River of Bones by Dan Padavona (psychology books to read .TXT) š
- Author: Dan Padavona
Book online Ā«River of Bones by Dan Padavona (psychology books to read .TXT) šĀ». Author Dan Padavona
Thatās when he realized he didnāt see the gangster anymore. Heād vanished from his position. Concerned his attacker was headed toward Raven and Darren, LeVar toyed with radioing them and breaking his silence. Too risky. This might be a trick. Staying in the woods, stepping across the soft forest bedding, LeVar was a silent predator. His skin prickled, body coursing with adrenaline. A few steps from the trail, he stopped and moved his gaze through the forest.
The fist exploded out of the dark and caught LeVarās chin, snapping his head back. Before he reacted, the shadowed figure leapt out of hiding and barreled his shoulder into LeVarās stomach, sending him backward. His spine collided with a fallen bough. The jagged end stabbed his flesh and drew blood as he scrambled away.
āThink you could walk away?ā LeVar recognized the voice. The Kings hadnāt sent Anthony, Lawson, or Kilo. Rev had come to finish the job. āI been watching you for weeks. Waited for this for too long.ā
The booted foot caught LeVarās head and whipped him sideways. He sprawled in the dirt and leaves, fingers clawing at the soil as the forest spun around him. The next kick struck his ribs. Hot agony wrenched his body as he drew his knees to his chest and curled into a ball.
āYou were my enforcer? What a joke. I couldāve bled you anytime I wanted, bitch.ā
As LeVar crawled to his knees, Rev pounded LeVar with a punch to the face. Blood spurted from his nose. He pushed himself to his feet before his knees buckled, the woods a confusing pattern of whirling motions. He swung blindly, intent on knocking Revās head off his shoulders. The blow whipped harmlessly through the air. A low chuckle behind him revealed Revās position. Too late for LeVar to react. Hauling LeVar up from behind, Rev snaked his powerful forearms around LeVarās neck. He squeezed, sapping LeVarās strength. Rev was going to kill him.
The arms around his throat constricted. LeVar gasped for air and reached out, desperate for a makeshift weapon or something to grab hold of. His hand fell to the sheathed knife. Rev hooked one arm around LeVarās elbow and pulled back, preventing LeVar from reaching his weapon. The other arm choked his life away as a cracking sound came from LeVarās neck.
āYouāre a nobody, LeVar. You never should have walked away from your real family. Shame. But when a dog goes bad, you gotta put her down.ā
LeVar whipped his head back and smashed it against Revās face. Bones crunched in the gang leaderās nose. Stunned, Revās grip weakened. LeVar swung an elbow and caught Rev in the stomach, driving his attacker back. LeVar sucked air as Rev stumbled through the dark, fighting to regain his senses.
The forest turned red in LeVarās vision. As his strength returned, he zeroed in on the feared leader of the Harmon Kings. Rev doubled over, one arm wrapped around his stomach as he coughed blood. LeVar thought of the knife on his hip.
No. A quick kill would be too easy. He wanted the sociopath to suffer. Pay for the lives he stole while running Harmonās streets.
Rev recovered and raised his head a split-second before LeVar launched into him. His shoulder drove through Revās midsection. The gangsterās legs flew out from under him. He crashed back-first against the forest floor with LeVar atop him, fists raining down on his face. Rev raised his arms to cover up. But there was no stopping LeVarās fury.
āYou shouldnāt have threatened my friends.ā LeVarās punch snapped Revās head backward. Blood flew from the manās mouth as LeVar smashed his fist against Revās cheek. āI knew you were too stupid to leave me alone, Rev. Youāre a coward. You never would have survived Harmon without me watching your back.ā
Rev snatched the knife off LeVarās hip. The blade slashed at LeVarās arm and gashed his flesh. He cried out and fell as the gangster gasped for air and retched. LeVar covered his bleeding arm as Rev found his footing. The gangster stood hunched over, one hand on his knee, the other clutching the knife like a lifeline. A cruel smile twisted his lips. Instead of coming at LeVar with the knife, Rev tossed it aside. It landed somewhere between the trees. For a moment, LeVar thought Rev meant to settle the score with his fists. An unwise decision, even for a hardened criminal like Rev. Then Rev drew the revolver from his pocket.
āItās over, LeVar. First, I blow a hole in your head. Then I shoot that pig forest ranger you like so much and fuck your sister. Iāll kill you slow, let you watch me rape the bitch.ā
A branch snapped on the trail. Rev swiveled his head toward the sound, giving LeVar the opening he needed. LeVar threw himself at Rev as the leader of the Harmon Kings raised the gun. The shot exploded and ripped past LeVarās skull. Taken by surprise, groggy from the battle, Rev lost hold of the gun. LeVar drove his fist against Revās jaw. The gangster stumbled and propped himself against a tree as LeVar converged on him. Somewhere in the night, Raven shouted for LeVar to stop. He couldnāt. Not until he finished Rev and ensured the psycho never threatened his family and friends again.
LeVar lifted Rev like the man was a rag doll. Hoisting the gang leader over his shoulder, LeVar spun and drove Rev against the ground. A gasp escaped Revās chest. He lay wide-eyed and defenseless, the breath stolen from his body. He couldnāt defend himself against the punches LeVar delivered. The gangsterās eyes rolled back as LeVar pummeled the manās face. LeVar was a rabid dog, a force of nature Rev shouldnāt have underestimated.
As LeVar raised his fist for the killing blow, someone dragged him off the unconscious gang leader.
āItās over, LeVar. Let him go.ā
Darren pulled LeVar to his feet, the former police
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