Neo’s brow crinkles. “What’s the first?”
“Getting Ansel safe, obviously.” I take out various weapons and armor and throw them to my brothers. Some are armed already, but we aren’t walking into this unprepared. “Once he’s secure, we’ll make them regret ever threatening Ansel.”
“And we’ll be sending a reminder about who truly runs St. Dismas,” Samson growls, snatching a machete and sheath from the cabinet.
My brothers and I strip off our shirts and don bulletproof vests. We strap weapons all over ourselves before getting dressed again. Wylder and Dalton even shrug back into their suit jackets, the image of suave businessmen.
It’s all armor in its own way. We’re all weapons, honed and crafted by our past. By our father.
May he rest in hell.
Now, I’m going to use all that knowledge he forced upon me to secure my future.
In the corner of the room, Matthias and Wyatt are having a heated argument. Normally, Matthias doesn’t do wet work. I’ve taken over his share of those jobs since Wyatt realized how much my brother hated it.
Tonight is different, though. Wyatt and Jackson were threatened. Someone had a gun trained on Matthias’s husband.
He’s not going to let that slide. This is personal for all of us.
That’s not what they are arguing about, though. No, Wyatt wants to come with us.
“I’m not the only one who was targeted,” Wyatt yells, jabbing a finger in Matthias’s chest. “They had a gun on you. On my baby fucking brother! I can’t let that go, Matt. I won’t.”
I know Matthias finds it as hard to say no to Wyatt as I do to Ansel. Like me though, he has his limits.
“No, Wy,” he says softly, catching his wrist and lifting his hand to his mouth. “I love you, but no. I’ve been trained for this. All of us have. You haven’t.”
“But—”
“But nothing.” Matthias kisses Wyatt lightly. “You’ll stay here with Jackson, Jules, and Neo. We won’t be able to focus if we know you’re in danger.”
Neo rolls his eyes. “Don’t think anyone will be that stressed or distracted if I’m there. Besides, I want a shot at these cunts. They messed with Ansel, and no one does that.”
Wylder clears his throat. He’s suddenly very interested in making sure his sleeves are correctly aligned with his cuffs.
Is he…
I have no idea what’s going on with him, but I have my own reasons for keeping Neo here. “That’s a hard no too, Neo. Ansel would skin me alive if I took you there.”
“He loves you too much to do that.”
“He does, but he loves you, too.” I clap Neo on the shoulder. “Don’t worry, I’ll get him out of there safely.”
“And make them pay.” Wyatt’s voice is full of venom. “All of them.”
I almost smile. His request is the same as Ansel’s and just as pointless.
The Firm will make them bleed and not request a single penny or favor in return.
It’s more than our duty.
It’s our honor. Our hearts.
There’s no line we won’t cross to protect those we love.
We finish arming ourselves, and I check the time and curse. “There’s still an hour left.”
Dalton smirks, twirling his dagger between his fingers. “I thought we were reminding them who calls the shots here?”
