Chapter THIRTY-SEVEN ANDRES

We pulled up to the playground just as I caught sight of Ellie running. I jumped out of the car, chasing after my wife.

I yelled. I know I did. But she didn’t or couldn’t hear me.

Fear like I’d never known pumped through my veins.

When I rounded the squat brick building and saw Gary with a gun aimed at my son. All rationale left my brain.

Pure, undiluted fury moved faster than lightning, louder than thunder, consuming me until I was a living, breathing personification of vengeance.

Ellie charged at Gary, and that piece of shit dropped Sammy onto the ground.

I ran.

I wasn’t going to get there in time.

Fuck.

I flicked my gaze at Ellie, knowing what she would want, and wishing like fuck I could tear myself in two.

I reached Sammy first.

“You’re okay,” I said as I clutched him to my chest.

Adrik, Marat, and Josef were right behind me, and I looked up to find the latter sliding to a stop beside me just as a gunshot rang out.