“Because?” I ask.
“Because. I’m bringing someone back from the dead, and the FBI doesn’t really like it when we do things like that.”
I freeze, my body going completely numb. “What are you doing? Del. Think this through.”
She opens up the car door. “I have, and I realized the only person that can pull this off… is someone who no longer exists.”
“Pull what off?”
“Just pay attention; the girls are playing now.” She slams the door to the black Range Rover and starts the engine.
She peels out of the garage, leaving me still stunned, watching after her, and because it’s my job, I grab the keys to the closest vehicle, and I follow her, hoping I don’t hate what I find.
And hoping she’s here to help.
Not betray the only Family she’s ever known.
The only love she’s ever truly felt.
Chapter Forty-Four
King
“Don’t fuck with me,” I say, wiping my bloodied hands against my white t-shirt. “I’m not in the mood, not now, not ever. What.” I hold the blade of my knife against his thigh where I’ve made tiny cuts. “Do.” I slice again. “You know?”
He hisses out a curse. “You’re my brother. I would die for you.”
“We’ve been at it for two hours. And for two hours, I’ve made slow cuts down his thigh, across his wrists, I’ve done everything I’ve been taught, and he hasn’t as much as flinched. Oh, he’s screamed. He’s been in pain. But I know him. I know him like I know myself; the guy is innocent.
What the fuck do I have now? What do I do? I want to punish, I want to hurt, and yet I know it’s wrong. Am I weak? Am I the one guy who doesn’t do the hard thing?
I drop the knife on the table and lean back. “So what? I just let you go when you’re the only one I know at the scene?”
I’m ready to kill him. Draw more blood. I am ready to slit his throat in the name of Campisi.
And I will earn my family name, in this life or the next.
“My dad was there. Your parents were there.” He shakes his head. “Something’s not right, but I can’t help you fix it if you keep me tied up.”
I glare and pull out my gun, holding it to his temple. “Or I could just kill you and eliminate one more question. Sounds good to me.” I shrug. “One, two—”
“—She’s gone!” A voice yells.
Ash closes his eyes and hangs his head. “Shit.”
“Who?” I ask. “Who the hell is gone?” I put my gun on the table and wait.
I wait to hear the news I was dreading to hear but somehow felt in my soul would come to me.
Del.
“What the hell do you mean she’s gone?” I roar down the hall. Dom walks into the room and attempts to calm me down while Junior yells it again and rushes into the room.
“She’s gone. We lost all traces of her twenty minutes ago!” Junior says. “Look, we’re dealing with a lot of shit right now; we have everyone from everywhere coming in days, you’re the new leader. Your wife is missing. Your dad isn’t waking up,” he curses. “Would you prefer I just stop giving you bad news?”
I can do this.
I look over at Ash.
I know he’s not guilty.
Just like I know that I won’t hit him again.
I try to calm myself.
“It’s going to be okay,” he says. “And I’m sorry, but your dad was worried that shit was going down but couldn’t trust anyone—he sent me to the restaurant just in case. I heard the explosion and saw Dad stumble out of the bar at about the same moment the ambulances arrived. I was sworn to secrecy—I was told that it would create division in the Families to be there without sharing any information, but you know your dad, he trusts my dad, he trusts me, and up until now—”
“You’ve been the leader of all of us,” I whisper. “It’s been you. So, he would only ask you.”
“We made a pact.” Ash’s eyes meet mine. “And if that means I take the fall? If that means I bleed or burn or die in order to keep my Family safe, I fucking will.”
I squeeze my eyes shut. “I’m sorry I doubted you.”
“Don’t be.” He shakes his head. “It’s your job to doubt everyone. I would hope to God you would do it again if you thought it would keep the Families safe.”
He’s no longer tied in ropes, but I can see the burns on his wrists. He still has blood on his face from when he was sparring with the guys.
“He left with her,” I say.
“It’s his job to protect her,” he fires right back. “Are you going to be pissed that he followed her? That he did exactly what you asked?”
I don’t say the words out loud because I’m afraid. I feel insecure. Stupid. Humiliated. “What if…” I lick my lips. “What if she used me? What if I believed her and she left with—”
“I don’t believe that. Do you see the way she looks at you? She would never.” He stands up and braces me. “Be the man you’ve always been. The man your father molded you to be. Strong.”
I nod. “Maybe she’s my weakness.”
“Aren’t they all?” He smiles sadly. “I would do anything for Annie—anything.”
I pull him in for a hug.
Junior comes down into our fun little soundproof torture chamber and knocks on the open door. “We found her location.”
“Where is she?” I shove Ash away and run toward Junior.
He looks between the two of us and sighs. “She’s at the Eagle Elite campus.”
“What?” I jerk back. “Why?”
“No clue, we just saw the ping—shit!” He’s on his phone again.
My phone goes off.
Ash’s goes off.
Breaking News: Fire on the Eagle Elite Campus, students trapped in buildings, evacuate immediately!
I’m numb as I run up the stairs. Everyone’s mobilizing behind me. I know I have enough weapons in my car, so that’s not the issue—the issue is what to do.
What do I fucking do?
She’s there.
In a fire.
Did she start it?
Was she kidnapped?
My mind whirls with indecision, so all I can say is. “Get us there NOW!”
The minute I yell it, the dads are running around grabbing their shit, I don’t remember getting into my waiting SUV, but I do see some FBI agents with me who’ve stuck around during this whole process, thank God.
By the time we arrive fifteen minutes later, I have the infantry.
I have twenty SUVs following mine.
And another five on the way from Chase, who’s in the car behind me with the dads—all except mine.
What would he do in this situation?
My phone goes off again.
The fires are spreading through building after building. All I can focus on is her, the love of my life. Please, God, let this not be a betrayal.
Let this be an accident.
Let her be alive.
Let us not have made a mistake.
The gates are open as we barrel through and drive toward the billowing black smoke.
She’s standing there. Her uncle beside her.