I smirked, "Tonight could be his lucky night if you aren't really careful." I taunted, tilting my head to the side as I sized up the two of them. Malice dropped his gun in surrender

The clatter of metal echoed in the confined space, Havoc's hands raised in surrender to match Malice's. Malice attempted to maintain a composed exterior, yet I could easily see past his facade. The panic was written on his face. Given their high profile, I anticipated a larger entourage, yet it appeared there were only the two of them.

I glanced past the brothers to find Harper's gaze piercing through me. I was expecting to see hope and relief in her face, but instead, I saw something that made me feel like I was missing a crucial part of the puzzle.

"How do you wanna handle this brother?" Max waited for directions.

My eyes were still fixed on Harper's.

"Did they hurt you?" I whispered just loud enough for her to hear me.

She didn't have a response in her, leaving me to decipher her gaze.

"Take them down," I answered with a satisfied grin in Malice's direction.

Just as Max raised his gun from Havoc's groin and aimed it at his face, the sound of heavy rushed footsteps came from above us. I looked over to Max and back to Malice who was grinning through his teeth.

"You didn't think I would come here unprepared, did you?"

Seconds later several armed men rushed through the door, guns raised.

Max and I hurried down the remaining stairs and turned to aim our firearms toward the newcomers. I noticed Hector getting ready to reveal his hiding spot from the corner of my eye. When he made eye contact, I shook my head, advising him to stay hidden.

Malice used the momentary distraction to pull his gun as he positioned himself behind Harper and placed the barrel against her temple.

"Put your guns down, you wouldn't want someone to accidentally put a bullet in this pretty little bitches head would you?" He pressed his lips to her ear and whispered something. Her eyes widened in panic, but only long enough for me to catch it, and then she quickly slid her brave face back on, as she bit her bottom lip forcing her emotions to stay hidden. All I wanted to do was to get her out of here, and home where she belonged, where she would be safe.

Malice started counting from Five, with his finger on the trigger of the gun that was still pressed against Harper's head. Harper held her head high and her tears at bay.

She is so fucking strong.

I looked her in the eyes and gave her a slight nod towards the corner of the room, hoping she would see Hector hiding. I wanted her to know we had the upper hand.

Four. Three…

I threw one hand in the air in surrender, as I dropped my aim, then slowly lowered my gun to the ground. Max mimicked my movements.

"Good choice gentlemen, I didn't wanna have to ruin my boots. Blood is always so hard to get out of alligator skin."