Search and Destroy Read Online Free Page B

go tomorrow. Then you’ll regret it for years to come.”
    “It’s all right for you. You’re bigger than me, tougher than me…”
    “None of that matters. It don’t matter how big or strong you or your opponent are; it’s how you handle him that makes the difference.”
    “How?”
    “By not doing what he expects you to do.”
    “How d’you mean?”
    Clay sighs. “Danny, you know this already. You don’t go toe-to-toe with a big lump like Grayson, you outflank him; hit him when he’s least expecting it. The only time a fight is fair is in the ring. Outside, anything goes.”
    “So what are we gonna do?”
    “Go get changed. Put on your boots. Where do these boys normally hang out?”
    “Down at the car park by the river.”
    They leave the house, Danny’s legs unsteady.
    “If they’re there, just wade into Grayson as hard and fast as you can. Aim for his eyes and his balls. Don’t worry, I’ll be watching your back this time.”
    “He’ll just kick my arse again.”
    Clay stops dead, holds Danny’s injured face in his big shovel hands. “That’s not going to happen. He was in charge last time. This time you’re in charge. When we get close I’ll slap your back. That’s your signal to attack, and you don’t stop until it’s done.”
    Danny sighs, but with a newfound resolve. Butterflies dance the rumba in his stomach and he feels bile in the back of his throat. As they walk at a brisk pace, Clay repeats his simple instructions several times.
    Ten minutes later, Danny sees them, nearly twenty young men, clustered together. Some are drinking beer from cans while others are just loitering and jostling. One of the gang seems intent on giving every passing motorist the finger.
    Danny spots Grayson in the crowd. He’s sitting on a bench eating chips from a takeaway carton, laughing and gesticulating. Cindy is nowhere to be seen.
    Danny begins to walk faster. Takes a deep breath and holds it.
    Grayson glances up but doesn’t register the young man stalking towards him.
    He doesn’t wait to feel Clay’s hand on his back—the signal. Danny has already exploded forward.
    Grayson looks up again, just in time to take a boot in the face.
    Danny watches his own foot slam into Grayson’s face with a strange detachment. An alien sensation takes hold, a cyclone of channelled rage possessing his limbs. They start to rocket into Grayson with a vengeful will of their own.
    The heavier man struggles to rise but can’t cope with the sudden onslaught of savage punches and kicks. Danny lets out a guttural roar with each blow.
    The gang scatters, surprised by the sudden violence. Then some return, circling Danny.
    Clay fells the first comer with a right hook to the side of his jaw. Then a second tumbles away, holding his nose, unable to contain the fountain of blood. The third grabs at Clay’s throat. The two men each lock grips upon the other’s neck. Clay twists and throws the man to the ground.
    Then a beer bottle is pitched from the crowd and smashes into Clay’s head. The glass fragments into a welter of countless shards. The older Gunn brother keeps fighting. Seeing blood, more of the gang run at Clay. Danny knows they don’t really want to fight; they just want to punch or kick an easy mark.
    Grayson tries to push Danny away but his legs are kicked out from under him. His mouth is open and slack, his eyes glassy.
    “You had enough?” yells Danny, his fist raised for another blow.
    Grayson struggles to answer. “Aye. I’ve had enough.”
    Danny steps back, his breath ragged and angry. Grayson springs, his fingers clawing at Danny’s eyes. But this time he is ready. He smashes an elbow full into Grayson’s face. The big man goes down. Flat on his back, he paws the air. Danny looks down at him, then looks for Clay.
    Four men lie at Clay’s feet. Another hobbles away clutching his groin. The rest have retreated to a safe distance. A few shout promises of retribution but Clay ignores them. His face