\[Elise’s POV\]
I wince at the big lug’s words. Man, that was harsh to hear. Not only did William’s crazy father kidnap him while I wasn’t here, but he even managed to murder Hamilton.
“Any means necessary?” I ask slowly, needing confirmation of what I could do. “Because I’m pretty fucking close to exploding.”
“By any means.” The big lug confirms.
“Rosco!” Denali gasps, her eyes growing wide. “You can’t possibly...”
“By any means necessary.” Rosco repeats.
“Bahahaha!”
Feeling my anger spike, I turn to take in my bastard father, who is listening in carefully.
“Shut the fuck up, old man.” I snap, lifting a foot and slamming it into his face.
Pulling away, I watch with satisfaction as his freshly busted lip and broken nose begin to bleed. Serves him right for finding pleasure in others suffering.
‘That was just us a little over a year ago.’ Anna points out. ‘My sweet Elise, you’re growing into a reasonable adult finally.’
‘No chance.’ I sigh.
I wasn’t being a reasonable adult. Or maybe I was. I didn’t know. Hanging around these goodie goodies was taking a toll on me. Once this is done, I need to get far away.
“Someone take Roger to the dungeon.” The big lug announces. “And this time, you better make sure he doesn’t escape.”
“On it, alpha.” Warren announces. “I’ll be sure to watch over him while you three go and rescue William,” he continues, nodding toward Jose, Charlie, and me.
“Is three enough?” Denali asks worriedly. “Won’t they be overpowered?”
“Those three,” the big lug murmurs, taking us in. “I think they’ll be fine.”
Smirking, I feel a surge of pride over the fact the big lug was acknowledging my abilities to kick some ass. Good, at least he realized that I wasn’t so easy to beat.
“With that said,” he continues. “You should get going. I don’t know what that uncle of mine is up to, but the longer he walks free, the more damage he can cause.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice.” I giggle, cracking my knuckles.
Turning, I begin to skip forward but stop as Charlie grabs me by the back of the shirt.
“What?” I snap. “What is it?”
“You can’t just stroll in there all willy-nilly.” He sighs.
“Then what do you suggest we do?” I demand.
“You’ll see.” He grins. “Let me make a call. Meet me on the roof in thirty minutes.”
“Roger that.”
Thirty minutes later, I stand on the roof, watching as a large helicopter hovers just above us. When Charlie said to meet him here, I didn’t know what I expected, but it certainly wasn’t this.
“Don’t just stand there.” He commands now, taking control. “Time is wasting.”
Frowning, I look from the chopper to him and back.
“How the fuck do we get to it?” I snap, taking in the distance between us and the thing. “I may be agile, but I’m not a fucking kangaroo.”
As the words leave my lips, a rope ladder drops, answering my question.
“Up you go.” Charlie smirks.
Rolling my eyes, I grab the ladder and give it a few tugs to make sure that it is sturdy. Once I’m sure that it won’t snap on me, I begin to climb while the other two follow behind me.
When I reach the helicopter, I climb in and settle into a seat while taking in the city in the distance. Only when Charlie and Jose have joined me do I turn my attention to them.
“Are we secret agents now, or something?” I ask as we begin to move. “Jumping from helicopters and shit.”
“We don’t know how secure the borders are.” Charlie explains.
“And you think they aren’t going to try to stop us from doing this thing?” I demand. “I’m sure they have weapons that they can reach.”
“We are going to stay fairly high.” He explains.
“Fairly high.” I repeat, my eyes widening. “What the fuck does that mean?”
“We’re going to be parachuting.” Jose chuckles. “Isn’t it obvious?”
Shivering, I take in the distance to the ground from our altitude and imagine myself plummeting toward it.
“What is it, crazy lady?” Charlie asks, eyeing me curiously. “Are you afraid?”
Afraid? Maybe, but I wouldn’t give them the satisfaction of knowing that.
“Do you think they won’t stop us before we reach the building?” I ask.
“Well, we’ll cross that bridge when the time comes.” Charlie shrugs.
Cross that bridge when the time came. Was this man suicidal after almost dying? Maybe he was fine with losing his life for this, but I didn’t intend to do that. I couldn’t die before I knew that my father received the divine punishment he deserved.
Sighing, I turn my attention back out the window and watch the city below us until we reach the outskirts of Crystal Fang.
“Are you ready?” Charlie asks as the sound of gunfire reaches. “Be ready.”
Grabbing my parachute, I begin to attach it to my body. After it is in place, I move to the door and grab the strap that hangs from the roof so that I don’t accidentally fall out. Once I’m sure that I’m safe, I peek down at the warriors who aim their weapons at us.
“Whimps.” I huff, hating to see wolves actually need such things. “Does this mean they can’t fight for themselves?”
As the question leaves my mouth, the helicopter turns, causing me to dangle out of the door until it straightens again.
“Do you have a death wish?” Charlie growls, steadying me.
“Wasn’t the whole purpose to jump?” I counter.
“Not now.” He huffs.
“You two get along quite well, don’t you?” Jose asks from his seat.
“Shut up.” I sigh, turning my attention back to the ground as more shots are fired at us. “Better yet, get your ass up and get ready. I’m sure Jaxon will be alerted to our arrival.”
Finished speaking, I keep my gaze fixed on the packhouse, which is growing closer and closer. Somewhere in there was William, who was going through Goddess knew what.
‘No mind.’ I grin, feeling my adrenaline surge. ‘I’ll destroy anyone who touches what belongs to me.’
‘Are you accepting him?’ Anna asks me. ‘After continuously denying that you cared for him?’
Was I? Maybe. Just thinking of something bad happening to him really left me uneasy, but did that mean that I was actually accepting him? If anything, he was my toy. Right. That was all it was. He was my toy, and I didn’t like sharing my things.
Deciding that this was the best explanation, I focus completely on the packhouse, and once I’m sure that we are close enough for me to land perfectly on, I turn my attention to the two men behind me.
“Last one to reach is a rotten egg!” I announce, bracing myself. “And that is most certainly not going to be me.” I continue while leaping.