His hand pressed firmly on the back of my head. “You ever disappear on me again, I swear to God, I’ll kill you,” he growled, squeezing me tighter. My stomach twisted in knots, knowing my decision was already made.
“Boy, let go of my niece!” Sullie boomed. The knots suddenly seemed tighter at the sound of my uncle.
He was close, already waiting with open arms. Now, it was my turn to crumble. With a shattered cry, I launched myself into his arms. He grunted as I collided into him, and then I was wrapped in the best bear hug I’d ever received.
Would he still hold me like this when he found out the truth? Would Jer still have love in his eyes when he looked at me? Would my family still love me for loving the enemy?
“I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you more,” I sobbed, knowing this fight could break us all. A body hit my back, and I knew it was Jer. The three of us clung to each other, sobbing and apologizing.
“I hate to break up the family reunion, but we've got a bad guy upstairs.”
Haley’s voice had me scrambling away from the men and into her arms next. She hugged me back gently, and I murmured an apology. She was probably still in a little bit of pain. I pulled away to find her wearing a vest too. Her eyes met mine and she mouthed, “He is here.”
I mouthed back, “I know.”
At least my girls would have my back when the time came to fight for the man who had my heart.
She smiled and squeezed my hand. James was right behind her, talking into his earpiece as his eyes scanned the shadows.
“Copy that.”
He turned to us, lifting his chin to Jer. “We all set up for the pickup?”
“Absolutely. We shut down all four streets surrounding the stadium,” my brother answered, pulling out his cell. “Hey, have you seen Casey?”
Casey? The tech girl?
James’ brow furrowed. “She went back to the office hours ago.”
Jer grunted in response before taking my hand and looking at me. “Ready?”
Fuck yes, I was ready.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Gwen
The wicked smile I plastered across my face was starting to hurt my cheeks, but it didn’t falter.
Not when I was standing in front of the man who splattered my entire existence with darkness. Not when my fiancé bound him to a chair before me, just as he had us bound five years ago in that abandoned building.
Revenge and justice. Sometimes, they had the same definition, depending on the crime. If justice wasn’t served, then revenge would step up to the plate, bases loaded.
The man looked up at me with hatred in his eyes, his lip curled into a snarl, like a wild animal. My wicked smile only grew. “Long time, no see, Romano.”
“You bitch,” he seethed.
Dean’s eyes met mine over the devil’s head, his jaw tensing in anger. He knew I could fight my own battles and was letting me be in control. I clicked my tongue. “Now, now, Mr. Romano. Where are your manners?”
He laughed. “If you think this is over, you are delusional.”
My baseball player drifted around him, his eyes darting to the door. We were in a private box once owned by Cal Matthews. High class for the men committing sins, dealing in actual players and selling women and children. James and everyone would be up here in just a moment.
“Isn’t this Cal’s old box?” I asked, backing up slowly and gesturing to the field behind me. “Great view. I wonder though…is the view from hell going to be this pretty?”
He growled and strained against his bindings. “You are nothing but a worthless whor—”
