Page 106 of Stolen Matrimony

Checking my gun, I made sure it was loaded and the safety was off as we waited for the signal to let us know it was good for us to go inside.

“Cashlynn,” Nazai called out. My eyes left the gun and went to him. I knew whatever he was about to say had to be serious because he never used my real name when addressing me.

“Be smart when we go in there.”

“You don’t have to tell me that. This isn’t my first kill.”

“But it’s your first time working with us. We don’t go into situations being reckless and we make sure to have each other’s backs. Don’t go in here with a solo mindset and keep your eyes open. River did his best scoping out the area but we don’t know exactly how many men could be inside of here.”

I could tell by the look in his eyes he was serious. He wasn’t saying this to piss me off, but more so to warn me or maybe because he cared. I tucked my lips in my mouth and gave him a stiff nod.

“Ezra, you too. Don’t be on any reckless shit,” he said.

“I got this, big bro.” Ezra waved him off. I stared at the back of his head from the back seat of the truck. He was calm and collected. It was hard to believe he was a high-powered lawyer in the daytime. Lucas was in the driver’s seat quietly staring at the church across from us diagonally. The sun was setting, the sky was a dark tint of orange, purple, and red. This street was on the lower end of the city. Most of the buildings were abandoned and had been taken over by gangs. Crime was high in this area and it was why the Rhodes operated successfully here.

I watched as one of the guys in front of the church fell in amazement. I remembered Nazai mentioning Emmet was a sniper but seeing it firsthand was different. Before the second guy could react, he was taken down too. I made sure my hat was on my head.

“Front cleared,” Emmet said into our earpieces. It wasn’t long before River’s voice sounded too. “Back cleared.”

“Let’s go.”

We filed out of the car and headed for the church. The street was clear of any unwanted eyes or attention.

“Ready?” Ezra said once we got to the door. We nodded and he grinned before sending his foot into the door, making it fly open.

“The fuck!” someone shouted, followed by a shot. The guy in one of the pews went down easily. We moved down the aisle. Quickly, I lifted my gun and aimed, pulling the trigger seeing movement coming from the side.

Shouting and movement could be heard from the left hallway.

Shots came from out of nowhere, bullets whizzed past us.

“Fuck, get down!” Lucas shouted.

Hurriedly, we continued, dropping down. Nazai lifted and sent a shot forward. A grunt sounded. The sounds of the guns going off echoed off the empty walls.

Ezra, not bothering to wait, rushed forward. “Ez!” Nazai called out but he ignored his brother. Not wanting to miss the fun, I followed him. Ezra shot the guy Nazai had already taken out one last time before moving down the hallway.

A shot rang out toward the end of the hall. “It’s me!” River said into the earpiece and soon rounded the corner coming into view. “It’s clear back there.”

“No sign of Neil?” Nazai asked, kicking open a door and pointing his gun.

“No.”

“I don’t think he’s here.,” Ezra said once we checked all the rooms. In the distance a few shots could be heard.

“Emmet, what’s it looking like out there?” Nazai asked into his earpiece.

“Still clear. No sign of Neil,” Emmet answered.

I gritted my teeth. The hide and seek was growing old. If he truly wanted to get revenge for his son, he should show face and handle things accordingly.

“We’re gonna check the basement.” Nazai nodded at River.

“I’m coming with you,” Ezra said.

“You two check the last three rooms down there. If I remember correctly, it’s an office, kitchen, and bathroom,” Nazai told me and Lucas. We looked at each other. I knew he wasn’t my biggest fan.

“Yeah a’right.”