“The minute we know that Atilio isn’t getting into the car, we make another call. This time, Luke is going to threaten to give the information to Vito himself and tell him what Atilio has planned. It’s a threat he won’t be able to ignore if he wants the revenge he’s after,” I tell him.
“I just want this done and over with,” Luke says wearily. “I’ve done stuff I’m not proud of, but I would never hurt a woman and her child. How did everything go so badly when I just wanted to settle down and run my restaurant and raise a family?”
“This will be over soon, but you’ll have to start your restaurant somewhere else. Even when Atilio is gone, there’ll always be a new player who pops up. The best chance for your family is to leave this place and keep a low profile,” I respond.
The worst part of any mission is the utter silence before the games begin. It’s supposed to be a time where we can just have a moment to ourselves to think, but for me, it’s the worst part. My mind wanders to Remmi and how much I miss her. Then come the reeling thoughts of what she’s doing, and what she’s thinking, and wondering if she’s missing me as much as I’m missing her.
I make the call, wanting to hear her voice. “Hey, baby. How are you doing?” I murmur quietly into the phone.
“Colton, honey, is it over? Are you coming home?” She sounds edgy and worried.
“Not yet, but soon,” I soothe. “We’ll be done by morning if all goes well. What’s going on over there? How are you ladies holding up?”
“Kailyn’s a rock and says that everything is going to be fine, but deep down, I think she’s scared for Phoenix. Maya and Sadie are keeping busy. They tried their hand at creating their own pottery. They suggest I rent a space in town and give lessons,” she says with a giggle. “Your parents are doing well. Your dad won’t let any of us out of his sight. It’s really sweet.” There’s a pause before she asks, “Are you and the team safe?”
“We’re looking after each other, and we’re good. We’ll be even better when we’re on our way home.”
In the background, I hear Kailyn. “Is that Wire?” she asks. Then she says, “Can I talk to him for a minute?”
“Wire, it’s Kaylie. Listen, I got a call from Archer. He’s okay. He wanted to know where you guys were. I told him that you were on a mission. He really wanted to have a word with Falcon, but the line was fuzzy, and we got disconnected. Can you let Falcon know Archer’s safe?”
“Hell, yeah. That’s great news. I know it’s been bothering Falcon since we haven’t heard from him in a while.” The door opens, and Phoenix walks in. “Your husband just came through the door. Do you want a word?”
“I’ll call him from my phone. I think Remmi wants to say goodbye. Be safe, Wire,” Kailyn says.
“Always,” I answer.
Remmi’s sweet voice purrs in my ear. “I need you to come home so I can show you how much I miss you. I love you, Colton Wire Reid, and I need you to know that my heart is yours.”
Her words are so heartfelt that my chest aches, and I wish I could hold her in my arms. “Baby, I love you too.” I manage to get the words out around the lump in my throat. “Home soon, promise.”
Once I hang up, I give Falcon Kailyn’s message. I can see the relief on his face. At least it’s one less worry on his mind, and he can focus on the task at hand.
It’s go time. Phoenix leaves to take his position and keep an eye on Atilio from the moment he leaves his house. Rebel is driving to the location in the truck, where it’s going to stall and block traffic. Bull is waiting on the alternate road and is waiting to force Atilio into the alley.
Falcon and I are at the motel, ready to leave as soon as Luke makes the call. I have to say, Luke’s desperation is very convincing. Atilio agrees to meet with him at the garage. From this point on, it’s all systems go. We’re grabbing our stuff and heading for the van with Luke and Nick when out of the shadows comes a figure.
Falcon and I are stunned. Archer approaches us with a huge grin and says, “Can you use a hand?”
“Well, fuck! Look who decided to join the party,” I respond.
Falcon locks his arms around Archer in a brotherly hug. “Get in,” Falcon orders. “We’ll fill you in on the way.”
Chapter 21
Righting the Wrongs
Falcon
Having Archer show up like he did was a godsend. The team would have pulled it off without the extra man, but Archer waiting in the alley for Atilio made it all go smoothly. I’m thankful for these men being part of my life every day.
Rebel was lying in wait for the call that Atilio was on the way. He moved the truck out into the intersection, right on cue, and had the hood up, with pylons cutting off the roadway, forcing Atilio’s driver down the path we set. Bull was sitting at the next set point to make sure Atilio’s driver didn’t deviate from the set course. Phoenix had been tailing Atilio from a distance and met up with Wire, who was in the van, manipulating the lights and making sure everyone was where they needed to be.
I hid between the trees and bushes that are across from the alley, but my job was to blow out the tires of Atilio’s car, and when Bull and I began shooting, it forced Atilio to seek shelter.
“He’s ten seconds out,” Wire’s voice murmured in my ear as he did the countdown. “Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four.” I saw the headlights as they turned the corner. “Three…” I took aim. “Two…one.” I took my shot. Direct hit. The car swerved, and the driver hit the brakes. Bull took his first shot, and I followed suit. The objective was to take Atilio alive.
Atilio’s bodyguard opened the back door and covered his boss to protect him. Both moved toward the alley where Archer was waiting. I ran in to assist Archer while Bull blocked the entrance of the alley.
