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Kian just continues to laugh, taunting Kellan. “Then again, Hallie probably isn’t even missing you. It’s Liam she wanted to speak to on the phone last night.”

Liam chuckles beside them, catching me off-guard. He’s been so serious the whole meeting, it’s almost strange to see him so relaxed and carefree, messing around with his family. “Hallie Bear loves her Uncle Liam.”

The pieces of the conversation finally fall into place, and I realise Hallie is Kellan’s daughter, though she clearly prefers the company of her Uncle Liam. Meaning Mia, who Kian threatened him with before, must be Kellan’s partner, but after the comment he made earlier about his daughter’s birth mother, I’m guessing she’s not Hallie’s mother.

Bree must have been watching as I try to piece things together, and she explains. “Kellan has two children. Hallie is a bit of a terror, and rules over us all. Liam Junior, or LJ, as we call him, is the baby Kel has with Mia. Kellan was a single dad for so long, he appreciates the time away a bit more than we do.”

I nod like I understand, but my brain is running a million miles a minute. The words tumble from my lips before I have a chance to stop them, and I regret them instantly. “How can you have kids living the life you do? Aren’t you constantly afraid for them?”

As all eyes flick to me, I slam my hand over my mouth, like that will fucking help anything. I’m about to apologise when Liam speaks. “That’s something we ask ourselves all the time. Honestly, having children just gives us that bit extra to fight for.

“Even though we deal in a lot of criminal activities, and things that are probably frowned on as parents, it also gives us a unique position that we’re able to try and make the world a slightly better place for our kids.

“We can make sure kids aren’t used to push drugs. We can stop children from being trafficked. We can make sure weapons aren’t being put in the hands of people who are too young to use them.

“We still allow criminal activity to occur, of course, but we make sure children are sheltered from it as much as they can be. What they choose to do as adults is on them, but we make sure they’re given the best chances in life.”

Bree smiles at her husband, before adding, “We will do anything to protect our kids, and to do that, we need to make this world a better place for all children. I know we can’t change things for everyone, but we sure as fuck are trying to make it a little safer.”

I barely know the four people sitting in front of me, but I believe in them and what they’re trying to achieve. There’s something about Bree that just makes you believe in her, and for the first time in a long time, I feel optimistic about my future.

Miles turns to me before casting a glance at Jake and Marcus. “Let’s get out of here.”

We all say our goodbyes, with promises to keep each other informed about the plan as things unfold. Miles reluctantly lets go of my hand before standing, but Jake doesn’t hide. He removes his arm from around my shoulders and clasps our fingers together.

Bree wishes us good luck, and her reassuring smile settles my racing heart as we all leave the warehouse together. As I follow behind the beautiful redhead, I feel a sense of ease that I might finally be able to take down the people chasing me. I finally have people who are willing to stand by my side and fight for me.

As I walk out of the warehouse into the carpark, constantly scanning for any danger, I can’t help but feel a sigh of relief now that we have a plan in place. We’re going to find that fucker, Gregg, and he’ll lead us to The Count. Once we’ve taken them down, there’s no reason for Indie to ever have to run again.

The idea of settling down with her, knowing she’s safe, fills me with more joy and satisfaction than I thought possible. And adding Jacob into the mix too… I finally feel whole in a way I never expected.

As soon as I open the car door, Indie climbs in. Jacob and Marcus are on the other side of the car, saying goodbye to the Doughtys. I close the door and make my way back around the car, standing beside them as they finish their conversation.

BANG BANG!!

As soon as I hear the gunshots, I react without thinking, and everything seems to move in slow motion. My heart stutters as my brain whirls with the knowledge that someone is shooting at us.

I take in as much of the scene as I can, but there’s barely any time to think. My body just moves of its own accord.

I reach out and grab hold of Jacob, throwing my body in front of his as I pull him to the ground, using myself to shield him from the gunshots. At the same time, I reach into my jacket and pull out my gun.

Once I’m sure Jake is down on the ground, hidden by the car, I look around and see Marcus dropping beside me, his own gun out as he scans the area. For just a moment, his penetrating gaze lands on me, and if I had more time, I’d analyse the intense way he’s looking at me, but as another two shots ring loud, it pulls our attention back to the gunfire.

I rise slowly, using the car as cover, scanning the surroundings as I try to find where the shots are coming from. Before I’m able to take it all in, I hear Kian’s loud voice. “Both shooters are down.”

Still, I don’t put my weapon away as I continue to take in the carnage. Two male bodies are on the floor a few feet away, blood pooling beneath them. They were obviously hiding behind a large cargo container, and had sprung out when they saw us.

Bree is standing to the side with her gun raised, looking even more fucking terrifying than she usually does with her fiery red hair blowing in the breeze. Liam is beside her, half of his body turned in front of her, as though he’s trying to shield her, whilst pointing his own gun at the dead men.

Kellan is on the floor, his laptop bag in his hands, looking as furious as the rest of us, while Kian is over by the bodies, no doubt making sure they’re very much dead.

“What the fuck?” Kellan grumbles as he stands up, dusting himself off. “Who is shooting at us?”

Kian kicks one of the bodies, then the other, before walking back to his family. “Looks like two men from the Pileson family we dealt with yesterday. Doesn’t appear they took our threats well.”

Bree takes a menacing step forward, looking murderous. “We will have to take them all down now. Call whoever you need to.” She turns to look at us, her expression softening. “Is everyone okay? Nobody was injured?”

I look back at the closed car door—very fucking pleased there’s an automatic lock on the backdoors, so she can’t get out without someone opening it for her—making sure Indie is still safe in the backseat. She’s staring out of the window, tears in her wide eyes, as her body trembles with fear, but at least she’s not fucking injured.