MainNovel"We're just a bunch of hunters," the man said.
"Poachers?" Tarquin raised an eyebrow.
"Y-yeah. That's right."
"When did you cup the mountain? And how'd you find this place?"
"We've been in the woods for a while, but only stumbled on this place last night. Honestly, it was pure luck-we
were tracking a deer, and it led us right here.
Once we realized there was food, water, and even sdecent beds with warm blankets, we figured we'd found
the perfect base camp."
Tarquin pressed, "Who was staying here before you?"
"No idea. We haven't seen the owners since we arrived no sign of anyone."
"Do you have any clue who they are?"
"Looks like a family, probably. There are too many rooms for just one person. And inside, we found old folks’
sweaters, kids' sneakers, and a bunch of men's hoodies and jeans. Our boss reckons it's three generations living
together.
He thinks they're dirt poor-couldn't handle life in town, couldn't afford a house, so they moved out here to live off
the grid."
Tarquin and the kids exchanged skeptical glances. How does someone with that kind of logic end up as the boss?
A desperately poor family, surviving out here in the wild like it's nothing? But at least their guess was way off.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThat meant they had no clue who really lived here —and that was good news for the elderly folks who just
wanted to keep to themselves.
Tarquin continued, "Any idea where the family went?"
"Nope."
"You didn't look for them?"
"We checked around nearby, but saw nothing suspicious. The boss said not to waste ton them-just some
broke nobodies. If they cback, he says we should just take them out."
"How many of you are there?" Tarquin asked.
"Over a hundred, at least. Saren't here—they're outside the forest, selling what we catch."
"Where'd you get your guns?"
"No clue. I'm just a grunt. If you want to know that stuff, you'll have to ask the boss."
"How long are you planning to stay?"
"Boss says we're here for the long haul. Plenty of gin these woods-enough
to last a lifetime. And it's nice and hidden."
"Your boss-Brock, right?"
"Yeah, Brock's the boss. His brothers
are second and third in line-Lyle's the third. They run the crew, but even they answer to someone higher up. I'm
nobody special, just follow orders."
Tarquin paused, satisfied with what he'd learned. He held out his hand. "Giveback my watch."
The man fumbled to pull it out and handed it over-his hands shaking. Money's no good if you're dead.
"Listen, I'm warning you," the man
stammered, if you keep your cool,
you might still make itt alive Blt if
\ €
yQu try Bhyehing=if you shoot
me-there are people just waiting
outside to storm in and mow
everyone down!" The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
Tarquin calmly slipped his watch back on. He tossed the handgun over to the man. "Get out."
The guy hesitated for a split second,
then snatched up the gun-ready to try
his luck. But Pere Epul eyém)
ht teins h nd was around
his throat, squeezing. The man
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmgasped, struggling for air, unable to
puff the trigger. If Tarquin squeezed
any harder, he'd be dead The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
"Try anything again, and you won't get a third chance," Tarquin growled in a low, cold voice.
He only let go when the man was turning blue. The poacher slid to the floor, clutching his throat, staring up at
Tarquin in raw terror. He finally understood who he was messing with.
Tarquin stood over him, voice icy. "When you walk out of here, act like none of this ever happened. Keep your
head down, and you might just get out alive."
The man didn't believe Tarquin could
make much trouble-but he was
scared out of his mind After an
TarquitRdd jist dragged him to the
edge of death. Twice. "Y-yeah, | won't
say a word. Not a thing happened
here. | swear." The content is on
novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
With that, the guy staggered to his feet, clutching the gun, and bolted out the door terrified that if he waited
even another second, Tarquin would finish the job.
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