Chapter 296
Chapter 296
The car inched forward, and even from a distance, Patricia spotted Jackson’s SUV pulled over at the side of the road.
She didn’t even have to check. She already knew the car would be empty.
She was just about to take off, following the tracks that cut through the grass, when someone grabbed her arm, stopping her cold.
Oliver’s voice was low and sharp. “Aiden, take your team and go after him.”
Quick–thinking, Patricia shoved her phone into Aiden’s hand. Jackson’s location was already up on the
screen.
Out in the woods, the autumn wind screamed through the trees.
Jackson was drenched in sweat, his coat tossed somewhere behind him. He propped himself against a tree, staring down the guy in front of him with a look that said he was ready for anything. His knuckles were so tight on the bark that his hands looked bone white.
“Who sent you?” Jackson asked, voice hard.
The leader just grinned, not bothered at all. His English was smooth. “Someone posted online about hunting down a special forces guy. Sounded fun, so I showed up.”
He gave a little shrug, almost like he was proud. “Should probably introduce myself. I’m with the international mercenaries.”
The way he stood there, so cocky and eager, made it clear he was itching for a fight.
Jackson had heard all about these people back when he was in the military. Some of them did it for the money. Some didn’t care about money at all–they were just chasing that sick thrill, always needing to prove they were the best.
Guys like that, once they set their sights on you, it was all or nothing. Either you finished them, or they’d come back for you, again and again, until they caught you slipping and ended you for good.
Like a nightmare that wouldn’t quit.
“So you’re not here for the cash. You just want me dead?” Jackson asked.
The mercenary just laughed, all confidence, as if he didn’t care he could die here too.
Jackson glared, still gripping the tree. “You’re fucking crazy.”
He switched to fluent English, voice dripping with sarcasm. “What, did your mom drop you on your head when you were a kid?”
The guy’s smile finally cracked.
Sara had always said every country had its own special brand of cursing, and she wasn’t wrong.
The fight broke out fast, both of them going at it, fists and elbows flying.
Jackson was honestly grateful for the strict security here. If it wasn’t for that, these psychos would
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Chapter 296
have finished him off before he could even open his mouth.
Later that night, rain drifted down in a cold mist, sliding through the branches overhead. The forest was soaked and the air thick with fog.
Jackson was running on fumes, every muscle screaming. He pressed his back to a tree, gasping for breath, checking his watch.
The little icon on the map was getting closer.
With what little strength he had left, Jackson pushed off and took off running.
The mercenaries chased after him, crashing through the underbrush.
Aiden led a whole squad into the woods, eyes glued to the moving dot on his phone. He split the team up, sending them off in different directions to cover more ground.
They hadn’t gone far when a dull, heavy crack echoed through the trees.
Aiden stopped dead.
“Was that a gun?”
His heart jumped into his throat. “Hurry. Find him. Now.”
Jackson hit the ground hard, clutching his arm. Warm blood streamed down his sleeve, and pain
crashed over him so hard he almost blacked out.
The mercenary came closer, holding a small pistol, his voice full of mockery. “You looked pretty
relieved back there.”
“Did you really think I’d come without a weapon?”
He was all business, gun pointed steady, loading a round as he spoke, finger ready on the trigger.
That was a pro. A real killer.
Jackson shut his eyes for a second, letting out a tired, bitter laugh. “Honestly, I didn’t think you’d bring
a gun.”
“But…” He looked up at the man standing over him, a faint smile breaking through the pain. “I’m guessing you didn’t expect me to bring backup, either.”
Chapter 297
Bang.
