“I didn’t say I approved of it. But I do believe at times matters need to be handled in a different way if the law doesn’t do the job.”
“You mean taking the law into our hands to facilitate justice.”
He could always make me laugh. “Yeah, something like that.” I took another gulp, realizing the liquor was going down much easier than before. “I do like her. Too much. She managed to get under my skin. The entire thing is complicated since she has a child.”
“What about the ex?”
“From what little I know, a piece of trash. A drug addict who got caught selling a gram of coke a couple years ago. He wants nothing to do with his own child.”
“What’s his name?”
“Bruno Carvelli. Her kid is adorable. She’s got this delightful little laugh.”
Chase lifted his eyebrows. “I guess so is her mother.”
“Fuck you.”
We both laughed and the seriousness of what I was considering was starting to kick in. Was I really talking about breaking my oath and taking the law into my own hands? What did I intend on doing when I did, killing him? Did I have that in me?
The answer came to me much quicker than I would have thought. Yes, I could. I had every intention of doing whatever it took to keep Valentina safe, even if that meant breaking the law.
“So what do you think, buddy? Do you really want to do this? I admit it,” Chase continued. “I’d prefer to have the other guys sign off on it. Not that I don’t trust any of you guys. I do with my life, but…”
“But what we do and how we do it must be kept… secret.” I couldn’t believe I was not only deliberating with my conscience on whether becoming vigilantes was something I’d eventually regret, but I was actively engaging in a conversation that could alter not only my career but possibly derail my entire life.
But with every mental question asked, the answer was always the same.
Innocent victims deserved justice. Maybe they also deserved a hero. That I wasn’t, but it didn’t mean I could tolerate the horrors inflicted and consequences not received. Fuck the monsters.
“Right on, brother. We’ll be doing some good, but there will be those who try and hunt us down. At least if they gather our scent.”
“Both criminals and law enforcement alike.” They’d come hot and heavy. We’d need to have much of the organization set in place to ensure secrecy.
“Exactly. You in?”
I lifted my glass, nodding as we toasted. “Yes. I’m in.”
With the look on his face, I could tell he’d been thinking about this for a long time. “I might need to test that safehouse you mentioned.”
“You’re nervous about keeping her at your place.”
“I am. There’s a chance Delgado and the Undertaker will come after the judge.”
“Which wouldn’t bother you in the least. Would it?”
“Not even a little bit, but I won’t risk their lives.”
“One last question,” Chase began, staring me straight in the eyes. “Is this about the woman and child?”
“I already told you I will protect Valentina and Bella. Period.”
“Not them.”
The question shouldn’t have been brought up. I’d told him and the others the incident was off limits. However, he was right to question me. “Both.”
He nodded once. “Understood. Just watch your back, buddy. Jacob Jones is a very dangerous man.”
It would seem everyone had underestimated me.
