Page 14 of Edge (Killers Inc. #2)
Darkness engulfed the light outside the window. They hadn’t left the bedroom. In nothing but their underwear, they lounged in bed and watched TV. It was amazing just sitting in silence with Edge. They toyed with each other’s fingers and snuggled. Mickey couldn’t get enough.
The bedroom door flew open, and Ridge stormed in, looking hard and pissed. Henry and Beau stood in the doorway behind him while Ridge grabbed jeans off the floor and tossed them their way. “Let’s go. They tried to take Shadow.”
Edge was up like a flash, hopping into his pants. “Where?”
“Right from the property. They set off the silent alarms and scattered when we burst from the house, but we caught one. He’s still alive.”
Mickey had no clue what was happening, but he was in. He gathered several people tried to abduct Shadow, and this seemed to be exactly what they stayed prepared for with all their security.
“Fuck. They’re getting bold. Is that old fucker still alive?”
Ridge shrugged. “Probably. He knows Rain would come for Shadow.”
Mickey didn’t even ask questions. Proving why Mickey stayed loyal to Beau, Beau led the way. “Clay, let’s go. Fabrice, keep an eye on Kylo.”
At his orders, Clay—one of Beau’s many guards—shot to his feet and followed. Fabrice pulled a gun from a kitchen drawer and set it on the counter.
“ Oui, Monsieur .”
Beau headed for the garage. He glanced Ridge’s way. “We’ll follow. Edge will ride with us.”
Ridge nodded and ran for the driveway. They piled into the SUV and Henry gunned it out of the garage. Mickey had so many questions. He wasn’t forced to ask.
“I assume your past is still trying to catch you.”
At Beau’s words, Edge nodded. “They’ll never stop.
At least not as long as Commander Kuznetsov lives.
He’s obsessed with Rain. The guy fully believes Rain is his property.
That’s why we stay together. He knows if he can get to one of us, then he has Rain.
Rain would never let any of us get taken, most especially Shadow. That’s why Austen moved in with us.”
“If he’s obsessed and his pride is pricked from Rain slipping through his fingers, then you’re right. He won’t stop.” Beau sounded like a man in the know, because he was that guy. He was powerful and could have whatever he wanted. There was no such thing as escaping him. He would never allow it.
Mickey fucking hated this for so many reasons. Mostly because neither of them could leave their circumstances. What they had now was all they would ever have. The thought made him a lot sadder than he wanted to admit.
It didn’t take them long to reach Edge’s place. As always, the door flew open as soon as they reached the front steps. Tracker’s closed expression didn’t bode well.
Edge pushed past everyone. “Where is the motherfucker? Is Shadow okay?”
“I’m fine.” Shadow sat on the couch with Rain.
Rain looked pale and shaken. His hands were clasped in his lap and his knuckles were white.
Austen tried talking to him, but it was like nothing penetrated.
Mickey knew a silent PTSD attack when he saw one.
Nothing could have told him more about their pasts than that.
Rain and Shadow were the scariest of the bunch.
They might be small and delicate-looking, but they were terrifying in the quickness and ease with which they killed. If Rain was affected, this was bad.
“Our visitor is in the garage.”
Mickey knew exactly where Tracker meant. It was the same place Edge had taken him after his abduction.
As a unit, they headed that way. It was just one guy. He didn’t know why they were all there, especially Beau and Henry. Still, they went together.
The door opened to a horrific sight. If the guy had anything to say, he had definitely talked. Field was covered in blood. His eyes were crazed in a way Mickey had never seen. Tidy and Crisp stood nearby—stone-faced.
“You didn’t have to come home.”
Edge looked calm, but Mickey felt the tension—like he expected Field might do anything. “I was told the guy was alive.”
Field didn’t even blink. It was eerie. “He was. Now he isn’t.
It seems Commander Kuznetsov learned Rain was recently married.
He’s lost patience. We’ll have to take turns guarding Austen.
He can’t leave this house alone again. Not even to go to the new clinic.
It seems even on property, we’re no longer safe. ”
God. Mickey’s chest hurt. He couldn’t imagine how Rain must feel. No doubt he expected Austen would bolt now. The guy had already given up everything.
“Okay. Get your team together.”
Edge didn’t question Beau’s order, which surprised him a little. “All right, leave this for right now. Field, get cleaned up and meet us in the family room.” Edge motioned toward the house. “Everyone else, let’s go.”
Mickey hung back, letting everyone pass. He would protect their backs. Even though the problem had obviously been resolved, it was his job to always assume a threat could strike at any second.
It took a few minutes for everyone to settle.
Beau stood by, watching the entire scene like a patient father.
Mickey studied him to give himself a focal point.
He had changed so much since Kylo came into their lives.
The cold, calculating, and ruthless Beau still existed, but his parental side shined brighter.
Everyone in this house was in their twenties.
Nearly everyone on Beau’s staff had been saved from the streets.
Beau had a soft spot he didn’t openly show, but he cared.
Mickey saw it. After all, Beau had saved him.
Once everyone was gathered, Beau did what he always did. He took control. “You’ve obviously done an excellent job keeping each other safe over the years. Unfortunately, you have powerful enemies who grow in numbers every day. You’ll never be safe without having a just as powerful ally.”
It was true. Mickey hoped Beau didn’t prick their pride too much. He wasn’t done.
“My home is a compound spread across over twelve acres of land nestled in the center of more than fifty acres. Each of the seven buildings are connected by underground tunnels that can also be used as escape routes. Each building also has a minimum of eight bedrooms and eleven bathrooms. It is the most secure place in the country, protected by dozens of guards and combat trained staff. The security is top-notch, but I’m sure Tracker can improve anything.
I suggest you tour each building and pick a room.
If we combine our families, we could be untouchable. ”
Silence met his words.
Edge looked Mickey’s way. They held each other’s stare, and a silent message passed between them. This was the only way they could be together.
Edge cleared his throat. “I’m sure everyone would like a moment to think about it, but I think it’s great plan.
We won’t have to look over our shoulders all the time.
Or at least we’d have help to watch our backs.
I don’t think Commander Kuznetsov would dare go against the Bosi family.
That’s way too high of a profile battle.
He won’t want his organization exposed. Austen would have a much easier time seeing patients. ” He looked Beau’s way. “I’m assuming.”
Beau nodded. “There’s a suite on the bottom floor of building two that’s the perfect location to see patients with high security, and my youngest son’s guard now lives with him.
His room is empty, which would suit you two nicely.
It’s very similar to your apartment-style room here…
except bigger.” He smiled as if hoping they understood he wasn’t trying to insult them.
Beau focused on Rain. “Plus, Kylo would love to have you there for impromptu dance parties.”
Rain took Austen’s hand. “You had me at making Austen’s life easier. I’ve never cared where we live.”
“I go where Rain goes,” Austen said with enough power to leave no doubt their relationship couldn’t be broken.
“Me too,” Shadow said. “I’m his shadow.”
“I go where they go.”
At Field’s comment, heads nodded. “We’re a family. We stay together.” Ridge didn’t sound thrilled, but it was obvious he would follow the majority.
A bright smile lit Tracker’s face. “That’s a huge piece of property to secure.” He rubbed his hands together. “I love a challenge.”
Beau nodded. “It’s decided, then. When you’re ready, we’ll get everyone settled.”
The only person who looked angry about the situation was Henry.
Not everyone would notice since he always looked stoic, but fury blazed in his eyes.
Mickey hated that he felt like they couldn’t talk anymore.
He wanted to know if it was the extra burden of more people or Mickey that had him looking like he wanted to snap someone’s neck.
He supposed he would never know. It didn’t look like they were friends anymore.
It was probably selfish as hell to uproot his entire family so he could be with Mickey.
He wouldn’t admit that was the reason he agreed, but he was certain at least a few of his brothers saw right through him.
He had never done anything just for himself.
Realistically, he knew this was a much better long-term plan for his family than simply hoping they were always quick enough to keep each other safe.
Kuznetsov would never give up. Maybe one day he would be dead and possibly they’d be free, but he doubted it.
The guy had convinced too many of his comrades that this whole matter was about a loose end that could expose them.
It wasn’t, of course. The reasons didn’t matter.
He wanted his family to have as normal of a life as possible.
It would never happen without help. They had uprooted their lives twice in the past for Rain and Shadow’s career.
When would it be his turn? Hopefully, now.
That didn’t mean he didn’t question himself.