Return of the Strongest Scavengers Assassin

Chapter Nine

Reed drove carefully on the streets, staring out the window and at the rearview mirror for signs of approaching cars.

He needed to get Mandy somewhere safe before those men found him again.

The safehouse…

Reed used to have many safe houses scattered around the city, but in his state of panic, the only one he could remember now was the one he built when he used to lead the Scavengers, creating a haven for them.

He debated driving over to that place but hesitated, not sure if it was still safe to use.

Nonetheless, Reed drove over to the nearest safehouse whose address was stuck in his memory.

Only to drive into the parking lot and find out that the shop that was used as a shelter above the safehouse had been turned into a pub.

Fuck!

“Hey, Mandy, wake up!” He gently shook his daughter awake.

Tired, blue eyes fluttered open as she rolled around on the seat.

Reed got down, bending so he could scoop her up into his arms but Mandy wriggled, wanting to be let down.

As they walked into the pub, Reed felt very uncomfortable, finding it strange that he couldn't find a liaison for the Scavenger organization.

But then it started to come back to him …

Mecca!

He remembered the very strange phone call with her, and the awkward pauses after she had sent the $ 1 million.

It seemed like she had something to tell him then, could it be this was what she wanted to tell him?

That the Scavengers were under attack?

Reed shook his head to dispel the weird thoughts and walked forward, aware that he had no evidence to back up his claims.

Unfortunately, trouble seemed attracted to them no matter what.

Before he could take another step, two beefy men who appeared to be drunk, staggering slightly walked towards them, halting their progress.

“Heyyy…” one of them slurred, bending to the right to get a good look at his daughter. “What have you got here?”

Reed's protective instincts kicked in and he pushed Mandy to the back, shielding her with his body.

“I think you should stay away.”

“Do you know who we are?!” The other man grunted, adjusting his jacket to show a logo. It was the familiar logo of the car wash company, Walker's CarWash and Co.

Suddenly, they didn't appear drunk anymore.

Reed didn't care who they were working for, all he wanted was some peace.

“I don't care who you're working for, just don't come any closer!” He warned.

The first guy was deaf because he stretched out his hand to grab Mandy, propelling him into action.

Reed jabbed the idiot hard in his stomach, swiping his legs out from under him.

He went down hard, hitting his head on the ground with a thud. The punk passed out immediately while his colleague scrambled back in fear, making a run for the pub.

Not on  his watch.

Reed ran faster, grabbing the punk by the back of his collar and holding him down.

Slapping the guy hard to gain his attention, Reed asked. “Listen, there used to be an Asian pub here before. Where's the owner?” 

The guy's face was all scrunched up in pain but he managed to shake his head. “I-I do-don't know!”

Oh, so that's how he wants to play it…

Reed grabbed the man's knuckles in a tight grip, positioning it in such a way that it would affect his shoulder if the slightest pressure was applied.

Angling his hands up, Reed pressed hard on the guy's hands until…

“Okay, okay! I remember!” The guy yelled out when the pain became too much. “There was an Asian shop here about a month ago but it became closed down when the owner was killed by two drugged-up teenagers.”

Damnit!

Reed knew that the odds of this safehouse still in operation by now were very low, thereby not safe anymore.

Doing a quick scan through his mind, Reed tried to search around for people he could trust.

His ex-wife was a no-no, and his mother's house wasn't safe too as evidenced by the burgling.

His friends weren't in the city anymore, and based on the behavior of his subordinates, even they couldn't be trusted too.

Fuck my life.

Reed tossed the whimpering punk to the floor while he paced, thinking.

The image of the client who had sought Walker's murder came to mind and he stopped.

What about her?

His brain snagged on that. She could be of help to Reed, after all, she hates drug dealers as much, if not more, as he…going as far as commissioning hired killers to take down one.

She could be Reed's only hope.

That settled in his mind, Reed guided Mandy back into the car, heading for the client's house after he pulled up her address on the internet.

Glancing in the rearview mirror to lock eyes with his daughter.

“Hey, baby. I'm so sorry that you had to see that okay?” His eyes darted between the road and his daughter. “I was only using violence as the last resort and I hope you weren't afraid.”

Mandy smiled, shaking her head hard. “No, Daddy! I thought it was so coooool! I never knew that you could burst out such amazing moves!”

“Well,” he smiled bashfully, loving the playful exchange. “Don't try it at home!” He winked and they burst into laughter.

They pulled into the client's driveway, with Reed leaning back to unbuckle Mandy's seatbelt.

Walking up the lawn to the front door, Reed could hear yelling and his first instinct was to rush in, breaking down the door.

Action first, ask questions later.

However, his gut told him to wait and listen.

Placing his ear to the wood, he managed to catch snippets of their conversations although muted.

“What is wrong with you?! How could you spend a large amount of your tuition fees just like that?” He heard a male voice yelling.

“You shouldn't have done that, honey.We trained you better.” A softer, warm female voice added.