Total pages in book: 183
Estimated words: 178343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 892(@200wpm)___ 713(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 178343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 892(@200wpm)___ 713(@250wpm)___ 594(@300wpm)
“After you muck the shit out of his cell, you mean? Because that’s your fuckin’ mess in there. Yo, Tino? What about we call Zack Jacobs? He’s got ways of tracking people, too, doesn’t he?”
Tino gives me a head shake and gestures for me to follow him out of earshot.
“Turns out he’s a Fed.”
“He’s what?”
“Long story, not mine to tell. Talk to Dare or Tommy about it but I’d say Zack is not the guy you wanna call to get your captive back.”
Fuck.
I walk Tino to his car and he promises to stay in contact.
After he pulls away, I dial Jagger, not looking forward to the conversation we’re about to have. But Jag’s sister is missing. And there’s the fact he’s a security specialist who will be able to help. He’s only been on his own with his new company a while, but it sounds like he’s quickly built up resources.
***
I call Violet at two thirty in the morning after seeing on the apartment’s surveillance that she’s awake. She answers on the first ring.
“Hello?”
“Sorry about the hour, but no good news yet. I won’t be home tonight, baby. He’s gone, got Tony’s car, and he’s being hunted. I’m staying put for the time being.”
“How’s Tony?” she asks.
“He’s a fucking moron.”
“Is he hurt?”
“He’ll live,” I growl.
For now. If anything goes wrong because of this shitshow? Fuck.
“Try to sleep,” I say. “Can I talk to Will? Get some sleep and call me when you wake up.”
“I don’t think I can sleep,” she whispers. “What if he-”
“Try to sleep. Okay? Don’t worry about the what ifs. I’ve got this.”
“Yeah. Okay,” she says, but she doesn’t sound convinced.
“You didn’t say anything to my brother?”
“Of course not.”
“Pass him the phone, please.”
“One sec,” she says, sounding upset.
I growl. I fuckin’ hate this shit. Hate that she’s worried. Hate that this fucker is out there, that he’s even breathing.
One thing about shooting Max Amos the minute the gun was put in my hand, he was never able to fuck with me afterwards.
My lip curls. I’m pissed at Iadanza. Fuming at Tony. But most of all, I’m livid that this was preventable and that it’s ultimately down to me that he’s out there.
“Bro,” Will greets, “What’s up?”
“Bullshit. Can’t get too far into it, but can you stay there? Stay awake. Violet’s ex is a thorn in my side and I don’t think he’ll show there, but just in case.”
“No problem. I’ve got today and tomorrow off; I wouldn’t have slept tonight. I have to be back in Monday night, so I’d have kept on this schedule.”
“Thanks, bro. I appreciate it. I’ll talk to you in the morning.”
“Anything for you, Kill. You sure you’re all right? You don’t sound good. If you need help, I can help.”
“Just keep that gun nearby. Just in case.”
“Will do. Love to have a reason to pop a cap in Ray Iadanza’s ass.”
“He shows up there, don’t shoot him in the ass. You shoot that piece of shit in the head.”
“Shit,” Will says softly.
“No. I don’t mean that. I wanna be the one to shoot him, so you do what you need to do to secure him for me. But I’m thinkin’ he won’t show there. Keep you posted.”
“Kill,” he says, sounding shook.
“Sorry, man. Forget I said that. Just keep my wife safe.”
“Don’t need to forget it. Not sure if you noticed, bro, but I’m not a kid anymore. Anything you need, Kill, just let me know. Even if it involves difficult shit.”
“Thanks, Will. I know you’re not a kid. I’m proud of the man you’ve become.”
He holds the phone and there’s silence, but it’s filled with emotion.
“If there’s anything to be proud of, it’s down to you,” he finally says. “I’ve seen shit lately, working for Tommy and Dario. No longer the green youth, Kill.”
I grind my teeth.
“I can help if you need help,” he offers.
“Gotta go. I’ll stay in touch. Thanks for being there. You’ve got the most important job right now. I can focus on fixing some bullshit because I know Violet’s safe.”
“Anything, man. My honor.”
“Thanks.”
I end the call and sit down at the kitchen table, dropping my head. Fuck sakes.
Ten minutes later, I use my app to peek into the master bedroom at home and Violet’s crawling into bed. I look in on the living room and Will’s got the remote, but sits looking alert rather than sprawled out.
I go back to the master bedroom view. The lights are off, but the night vision mode shows me her rolling to my side of the bed, hugging my pillow. I hear her sob.
An ache spreads through my chest. I close out of the app and dial her number.
She answers on the first ring, her voice scratchy.
“Killian?”
“I love you,” I say.
She sniffles. “I love you, too.”
“I’m so fucking sorry, baby.”
She sniffles again. “Are you watching me?”