Page 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Declan

Back at the clubhouse, Tate pulled up an aerial map of the foster home and the surrounding area. The house is on five acres, most of it covered in trees. We make a plan, and park down the road, hiking through the forest surrounding the home the rest of the way to give us better coverage and the element of surprise.

“We’re going to have company,” Kayce says over comms. “Parisi and Matteo are coming in with Violet in tow. Apparently, James has cut a deal with the devil.”

“Why is he bringing Violet? Why didn’t he fucking lie?” I’m so pissed my body is vibrating with it.

“Hey,” Jameson’s voice comes over the link. “I’ve got the special announcement ready. On your mark Pres.”

“Hold,” Pres replies. “Ghost, Hawk, are you ready on the high ground?”

“Ready,” they both answer.

“Swanson’s car has been pulled around the back. I can see him pacing through the front window, but no other movement has been detected,” Hawk says. “Ghost, do you have eyes on the kid?”

“Negative.”

“We’ve got movement up the road,” Ethan warns. “Three black SUVs. Looks like Parisi is joining the party.”

“Fuck.” I drop my head, taking in a few deep breaths.

You need to focus. You need to calm your shit and save your family.

A couple more breaths and I’m ready. We advance through the trees quietly. Dallas and Caleb are on the back side of the property coming in from the backyard. Jake and Mack are on the right. Their point of entry will be the side door of the garage. Gabe and Jameson are on the left, and Kayce is with me. We’re going to break through the front door.

The three SUVs pull into the driveway, partially blocking the view of the garage. Gabe gives the signal for everyone to halt. We watch as Matteo exits the SUV first, signaling for someone to stay in the car. Vincenzo exits the second vehicle, coming up to meet Matteo.

“That’s not their usual formation,” Hawk observes. “There’s someone else in the last car.”

Swanson stands out on the front porch, armed with a high-power rifle. There’s still no sign of Carter.

“Does anyone have eyes on the kid?” I ask.

“Dallas, you and Caleb enter through the back. Find the kid. Quietly,” Kayce orders. I’m sure Gabe will bitch at him for that later. It’s tough when you have two leaders who are always in control of their own men, and they have to work together. If it wasn’t for the situation, I might find it funny to watch them fight over control.

“That’s far enough, Parisi,” James calls from the porch. We’re close enough to hear and see, but not close enough James would be able to see us. I’m almost certain Matteo has clocked a couple of our guys. He’s an observant bastard.

“What are we here to do, James? I have a busy evening planned so if you would be so kind, can we get on with it?” Parisi says, appearing put out by the situation, which only serves to anger James.

“I hold all the cards here, Parisi. Your plans will just have to wait,” Swanson exclaims. “Where’s Violet? Bring her out here.”

“Where’s the boy?” Vincenzo volleys back.

Shit.

“The boy is safe inside where I left him.”

“And the foster parents. The Connelly’s. Where are they?” Vincenzo keeps him talking, and I can’t help but feel grateful for the time he’s buying us to get the kid out.

“They’re not going to be a problem anymore,” Swanson smiles evilly.

“You killed one of Mr. Cusenza’s greatest suppliers. Hmm,” Vincenzo hums. “If you worked for me, I would consider that a punishable offense.”

“What Marco doesn’t know won’t hurt me,” Swanson says, sounding smug.

“Tell me, James. Do you watch the news at all? Or rather, have you watched it lately?”

Swanson takes a step forward, and Matteo matches his movement. “What are you talking about?”

“We have the kid in the cage,” Caleb says in our ear.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Gabe replies. We all hold our position and wait for the opportune moment to take this fucker down.

“It seems one Daniel McBride of the Children’s Protective Services was found in a dumpster near the edge of Crestview, beaten, blindfolded, and with his fingers and toes burned to a crisp.” Matteo leans in, saying something into Parisi’s ear. “Oh. That’s right. His teeth were forcibly removed while he was awake to ensure he felt every painful moment. It was only fair. But the most fulfilling part of his demise were the photos they found stuffed into his now otherwise empty mouth. Would you like to know what was in the photos?”

“McBride had nothing to do with me. He was just a supplier. A kid peddler. I don’t have anything to do with that side of things. So, it doesn’t matter. Where’s my wife?” He roars.

“McBride may not have had anything to do with you, but he did have photographic evidence of you partaking in an evening of debauchery with an underage girl at a party to which he was in attendance.” Vincenzo turns toward the tree line where we’re all waiting. “That girl was found dead in a dumpster, in the same gruesome manner as your Mr. McBride. I wonder if anyone would think those two things are linked? Do you?”

“Violet!” Swanson shouts. “Get out here, you bitch, or I’ll gut the boy right here in front of everyone. You want me to let him go, then you better get your ass out of the goddamn car.” Swanson takes one more step, raising his gun. Two shots are fired, and everyone takes cover. As soon as Swanson’s ass drops to the ground, Matteo is on him. Swanson continues grunting in pain and spouting his empty threats until Matteo has seemingly had enough and knocks him out with the butt of his gun.

“All clear,” Gabe calls over comms. We all come out of our hiding spots, and I have to admit I’m feeling disappointed with the way things turned out.

As soon as I clear the trees, the front car’s door flies open, and Violet is running straight for the house shouting for Carter. I take off after her, calling her name, but she doesn’t stop. She’s still screaming Carter’s name when I catch her around the waist, banding my arms tightly around her just as she enters the front door.

“He’s safe, baby. Caleb took him home already. He’s safe,” I repeat until she finally calms down enough to let it register.

“Oh, thank God. I was so scared he had—that James had?—”

“Shh. I know, baby. I know. But he’s fine. Carter is fine. I promise.” She turns, folding into me and sobs. Nuzzling her neck, I take her scent inside me and revel in all that is Violet. Mine.

“Jesus, Parisi,” Gabe calls out. We walk out and I help Violet down the steps, pulling her into my side and kiss her forehead.

“My apologies for the anticlimactic ending to the evening, Gabriel,” Vincenzo says sarcastically. Violet turns her head into my shoulder to hide her giggle.

“He can be such an ass,” she whispers. “It’s amazing no one has shot him for half the shit he says.” I kiss the side of her head to hide my smile.

“Don’t think the thought hasn’t crossed my mind. These two together are the ultimate cock fight.” That gets her laughing harder.

“Don’t put that image in my head.”

I growl low in her ear. “The only cock you better be imagining is mine, Dove.” She takes a couple deep breaths, then raises her head to meet my eyes.

“Thank you.” She has no need to thank me, and I’ll tell her as much, but first I need to get us away from this place and the pissing contest going on here.

“Well now, what do you plan to do with him?” Gabe asks.

Vincenzo opens his arms wide and smiles, “Consider him my gift to you. I’m sure Mr. O’Malley would like to have a few words with the man.” He cocks a brow at me, and I nod.

Hell fucking yes, I do.

Mack whistles, catching my attention. When we make eye contact, he gives one curt nod. I know what he’s saying without the words.

“You got any plans later, Mack?” His eyes light up with excitement.

“I do now.”

Gabe crosses his arms over his chest. “This doesn’t change the original deal, Parisi. You promised me two traitors.”

The backdoor to the third SUV opens and out steps a tired and feeble looking Nate Hawkins.

“And here is the first,” he says. “I will deliver the other when he’s completed his task.”

“Son,” Nate says, staring straight at Hawk. Without thought or hesitation, Hawk raises his rifle and shoots Nate in the leg, dropping him to the ground. Turning back to Pres, who’s now scrubbing his face with his hands. His expression mirroring my own disbelief.

Hawk tips his head between Gabe and his traitorous father sprawled out on the ground holding his now bleeding leg. “Pres, I’m going to go home. You good?”

Gabe nods. “I’ll be right behind you, son.” When Pres says it, Hawk accepts it with a nod of his own. “Round up the trash!” Gabe shouts.

“Time to go home, baby. Carter’s already there waiting.”