“Dani ran away, with the help of yourfuckingwife.”
“I’ll fucking feed you your fucking tongue, Kayden. I saidwatch it.”
“Fine, may Ipleasespeak with Melody?” I ask through clenched teeth in the nicest possible way I can manage right now.
“Yeah, I’ll pass her the phone, but it’s going on speaker. Watch yourfuckingtone, or I swear it won’t matter that you’re my damn brother.”
“Melody?”
“Yeah, I’m here,” she responds with a strain to her voice.
“Do you mind explaining to me where Dani is?”
“Ummm… I really can’t do that, Kayden. I promised I wouldn’t say anything.”
“Melody, you don’t understand. Ineedto know where she is.”
“Why don’t you tell us why she wanted to leave so badly in the first place? Huh?”
“I really can’t explain right now. I just need to know where she is… please.”
“I’m sorry, Kayden. She’s not even in town anymore. And I’m not telling you another word.”
Melody must hand the phone off to Jaxon. “What the hell is going on, man?”
“It’s a long story.” I sigh. “But if Melody is involved, she has to be going somewhere Melody is familiar with.”
“I’ll see what I can do, Brother. But without you actually telling us what’s going on, I’m not sure Melody’s willing to break Dani’s trust. You know how fiercely stubborn she can be.”
I scrub a hand over my eyes in frustration. “I’m in the middle of something right now, I really can’t explain.”
Everything is screaming at me to go and hunt her down, drag her back kicking and screaming if I have to. But another part of me is torn between staying to save these women in the house.
“Boss, we need to make our move now. If you need to go, we can handle the mission to rescue the women on our own,” comes Axel’s voice over my radio.
Fuck. It’s clear my men heard that little exchange.
For a split second, I consider taking his offer. I consider leaving and doing everything in my power to bring her back to me. But I also consider these women—if anything happened to them or my men if I left, I’d never be able to live with myself. Dani would be furious, too. If she ever learned that I chose her over this mission and people died for it, she’d never forgive me.
“What the hell is he talking about a mission? What women?Where are you, Kayden? What is going on?” Jaxon fires off question after question.
“I’ll call you later, Jax.” Before he can get another word out, I hang up the phone.
“I’m not going anywhere, Axel,” I say, even though it kills me. “But let’s get this mission done and over with so I can deal with this situation afterwards. Let’s move out, boys.”
The team and I make our way through the woods, dodging branches and watching our steps as we go. We move like ghosts thanks to our camouflage blending in perfectly with the surroundings.
I hold up my fist as we reach the edge of the clearing, all my men stop and drop to one knee, rifles at the ready. I check my handheld device one more time, confirming the men have now moved into the room just beyond the back door, sitting at a table playing cards.
“Axel. Take Bravo team and be ready at the door. On my command, I want that door busted down.”
We move quietly and take positions at the back of the house, making sure to avoid the windows. My mind races with thoughts of Dani. Wondering where she is and if she’s in any danger. Andrei is still a wild card. We are so close to finding hislocation, but who’s to say he isn’t five steps ahead of us? After all, he did get Dani’s picture, and if he has anyone that’s even close to Franklin’s talent, they may have already figured out all there is to know about her. Which is why I wanted her at Eden, surrounded by my men where she would be safe and protected.
Shaking myself from my thoughts, I give the command. “Now.”
Axel kicks open the door, focusing on the spot above the handle. The men inside are slow to respond and two are dead before they can even stand, cards flying as they’re knocked back in their chairs. Two men make it to their feet but my team lays a double-tap shot in each of their heads before they draw their weapons.
And just like that, it’s over—quick and efficient. I double check my device and confirm the only people left in the house are the women that are being kept upstairs.
