Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 80957 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 405(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“You’re telling me,” Preacher scoffed. “But he’s got his head set on it, and Tallie’s father was doing everything he could to make it happen.”
“They’ve pushed a lot of people out of their homes and businesses to make room for this plan of theirs.” He paused, his gaze locking onto mine. “And things seemed to be going their way, so it makes no sense for Sergei to kill him.”
“Then, who the fuck killed him?”
“Good question. If it were my guess, I’d say he pissed off the wrong person. But I don’t think it’s the Russians.”
“So, what now?”
“We need to be smart about it. Volkovs aren’t the type you just storm in on unless you want a full-blown war. If they want the brother, we’re giving them the brother.”
As we started back into the bar, Grim leaned over to Preacher and said, “I’ll take him.”
“Not unless I’m with you.” I cocked my brow as I looked at him with disdain. “He might not come back, but I’ll get him there. The question is where the fuck am I taking him?”
“They’ve got properties all over the city.” Shep shook his head. “No way to know where they’ve taken her.”
We’d barely sat down when the back door creaked open, and seconds later, I heard a small, uncertain voice call my name. “Holt?”
I turned, and my stomach dropped when I saw Ford standing in the doorway with Casey and Toby. His little face was tight with worry as he stood there searching the room. He was clutching the sleeve of his hoodie in one hand while the other was balled into a nervous fist.
Damn.
I was moving before I even thought about it. I weaved through the brothers, and once I reached him, I crouched in front of him, trying my best to hide my panic. “Hey, buddy. What are you doing here?”
He tried to put on a brave front as he asked, “Where is she?”
The kid might as well have punched me straight in the gut.
I had no answer.
None whatsoever, and I hated myself for it.
“Tallie promised to be back by noon, and he got worried,” Casey grimaced as she explained, “I’m sorry, but he kept insisting to see you.”
“You don’t have to apologize. If he wants me, he gets me.” I placed my hand on Ford’s shoulder as I said, “I know you’re worried, but everything’s gonna be okay.”
“She said she’d be back,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “She should be back.”
“I know. And she will be. I’ll make sure of it.”
Ford’s little fingers twisted tighter around his sleeve, and it was all I could do to fight the urge to pick him up and hug him as I made promises I wasn’t sure I could keep. I had been so focused on finding Tallie, I hadn’t thought about Ford. I should have known he’d be worried when she didn’t show. He searched my face, and whatever he saw there must’ve been enough because, after a long second, he finally nodded.
“That’s my boy.” I stood and turned to Casey. “Why don’t you take the boys down to the family room and let them hang out for a bit?”
“Sure,” Casey answered.
I looked to Ford and asked, “That good with you?”
Ford was hesitant to leave, but eventually, he nodded and followed Casey and Toby down the hall. It was rough watching him go. The kid had already gotten to me, and there wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for him. And that included bringing his mother back. Hell, I’d burn down the entire city if I had to.
Once he was gone, I stood and rushed towards the back door. I charged out of the bar and ignored the voices calling after me as I stormed out. We’d been sitting here trying to figure out our next move and trying to get information from Cotton and Rooks. It was a waste of fucking time. The answer had been right under our noses the whole damn time. The second the realization hit me, I didn’t think. I just moved.
The second I reached the playroom, I threw open the door so hard it banged against the wall. The driver jolted to attention. His eyes were wide with terror as he struggled against his restraints. He was a wiry bastard, mid-fifties with graying hair and a nose that looked like it had been broken more than once. He reeked of sweat and fear, and I fucking thrived on it. “No. No more.”
I grabbed the cattle prod and pressed it against his throat as I roared, “Where did they take the girl?”
“I know not.”
I squeezed harder. “Wrong answer.”
I pressed the button, and his body jerked against the ties as the current pulsed through his jaw. His face turned red, and his eyes bulged like a damn fish out of water. I gave him a second, then growled, “Where were you supposed to take her!”