The truth, though? We were all on edge and although the house was large, living under the same roof had taken its toll on everyone. “I feel your pain, as I’m sure everyone does. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Gem had to throw a monkey wrench into things. “Um, what if Aiden has something in store for us when we arrive?”
“You would have to say that, wouldn’t you?” I scowled.
Drex came to the rescue. “We’ll deal with it. At this point, I’m ready to chew the motherfucker’s head off.”
“Well, that’s an idea that hasn’t crossed my mind,” I said. “On another note, when do we bring in the feds?”
“We need to free Cruze first. I’m afraid if we don’t, Aiden will kill him. If we bring his entire organization down, he’ll retaliate somehow, and if Cruze isn’t back with us, that’s exactly how he’ll do it.”
“My thought exactly,” I agreed. “Raiden won’t deal with that and neither will Acer.”
“Scottie, Acer understands the wrath of the O’Briens much better than Raiden does. He’s the one I’m more concerned about,” Drex said.
I took his words to heart. He was dead on. Raiden preferred to march in, guns blazing, with no other thought to a plan. He didn’t understand how lethal these guys were, even after all the destruction they’d done, including what happened in the apartment.
The remainder of the drive was silent. I mulled over how to keep Raiden under control if we didn’t get Cruze out. Drex’s phone brought me back to the present. He had it connected to the car’s Bluetooth, so we were all in the loop. It was one of the team members reporting in.
“Hey boss. We’re at the location. Feet on the ground.”
“And?”
“Two vehicles, five men.”
“Any sign of our target?”
“Not yet. Appears there’s a basement. One of the men ran to check out a window.”
“Let me know what he finds.”
The call ended, and we drove on until we found their SUV. We geared up after Drex parked and waited for the call. It came moments later.
“Boss, he’s there.”
“How does he look?”
“Couldn’t tell from our vantage point. We’ll have to subdue the men because the house only has one exit on the main floor.”
“We’re on our way to you now. Location?”
He gave Drex the information, and we set off on foot, armed and prepared for a fight. I had a gas mask in my backpack, along with two tear gas canisters. Depending on the situation, we would use them.
After we met up with the other team, which comprised six men, they brought us up to speed. Cruze was in the basement, guarded by one man. There were two outside patrolling the perimeter of the cabin, and two inside.
“Let’s take out the two outside first, then the two inside. That should be easy enough, but remember, we need to operate quickly to ensure they don’t contact anyone.” Drex gave the orders.
“Who do you want to do it?” I asked.
“Scottie, you stay here, in case we need to call you in as back up with the tear gas. Gem, you come with me, and we’ll join the others. Then we’ll decide who does what.” Drex led the others toward the house while I waited.
My watch annoyed the hell out of me because every time I checked it, only a minute or two had passed. I had no patience. Then I heard a car engine in the distance. It got closer, and trouble approached.
I radioed Drex, saying, “Company’s on the way. Another car’s approaching.”
“Fuck. Move in. Stand by when you get here.”
I circled in the opposite direction of where the car had gone. This took me to the other side of the cabin, approaching from the rear. One of our guys waved as he saw me in the distance.
“Status?” I asked.
“Cruze is in terrible shape. They beat him pretty soundly. We have to carry him back to the SUV. But we got to see who our visitors are.”
“I have a hunch it’s O’Brien,” I said.
“What makes you say that?”
“He wants information. He knows we have his daughter and granddaughter and he’s failed at everything.”
We eyed the sedan as it stopped in front of the cabin. Four men climbed out and my hunch was right. I hit the radio, letting Drex know.
“You’ve got to be kidding,” he said.
“Nope, but I’m ready for this.”
“I’m not. We don’t have enough ammo. Those guys will be armed to the teeth.”
“I can run back to the SUV and grab some—”
“No time,” he cut me off. “As soon as they’re inside, deploy the tear gas. Don’t give them a second to check for the other guys.”
“Got it. Where are you?”
“Basement. Trying to revive Cruze.”
“Tell everyone to put on a mask,” I reminded him.
I glanced up at the other team member, then I dug in my backpack for the mask. “It’s game time.” He did the same and when we both were ready, we crept around to the front where he slid open a front window. I tossed in both canisters. Moments later, the men ran out as they coughed and sputtered. We both worked quickly to cuff all four of them with cable ties, securing their wrists and ankles.
One thing about tear gas, it worked like a charm when you needed it.
I took off my mask and radioed Drex. “Four targets secured.”
“On the way up now.”
“Go out the back.”
They did and carried Cruze to a vehicle. Drex told the men to drive him directly to a hospital while he met us up front.
“What a pleasant surprise. We never expected to see you here,” he said to Aiden.
“Where’s my daughter?” O’Brien spat.
“I’m not so sure she’s eager to see you.”
“You will regret this.”
Drex smirked. “Somehow, I think you have that backward. You’re the one who’ll have the regrets.”
We loaded the men into one of the other SUVs and drove them down to the local FBI office in Denver. With Sinead’s testimony, Aiden would be locked up for a very long time.
Chapter Forty-Four
Raiden
We were incredulous when Scottie relayed the news of Aiden’s arrest. None of us expected him to show up at the cabin, least of all Sinead.
“Does this mean we can finally go home?” Mom asked, drawing out the word, finally.
“Not quite yet,” Isla answered. “We need to take care of some details, but we are getting closer.”
“Thank God. I think I’ll go cook now.”
That had been her way of coping. We’d hired cooks, but she and Liv kicked them out of the kitchen. They enjoyed creating delicious meals for the family too much.
It was late when the group returned. The FBI questioned them for hours. They released them after they passed over the information accumulated on O’Brien. The FBI agreed to call in the US Marshalls to protect Sinead and Aisling so she would consider it safe to give up information on her father.
Both agencies agreed to place them in WITSEC and would pick them up the following day.
Cruze was in a local hospital, but he would be fine. He suffered many bruises, lacerations, and three fractured ribs. They’d tried to beat the location of his daughter and grandchild out of him, but he wouldn’t give in. Turned out to be a good thing we’d kept that a secret from the staff we hired. The housekeeper lured him outside, on the ruse she needed help with carrying in a case of wine, of all things. He fell for it, and when he walked outside, he was drugged and carried off. When he woke up, they’d tied him to a chair where Drex had found him. He was released from the hospital the following morning.
As he was gingerly walking into the house, Drex and Gemini were leaving, with Sinead, Aisling, and Isla.
“Where are you going?” Cruze asked Sinead.
She glanced at Isla and asked, “You didn’t tell him?”
“Honestly, we didn’t have time.”
; Sinead bowed her head and said, “I’m going to the FBI.” Isla walked Aisling away, while Sinead told Cruze what her plans were.
“Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I’m the only one who has the information on his organization to stop him. I have to do this.”
Cruze sat on a stool at the counter. “But what about your safety? Your daughter’s safety?”
I moved in and said, “Cruze, they’re going in the witness protection program so they can be safe. They’ll both have a new start, with new identities and a new place to live.”
“So you’re leaving then?”
“I have to. My daughter is the most important thing to me, and I want her to grow up and live the rest of her life normally. Not the way I did, and not with my father. I should thank all of you for what you’ve done, though at the time I didn’t think it would turn out this way.”
“I understand, and for what it’s worth, I’m glad we could help. Best of luck to you, Sinead.” I grasped her hand and shook it.
“Thank you.” She walked away, but Cruze gaped at her as she left.
“What’s wrong with you?” I asked.
“I, uh, nothing. I’m going upstairs.”
“Need some help?”
“Nope, I’ve got this.”
He limped his way out of the room. His behavior was odd, almost as though he would miss her. But how could he? They barely knew each other.
I mentioned Cruze’s behavior later to Scottie. “What do you make of it?”
“It is strange, but maybe he’s attracted to her. She’s beautiful.”
“But how could he expect to have any kind of relationship with someone like her?”
“Maybe he didn’t think that far ahead, Raiden.”
Scottie may have been right. He might have been thinking about the here and now. Whatever, it was over because they would never reveal her identity to anyone from her past.
“So now what?” I asked.
“Aiden is in jail and they’re working on indicting his entire corporation, for lack of a better word.”
“I imagine with all the information Sinead will provide, the indictments will take a while.”
“Actually, I think they want to do this fast so none of the soldiers or underbosses go into hiding or leave the country. Then extradition comes into play and that’s another mountain to climb.”
I pulled Scottie against my chest. “Jesus, I can’t bear the thought. If they don’t get them all, we’re going into hiding. This life is not something I care to continue, worried about the targets on us constantly.”
“I tried that, remember? It won’t work. We’d have to change our identities. And I won’t do that again.”
“Then what do you suggest?”
“We wait and get them all. I’m sure with all the evidence Sinead presents, it’ll work. She won’t risk Aisling’s life.”
“I hope you’re right.” I kissed the top of her head. “Let’s go upstairs. There’s something I want to show you.”
“What is it?”
“A surprise.”
“Oooh, I love the sound of that.”
We walked up the steps, hand in hand, and she eyed me eagerly as I went to the nightstand and took out a box.
“I know this is sudden, maybe even unexpected, but...” I dropped to one knee, opened the box, and asked, “Scottie Sullivan, will you make me the happiest and proudest man alive and say yes to sharing my life by becoming my wife?”
Her hands covered her mouth as tears bubbled from her eyes.
“I hope those are happy tears.”
Her head bobbed up and down as she dropped to her knees before me. She threw her arms around me and I fell backward with her in my arms.
I laughed at her exuberance. “I guess that’s a yes?”
“Yes! Hell, yes! I love you, Raiden, and now that we’re moving past the O’Brien situation, we can totally do this!” She landed on top of me, the ring box smashed between us.
“Don’t you want to see your ring?”
“Oh, that. Sure, but I want to kiss you first.” And that she did. We made out like kids and it was crazy. When she sat up, she noticed the little red velvet box. “That’s what was digging into my rib.” She went to grab it, but I stopped her.
“Huh uh. This is my job, future wife.” I opened the box and said, “Hold out your hand, please, and close your eyes.” She did, and I slipped the ring on her finger. “Now open.”
She gasped as she stared. “Oh, my. This is gorgeous, Raiden. I don’t know what to say.”
“Just tell me if you like it.”
“It’s perfect. I love it. Thank you.” She bent over to kiss me as she was straddling my hips. “Gah, it’s huge. When did you have time to get this?”
“Not that big. I wanted something perfect for you. And I have my ways.” I winked at her. I wouldn’t tell her Elena helped after I told her what I wanted.
It was a three-carat round solitaire in a Tiffany setting, or so the jeweler said. Not knowing much about diamonds, I’d gotten a quick education during my shopping ventures. Admittedly, they were fascinating gems. Scottie wasn’t a fancy or ostentatious type, so I didn’t want to purchase anything too overwhelming. I’d already bought the wedding bands, which were two eternity rings for either side of the engagement ring. I’d show her those later.
“You need the earrings to match.”
“Earrings?”
“Yes. Don’t you like earrings?”
“Of course I do, but isn’t that a bit much?”
“No, every future bride deserves them.”
“I know what every future bride needs.”
“Oh? Tell me.”
“This one needs to have her future husband fuck her.”
“That can certainly be arranged.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.”
I tugged her jeans down, with a little help from her, while she did the same to mine, and soon she was sitting on my stiff cock. She rocked her hips and then rode me hard to a fast orgasm. It wasn’t long before I followed her. Whenever her inner muscles spasmed around my dick, it was hard not to climax.
“Damn, I needed that,” I said, pulling her down for a kiss.
“So when do you want to do this?”
“I figured we’d wait until O’Brien was sent to the slammer.”
“The slammer? Who are you, some old-time gangster?”
I laughed. “I like that term.”
“No one calls it that anymore.” She laughed, then imitated Al Capone, even though neither of us knew what he sounded like.
“Okay, you comedian. Just don’t give up your job at WI.”
She playfully smacked me. “On our wedding date, I agree to wait. I’d rather fully enjoy all the festivities without having that hanging over us.”
“Agreed. When should we tell the family?”
“It’s your family, so I’ll leave it up to you.”
“Princess, that’s where you’re wrong. They’re your family too and don’t forget it. Mom keeps telling me how much she loves you and Dad is crazy about you. I don’t have to tell you what my brothers think. Brax will—shit, I need to call him to let him know what’s going on.”
“Isla said that Reynolds did earlier.”
I sighed. “Good. He’d kill me if I’d forgotten.”
“Yeah, but you did.” She nudged my ribs, and that turned into a wrestling match. She was good. Too good. She almost pinned me. With her skills, she was tough to beat. I outweighed her by at least seventy pounds if I were to guess, and I was much stronger than she was. However, she could outmaneuver me in certain ways that had me at a disadvantage.
“Damn, you’re good.”
“Yeah, but you’d win because of the differences in strength. There’s not much I can do about that.”
“Not necessarily. If you strike fast and disable them, you could walk away.”
“Right, but with you, you’re better than the average Joe.”
I had to ask this. “Have you ever been in that situation before?”
“Yeah and walked away to tell about it. But in all cases, I could disarm the other guys. I hope it always ends that way.”
“Me too. I know I’m signing up for a life of worry with you, but I also know you’re careful.”
“Raiden, working with WI shouldn’t always be this dangerous. This was one case I jumped on because, well, you know my history. I wanted to see him sent away for my own personal reasons. I’ll be assigned office work mainly, so you won’t have to worry that much.”
“Scottie, you don’t have to patronize me. I understand you may face dangerous situations. I also know Drex won’t put you or any other members of his team at unnecessary risk. I’ll be fine. I only want you to be careful.”
“Are you crazy? We’re a team now. Team Kent. If we’re to be married, we have to walk this path together, not alone. I’ll always look out for you and I hope you’ll do the same.”
She was right, but I hadn’t considered it that way. “And this is one reason I want to marry you.”
“Why? To have someone covering your back?” She winked.
“No, because you’re smarter than I am.”
“Duh. I’m a woman.”
And what could I say to that?
Chapter Forty-Five
Scottie
I was ecstatic about our engagement. It was unexpected, yet something I’d prayed for. Raiden was everything I’d wanted in a man, but never thought existed. After losing my first husband, I didn’t allow myself to dream about getting married again. Yet, Raiden was more than I could have hoped to find. Knowing his family wanted me to be a part of theirs made it all the better. It was like coming home again… something I hadn’t experienced in years.
Maybe eventually, I’d reach a point where I was ready to think about having children. It wasn’t fair to Raiden not to consider it. He wanted them. In my heart, I did too. The mere thought of losing one again sent me into a near full-blown panic attack. In this new family of mine, perhaps that was unnecessary. Only time would tell. Raiden’s patience was a blessing in that regard.
He turned onto his side and brushed the back of his hand over my cheek. “Why so silent?”
Raiden: A Stand Alone, Irish Mob Crime Romance (The Kent Brothers Book 2) Page 23