The Joy of Revenge

CHAPTER 160 Purge Link After discussing Liam Cohen's terms and conditions with Thomas Martin at Norma's house, | went home.

As | drove past the gates, | saw the people chanting, carrying placards or holding lit candles. The guards and the deputies stood idly by, allowing the people to voice out their sentiments. It was mostly women in the crowd, while the men, | suspected, were relatives of the various women sexually harassed by Ford.

At home, | decided to stay up incase a riot erupted again. | didn’t want anyone to spend the rest of the night in jail. 1, for one, knew how it felt to be behind bars. It was the lowest part of my life.

| was arrested once after my former girlfriend was found dead in her apartment. | had just gotten hafter a tour of duty and since | had military training, | becthe primary suspect of the police.

Sam heard about it. We were acquaintances who happened to bump into each other from tto tduring deployment. He sent Beaufort’s best attorney to getout. It was at that moment when | decided | wanted to beca defense attorney.

Unfortunately, | didn’t have money and | couldn't find an employer who wanted ex-militar to work for them. | went to Sam and asked him if he could helpfind a job. He sentt see Beaufort.

For me, it was a blessing to beca member of the Blood Disciples. We have helped more people than the ones who call themselves the good guys.

Case in point... Liam and his circle of friends.

| was happily enjoying a glass of bourbon when | heard gunshots. | stood up from my chair and peered through the windows. The gunshots sounded extremely close.

It couldn't be the Martins... Norma's house was on the other side of Highland Oaks.

Images of the deputies shooting the women gathered at the gates suddenly flashed through my mind. The gates were just a few blocks from this house. It's possible a riot was happening again.

1/8 11:17 Fri, Apr 5 CHAPTER 160 Purge | was putting on my shoulder holster when Dina’s voice sounded in my ear. | had forgotten to take off my earpiece.

“Link, there are several masked men who have entered Highland Oaks. All are armed and are currently making their way to the mob. I've alerted emergency services, however-" “They y are at the OI’ Barn,” | said, cutting her off. | glanced at my fancy wall clock and saw that it was midnight.

| holstered my gun, grabbed my jacket and walked outside.

If this was Liam's doing, | vowed | wouldn’t leave New Salem until | saw him in body bag.

Taking cover beneath the shadows of the beautiful oak trees that graced each property, | walked up to the gate.

There | saw several men in animal masks. Judging by the clothing they were wearing, | suspected they were part of sskater punk gang.

| noticed, despite being in muscle shirts, they were sweating profusely. | could tell by the damp cloth under their pits. They couldn't seem to stand still and were acting like crazed lu natics.

| could only asstheir erratic behavior was because they were high on drugs. | guess they were paid in crystal meth instead of cash.

“Put down your weapons,” a deputy said, pulling his gun out.

“Relax, po-po,” the one in the horse mask said. “We just want to play a gof hide and go seek. Here are the mechanics. We're IT.” He pointed to himself. “While you people are to hide. We'll give you twenty seconds. If we find you, we'll kill you.” Speople gasped while others chuckled in disbelief. Well, how could someone take them seriously when they had animal masks on? From where | was standing, | could only see four. A horse, a pig, a rat and a dog. Remindedof the Lunar New Year. “Dina, how many are they?” “We count seven, but there might be more. They shot down the CCTV cameras, so I'm going blind.” It was possible there were twelve of them based on the Chinese zodiac.

| looked up at the trees debating whether | should climb or not so | could get a better view. My vantage point sucked.

2/8 CHAPTER 160 Purge “We don’t want to play your st upid game,” a man yelled.

“You don’t?” Horseman said, raising his gun and aiming it at the man. The women around him cried out and moved away from him.

“| said, put your weapons down and step away from the crowd,” the deputy said once again. “I'm warning you. | will shoot!” “F uck you, po-po!” The masked men began shooting at the guards and deputies. The crowd immediately dispersed, screaming, most of them entering the residential area.

“Twenty seconds starts now,” Horseman yelled before laughing like a hyena.

What was supposed to be a peaceful rally, had suddenly becbl oody.

The people ran through the streets, scurrying for a place to hide.

| walked out into the open, waving my hands.

“Follow me. You can hide in my guesthouse. Hurry,” | yelled, running back towards my house.

To my dismay, only a handful of people had followed me. Well, better that, than nothing. | was ushering them safely inside the guesthouse, when gunshots pierced the silence of the night.

Time's up. Ready or not, here | come! | was exiting my backyard to get more people when | saw the Martins banging on my front door like their lives depended on it.

“Link, you have got to help us,” Norma cried out “This isn’t random. This is Liam trying to kill us.

I think so too.

“Calm down,” | opened the door and ushered them inside. “Stay here and hide. | need to help more people get to safety.” | switched off the lights in the living room. “Pick a spot and whatever you do, keep quiet.” Once | was back outside, | whipped out my personal distress beacon and sent out a distress signal. The signal would activate any Blood Disciple within the area for a rescue 3/8 11:17 Fri, Apr 5 CHAPTER 160 Purge The sound of gunfire continued amidst the screams of many frightened people and the laughter of a bunch of animals. Honestly, this remindedof the movie Purge.

So many dead people and the perpetrators were so proud of their handiwork.

Luckily, | was able to usher in more people into the guesthouse. More people, more lives saved.

“Everyone stay calm and don’t make a sound,” | told the townsfolk. “Keep the lights off, so they'll think no one is here. I've alerted emergency services. Someone will be here soon.” “T-they killed the deputies and the guards. | saw them do it,” a woman said tearfully “You need to call the governor. We need SWAT.” | nodded my head and placed a hand on her shoulder.

“I understand. For now... Just everyone... please stay calm. | know you're scared, but we're going to survive this.

| promise.” | went back inside through the back door to check on my very important guests. They were huddled together behind the kitchen counter.

“If Liam promises us safe passage, I'll give him what he wants. Never mind negotiating with my boss. My life is more important than her cut Tomas said as | entered. Another gunshot rang out, makingduck down. Even | was afraid.

From his inner coat pocket, he took out the deed of sale | had given him earlier, signed it and handed the document to me.

“Here. | signed it. Just tell him to give us safe passage, please,” Tomas begged.

“I'll give him a call then. You guys stay here in the kitchen.” | grabbed my phone from the living room and dialed that so no fab itch.

He answered. “Are they willing to negotiate now?” | heard the amusement in his voice. It must be him.

“Mayor Cohen, yes. Mr. Martin is willing to settle,” | said. Now call off your thugs! | wanted to scream at him, but | bit my tongue. | had to act as if | was clueless.

“That's good news. I'll be there as soon as possible. | just need to clean myself up.” He quickly hung up.

4/8 11:17 Fri, Apr CATER 160 Purge What the f uck did that mean? “What did he say?” Norma asked.

“He’s on his way here,” | answered, lying. | saw the relief on her face.

However, the relief was only momentary. Gunfire erupted and it seemed to be getting closer.

I quickly turned off the lights in the kitchen which made Norma scream.

“Keep quiet or we are all going to die, | warned Norma. She nodded her head and covered her mouth with her hands.

| heard static from my earpiece; it was most probably Dina with an update.

“Link, we're here.” It was Domenico’s voice. | heaved a huge sigh of relief. | pretended | was answering a call and moved to the living room area.

“I have a guesthouse full of frightened people and the Martins are here.” | peeked through the opening of my curtains and saw several shadows.

“They should consider themselves lucky. There's a sh itload of dead bodies lying on the street,” he said, dryly.

“By the way, do you have night vision goggles? | suggest you grab them. Dina will be cutting off the power soon.” | grabbed my night vision goggles from the vintage cabin the foyer, including my silencer.

“Goggles check. Gun check,” | whispered, pocketing my silencer while | held on to my goggles.

“Good. There are people running down the street,” Domenico said. “I need you to pull them. to safety while | get a location of the first target. He seems to be hiding behind those trees.” | went back to the kitchen where the Martins were hiding. “I need you to go upstairs,” | instructed the Martins.

“Pick a room and lock it. Don’t open it unless it's me.” “What are you going to do?” Norma asked, frightened.

“Help more people,” | answered. “Please do as | say. Now.” Norma and Tomas scurried up the stairs while Ford stayed behind, placing a hand on my 5/8 CHAPTER 160 Purge “Thank you. Now help your parents. They need to stay quiet.” He nodded his head and went up e stairs.

| walked to the front door, opened it and saw four people running, asking for help. | waved at them,gesturing to them to run to me. They made a dash for it, however, a sudden gunshot rang out. One of the four, a man, collapsed on the ground, causing the three, who were all women, to freeze from panic. | ran towards them, taking my gun out and praying | could bring them in safely.

“Dina, cut the power,” | heard Domenico say.

And just like that, all the lights went out. | slipped on my goggles and made my way to the three women.

“Don’t scream,” | whispered. “I'm Link. | live over there. | need you to follow me. arms and letassist you.” | felt two hands grab me. | was missing one.

“I can’t,” she whined.

Grab my “Yes, you can,” | said. “Just hold on to me. | can see where we need to go.” | felt her shaking. fingers graze my arm, so | grabbed her hand and placed it securely under my arm. “Follow me. Slowly and quietly.” They followedacross my yard without any problems. | quietly assisted them into my house, managing to get them to sit on my leather sofa in the living room.

“One is hiding behind the tree in your neighbor's yard while another one is using his phone to light his way here,” Domenico said. “I suspect they know the Martins are in your house.” Fantastic.

“Just keep quiet. I'll be back,” | told the three women before closing the door. “This is Liam's doing, right?” | had to be sure.

“This is definitely Liam's doing,” Domenico replied. “Expendable crazed addicts. | need you to. shoot at the one walking while | take down the one behind the tree. Call it out after the target has been neutralized so we know how many is left.” Crouching low, | ran to my driveway, hiding behind my car. After screwing on my silencer, | took a quick peek to locate the one walking towards us. | saw him and aimed my gun at his chest.

6/8 11:17 Fri, Apr 5 CHAPTER 160 Purge | squeezed the trigger, hitting him in the heart. He went down with a thud.

“One down,” | counted off. Finally, these a ssholes were going down.

At the sound of a smartphone hitting pavement, his friend, who was hiding behind my neighbor's oak tree, went out into the open. Sebastian, who was positioned at the house in front of mine, killed him using an assault rifle.

| knew the sound of the assault rifle was going to alert his buddies, but since it was pitch. black, | doubted if they could find their way here... or anywhere.

“Two down,” Domenico counted off.

“There's another one headed towards your direction, D,” a familiar female voice said through coms.

Joy? She’s here? Respect.

“Got it, V, Domenico replied. “Link, hold your position.” Suddenly, a loud gunshot, coming from a distance, erupted. | could have sworn | heard the wh izzing sound of a bullet pass by.

“Three down,” Sam said through coms. “You guys counted seven, but there's three at th and two at the other side of the residential area. Holler if you need me, okay? Right now going to assist the girls.” “Copy that,” Sebastian said. “Where's X?” “On his way. He got held up on the hill. By the way, Link, he needs you to prepare for extraction.” “Roger,” | said, wondering why. | shrugged my shoulders... there is always a reason why.

| opened the door to my house and the three women screamed. | had forgotten about them.

“Hey, hey, hey. It's just me,” | said, “No need to scream.” “The SWAT is here, aren't they?” One of the women asked, a hopeful tone in her voice. She must have board the aeroule 7/8 11:17 Fri, Apr 5 CHAPTER 160 Purge “Yup,” | answered, hoping the affirmation would help soothe them. All three women let out sighs of relief.

“We're going to be alright then,” one said