Page 114 of Mia

“Not here,” Deuce said, moving in front of me. “Take some deep breaths. Reel it back in, baby. We’re gonna get him.”

He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me. I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. I wanted nothing more than to air this bitch out right here and now, but I had to be patient. When he let me go, I turned to look at Titan, who was sitting in a chair with Smoke and Steel blocking him. From the fire in his eyes, I could tell he was on the same type of time.

I walked over to him, and my brothers parted, allowing me closer. Stopping in front of him, I cupped his face. No words needed to be exchanged as I kissed his lips. He nodded when I pulled away. His fingers traced the matching tattoos we had for our baby girl. It was a silent reminder of why we were here.

“We got this,” I whispered.

“We got it.”

We pulled ourselves together, put our game faces on, and focused on business. The gala got going, and we watched JacQues mix and mingle with different people. He and his wife worked the room like a happy couple, but I could see in that bitch’s face that she was miserable. She’d been tossing back drinks all night and had started stumbling. I watched as JacQues reprimanded her with a smile on his face before going up on stage to give a speech. That was my cue to make my presence known.

“Change of plans,” I said. “Smoke, get the wife. Charm that drunk bitch.”

He grinned. “I got it.” He tapped the breast pocket of his suit. “I brought a little something just in case.”

Knowing Smoke, this nigga had a drug that would knock that bitch out in a matter of seconds. That’s why it paid to have a brother who specialized not just in weapons, but in chemical warfare as well.

“Good evening, everyone. I just wanted to say a few words before I let you get back to enjoying the festivities. As you all know, this gala is very near and dear to my heart. The charity efforts go to several orphanages in the city. It’s no secret that I, myself, grew up in the system. Unlike many people with my same circumstances, I was fortunate enough to make it out…”

As he spoke, my brothers and I made our way up to the front. JacQues was so busy smiling and talking that he wasn’t even paying attention. It wasn’t until I was standing right in the very front that his eyes finally met mine and he began to stammer and stutter over his words.

I stood there with a smirk on my face, my husband at my side and my brothers at our backs.

“I uh…um…”

His eyes didn’t leave mine as he tried to gather himself. I cocked my head to the side and motioned for him to hurry the fuck up.

“I’m sorry. I lost my train of thought,” he said, finally pulling his gaze away. “Must be too many free drinks tonight.”

The crowd rumbled with laughter.

“Anyway. Thank you all for coming out tonight. I hope you’re having a great time.”

He bid goodbye to the crowd before quickly exiting the stage. I watched as he searched the crowd for his wife, but by now, Smoke had her tucked away in our car. She hadn’t hesitated to disappear with him. I mean, my brother was a handsome man and was known for charming the panties off women. She probably thought she was going to get lucky when all she got was knocked out and snatched up.

We navigated through the crowd of people to where JacQues stood with security in the back. He was sternly talking to them. When he saw us getting close, he quickly walked off, yelling for them to follow him. We took our time exiting the ballroom.

He didn’t have to worry about us coming after him tonight.

I did what I set out to do. He knew I was alive, and by the look on his face, he knew he wouldn’t be much longer.

This bitch wasn’t dead!

That’s all I could think as I got the fuck out of that ballroom. I’d shot her. The hospital confirmed she was dead, so what the fuck was she doing here alive in the flesh?

“Where the hell is my wife?” I asked security as we entered a back room. “You were supposed to keep an eye on her.”

“She was talking to some guy. They disappeared before we could get to her⁠—”

I went across his face with an open palm. “The fuck do you mean she disappeared? Go fucking find her! Now!”

They rushed from the room to search for Alissa. I silently cursed under my breath. This bitch was somewhere with a stranger, drunk as hell, and we were in fucking danger. Pulling out my phone, I tried to call her, but the phone went straight to voicemail. I tried again, only to get the same results.

“Fuck!”

Just as I went to throw the phone, it started ringing. I answered without even paying attention to the contact.

“Alissa, where the fuck are you?”