We fought our way past prickly bushes and up to the faded lime-green front door that was hanging on an angle. Jude was usually more subtle than this.
One of our men was stationed out front, nodding at us as we stepped inside. The small home was turned upside down, every piece of furniture in pieces and all the cupboards cleared out.
Jude was standing amid the chaos, typing on a phone.
“Found anything?” I asked, stepping over spilled milk and ripped cushions to join him in what used to be the living room.
Maniacal grin on his face, Jude looked up. “Dead guy had a phone hidden under the floorboards. And guess who he talked to on it?”
“Any idea who pulled his strings yet?”
“They never exchanged names, but they ordered the hit on Dad. Dead guy was supposed to figure out our weaknesses. Which is where Quinn comes in, since Freya’s too well-protected. Not a chance Gunner would let her out of his sight.”
If I couldn’t look after my sister myself, I’d choose Gunner. He would give his life for hers. And he had skills none of us did. He also had access to assets we didn’t.
But having proof that they were after Quinn also meant I couldn’t see her again. If they thought she had nothing to do with us anymore, they’d leave her alone.
The thought sat heavy in my stomach. I wasn’t ready yet. Hadn’t said good-bye. But as much as I wanted to see her onemore time, I knew I’d only put her in more danger. Whoever was hunting us wasn’t playing around.
They were not only brazen enough to shoot the head of the largest crime family in Chicago, but they also didn’t hesitate to get rid of one of their own if he was compromised.
The phone in Jude’s hand pinged, and we all stepped closer.
“Personal space, guys. You’re breathing way too loudly.” Jude made a shooing motion with his hand. “Go stand over there.”
Neither Gabriel nor I did as asked. Instead, we crowded our little brother even more, Gabriel going so far as to put a hand on Jude’s shoulder.
“Take that hand off me if you want to keep it,” Jude growled.
With a chuckle, Gabriel dropped his hand but didn’t step away.
Jude elbowed him. “Ugh, did you swallow a whole packet of breath mints?”
Gabriel flicked Jude’s ear but then wisely stepped back, narrowly avoiding a fist to the face. “Nothing wrong with fresh breath. Besides, I’m meeting someone later.”
“What was the ping for?” I asked, needing to get out of there.
“A message. But it only says ‘Meet me at 7489.’ I’m guessing they have codes for their locations.”
Frustrated, I typed on my phone, making sure our IT guy was ready to take the phone apart. I paid my staff enough to demand odd work hours.
Turning to Gabriel, I slid my phone back in my pocket. “We need everyone to put all their efforts into finding the head of this operation. We only travel in pairs. Nobody takes any stupid risks, especially not to get their dicks wet. Your hand will do fine for tonight. No more dates.”
Gabriel’s face turned red. He hated being told what to do, no matter how much sense it made.
Jude stopped abusing the phone he’d found and stepped between us, holding both hands up. “Okay, let’s all take a deep breath. We’re all stressed. No need to escalate things.”
He turned to Gabriel. “Say you understand, because we’re all working toward the same goal.”
Gabriel crossed his arms over his chest, raising a brow.
With a sigh, Jude turned to me. “Now compromise so lover boy won’t get tendonitis.”
“I don’t have to compromise. I’m the boss.”
I turned and walked out, ignoring Jude’s groan and Gabriel’s pointed silence.
He thought I got off on telling him what to do. And of course it gave me pleasure knowing he had to do what I told him to. But I would gladly give it all up if it meant I was free to do what I wanted.
