“Sir,” Nathan says as he passes him and disappears down the steps.“Dad,” I say nervously. “I thought you were meeting with—”He doesn’t let me finish, shoving past me without saying a thing. Doesn’t have to. The disappointment is written all over his face.I’m left staring after him as he goes into his room and slams the door in his wake.Nathan Ihastily make my way downstairs. Above me, I hear Natalia say something to her father, and a moment later, a door slams.Though I commend him on his self-control, Morrison’s rage was clearly evident in his blue eyes. I’d feel the same way if I found a strange man with my daughter and suspected simply by looking at her that he’d been all over her.If it hadn’t been for Gunn’s call, he would have more than suspected. He would have had visual confirmation. I would have been deep inside Natalia , pounding into her. Fucking her there, watched by all those eyes she’s so perfectly captured on paper, including those of a woman who doesn’t deserve he
They stare at each other, exchanging words without speaking.Then Lincoln turns to me. “Did you do it to take his place?”“My place is to protect the family. That’s why I did it.”Mata sits forward as he wipes his palm over his bushy black beard. “And you want us to come to New York with you to fight with the Lewis.”“ColWill ’s wife has been taken hostage by Black. A call has been put out for support. I’m going because I gave my word in exchange for support of ourfamiglia. Will you join me?”Both men nod without hesitation.Lincoln grins. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had a good fight. Who knows? Might be a good day to die.”Mata gives him a sideways glance. “Speak for yourself. I’m not fuckin’ dyin’ today. I’m going to kill some assholes, not the other way around.”They follow behind me as I leave the study and make my way down the hall to the weapons room.“Who’d have thought we’d be fighting with the Lewis ,” Lincoln says, shoving three pistols into his holsters. “Especially
A dangerous situation they don’t want to get involved in.“Why do these fucks always live in marinas?” Mata asks, peering out the window when we arrive at the Flag’s Point Marina on the East River. “Andre thought it made him the shit. Fucking diesel smell made me gag.”“I don’t know if Kroos lives here,” I say when the guards let us in, unable to imagine that a wealthy prick like Kroos would choose to reside in a place like this.I scan the area, noting the canoes and kayaks piled high on one side, pallets and gas cans on another. There’s a dock farther ahead, but the boats there are mostly skiffs or pontoons.My phone buzzes just then.“Stay here,” ColWill orders. “Kroos wants only me and Gregorio. Do not attack until we have Carina. Or the shit hits the fan. Whatever comes first.”Everyone in the Tahoe watches in intent silence as Luca exits the first SUV. Gunn, who had been with him, was dropped off before we reached the gates. He slunk out into the darkness, his firearm in hand,
Scar comes closer but stops as her eyes move almost imperceptively to my left. From my peripheral, I spot Mac approaching, his gun drawn and aimed right at her.“Stay the fuck where you are, bitch, unless you want that pretty hair stained red.”She narrows her gaze on him thoughtfully, the edges of her lips pulled up. “Hmm. While I’m sure I’d be a stunning redhead, I think I’ll stick to blonde.” Then she glances around the perimeter and laughs.When I look too, I see why. At least ten men are now surrounding the area. As one, they rush at us. Without a word, both Mac and I turn and run from the gunshots. We may be good fighters, but we’re also smart enough to know when we’re far too outnumbered.I glance once over my shoulder and see Kroos and Scar getting into the car.“Fuck!” Mac yells. “I’m hit!” He stumbles, grabbing his shoulder.Leaning into him, I help him onto the boat, all the while staying low. I turn the key and start the motor and, without another look back, take off.Two
Without hesitation, we both go toward the dock. But by the time we arrive, Kroos and the woman have left.“This one’s got a key!” Mac jumps onto one of the skiffs.I untie the rope from the bollard, and he takes off as soon as I’m on board. We ride through the dark waters, searching, listening for the slightest hint of where they went. Minutes pass like hours, painfully slow, because we’re aware that with every second we lose, Kroos gains miles.“There,” I say, pointing to where Kroos ’s boat has been tied to a post in a marina a mile mac maneuvers our skiff close enough that I can jump onto the dock and tie the rope.He peers left and right. “I can’t tell which way they went.”I look too, unable to see any movement. Everything is quiet. Almost too quiet. Either no one is home or everyone is asleep. Third option is, they heard the sound of battle and locked themselves in.“We have to split up,” I say.He nods, then with his gun pointed at a downward angle but ready to shoot, he heads
A moment passes while he considers it. “It’s irrelevant,” he says. “Robertson business, not mine.”“You got my oath of loyalty, Nathan ” Mata says, pressing his fist to his chest.“Mine too, boss,” Lincoln adds. “We’ll kill any asshole that has shit to say about it.”I bow my head. The Robertson are mine.Natalia My father is sitting beside me at the kitchen table, but he might as well be miles away.“It’s supposed to storm tonight,” I say and watch him out of the corner of my eye.“Hm,” he grunts.“How’s your soup?” I ask, pointing my spoon at his bowl.“You know I hate tomato soup.”“No you don’t.” I sigh and angle my body fully to him. “Dad, you love tomato soup on a rainy day. That’s why I made it.”“Is that why? Or are you kissing my ass because you disobeyed me?” He directs his hard stare at me.He’s angry and hurt, I remind myself.“Dad, please forgive me,” I say for the hundredth time since he found Nathan in the house. “It was inappropriate for me to have brought a man to th
“I won’t change my mind, Em. Don’t try. I’m a good judge of character, and that man reeks of trouble.” He’s agitated, his breathing hard, nostrils flaring.I feel my own temper rising until I notice the lines around his eyes. They’re not deep enough. People always compliment my handsome father on his youthful appearance. But the lack of lines is more a reminder that he hasn’t laughed enough in his life. Kind of like Nathan .It’s those lines that have me deflating and biting my tongue to keep from blurting out something I won’t be able to take back. I could never hurt this man that I love so much. He gave me all the smiles, even when he didn’t have enough for himself.“If I’m desperate for anything,” I say, “It’s foryouto fall in love.” I stand and take my dishes to the sink, then kiss the top of his head on the way out of the Kitchen Noah said he’d pick me up tomorrow at seven. Damn, I should have gotten his number. After the discussion with Dad, the last thing I want is for him to
Shit. Not only did I lose him, but I lost me too.Every gruesome murder recently reported by the local news suddenly blares through my mind. I’m a big, wet, lost, unarmed target.My already racing heart hammers harder in my chest and I plaster myself against the nearest wall, trying my best to melt into it. To become invisible and regroup.I squint at the street sign, trying to read the poorly lit letters. Having no other choice, I detach myself from the side of the building and draw nearer.That’s when my worst fear becomes a reality. Strong fingers wrap around my arm as a hand covers my mouth when I try to scream.I’m dragged backward, away from the light, deep into the shadows of a narrow alley. Adrenaline rushes through my blood, inciting that fight or flee response. However, the sheer size of the man obliterates the flee option, leaving me with fight.I bite him as hard as I can and he releases me. But my freedom is short-lived. Before I can take a single step, I’m grabbed again