Ronan tugged her hand, pulling her closer to him. “You should’ve told me, Puff.”
She gave him a lopsided grin. “Yeah, right. Tell you, the big strong Vamp that me, a Dragon, is scared of a few fireworks.”
“You need to tell me about anything that you’re scared of, Puff.”
His words in her mind had her grinning, “Liking the mind talking now, do we?”
“It has its uses. Don’t deflect, Puff, if there’s anything else that scares you then you tell me. I’ll make sure you’re kept far from whatever it is. Okay?”
“Okay, Ronan, maybe I’ll tell you my deep, dark, secret fears. Someday, soon, maybe.”
He ran a finger down the side of her face, “You better, mo chroi, I want to know absolutely everything about you. Including your fears.”
Starr moved her face into his hand, nodding her head just slightly, before Creed’s voice interrupted their private conversation.
“We should get moving.”
Ronan jerked, having almost forgotten where they were, turning to look at Creed. The man looked wired tight and Ronan could clearly see his jaw clenching. “Okay men. Load up, we’re outta here!”
The sound of heavy boots all moving at once was loud in the cavernous garage as men and women moved towards their designated vehicles. Almost all of the SUVs would be used this morning and Ronan led Starr to theirs. Sam was already behind the wheel and Creed was getting in the front passenger seat.
“Guess we’re in the back,” Starr quipped as he opened the door for her.
“Guess we are,” he replied as he went around to get in.
“Are your comms on?” Sam asked and Ronan flushed, having forgotten to switch his earpiece on.
Doing so quickly, he nodded at Sam. “Is now. Anything from Matthew or Serge?”
Sam started to back out, letting the other vehicles leave before joining them. “Matthew says still no movement, Serge and his Wolves found one device at the end of this street but have disarmed it. Nothing else on the route and they’ve just arrived at the destination. He’ll get back to me shortly.”
“Here? They had another bomb here?” Starr’s voice was full of indignation and a touch of anger. “Anyone could’ve been hurt, kids on their way to school, mothers out walking their babies, anyone!”
Creed turned around, his eyes locking with Starr’s. “They don’t care. He doesn’t care. In fact, he would get a kick out of killing them.”
“Just as well we’re on our way to take him out then,” Sam growled.
“Yes, indeed,” Starr said far more forcefully than she normally spoke.
Ronan placed a hand on her knee. “We’ll get them. Just remember they are very dangerous and you need to stay back and out of the way of the teams. I don’t want you getting caught in between them.”
Starr gave him a very hard stare. “You do remember I’m a Dragon? I’m just as fast as you lot and I know a thing or two ‘bout bringing down an angry Vamp!”
Sam’s laughter broke the tension that had risen in the rear. “You tell him, Starr!”
“Are you changing this time?” Creed asked, his face still a cold, hard mask.
Starr snorted, “No, I don’t think the boss here would like it if folks saw a great big Dragon flying in the sky over Denver!”
“That’s not even funny and you know it!” Ronan retorted, thinking of the PR nightmare that would cause.
Serge’s voice interrupted them, Ronan lifting a hand to stop Starr from talking. “Nothing that we can detect here but there are at least twenty five, I repeat, at least twenty five bodies in the warehouse.”
Ronan clicked his comms unit to reply, “Copy that, we’ll be there shortly.”
Sam half turned, catching Ronan’s eye, “Looks like we’ve got us a fight rather than a snatch ‘n grab.”
Creed snarled before turning and looking out the window, every part of him humming with power. Ronan drew some more power inside his own body, readying for battle. “This is gonna get dirty, Starr, stay back. I’m not arguing with you, stay the hell back.”
He saw her open her mouth to argue and then clamp it shut into a tight line. “Thank you,” he said into her head and she just sat glaring at him in return.
He didn’t relish the argument he could see in his future but would rather have Starr’s anger than the possibility of her being hurt. Or their unborn child.
Creed turned, looking between them before swiveling his head back to stare out the windshield. Starr’s words in his head a second later. “If you’re not careful people are going to soon figure out something is up. Like the fact I’m pregnant!”
He gave her a tight smile but didn’t answer, knowing she was right. Cac! It was a bugger when she was right!
“We’re stopping just ahead and going in the rest of the way on foot.” Sam pointed and Ronan saw the rest of their vehicles already parked.
Some of the teams took off in different directions while some waited on them. Their teams were going in straight on, in the front door, at the same time as others went in from the sides, back and roof. Ronan checked his watch, eight minutes to incursion.
Using his comms unit he addressed everyone. “Eight minutes and counting.” Before opening the door and getting out.
Creed took charge of the teams, advising who would go where. Ronan, Sam, Creed and Serge were going in center front, with two other teams taking either side. Looking around he didn’t see Serge and was just about to ask where he was when his voice came over the link.
“Wolves in place, going silent now as we are changing. See ya when ya’ll get here.”
Ronan couldn’t help the smile that tugged at the sides of his mouth with the thought of anybody that had the misfortune to pass by. Seeing a pack of his Wolves would scare even the hardiest of folk. “Okay, let’s get moving, seven minutes and counting.”
Ronan led their group, jogging along, staying close to the deserted buildings for cover just in case they had any “spotters” out. They would be idiots if they didn’t but he had no idea how this Mikhail worked.
The closer they got Ronan heightened his senses, sending them out to look for any danger. With less than two minutes to go they neared the end of a building, knowing the one they wanted was just around the corner and opposite. Serge and two of his Wolves waited on them. Using his link again he checked in. “Teams check in, are you all in place?”
Several “Affirmative’s” sounded in his ear and then the sound of gunfire broke the silence. One of the Wolves fell to the ground, a loud howl rending the air as blood spurted from a large caliber wound in the animal’s hindquarters.
Starr squealed as Ronan roared through the comms, “Go, go, go!”
Ronan turned around, “Starr, stay the fuck back! Do you understand? Stay the fuck away!”
Her face pure white she nodded and he ran off, using his speed to stay ahead of the bullets he knew would be coming. He didn’t think for a moment that they wouldn’t be silver.
The shots continued to ring out, hitting the ground as he ran, more than once pieces of concrete stung as they flew up to hit him. Serge and the other Wolf were left behind as the Vampires used every ounce of their strength and speed to stay ahead of the bullets.
Ronan saw the shooter, lying on top of the building they were heading towards at breakneck speed. His enhanced sight caught his team appearing in the rear left corner, moving quickly to overcome the man with deadly precision. As the bullets stopped flying he could now hear the incursions happening from the sides and back of the building.
More shots rang out as all hell broke loose, Ronan and Creed reached the building before anyone else. Rushing inside Ronan took in the various vicious fights going on, blood and gore flying all around. Then the Wolves arrived and added body parts to the mix. He saw Serge’s Wolf dart past, leaping high into the air and landing on the back of a Vampire that was shooting wildly at anything that moved. The great jaws of the beast removing an arm from the body in one swift bite.
As the man screamed, high pitched and full of terror, Serge’s Wolf turned, a paw raking razor sharp claws across the legs causing the man to collapse. Ronan didn’t bother watching any further, knowing the Wolf would decapitate the Vampire in less than a heartbeat.
An inhuman roar caught his attention as he punched straight through the chest cavity of a man who ran at him, a silver blade in his hand. Ronan crushed the heart while it still beat inside the Vampire, seeing the shock and disbelief in his eyes for a second before he fell dead at his feet.
Creed pushed him out of the way, stepping over the bloody body. “Mikhail!” he roared, running forward towards a tall, thin man standing to the side.
Ronan tried to follow but got caught up in fighting two more Vampires. One at his back and one at his front. “Cac!” he shouted as he was punched brutally in the kidneys. The punch was one that would cause lesser Vampires to fall to the knees. Ronan dropped down, sweeping his leg backwards and downing the man behind him. Still on the ground he raised an arm before lowering it with all the force he could muster, smashing the man’s face to oblivion.
Turning his attention to the one in front he risked a quick glance over to where Creed was. Standing in front of this Mikhail and he thought they were talking, arguing, shouting. He couldn’t be sure but he wanted to get over there as soon as he could.
A roar rumbled up his chest, erupting from his mouth as he soared upwards, using his legs to propel him into the body of the Vampire in his way. Ronan knew immediately that this one was older, stronger, and more powerful than the ones he had dealt with ‘til now. They locked in a deathly battle, strength against strength, power against power, as the fought for supremacy and life.
Ronan saw the Vampire’s fangs in his mouth, already dripping with blood. A sharp punch to his stomach took his breath away for less than a second but it was enough for the man to pummel him almost to the ground. Ronan dug deep, using his vast experience to regain his footing, grabbing the man’s clothes and head-butting him square in the center of his nose.
Blood exploded everywhere, blinding the Vampire and Ronan pushed home his advantage. Taking hold around his neck he rolled backwards, onto the floor, placing his feet in his gut and flying him upwards, through the air to land hard on his back. Ronan sprang up and over, landing on his chest, knees either side of his chest as he punched him furiously in the face. He saw his eyes dim, losing consciousness and then he sprang to his feet and moved towards Creed.
As soon as he let off on the pressure the Vamp grabbed his ankle. “Fucker had been faking,” he thought as he almost tumbled to the floor. Ronan caught a streak of fur in his peripheral vision, the next moment Serge’s Wolf was on top of the Vampire, mauling him to shreds.
Shaking off the now loose hand around his leg, he stalked over towards a shaking Creed. The hatred that poured out of his guard was so strong he tasted it in the air around him. As he drew nearer, he could clearly hear Mikhail’s taunts in heavily accented English.
“You think you can take me? You’re not strong enough. Never were. You were weak then and you’re weak now. Look at all the men you brought with you! You didn’t have the balls to come on your own! You...”
“Shut. The. Fuck. Up!” Creed’s voice was laced with barely restrained fury.
Ronan stopped beside Creed, the fights slowly ending in the warehouse. His men taking out all but a couple of Mikhail’s, who were still fighting on. He knew it would be finished soon. Apart from Mikhail that was.
“So, you’re Mikhail Karloff,” Ronan drawled in a condescending tone. “Thought you woulda been bigger, more powerful, but hey, you’re just like any other mob boss.”
Mikhail’s eyes locked with Ronan’s. “Who are you?”
Ronan gave him his best smirk. “Me? Oh, I’m nobody, just a friend of Creed’s.”
“You dare to talk to me like this? You dare to stand before me and show me disrespect? You...”
Ronan butted in, “Yes, I dare. You’re nothing but a pest and I’m pretty sure we’re gonna do what we do with all pests here…exterminate your sorry ass!”
Creed actually smiled. A feral and rather scary smile, but a smile nonetheless.
Mikhail’s eyes glanced at Creed then back at him. “The two of you? That doesn’t seem fair, now does it?”
“No, not the two of us.” Ronan inclined his head towards Creed. “I’m sure my man, Creed, can take you down all on his own. However, I insist on doing a search of you first.”
“What?” Mikhail glared at him. “I do not think so, Mr. Nobody.”
“Serge! Sam!” Ronan shouted and in moments Sam stood beside him, with Serge’s Wolf snarling and snapping at Mikhail.
“You will let me search you before you and Creed start.” Stepping forward Ronan slapped down Mikhail’s hands. “After all, we’ve seen just how dirty your men fight and you are not going into this with any kind of weapon.”
Serge’s beast continued to snarl, snapping so close to Mikhail’s hands that the Vampire raised them in the air. “Good, I see you already know the stance for being searched.” Ronan grinned as he started to pat the man down.
A low rumble started in Ronan’s chest, coming out as a growl when he found several weapons: two silver daggers, a nine millimeter handgun and a silver stake. The last was hidden at Mikhail’s back, in his waistband. Ronan’s skin burned as he removed the silver items, passing them to Sam who pulled his sleeve down to cover his hand.
“As I said, you and your men fight dirty!” Ronan spat the words out, his eyes full of disdain as he pushed Mikhail away from him.
Creed stepped forward. “Just you and me now.”
Laughing, Mikhail scorned him. “Yes, just you and me and our memories! You have yours of that Witch and I have mine of my beautiful Oleg.”
“Oleg was a monster and he despised you. You were, and still are, too damn stupid to see that! He hated you, hated your touch, and hated your special form of loving!” Creed was almost frothing at the mouth as he spoke, his eyes slits, his hands clenched into tight fists.
“No! You lie!” Mikhail roared and flew at Creed with a ferocity borne from insanity.
Ronan jumped back, out of the way, as the two powerful Vampires locked in battle. Mikhail’s nails long and sharp, slashing at Creed’s face…trying to rake his eyes and blind him. However, Creed was well versed in fighting. Ronan was well aware of his activities in the “fight clubs” and although officially they were frowned upon, Ronan knew it could be a good stress reliever for some of his men.
Creed was right up there at the top of the league, possibly the best fighter in the entire US. Watching as Mikhail engaged his guard, using down and dirty methods and pure Vampire power, Ronan knew Creed was going to need every last bit of experience he had.
“Shit! This is gonna be close!” Sam exclaimed and Ronan agreed.
The warehouse skirmishes were now over, Mikhail’s men either dead or in custody. Ronan turned around, ensuring they were secure and saw his men all watching the fight that was now in progress. Some were giving encouragement with shouts of “Go Creed!” “Rip his fucking heart out!” was also a popular choice, while others just stopped and stared, taking in every detail of the bloody fight.
And, bloody it was, both Vampires having scored direct hits on the face, causing split lips, cuts above the eyes and, Ronan noticed, Mikhail’s nose was definitely broken. Both were obviously seasoned fighters, Mikhail appearing well matched against Creed.
Sam’s stage whisper was exactly what he was thinking, “Fuck! Creed better take him down ‘cause if he doesn’t, I think the men will rip him apart!”
Ronan kept his eyes trained on the struggle as Mikhail tried to best Creed. A particularly hard punch from Creed causing Mikhail to stagger back, with Creed following, raining blows down on the man with such ferocity that he was sure Creed was not here. No, Creed would be seeing the body of the woman he loved, broken, bloody, and debased.
He knew if it were Starr that he
would be acting the same. With hatred and anger, loathing and disgust at the man who was the cause. Just thinking of someone hurting Starr caused his heart rate to rise dramatically and his breathing to almost cease.
“You okay, Puff?” he asked, using their link.
“Yes, but this Wolf will need medical attention. I’ve managed to stem the bleeding but the bullet is still inside and I’m sure it’s silver.”
Ronan relaxed as soon as he heard her voice in his head. “We shouldn’t be much longer, Creed is dealing with Mikhail right now. As soon as it’s over we’ll be leaving.”
“Good, I want to get the Wolf some aid and I’m feeling helpless at the minute.”
“Not long,” he replied, turning quickly and motioning to one of his men.
“Go and get one of the SUVs and find Starr, she’s just outside, with an injured Wolf.”
The look on the guard’s face clearly told of his upset at missing the rest of the fight, but he nodded and ran off without saying a word. Ronan’s attention immediately returned to the battle that was raging in front of him and he thought, for a split second, whether he should intervene. No, if he did he knew Creed would never forgive him and his men needed this too, for the loss of their friends in the explosion.
Creed was fighting like a man possessed, his movements determined, fast and deadly. Mikhail appeared to be flagging as Creed continued to pound into his adversary. Ronan’s eyes widened as Mikhail stepped back, his hands up in front of him, “Stop! I surrender!” he shouted as Creed stopped his onslaught.
“What?” Creed asked, shocked.
“I surrender!” Mikhail said again as Creed shook his head.
Creed roared, the sound hurting Ronan’s ears as he screamed at Mikhail, “This fight doesn’t give you that choice. You didn’t give my mate that choice!”
Creed stepped forward, slowly, as Mikhail backed up. Ronan watched as his guard stalked the man responsible for Darya’s death and knew he would act the same if it were him. Mikhail’s eyes darted all around, looking for help; he got none.
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