The Fighter (Sam Pope Series Book 12) by Robert Enright

Author:Robert Enright [Enright, Robert]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-07-27T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

FIFTEEN YEARS AGO…

‘Get up!’

General Wallace’s voice boomed louder than the thunder that was rocking the clouds above, and Sam felt his arms wobble as he tried to push himself up. The rain was crashing down upon his head, washing away the blood that was gushing from his split lip. With his ribs and kidneys screaming for mercy, Sam managed to stand, peering at Wallace through the swelling around his eyes.

‘Again, sir,’ Sam demanded, feebly lifting his fists to a few chortles from the surrounding gang.

All of them were wearing balaclavas. It was a necessity, as part of the Project Hailstorm initiation meant Sam wasn’t allowed to know who of the other members of Wallace’s elite task force were hammering him with expert fists. One of them shrugged, took a few steps across the muddy field, and threw a punch, which Sam managed to weave under, before responding with one of his own, taking the man off his feet.

A few of the other masked men took a few steps forward, but Wallace threw his arms out, blocking their path.

Sam raised his split eyebrow in surprise.

‘You’re still willing to fight?’ Wallace asked, seemingly impressed with the beaten soldier before him.

‘Till the last breath, sir.’

Wallace nodded his admiration.

‘Very good. As you were.’

Wallace stepped aside, his military boots squelching in the mud. With a roar of intimidation, accompanied by another crack of lightning and roll of thunder, the masked group charged forward at Sam, who managed to throw a few punches, before a fist struck his jaw, sending him spiralling to the right. A hard uppercut crunched into his stomach, and as he toppled to the mud, a knee struck his face, sending his world spinning.

He curled up.

He put his hands over his head.

And the fists and boots thundered down on him worse than the rain from above.

Then it was over. Simultaneously, all the masked men took a few steps back, surrounding Sam in a circle, and they stood, arms behind their straight backs and their heads high.

All at the command of Wallace.

Sam spat blood into the mud and rolled onto his back, welcoming the cold rain as a counter to the pain that had engulfed him.

He thought of Lucy.

He thought of his father.

People who he loved and had loved.

All Sam had ever wanted was to follow in his father’s footsteps and serve his country with distinction and pride. Make it a safer place for those who inhabited it, and while his father did it behind a military desk, Sam had been doing it behind the scope of a rifle.

Now, he had the chance to do more.

Help more people.

Protect the world.

Wallace had extended the invitation to him, and Sam had recalled how the man had been there the day his father had passed away. He had recounted the good times he’d spent with Major William Pope, and from that moment on, Sam looked at Wallace with respect and trust.

To join Project Hailstorm wasn’t just an incredible career opportunity.

It was an honour.

The heavy steps

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