There was too much at stake and my mind was barely able to process the depths to which Bruno had allowed himself to fall. As I’d always said, everyone had a price. His was a fix for his drug habit.
Disgust would need to wait.
While I’d longed to call Valentina, just to hear her voice if nothing else, the last thing I wanted was to terrorize her more than she’d already been.
Time was of the essence.
“Slow down,” Kendrick advised.
“Like hell I will.”
“We can’t save her if we don’t get there alive.”
I laughed bitterly. If I had to crawl there I would, broken and bloodied.
With few cars on the road at just before dawn, I was able to make good time. Now, at only fifteen miles out, I prepared myself mentally for what we’d face. Bruno had no idea how many men the Undertaker had with him. His statement was likely the truth given he was no one to the organization.
The anger continued to boil, pushing me into the very strange calm that I’d always gotten during a mission. It was the only way I’d been able to carry out my missions without second guessing myself. Now it was vital I maintained some sense of calm or we’d face disaster.
“Contact the men again. I need reassurance we’re not too late.”
When my order wasn’t followed immediately, I fell back into losing my shit.
“Do it!”
“Christ, Hudson. We’ll get there,” Maverick huffed. He was now the one in the passenger seat.
I glanced into the rearview mirror at Gabriel.
“Fine. I’ll call them.”
“How are we doing this?” Kendrick asked.
“We’ll allow Jones to believe he won’t be challenged, but under no circumstances are either Valentina or Bella to be placed in harm’s way.”Breathe. Just breathe.
“Of course not. I’ll protect them with my life,” he muttered.
“So will I,” Maverick chimed in.
The sudden silence was suffocating.
“Did the soldier answer?” Not for long. My bark was getting worse.
“No.” I heard the horror in Gabriel’s voice.
And so, the endgame had begun. Instead of making a comment, I pressed down on the gas pedal, now going a hundred and twenty. Nothing was going to stop me from getting to her.
Less than ten minutes later we arrived, parking far enough away so as to not draw any attention. I suspected Jones had several men with him. Another element of surprise was necessary.
We raced through the dense foliage and I was aware the moment Bruno had pulled down the long driveway, the headlights providing a stream of light directed at the house, which was quiet and dark.
We moved into position, but right now, I barely had any patience left.
“We’ll get them, Hudson. I promise you.” Maverick’s attempt to comfort me wasn’t working, but I appreciated the effort.
From where we stood, I could see two bodies down in the front yard. I didn’t need to see that they were dead. We’d already lost good men. I was right to assume this was a war. The Undertaker wouldn’t leave anyone alive.
There were three men I didn’t recognize crowded around the house, no doubt Delgado’s men. There would be more.
