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CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

“Vengeance is in my heart, death in my hand, blood and revenge are hammering in my head.”

~ William Shakespeare

Saros

Once news came that RJ had been found and was being brought back, I ordered my guys to make sure everyone was inside. If, God forbid, they were followed, I didn’t need anyone—especially the kids—to see anything traumatizing.

Martha was arranging for dinner to be held in the ballroom and then a fun movie night in the theater room. It would keep most of the people occupied until we could stabilize the situation.

I was on my way to the lower level to greet RJ when I heard my name shouted. It wasn’t a normal call; it was frantic. I spun on my heel and saw Dafni racing toward me, a dripping and crying Maeve with her.

“What’s wrong?”

Gino was behind her, carrying Tucker, who was as calm as could be.

“It’s Em.”

My veins turned to ice, dread crawled up my spine, and fear like I’d never felt took root in the pit of my stomach.

“Stranger!” Maeve wailed.

“Dafni, what happened?”

“Kai helped me inside. Em told me he’d follow with Maeve, but as soon as I got in the house, all I saw was Maeve running to me, screaming. It took a minute for her to get calm, and she said a stranger tried to take her. Then I didn’t see Em.”

“Bad man,” Maeve cried. “Took Em, took him.”

I glared at Gino. “I had four fucking men out there—six, if you count the ones on the side of the house.”

“I know, I was in here. Kai said Scott, Tim, and Mickie were supposed to be in their positions, but when he rushed outside after Maeve ran over, he couldn’t see them.”

“Get men in those woods. Find them, find Em.” I hadn’t thought this was a vulnerable area on my property, but I must have underestimated Ramsey and his ability to trek through the woods. Shit, he’d probably been lying in wait for an opportunity.

Aunt Penelope rushed to us and took Tucker, letting Gino deal with my orders. Dafni put Maeve on the floor, and I kneeled in front of her.

“Hi, sweetheart. I know you’re scared.”

She nodded. “I did what I was told. Will Em be okay? He likes froggies.”

I kissed her forehead and did my best to soften my expression. “I’ll find him. What do you mean, you did what you were told?”

“Stranger grabbed Em. We fell in the river. It was cold. Em told me to run. I ran, Uncle Sarry, I did.”

My brave Em . “Yes, you did.” I peered up at Dafni. “Get her dry and warm.”

“I’m so sorry, Saros. I invited him outside with us.”

I stood and hugged my sister. “Not your fault. If Em hadn’t been there, I fear he’d have taken one of the kids. I’ll find him.”

Aunt Penelope shot me a withering glance. I had Ramsey’s son, and now he had the man I loved. And yes, I loved Em.

“Boss.” Benny approached once Dafni and the kids left.

“Yeah?”

“RJ’s secure.”

I nodded. “Ramsey’s got Em.”

Shock and anger adorned Benny’s face. “How?”

“I’ll tell you later. Right now, we have to get down there, and I want Ramsey on the phone, now!”

“You got it.”

If Ramsey touched a hair on his head, I’d make sure to double the damage to his son.

When I opened the second door to the basement floor, I could hear RJ arguing.

“You motherfuckers are making a huge-ass mistake. My father is going to kill you and everyone you know and love.”

My guys didn’t even flinch as RJ yelled empty threats. He was in a chair, arms and legs tied. His face was red with rage, and he was dressed in sweats—expensive ones—but you could see he’d been in that bunker for at least a few days.

“That’s enough,” I shouted, and RJ turned his head in my direction. His mouth shut, and he had the intelligence to know that if he didn’t shut up, I’d make him.

“You’re in no position to be making threats, little boy. Do you think you’d even live to see whatever vengeance your father would attempt to rain upon on me?” I snorted. “Not a chance.” I motioned to the now-empty cage. “Frazee never did.”

RJ’s eyes flickered to the cage and back at me. “You killed him?”

“I did. And the thing is, I didn’t hate him.” I took three steps until I was directly in front of him. He had to crane his neck to see me. “You, I hate.”

“Why? I didn’t do anything to you.”

I chuckled darkly. “You weren’t a very good big brother, were you?”

“What are you talking about?”

I rolled my eyes and stepped away. “November is your brother—don’t pretend you didn’t know.”

“My…what?”

Em was about a year younger than RJ, and they looked nothing alike. Was it possible that RJ had no idea? Yes. Did I care? No.

“All these years, you tormented your baby brother and never realized who he was?” I shook my head. “Fucking pathetic.”

“You are insane,” he said.

“You’re right. I am. You’d do well to remember that. Know what really sets me off? I’ll tell you. When someone takes something that’s mine. When they hurt people I love. So, Ramsey wants to play with me, okay, I’ll bite.”

“You started this the second you killed Brandi. Dude, her body was in pieces.”

I grinned. “Yes, and she worked for me while she fucked your father. I don’t deal well with betrayal…I guess I have a lot of issues.”

“So you brought me here to kill me?”

“Initially, yes. But then your dear old dad took someone from me, and I want them back. So, play nice, and you just might walk out of here.”

“Saros.” I turned to Cosmo. “I don’t think Ramsey knows you took RJ yet. One of his guys just arrived at the warehouse with food.”

I grinned wide. “Perfect. Intercept the man, and did you get Ramsey on the phone yet?”

Benny stepped up and handed me his cell. “Here you go.”

“Gag him.” I pointed to RJ and put the phone to my ear. “Ramsey Brookes.”

“Saros Tancredi.” His voice was smug. He had no idea what I had, but I had to be careful because Em’s life was in his hands.

“You’ve kind of lost your mind, haven’t you?”

He laughed. “No, I just finally gave you what you deserved.”

“Is that what you think?” My phone beeped; he wanted to FaceTime. I accepted, making sure RJ wasn’t in the shot.

Ramsey’s arrogant face filled the screen. “Almost everything.”

He adjusted the phone and aimed it at Em, who was on a dingy mattress, a chain around his ankle, which was secured to the wall.

“Is this what you call some father-son bonding?” His smile faltered for a moment. “Oh, yeah, I know, and so does he.”

Ramsey shook it off and glared. “I don’t fucking give a shit. Shyla wanted him, and she couldn’t even take care of herself. If I was going to pay for him, he’d be useful.”

“As a punching bag?”

He hummed and handed the phone to someone. I watched as he walked over to Em and pulled his head up by the hair. I gritted my teeth, wishing I was there so I could remove Ramsey’s skin from his face.

“He’s worthless.” With his other hand, he punched Em in the face. He grunted, and Ramsey dropped him. “He just lets me hurt him; it’s all he’s good for.”

“You made a huge mistake, Ramsey.”

“I don’t agree, Saros. I have your plaything.”

“Let’s see.” I tapped my chin. “I killed Brandi, cut her up into a bunch of pieces, shot Frazee in the head after he was of no use to me and…oh! I almost forgot.” I turned the camera to RJ, who was tied and gagged. When I brought it back to myself, Ramsey wasn’t looking so confident.

“Everything you do to Em, I do double to RJ. Let me show you an example.” I handed the phone to Cosmo, approached RJ, and punched him in the face twice.

“Stop!” Ramsey shouted.

“If you break Em’s hand, I break both of RJ’s. Are you understanding me now?”

I heard Cosmo’s phone buzz, and from the corner of my eye I saw him motioning for me.

“You have one hour to return Em to me, or you never see RJ again.” I disconnected. “What?”

Cosmo smiled. “The governor.”

Perfect .