A startled cry of pain came from Candy and both hands went to Donk’s arm to try to ease his hold on her.
Zane exploded into action. “Don’t hurt her!” he yelled and flung himself at Donk.
The big man swung his fist at Zane. Candy stepped in front of the child, so the blow took her just above the elbow. She screamed and sank down onto the patio, cradling her arm.
“What the fuck, Donk?” Lizard yelled as he ran to his daughter, leaving the gate open wide behind him. He leaned down to examine her arm. She kept crying, rocking back and forth. Lizard straightened slowly, glaring at Donk.
“Stop whining, you little bitch. This is your fault. Open your mouth and I’ll give you something to do besides cry like the whiny little bitch you are. You’ve always spoiled her, Lizard. She doesn’t do anything she’s told.”
Lizard glared at him. “You broke her fuckin’ arm.” He got Candy to her feet. “I’m taking her to the hospital.”
Candy indicated the little boy. Zane started toward her, but Lizard shook his head. “Can’t take him, Candy. Bridges would never allow it. Let’s go.” Lizard all but forced her around to the gate that led to the front drive where he’d parked his vehicle.
Donk wrapped his fist around his cock and then roared. His gaze dropped to the little boy. Furious, he took a step toward him. “I’m going to drown you, you little fucker.”
SIXTEEN
Steele heard Breezy’s frantic cry and knew she and Keys had been watching closely from the wide window in the house. Birds took to the air, all the sparrows, lifting off the branches of the tree they’d been resting in so that the air turned black. As one unit they flew like a dark shadow to insert themselves between Zane and Donk.
Everyone was on the move with the exception of Preacher. He squeezed the trigger, and Donk’s head exploded. Immediately he shifted his aim and shot Riddle right between the eyes.
Transporter’s rifle also sounded, and Favor dropped to the ground. Steele, Maestro and Savage leapt from the roof, landing in a crouch as Breezy burst from the house, Keys on her heels.
A truck was already in the front yard, everyone leaping into it, Player at the wheel. Keys tackled Breezy, stopping her.
“Go, go,” Steele ordered, and Player stepped on the gas.
Keys could handle Breezy. Steele wasn’t going to allow his woman anywhere near this mess. He had no idea how many men were still inside. Mechanic had confirmed at least five, but there was likely to be more. Any one of the Swords was capable of shooting Zane from a distance, even if Torpedo Ink could keep the boy from entering the house.
Player had mapped out the quickest route to the estate, covering the distance in record time, but it was the longest few minutes Steele could ever remember. Dirt rose in clouds around the vehicle. The birds shrieked, and the hawk darted in the air. Steele caught glimpses of it diving as if attacking something and then rising sharply, only to go back, talons extended, wicked beak in play.
They hit the ground running, spreading out, some going in through the various entrances, the layout of the house and grounds already completely familiar to them. Steele went to the backyard, Maestro and Savage beside him.
Donk’s body lay only feet from Zane. The child stood in a pool of blood, tears streaking down his face. The door to the house was open. A wall of birds spun in circles between Zane and the door, making it nearly impossible for the little boy to move.
“Get in here,” Junk snarled. “I’ll beat your ass if you don’t get in here, Zane,” he called to the child.
Zane turned toward the sound of Junk’s voice, and Junk stuck his head around the door to give him another order. The hawk dropped from the sky and ripped its talons across Junk’s face, digging deep, leaving long furrows over his cheeks, one eye and forehead. His high-pitched scream matched that of the hawk as the bird rose into the air. Junk staggered and fell. The bullet tore into the doorframe where his head had been. He scrambled backward and kicked the door closed, leaving Zane alone with the three dead men and all the birds.
Zane put his arms into the air, trying to shoo the birds away. Steele hurried across the patio, staying low, Maestro running with him. From inside, guns spat. Glass shattered, and bullets zinged