ANSEL
One minute, I was trying to wrap my head around the fact that I’d inadvertently kidnapped one of the most powerful men in the city. The next, I was being ambushed by several strapping men. I didn’t have time to so much as scream before I was smacked in the face and forced to my knees at gunpoint.
Now, Cade is telling me that the Buckinghams are The Firm.
It’s too much. My head was throbbing before I took a punch. It’s agonizing now, stopping me from being able to process…well, any of this.
“We’re just telling the bad guys we’re The Firm now?” The one who held the gun to my head is glaring at Cade.
“Ansel isn’t a bad guy, Samson,” Cade growls. I shiver. I’ve never heard that tone from him before. “He’s just caught in a bad situation.”
A bad situation that just a photo of Cade seems to have gotten me out of. Now I know why.
I’ve heard of The Firm. Everyone in St. Dismas has. They’re a myth. A legend. A secret society that can solve all of your problems.
For a price.
I can’t wrap my head around it. How is it possible that theBuckinghams, the most famous family in the city, are behind the most notorious secret society?
To be fair, it’s not like you recognized Cade. They can’t be that famous.
Individually, perhaps. But as a collective? Everyone knows who they are.
“If he’s in a bad situation, then why didn’t he come to us in the first place?”
That question comes from a man who wasn’t part of the initial invasion. He’s eyeing me curiously, like I’m an exotic species he hasn’t come across before.
“Um,” Cade says, holding me a little tighter, “that’s a good question, Matthias.”
They’re all staring at me now, Cade included. It takes my brain a moment to realize they’re waiting for me to speak. “Honestly? I didn’t think you guys really existed.”
“So you weren’t desperate enough to take a chance on us being real, but you were desperate enough to kidnap Cade?”
I look at the sharply dressed man. If I had to guess, I’d say he’s the oldest. “Yes. I didn’t have any other choice. It was carry out the kidnapping, or I’d die. There wasn’t time to risk my life on a society that may or may not exist.”
“He didn’t mean to kidnap me, Wylder,” Cade adds, addressing his brother. “I gave him a fake name.”
“One that just happened to match his intended victim?” The one who punched me rolls his eyes. “A bit too convenient if you ask me.”
Cade snarls, and I jump. “Watch your fucking tone, Dalton. You’re already on my list.”
Dalton holds his hands up in surrender, but I feel him watching me still. He doesn’t trust me.
None of them do.
Seems valid. I did kidnap their brother and hold him hostage.
Pain pulses behind my eyes, and a small whimper escapes me. Cade clucks his tongue and gathers me closer. “Enough questions for now. Ansel needs to rest.”
“He’s coming back to the house,” Wylder says, holding up a hand as Cade tenses under me. “It’s nonnegotiable, Cade. This is a family matter now. Ansel will be safe—Ramsey can keep an eye on him there—but we’re not letting him go until we know it’s safe to do so.”
Whatever. I’m in too much pain to argue or even be that angry. I’ll stay on this disgusting floor if they’ll just let me close my eyes.
“I’m coming too,” Cade says, shifting me in his arms. I give a small yelp of alarm, my arms flying around his neck as he gets to his feet. “That’s also nonnegotiable. I’m not leaving his side.”
“Aw, Cade has a crush!” Another brother approaches, looking a few years younger than the rest. “How cute.”
“Fuck off, Harley,” Cade grunts, carrying me toward the door. “You can mock me when you stop drooling after Matthias’s chef.”
