“But James—”Mateo started. “Do it!”James shouted.
Damonmoved forward, but with
caution. Pruitt’s menhad lowered their
weapons, but he knew theydidn’t need them
to kill. He stepped infront ofJames, extending
his hand. “Bigwig?”
James nodded.
“You?”
“Yes.”Damonlooked behind him. “Move carefully, we do not know what is
goingoninside the house.”
The group ofmensurrounded the
front ofthe house. Derek opened the panel,
unlockingthe front door. He stepped back
and motioned withhis fingers, countingdown
to one. Antonio nodded and as soonas the
locks disengaged, he forced his waythrough
the door, gundrawn.
The scene before themlooked like a
horror movie ofepic proportions.
Vince sat withhis back against the
livingroomwall, covered inblood. Bodyparts
laystrewnallover the livingroomand most of
the kitchenand hallway. Derek sucked ina
breath, lookingat James.
“Jesus, how manywere there?”Derek
said, quietly.
“I can’t tell.”
“Yousonofa bitch!”Mateo roared.
He grabbed Vince offthe floor and punched
him.
Everyone seemed to move at once.
Troyand Samtried to pryMateo offofVince
as he repeatedlyhit the man. Joshtried to get
inbetweenthe other large menwho had come
withDamonSantorno.
“Mateo!”Rileyshouted.
Mateo stopped, fist cocked inthe air.
“Get back inthe fuckingcar, Riley!”
“Look at him! He’s not fightingback!”
Rileymade his wayover to his husband.
“Look at him; he looks like youdid when
those killers kidnapped me!”
“He let themtake Keegan!”Mateo
shouted, cockinghis fist back again.
“Youhit himagainand youwill have
to dealwithme,”Nikolaisaid.
Theyallturned to see Nikolaistanding
inthe middle ofthe room.
Nikolaimoved througheveryone and
pushed Mateo out ofthe way. He crouched
down, lookinginto his father’s face.
“He’s inshock.”
“Oh, God,”Dakota covered his
mouth. The smellofblood was strong. “I think
I’mgoingto be sick.”
Joshtook Mark’s hand. “Get Dakota
out ofhere.”
“Pops?”Nikolaipulled his father’s
face up. The eyes were blank, seeingnothing
and no one. “Pops.”Nikolaitook his father in
his arms.
“Who’s got the monitor?”James
looked at his men.
“Youmust learnto controlyour
men—”Marco eyed Mateo.
“Youhave a wayto find him?”Damon
snapped his fingers, shuttingMarco up. Rileysat onthe floor infront of
Nikolaiand Vince. He put his hand on
Nikolai’s shoulder. “We have a tracking
bracelet onKeegan, we canfind him.” “Youhear that, Pops? Theycanfind
him, theycan find Keegan.”Nikolaigrabbed
his father’s chin. “Look at me! Theyhave him!
Are yougoingto sit here like this? Fucking
coward!”
Nikolaislapped his father.
“Nikolai!”Damonshouted.
Vince blinked. “Nik?”
“Yes!”Nikolaishook his father.
“Snap out ofit!”
Damonmoved forward, crouching
downinfront ofVince. He looked at Nikolai. “Take himto the bathroomand clean
himup. Marco and Antonio, check allthe
rooms and—”
“Check the back yard, guys.”James
motioned to the kitchen. “I think we should
start inthere,”James nodded to Damon. “Oh, God!”
Mateo heard Riley’s voice and
realized he had moved awayfromhim. He ran
into the kitchen, where Rileystood with
somethinginhis hand. Mateo hurried to his
husband.
“What is—?”
“Theypulled his fingernailout!”Riley
sobbed. “Theyhave our Keegan!”
“Get himout ofhere!”James roared. Damonpicked the note up offthe
table.
“See you soon.”Damonhanded the
note to James. “It is Nardozzi’s handwriting.” “Fuck!”Sampunched the wall. “Goddammit!”Joshroared, flipping
the diningroomtable over.
“Josh! Stop it!”Mark grabbed his
husband. “None ofthis is goingto help
Keegan!”
Troylooked around the house.
“Shouldn’t the fire department have come by
now? I mean, it’s beenover anhour.” “I called the fire department.”James
rested his hands onthe counter. “I told them
to give us some time; theywon’t enter the
house.”
“The garage is almost out.”Sam
looked out the back door.
“Theycalled me whentheyrealized
whose house it was.”Derek rana hand
throughhis hair. “We are goingto have to
cleanthis place up.”
“I willcall.”Damonpulled his phone
out. “The cleaners willcome.”
“Inthe meantime, get the monitor.
Now,”James said.
~~ Nikolairubbed the dried blood offhis father’s face witha sponge. Vince sat inthe corner ofthe shower, arms wrapped around his knees. He’d never seenhis father like this. Not ever. His face was blank, lips drawntight.
“Dad?”Nikolaiscrubbed more blood off. “I should have beenhere. I shouldn’t have left himalone,”Vince whispered.
“Youdidn’t know, Dad. Youcouldn’t have known.”
Vince shook his head. “I promised him. InRio, I promised I would never let Nardozziget his hands onhim.”Vince looked up. “I did this, do youunderstand?”
“No youdidn’t, Dad. Keeganknew what he was gettinghimselfinto; youwarned himand he chose to stay.”
“Because he thought I’d protect him!” Vince shouted. The sound reverberated around the bathroomand downthe hall. “I failed and now Nardozzihas Keegan.”
“But theycanfind him, Dad. They have a trackingbracelet onhim, so get your ass cleaned up and let’s go get your man.” Nikolaihanded Vince the sponge. “Move it.”
Vince blinked and rose to his feet.
“I swear to God, ifNardozzihurts Keegan…”
Nikolaihanded his father the soap.
“You’lldo what youdo best.”
~~ James leaned over the onlycleanspot inthe kitchen, the counter. The cleaners had arrived and were startingthe dauntingtask of cleaningblood and bodyparts fromthe house. A map ofArizona was spread out and Josh and Derek were workingonthe transmitter. Damonstood onJames’ other side, looking over points onthe map.
“Ifhe came byhelicopter, he would not stayinthe air for long.”Damonrana hand throughhis hair.
James nodded.
“I agree. Radar would pick themup. The Armybase inSierra Vista has the drone out, looking. I think theytouched down somewhere and got ina car, whichmeans they have to be nearby, unless theygot to an airstrip and had a plane waiting. Either way, we have to wait for the signalto come through.”
James looked out the window; another crack oflightningilluminated the sky. The monsoons were infullforce.
“The shit stormisn’t helping, either,” James looked over at DamonSantorno. “You don’t have to stay; we don’t expect youto help us find our agent.”
&
nbsp; “Well, myassassincares for your agent, so I don’t see where I have a choice in the matter,”Damonchuckled softly. “Besides, youare the one who extended the olive branch.”
“Yes, I was. It makes sense for us to work together, poolour resources…”
“Give our hard workingmentime off?”Damonlooked over at Marco and Antonio. “Theyhave beengoingfor fortyeight hours straight.”Damonlooked back at James. “This agent ofyours, Keegan, he has been tortured before byNardozzi?”
James nodded. “He almost died; in fact we made it look as thoughhe did die. If we hadn’t, Nardozziwould keep comingfor him. Keeganhas informationNardozziwants the locationofallthe childrenofhis enemies.”
Damon’s eyes widened. “Thenwe must find him. Nardozziis also under the impressionthat Keeganis Vince’s fiancé.”
“Oh, that’s just great!”Mateo shouted. “So this guythinks that Keeganis goingto marryone ofhis worst enemies? Just fuckingfantastic! Whydidn’t youjust slit his throat yourself?”
“Mateo!”Rileyshouted, pullinghis husband aside. “Look, I know you’re upset, we allare, but this is not helping. The one personwho is to blame here is Nardozzi.”
“No, he’s not, I am.”Vince stood in the hallway. “I left himhere, unprotected, while I went to the store.”
“Youcouldn’t have known, Vince.” James put his hand up and looked at Mateo. “Not one fuckingword fromyou, Esposito. Youblamed yourselfwhenRileywas taken, didn’t you? Was that your fault? No. Youhad no wayofknowingwhat was goingto happen, sixthsense or not.”
James crossed the roomto Vince; he looked up at the man.
“Don’t worryabout Keegan, we’ll find him.”
“I’mgoingto killNardozziwithmy bare fuckinghands,”Mateo growled.
“I think that job belongs to someone else.”Rileytook Mateo’s hand and looked over at Vince.
Mateo looked downinto his
husband’s face; Riley’s red-rimmed eyes pleaded withhimto behave. He crossed the roomto stand infront ofVince.
“I’ve made it no secret that I don’t like you, but Keegancomes first.”Mateo put his hand out. “We get himand youkill Nardozzi, slowly.”
“Extremelyslowly,”Vince nodded, shakingMateo’s hand.
James turned to look at Dakota, Sawyer, Mark and Riley. “Youfour, I want youholed up inMateo and Riley’s house.”
“Wait a minute,”Samstepped forward. “I don’t want themalone out there.”
“Marco and Antonio willwatchover them,”Damonsaid.
Troytilted his head, lookingat the two huge guards. “CanI trust youtwo withmy husband?”
Marco crossed his arms over his chest. “We willkillanyone who comes into the house.”
Samextended his hand to one of them. “I’mSam; this is myhusband, Dakota.”
Marco shook the man’s hand, looking downat his tinyhusband. “It is our job to die, ifneed be, for our charges. Your husband will be quite safe.”
Troychuckled; these menhad no idea that their husbands were actuallywerewolves. “Youhave no idea.”
“Antonio, callLorenzo, send himto their house as well.”Damonextended his hand to James Pruitt. “Well, we have a
partnership?”
“That we do.”James took Damon’s hand. “Now, let’s get Keeganback.”
Chapter Nine
Keeganopened his eyes slowly; somethingwas drippingonhis head. It was dark and mustyand the sound ofwater was all around him. Tryingto adjust his eyes, he caught movement inthe corner. He blinked rapidly, waitingfor his eyes to adjust. A soft light came fromthe right, illuminatinghis surroundings.
He was ina cave; lookingup, he caught sight ofwhat looked like longicicles hangingfromthe ceilingofthe cave.
Stalactites. He was inthe caverns, which meant he was stillinArizona and stillin Cochise County. He had to be. He moved slightly, tryingto repositionhimselfonthe wet, hard floor ofthe cavern. His mouthwas as dry as the Sahara and his hand was killinghim.
Closinghis eyes, he tried to recall what had happened. Vince had gone to the store and he had gone outside to get wood, thenthe garage had exploded behind him. He raised his hands to his face to see his wrists bound withduct tape; the nailonhis left ring finger was gone. His ankles were bound ina similar fashion. Keegantook a deep breath, tryingto figure out his options. His eyes flew open. Vince. What iftheyhad gottenVince? The panic set inand Keegantried to move.
“Youare not goinganywhere anytime soon.”
Keeganfroze. Nardozzi.
“Where’s Vince?”
“Probablydead,”Nardozzichuckled, makinghis wayover to his prisoner onthe floor. He shined a light inKeegan’s face. “Look at you, witha black eye and broken fingers,”Nardozzitsked. “What has Vince done to you?”
“Your stupid, pathetic brother broke myfingers, jackass,”Keegansnarled. “My black eye is frommyfiancé; I like it rough.”
Nardozzisighed. “Ohyes, Carlos was verystupid, wasn’t he?”
“Very. Vince took a lot ofpleasure in takinghimout.”Keeganlooked at Nardozzi defiantlyand cocked his head to the side. “SpeakingofVince, are yousure he’s dead?” Keegansmiled sadistically. “Youknow what’s goingto happento youifhe’s not, don’t you?” Keeganlooked at his hands; besides the one nail, he had allhis others; he didn’t feelany other pain. The realizationhit, and he looked back up at Nardozzi. “That’s it, isn’t it? You’re not sure ifhe is dead.”
“I’msure he is—”
“No, you’re not. I would have been tortured byyouthe second yougot your hands onme.”Keegannarrowed his eyes. “You’re scared ofwhat he’lldo to youifyou hurt me further.”Keegansmiled as Nardozzi shifted his feet. “That is it. Youknow exactly what he’s capable of.”Keeganshifted onthe ground. “He’s goingto killyou, Nardozzi, very, very, slowly.”
“I sent more thanone man, Agent Ripley. I’mnot stupid,”Nardozzisnarled.
“Yeah?”Keegangrinned. “Youheard fromanyofthem?”The look onNardozzi’s face gave Keeganhope that Vince was alive. He had to be. Nardozziwouldn’t be this nervous ifVince was dead. Keeganfelt his heart swellingwithhappiness, no matter what happened to him, Vince was okay.
“Benny! Duct tape Agent Ripley’s mouth, I’mtired ofhis voice,”Nardozzi shouted.
“I don’t have to talk, Nardozzi. You and I bothknow that evenifyoudon’t lay another finger onme, Vince is goingto take everybodypart youhave - One. Slice. At. A. Time.”Keeganenunciated eachand every word before treatingNardozzito a wide grin.
Nardozzicrouched downinfront of Agent Ripley. “How the helldid youget Vince Markovto propose? Look at you, stuttering, scarred Agent Ripley.”Nardozzinarrowed his eyes. “It’s alla joke, isn’t it?”
“You’ve seenhimright? He’s got a nastyscar onhis hip, presumablyfromyou. How would I know that, Nardozzi, unless I’d seenhimnaked? I heard he gave youquite the returnpresent,”Keegansat back, regardingNardozzi. “He’s a fantastic lay, by the way,”Keeganwinked.
Nardozzimoved awayquickly. “That’s disgusting. Faggots!”
“Oh, and youare so muchbetter, killinglittle kids,”Keeganspat. “How did it feelwhenVince’s knife slid into your back? Remember that feeling, Nardozzi; it’s goingto get so muchworse.”
“Benny!”Nardozzishouted.
“Yes, shut me up, but don’t laya finger onme, Nardozzi. You’re goingto die; I canassure youofthat. It’s a matter ofhow and when, but deathis inevitable,”Keegan kept his smile untilhis mouthwas covered with duct tape. He looked at Nardozzi, eyes narrowed, and chuckled. Vince was alive; he knew he was. Keeganclosed his eyes, sendingup a silent prayer. Come for me, Vince.
~~ “The trackingdevice isn’t working, whichmeans he’s not above ground.”Derek handed the monitor to James.
“What do youmeanit’s not working?” Vince gripped the counter inthe kitchen. “So he’s underground?”Vince felt his chest tightening. “Youmean…”
“No, Vince, I don’t think Nardozzi’s stupid enoughto killhim. He’s too close; he didn’t get far and he knows we ca
ntrack him,”James said.
Joshraninto the kitchen.
“The drones found the chopper, it’s up bythe border patrolcheckpoint but there are tire tracks leavingthe scene,”Joshsaid.
James unrolled the map. “Okay, so here’s the chopper,”James pointed to a locationonthe map. “Here we are. What’s in between?”James looked up, smiling.
“The caverns,”Mateo and Derek said simultaneously.
Theyallheard a car onthe gravel outside; Josh, Samand Mateo pulled out their guns. Troypulled the curtains back, lookingat the new arrival.
“Ohshit, it’s Lyons.”Troylooked at Vince. “Youbetter be ready.”
“Lyons?”Damonasked.
“Keegan’s partner,”Mateo said.
“Derek,”James looked over his shoulder. “Make sure he doesn’t blow Vince’s head off.”
“Let himcome at me.”Vince put his hands down, lettingthemrest at his thighs. “He has a right to be angry.”
“Yeah?”James leaned over the counter. “As muchas you’d like to think you’re invincible, you’re not. DevinLyons is almost as ruthless as youare. We actually need youinthis fight, so pullyour shit together and leave the damnpitypartyyou’re having,” James arched a brow. “For Keegan’s sake.”
The door slammed openand Special Agent DevinLyons headed straight for Vince, a look ofpure, unadulterated rage onhis face. Derek stepped infront ofhimright as Devin cocked his fist back, reachingfor his gunat the same time.
“Back off, right now.”Derek grabbed Devin’s wrist.
“Get your fuckinghand offme,”Devin growled, lungingat Vince. “Youfucking asshole! How could youlet this happen! Dario Nardozzifor Christ’s sake! Let go ofme!” Devinpulled his armback. “You’re not my fuckingboss!”
“No, but I am,”James stepped betweenDerek and Devin. “This isn’t helping Keegan, Devin. We know where he is.”
Devindropped his hand. “Youdo?”
“He’s inthe caverns, Dev,”Joshsaid, comingup behind the agent. He took his arm, leadinghimawayfromthe rest ofthe group. “Look man, I know you’re pissed, we allare, but Vince… he cares, man.”
“Bullshit!”Devingrowled. “That man cares about nothingand no one. Keeganis goingto die because ofthat piece ofshit.”
“You’re wrong,”Nikolaisaid.
Devinturned to see the younger Markovstandinginthe hall.
Nikolaiwalked closer, keepinghis eyes onthe agent. “He does care; infact, I think he cares a lot. I’ve never seenhimlike that, he was devastated.”
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