“How long ago?” I ask, pinching the bridge of my nose.
“They broke in and took her all within thirteen minutes.”
Damn it!! I missed her by two fucking minutes. Two. My chest caves, and I can’t think of anything else. My thoughts spiraling. Only one question comes to mind, “Who?”
A long silence is deafening through the phone. “Alejandro.”
The streets will bleed beautifully by the time I’m finished with them. They took her, and it was Hayden’s fault once again. I knew I shouldn’t have gotten involved with Kelsey. I should have paid more attention to Jessie, and this wouldn’t have happened. This can’t happen again. Not after what happened to… Fuck I can’t even say her name.
Naomi.
After losing her, I swore I would never put myself or another woman in that position. No matter the pressure that was placed on my shoulders to protect her, I should have refused.
Teegan clears his throat on the other end of the call. “What?” I growl.
“She jumped from the balcony. She’s injured, Ry.”
“How bad?” The grip on my phone threatens to shatter it.
“She needs immediate medical attention.”
Teegan sent the footage to my phone, and I contemplate whether I should watch it or not. My thumb hovers over the button before I finally click play, and the fight unfolds in my hands.
Pride coils tight in my chest, twisted with pure hatred for the Vipers. She fought hard until her body gave out. She kicked, swung, and clawed. Refusing to go down easily. Tears and blood streak her beautiful face after she bites a chunk from the guy’s arm that’s detaining her.
But my jaw locks when Alejandro prowls up and backhands her across the cheek like she’s a grown man. I stand here on bated breath, waiting for a sign that he didn’t kill her. She already has a head injury, and after that blow, it could have been fatal. My heart aches, knowing there is nothing I can do in this moment, but once my hands wrap around this fucker’s neck… He’s done.
I sent a mass text to the team, calling all hands on deck at the Langley mansion, and unsurprisingly, Hayden is the first to show up. Unable to control myself any longer, I pin him with my glare as I stalk up to him. He steps back, sensing the rage pouring from every pore of my body. I fist the front of his shirt, “You’re not to set a foot within radius of her after we get her back.” Spit flies as we’re nose to nose—again. Except this time, he has no anger in his eyes, only what I think is regret. However, I don’t miss the challenge in his narrowed blue eyes and the hardened set of his jaw. It must be killing him to hold his excuses. I have no fucks to give to hear about whatever comes from his mouth.
“While Teegan keeps track of the vehicle, I need you to assign fifty men to raid these bastards when we locate them.” He stands there frozen, just pissing me off more. “Now!” I bark.
The feelings I have for Kelsey are confusing. I hardly know the girl, yet I’m attracted to her like a magnet. There’s this draw about her that I can’t resist. She’s beyond pissed at me for the way I treated her, but she’s going to hate me for what happens next. It’s for the best, and oneday she will come around to it. Or she won’t, and she’ll be treated as a pet in the basement. Either way, she’ll willingly or forcefully be under my twenty-four watch.
Rushing over to Teegan, who arrived only minutes ago, I knock on the van window. “Any updates?”
“There’s an ALPR that recognized their plate heading west three minutes ago. They stopped briefly at a gas station, but no sight of Kelsey.”
“Shit!” I hiss. My fingers violently fist my hair, but the stinging pain is a momentary distraction from the ache in my chest. That’s forty minutes from us, but if I speed, I have a chance at catching up. If they’re heading west, they’re most likely taking her to Asheville to their warehouse.
“Hayden! Let’s go!” His head snaps towards me, nodding. Well over fifty of my guys stand before him, all dressed in their tactical gear, rifles, and their twin Glocks strapped to their chests. All my guys are heavily trained in combat thanks to my special units captain, Teegan. His Navy Seal training made him a perfect addition to my team.
Teegan is the intelligence of my organization. All technology and defenses are under his control. I gave him free rein to do whatever he deemed necessary, but he still has the respect to speak with me first before making any significant decisions. He was one of my first recruits and has been incredibly loyal throughout the entire eight years he’s worked for me.
Hayden rallies the men together and marches towardsme. “This is more than fifty.” I peer at each recruiter in veneration.
“Most are volunteers wanting to pay their respects,” Hayden says with a proud lift to his chin.
“Insert your mics. Nobody makes a move unless it has been cleared by me first. I will remain in contact with Teegan, who will deliver the best paths for us.”
“Yes, sir,” they shout in unison.
After confirming each Bluetooth mic is connected and operating properly, we hurry down to the basement, stocking ourselves with more weaponry and magazines. Strapping on the bulletproof vest and holster vest, I begin loading up with everything I may need. Two hand grenades, because I plan on blowing up the warehouse before burning the bitch to the ground, and my Glocks sheathed in the vest.
“Who are my assigned snipers?” Four men step forward, rifles hanging from their chests.
“You’ll need to split up—one of you in each vehicle. When we locate the SUV, I want your vehicles surrounding. Do not try to stop them. Keep the flow of traffic. When I’m close enough, Teegan will hack their software, and we will negotiate. If those attempts fail, I want you to close in on him. If he at any point threatens harm to Kelsey, shoot. There are three men in the SUV, so that should be easy enough.” They nod collectively.
Pivoting on my feet, I turn to the rest of the recruits and give them orders. If we are unable to catch them onthe road, we will breach the Viper’s headquarters, which is where the other sixty men will be assigned.
