5. Rafe

5

RAFE

My head jerked to the side as a fist slammed into my face for the third time. I spat the blood pooling in my mouth onto the floor of whatever abandoned warehouse Zavala took over and looked back at the man in front of me. He wasn't all that intimidating, but he had a fist like a sledgehammer.

"Who else knows about my operations?" Zavala asked, standing off to the side. With his arms crossed over his chest and a sinister expression on his face, he almost looked formidable. Yet, the white suit he donned countered the look he was going for.

"You're never going to stop them. I have men everywhere."

He smirked at me, a slight chuckle leaving his lips. "I don't doubt that, but I also think you have it in your head that I'll let you live longer if you hold out on me. The thing is, I don't have time for this. I'll put a bullet in your head and end this now. There could be two of you or twenty. Either way, you'll never win. You don't have what it takes to take down my operation."

I let a broad grin spread over my face. It was true, I did have men everywhere doing my bidding, but they only moved on my command. I'd set things in motion to go off at very specific times, and until that time, I had nothing on my side. Not unless one of them went against my wishes, which they never would. Everyone with me was very loyal.

But he didn't know that.

I knew there was a possibility that he wouldn't take me immediately to the island, but it was a risk I had to take. But if he killed me right now, it would be for nothing. I would have to hope that Cash would carry on for me—that he would discover what I left behind for him and figure out what needed to be done. But that was a long shot. Cash had his own agenda, and that didn't include running behind me and cleaning up my mess.

"Shoot him," Zavala ordered. "He's not going to give us anything."

He'd barely touched me. Three hits to the jaw was hardly an interrogation. But Zavala clearly knew when he was going to get answers and when it was a lost cause.

"That's it?" I laughed.

"I don't waste my time. I'm a businessman. My time is precious."

"So is money."

"You won't give me what I want."

"I guess that depends on what you want."

"Information."

"Can't help you there," I said, shaking my head slightly.

"Then you're useless."

"There are other ways to get what you need."

"Such as?"

Zavala wanted information more than anything, but if he wouldn't keep me alive to get that, I had to give him something even more enticing. "A better way to move your product."

"And you'd give me that?"

"For a price. Anyone can be bought."

He considered this for a moment, but I knew it would be a hard sell. "And why would you suddenly switch sides and help me after trying to take me down for years?"

"Who said I was trying to take you down?"

"What else would you be trying to achieve?"

"Like you said, you're a businessman. Your time is precious. Why would you waste your time on someone new when you already have men who move your product?"

I was taking a big risk that he would see the value in my services instead of just shooting me for being a pain in the ass. But I had to hope that he saw my ability to take out the competition as a benefit.

"You have some balls. You walk in here expecting me to not only use you, but cut you in on the profits after you've stolen millions of dollars from me."

"I don't work for free."

"And what about my previous shipments?"

"I'm afraid I can't do anything about that. See, in order for my plans to work, I had to turn over those shipments. I had to make the bureau think I was working with them."

"So, what's your plan going forward? You're going to steal shipments from me to continue the ruse?"

"I'll have to give them something from time to time, but no, not all of them. See, while they're following the trail I lay out for them, we'll be working in a completely opposite way. Your shipping lines will never be more secure."

He studied me for a moment, but I knew he wasn't going to buy it. I'd already cost him too much money, and a man like that didn't forgive the loss of millions of dollars over the promise of what may come.

"You're very sure of yourself."

"I'm sure of my plan."

"Then you must have known coming here that there was a chance I wouldn't take your services."

"I assumed."

"And you came anyway."

"What is business without risk?"

He stared at me, clearly impressed with my attitude. But the fall of the axe was coming. I could feel it in the air. He turned to his man, giving a slight nod. I saw the gun being drawn and knew there was nothing left for me to do. I'd tried my best and failed. I never thought it would end like this. I hoped I would get to the island and finally end all of this.

My thoughts drifted to Libby one last time. I thought of the few mornings we spent together, lying in bed and enjoying each other. Looking back, I wish I had taken a little more time with her. But I knew this was coming. I just hadn't been willing to face it yet. That's why I said my goodbyes over the phone. I couldn't stand the thought of seeing that look on her face as she begged me not to go through with my plans.

The man stepped toward me, pressing the gun against my forehead. I let my eyes close for the last time?—

Multiple explosions wrenched through the silence. My eyes flew open as chaos descended on us. Chunks of concrete flew from all corners of the building. Men in black swarmed the inside, firing their weapons at the surrounding guards. One by one, they fell, completely unprepared for the attack.

I struggled with my bonds, trying my best to break free. "Untie me!" I shouted at the man still pointing his weapon at me.

He glanced at me in confusion right before a bullet tore through his neck. He fell to the ground, blood spilling from his throat as he struggled to breathe. Zavala picked up his weapon and started firing at the men. His shots went wide, not hitting any of the intended targets. I continued to rip at the binds until finally, I got my hand in a position where I could squeeze it through them. I screamed in pain under my breath as the rope tore my skin, but finally, I was free. I stood, spinning the chair around as I ripped the rope from my other hand.

A man ran at Zavala and I swung the chair, smashing it over his head. Zavala turned to me, watching me warily for only a second. I snatched the gun from his hands and turned, firing round after round at the men coming at us. I grabbed Zavala by the jacket and hauled him after me behind some rubble. His men were dropping like flies. There was no way we were going to get out of here alive.

I was suddenly jerked back by the neck. The gun was knocked from my hand as I was tossed over someone's shoulder. I hit the ground hard, wincing at the way I landed, but I jumped to my feet and attacked. The man sidestepped just as I was about to take him down. He locked my head under his arm and flipped me backward. As soon as I landed on my back, he was on me, pinning me to the ground. I instantly recognized the move.

"You're welcome, little brother," Cash hissed in my ear. "Make it look good."

Chuckling, I slammed my elbow into his face, drawing blood and probably knocking a tooth loose. We traded blow after blow, each of us getting in a few good hits and making it look real. Then again, it was real. Neither of us could resist taking our chance to land a devastating blow.

I finally got him on his back and wrapped my arm around his neck, pulling him in close. "Who should have that fucking medal of honor now?"

"Are you still going on about that? Since when do you give a fuck about medals?"

"I'm not going with you."

"This isn't a rescue, asshole."

I was surprised he figured it out, but I probably shouldn't have been. Cash was smarter than I ever gave him credit for. "Then I'm really fucking sorry about this."

I pulled the gun from his holster and fired. He stumbled back a step, a look of shock on his face.

"You fucking asshole," he wheezed, his hand pressed to his side.

I shrugged, grinning at him. "It had to look real." I pointed to his side. "You should probably get that looked at."

With one final look at my brother, I tried not to think of all the years that had passed between us, and the fact that I would miss everything from here on out. He would have years with Eva, living the life he'd always wanted. And I hoped he would take care of Libby for me, even though I had just shot him. With one final nod, I turned away from my brother one last time and ran for Zavala, grabbing him by the jacket as we ran from the building.

The time for thinking about my family was over. Now it was time to get to work.