Page 61 of Burn

There were no sounds close by, just the distant drone of machinery from the busy end of the port. I paused. I could hear voices in the distance, but they were low and indistinct.

I found the Platinum Export office in a converted shipping container. The door was locked, and when I peered through the window, I saw a desk covered in dust. No one had been inside recently, but there were fresh tire tracks nearby. Someone had been out here.

I wandered over to some of the containers. Each one was locked shut with big padlocks.

There was no sign of smuggling or criminal activity. Looked like my anonymous tip was a bust. I turned the corner of the containers.

The attack came out of nowhere.

A big body rammed into me, and I stumbled. I tried to turn, but he was already on me again.

A hard hand gripped the back of my neck. I was rammed facefirst into the side of the container.

Pain exploded through my head, and a strangled cry escaped me.

My attacker shifted closer behind me. I could tell he was big.

Adrenaline hit my system. I rammed an elbow back, and hit solid muscle. He slammed my entire body against the container and pinned me there.

I felt hot breath on the back of my neck, and my skin crawled.

“I told you to keep your nose out of our business,” he gritted out. “Guess a bullet wasn’t enough warning.”

My gut tightened. It was the man who’d shot at me at the auction house.

My blood chilled. He’d lured me here. “Attacking a federal agent is a crime.”

He grunted like he didn’t care. Anger surged inside me, and I slammed my foot down on his. Now, he cursed.

But my satisfaction didn’t last long. A heavy blow rammed into my lower back. Oh, fuck, that hurt. Gritting my teeth through the pain, I rammed my elbow back and heard a pained grunt.

I spun. My attacker’s face was covered by a black balaclava. I tried to get some hits in, but he was too big and strong. He batted my arms away.

I attacked again, but he shoved me into a container. The back of my head rebounded off the metal. The next blow was to my stomach, then my side. Pain exploded everywhere, and I groaned.

Get away. I needed to get away.

I spun and dodged sideways. He grabbed my hair and yanked my head down. I saw him ram his knee up.

No. I turned my head to the side just in time. His knee avoided my nose, but hit the side of my head, making my skull vibrate and my ears ring. For a second, my vision blurred.

Shit.

He shoved me backward. I hit the ground, my head smacking hard. I rolled, then a boot slammed into my midsection.

Pain. All I could feel was pain. Everything was a blur.

Panting, all I could do was lie on the ground and wait for the next blow. I sensed him crouching next to me. I tried to move, but I couldn’t.

I saw a pale hand, and a tattoo on his forearm. A skull, with soulless eyes.

“Now, keep your nose out of other people’s business. And by the way, one of your own gave you up.” There was a low chuckle. “We’ve got our own personal fed.” I heard the crunch of boots on gravel as he walked away.

I lay there, fighting off unconsciousness. I couldn’t…give up.

Trying to sit up, I sobbed at the pain. I managed to push to my hands and knees. Nausea crashed through me.

Get away. Get safe.

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