Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 52932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 265(@200wpm)___ 212(@250wpm)___ 176(@300wpm)
Each time I visit my father in hospital, I’m on edge. The toxicology reports have come back, and the doctors have found a poison in his system that they didn’t test for previously. It’s the reason his health has deteriorated so rapidly over the past few months.
My heart hurts for the man who raised me to be strong, resilient, and loyal. I know my father’s not a saint, but he is good to those he loves, which makes Gordon’s betrayal all the more despicable.
The doctors have started Da on the correct treatment. He’s not out of the woods yet and will remain in hospital for the time being, but the medical team are cautiously hopeful that he will make a good recovery eventually.
Back at the hotel where the guys are staying, we regroup with Hades and Racer. We lay everything we’ve uncovered out on the table, piecing together the different parts of the puzzle. All the clues point to a larger conspiracy.
“It’s clear that there’s more than one organisation involved in this,” Hades says, his voice grim. “We know Gordon is leading the charge, but we need to find out who else he’s working with. There are a lot more players on the board than we anticipated, and the Mod Boys keep getting a mention. They’re a gang we don’t know much about.”
I nod, my expression determined. “We’ve got enough to start making some moves, but we need to be careful. We can’t let them know we’re onto them until we have solid proof.”
Racer takes a drag on his cigarette, exhaling slowly. “What’s the plan, boss?”
I outline our next steps, assigning tasks, and coordinating our efforts. As I speak, I can see the respect in the eyes of Hades and Racer. They trust me and so does Hadrian.
“Hadrian, I need you to help me follow up on a lead. There’s a meeting happening at the old factory tomorrow. I want us to head over there to see who shows up.”
He nods. “Consider it done. We need to visit your father at the hospital soon and let him know what we’ve found.”
“I don’t want to bother him with this until we have all the evidence. He’s still very weak. Maybe we can speak to him after we’ve followed up on the lead tomorrow?”
The anxiety I’m feeling must be evident in my tone because Hadrian rises, and pulling me to my feet, he wraps me in his arms and holds me for a long moment. I want nothing more than to stay in his embrace and forget about everything going on around us, but I know it’s not possible.
The next day, Hadrian and I stake out the factory, keeping a low profile as we watch members of the Mod Boys enter and exit. It’s a tense wait, but finally, the familiar face of Gordon appears. The bastard is going to pay for everything he’s done and is doing.
Hadrian snaps a few photos, recording the meeting from a safe distance. We knew Gordon was the traitor, but now we’ve confirmed the identity of the organisation working with him. It’s the last bit of proof we need, the final piece of the puzzle, and when the meeting breaks up, we slip away.
“We need to go to your father now,” Hadrian tells me as he speeds up the motorway.
His knuckles are turning white as he grips the steering wheel. He’s tense, and I can tell, he’s ready to make someone bleed. Specifically, a person named Gordon.
“Aye, I think we should head straight there,” I agree. “If we can get his go ahead, maybe we can finish this today.”
“We need to make sure our plan is foolproof. I know you want to get this over and done with, but rushing now would be a mistake. Gordon could escape, and one of us could get hurt.” Hadrian’s tone is gentle, but commanding, and I steal a glance at him.
Butterflies awaken in my belly, and I place my hand on his thigh as a gesture of reassurance. “I won’t rush into it. I just…”
“I know, Magpie.”
The fact that he doesn’t move my hand makes me smile, but I bite my lip to keep it from showing. I don’t want him to see the effect he has on me. I need to let him tell me what he’s feeling, and not the other way around. The last time I told him how I felt, he left.
My father is sitting out in an armchair by his hospital bed when we arrive, and his eyes light up with anticipation. “What have you got to tell me?”
We show him the photos and explain what we’ve discovered. Da’s expression hardens as he takes it all in. We still don’t know who runs the Mod Boys. They’ve been around for a while, but I haven’t had any business dealings with them. There are rumours their leader is a violent, ruthless monster like Gordon, which probably explains why they’re working together.