“What the hell are they talking about?” Declan mutters beside me, leaning on the doorframe.
“Judging by Autumn’s face,” I say, smirking, “I’d bet your woman is telling her your beautiful love story.”
Declan straightens, eyes widening. “Oh fuck.” He turns away. “I can’t deal with this.”
“Come on, mate. It’s beautiful. You, putting a bullet into her father, it was romantic as hell.” I clap him on the back as we head toward the office after taking off the riding gear. “Really heartwarming—”
“Don’t, Flynn. For fuck’s sake.” He grunts.
We turn the corner into the hallway leading to the office when Kian and Connor appear, practically sprinting.
“The warehouse on Third has blown to shit.” Kian tosses Declan the keys mid-run.
“Fuck. The Bratva’s guns.” I snap, already moving. There’s no time to tell Autumn anything. I’ll text her once we’re there.
We pile into the SUVs. Declan floors it. Kian and Connor follow in the second vehicle.
“He didn’t even wait twenty-four hours,” I growl. Declan exhales through his nose, jaw tight.
“You really think it’s Flanaghan?” he mutters.
“Yeah.” My stare stays locked on the road. “Doyle confirmed it.”
By the time we reach the docks, the entire warehouse is engulfed. Flames shoot into the sky. Smaller explosions pop inside like firecrackers. Firefighters scramble back, shouting orders that disappear into the roar.
“Fuck…” Declan murmurs.
Dark-windowed jeeps skid in from the other side. The Bratva climbs out, Rurik first, face twisted in fury.
“That’sourfucking shipment!” he roars, marching toward us.
I step beside Declan, already bracing. I want a fight. Rurik looks eager to give me one.
“We know,” Declan says, steady, controlled.
“You can’t even protect it for a single fucking DAY!” Rurik gets nose to nose with him, but Declan doesn’t back up. He steps closer.
“We’ll handle it.”
Rurik steps away, spits on the ground.
“We should’ve made business with capable people. Not with two pretty boys playing mafia.”
I move forward at the same time Stepan does.
“Someone planned this,” I bite out. “They hit it the first night. That’s not a coincidence.”
Rurik pauses, eyes narrowing. Studying me. Calculating.
“You better bring us our money or our guns,” he says, voice low, dangerous. “Or heads will roll.”
“Is that a threat?” Declan snaps.
Rurik turns back, advancing on him. I step in instantly, grabbing Rurik’s arm before he can swing. Stepan lunges. His men move. Declan shoves Stepan into the SUV.
Chaos breaks open.
I punch Rurik in the face. Hard.
