Bruno didn’t bother knocking, stepping inside the unlocked door. The security had been cut. As soon as he did, we crept closer. There was no call to action.
Silencers had been added to try to help keep Valentina and her little girl safe until we were able to confront the monster.
Keeping low, I rushed forward, slapping my hand around the soldier’s mouth while jerking him off his feet and firing a single bullet into his brain.
Before the other two had a chance to react, I yanked the arm of the second, firing off three shots in a row. Our other recruits moved around the side of the building.
Maverick handled ending the life of the third without hesitation. He hadn’t forgotten his days serving in the FBI.
Pop! Pop! Pop!
Suddenly, all bets were off as loud shots were fired.
That left me no choice. I rushed toward the door. “Maverick. Get Bella and get her out of here.” If the motherfuckers had placed the little girl’s life in harm’s way, I would make certain I spent time with the Undertaker in private.
The eerie quiet inside was a direct contrast to the battleground surrounding the house. We flanked the interior and I walked silently through the house while Maverick rolled up the stairs with Kendrick following him.
With both hands on the weapon, I found Jacob Jones without being forced to search. He was sitting on a chair as if he owned the place, a weapon in one hand and his other arm wrapped around Valentina’s waist.
“I figured you’d return. I was given a little heads up by one of my men at the warehouse. You should have killed them, Judge. If you had then maybe things would have worked out differently. I knew you were up to something that day in your office. I just couldn’t put my finger on what that was. Now, I know you’re trying to pretend as if you have a backbone.”
I glanced at Bruno who wore a smug smile. Had I been wrong that I’d put the fear of God into him? Maybe, but at this point it didn’t matter. Or at least it couldn’t.
“I’d tell you it’s good to see you again, but I’d be lying.”
“Come on now,” he teased. “Aren’t we good buddies after all this time?”
The look on Valentina’s face was strained, her lower lip quivering. I could read her eyes. She was terrified about Bella.She was also scanning the room, giving me eye movements in a way I could easily understand. There were several men out back waiting for us to make the wrong move. Good girl.
“No need for pleasantries, Jacob.”
“You know,” he said and dragged her closer. “I could tell you had a thing for the girl. When I was given her picture, I knew why. She’s fucking gorgeous. She’ll fetch a high price even soiled.”
“Fuck you, asshole,” she hissed. “I’ll kill you for touching me.”
He laughed. “That would be fun to see. Whoever buys you will adore your feistiness. Just before they break you.”
I inched closer as Gabriel flanked my side.
“You have no way out of here,” I told him. “So you might as well let Valentina go.”
“I assure you that I will be leaving here with the merchandise. You see, I have about a dozen men surrounding the property that you didn’t notice. There’s no way you’re getting out of here, Judge. Although I will give you an A for effort. Torching a warehouse was a nice touch. Shocking. But it means shit to us. We’ll get more blow without breaking a sweat.”
Laughing, I glanced at Gabriel. Everything had to go perfectly according to plans or the person I considered most valuable in my life could get hurt.
I would die to protect her.
“Why would you do this, Bruno?” she asked when there was a slight lull. “I thought you cared about me.”
He appeared uncomfortable but said nothing.
Jacob laughed. “You should have learned, darlin’, that Bruno only cares about himself.”
While he was distracted, I was able to glance at Gabriel who was prepared to fire his weapon if necessary. Yet we had to be careful. I had no doubt scum like Jacob would use Valentina as a body screen.
“Is this because of drugs? Again! You lured me down to Miami. Why did you bother? You never cared about me or your daughter. Did you?”
“That’s enough, sweetheart,” Jacob told her. “Save your breath. Bruno doesn’t care about anything but a little blow. Does he?”
