Page 102 of Broken Warrior
“Don’t play stupid with me, John. I know you know who The Harvester of Bones is, that he’s been leaving little gifts for the Kings and dancing around the club ever since he offed those two prospects that took Theo.I know you know, so don’t fuck with me right now.”
John’s dark brown eyes bounce between mine for a few beats before he nods once, so I let go of his throat and take a step back. Little John stares at me, a stare that would make most men piss their pants. “I’ll take you to him but if youeverput your hands on me again, the only thing that’ll keep me from knocking your skull clean off your shoulders is the respect and love I have for your father, God rest his soul.”
And because I’m too pissed to care that he’s serious, I can’t stop myself from saying, “I could give a shit about your fucking threat right now because I’m here aboutmy sonand Tank would be right here with me if he could be.”
At that, Little John pauses, searches my face again, then gives a subtle nod before he turns to lead me and the rest of the club that followed through his house and out back into the junkyard.
* * *
After what feltlike two-hundred fucking miles of wading through broken down vehicles and rusted out trailers, John finally stops in front of a relatively decent looking RV. I watch as he walks up to the door—the grizzly bear of a man in nothing but pajama pants and his shitkickers—and knocks in a very clear pattern.
He waits for a three count, does it again, then takes a step back to stand next to me. “I hope you know what you’re getting into by asking him for help.”
“I don’t give a flying fuck right now.”
John gives me the side eye but turns back to the RV just as the door swings open.
“Johnathon! So nice of you… well, this is surprising.”
He can say that again.
A big fuck—probably six-three or six-four and about a buck ninety—steps onto the top stair, his curly brown hair disheveled, almost lavender colored eyes slightly tired but dancing with an inappropriate level of glee as he looks us over. He’s lean, defined, like a well-oiled machine, but he isn’t jacked like I thought he’d be to kill some of the men he has. Hell, he looks nothing like I thought he would.
Not that I know what guys like him would look like, but this is not at all what I was expecting the notorious and untouchable serial killer to look like.
He’s more like a jock, like some fucking golden boy who’d be partying at a frat house or some shit instead of wreaking havoc and striking fear everywhere he goes. This bastard actually looks charming as fuck, save for the nose ring, and I bet he uses that to do what he does. He’s definitely throwing some Ted Bundy vibes right now as he grins and folds his arms against his bare chest.
Which is the exact second I realize this asshole is alsofucking naked.
“Surprising, but not unexpected.” He steps off the stairs and looks from John to me to Jackal, then scans the rest of the guys—because I have Pope, Brick, Crunchy, Marbles, and Chop with me—before his face breaks out into a smile that once again does not fit the situation. “I thought you’d figure it out sooner but I’m not disappointed. No, not at all.”
“Who the fuck is this asshat?” Marbles speaks up as he steps closer to me. “This can’t be the dude killing all those people, can it?”
“Where are my manners,” he says before bowing his head. “Vigo the Carpathian, at your service.”
John rolls his eyes. “No time for games, Tor. We got real shit to deal with, so put some goddamn pants on.”
“Solid reference, though.” Marbles grins.
The Ghost winks at him—charming bastard for sure—then stiffens his spine. “In keeping things simple and to the point, I’m Victor and I’ll give you everything you want on that piece of shit Rosco and his affiliates, but you have to answer two questions first.”
I clench my jaw and nod.This better be fucking worth it.
“One, is it the woman or the boy?”
“Myson,” I grunt, seconds from crushing this asshat’s skull in my hands.
Victor nods. “It doesn’t matter in the grand scheme, but it’ll change things for me a little, so I needed to be sure.” I scowl because I don’t give a shit abouthim, which he obviously realizes because he says, “And my second question is, you have to let me come with you.”
My lips part but before I can correct him on how that wasn’t a question, before I argue the serial killer’s participation, Marbles chuckles. “Even I know that wasn’t a question, Vic.”
Victor shrugs. “No, and I’m riding along no matter what, but I thought if I presented it falsely as a question it might go over better.”
“Wrong.” I’m clenching my teeth so hard they’re throbbing but I’m not going to argue. I want what this fucker has and my little buddy is depending on me. I don’t have time for that kind of shit right now, not when I need to find James. “But you have two minutes to get your shit together before I do it for you.”
“Stupendous!” He claps his hands and rubs them together. “All I need is two minutes, then we’ll be on our merry way.” Victor spins on his heel and practically skips up the stairs. “Ha, Little John and his merry men. Fucking priceless.”
I watch the crazy bastard disappear into his RV and wonder for a minute if I should have taken John a little more seriously.
