Page 5 of Breached

“No.” She shook her head and took a second to gather herself. Her eyes blinked back the pain, and I could see they were bloodshot from crying. “I just didn’t realize how uncomfortable the bench was going to be.”

I moved her in front of me as we walked down the aisle. A multitude of Redstone citizens smiled sympathetically at us as we all filed out of the church. Once outside, I used my arms to create a small barrier around Nicole to make sure no one would accidentally bump her. My feelings for Nicole were stronger than ever.

The turnout was impressive and showed how much the local people cared for our family. When the military held Daniel’s service the week before, that, too, had been well attended. Cole couldn’t bear to separate his parents—he wanted them to be together always. So, Daniel was not laid to rest at the military burial site. Cole made arrangements for both of his parents and Abigail to be cremated. Their ashes would be taken home to Shadows and scattered the way our family loved, when the time was right. I only hoped I would join them when my time came.

It was cold outside, and Nicole pressed against me as we stood speaking to the locals. It was important to thank them and to give them reassurance that the town was safe. A cover story had been given to the media to cover any questions. We had always used the story that the area we worked in was a highly secret green energy developmental site owned by billionaire Ken Cuttingham. It wasn’t hard to spin that it was more than likely Ken and his daughter, who had attended Olivia’s birthday, that had been the target of protestors.

The townspeople also knew that the local military base, Camp Green, used the area to train, so they were used to seeing soldiers around.

I ran my hand under Nicole’s hair and gently massaged the small muscles at the base of her neck with my thumb. It replaced the hug I really wanted to give her. Since she was shot, I had developed the habit of doing it when I thought of her. I knew I had to be cautious of her injured side. She moaned quietly to show she appreciated it, and I kissed her temple.

“I want to take you home.” I scanned the area.

“I know, but we have to stay a little longer.” She reached for Savannah’s hand as she came to stand with us. They chatted, and I caught Cole’s eye—he wanted to be sure I stayed close to the two of them. I gave a slight nod, and he focused on Easton. I felt a stab of pain in my heart at the sight of that boy in a wheelchair, and anger that his life was forever changed burned in my gut. I could only imagine what Cole felt.

Mike finally gave us the signal that it was time to wrap things up, so I gave Nicole two quick taps on the hip to get her moving. She nodded with relief, and I knew she was exhausted. I couldn’t relax even an inch until we were back within the protection of Shadows.

I hated this—all of this. I itched to get back to work tracking down the animals who had dared to attack our own.

One thing I knew for sure. We had allowed ourselves to think we were untouchable, but we were wrong, and because of that, three beloved people were dead, and a child had to grow up with physical scars.

TWO

The Day of the Attack

BRUNO

Ipulled out the photo of the child’s birthday invitation from my pocket and looked at it once more. This was perfect. I was about to take my revenge and get everything I wanted. We watched from a small window in the Redstone Moving Company’s building. My sleeper J had done well and had provided us with keys to the place. It gave us a perfect view of Zack’s restaurant and parking lot, and I was able to see the three men who watched over the line of Black SUVs belonging to the hated Blackstone and their families. Perfección.

“Hey,” Armondo waved me over, “I see that soldier—the one Augustine stabbed.”

I snatched the binoculars from his hand and peered out through the glass. I smiled. Nothing made me happier than to see them looking relaxed and carefree, thinking they were safe from harm. I watched as the soldier Armondo had pointed out to me laughed and flung some kids into the snow. I scanned the vehicles and watched as others tried to get everyone into the SUVs.

I wondered which child carried my tracker. I had underestimated J’s ability to come through. I’d had low hopes in the beginning. The fact I’d soon learn the location of Blackstone’s carefully hidden safehouse gave me goosebumps.

“Where do you want this?” Armondo asked, holding the RPG in both hands.

“Right there.” I pointed to the seat next to me. “It’s merely a precaution in the event someone spots us. The bigger the boom, the bigger the damage, the bigger the shock that ripples through—” I froze and homed in on that smile. I went rigid. She was holding a fucking child. “She has the boy!” I gritted at Armondo, who now held the RPG pointed out the open window and was using the scope to look around. My temper skyrocketed, and everything else around me ceased to matter. “That bitch! How could she?” I stood, grabbed my chair, and tossed it with all my might across the room. I quickly snapped a photo, needing proof for later.

“It’s okay, Bruno,” Armondo tried to calm me. “Now we know where they both are, so we follow, attack as planned, then grab them both and take them back to Mexico.”

“Don’t talk to me like I’m a child!” I seethed with betrayal. “She has crossed me not once, not twice, but three times now!” My voice boomed throughout the room. “She will pay for this.” Oh, I will enjoy making her see what happens when she defies me.

“I hate that bitch,” Armondo grunted, and I shot him a look as if to say, ‘Where was that a moment ago?’

“Move!” I kicked him out of the way and grabbed the RPG from him. I aimed it at the SUVs. I wanted to show them what it meant to fuck with me.

“Wait!” Armondo shouted. “Bruno, think about it. What if you get the kid with the tracker? What about our plan?”

I ignored him. I didn’t care. I needed her to know I was near and that she couldn’t escape me. I wouldn’t kill her or the child; I wasn’t stupid. “Think of it as Russian roulette.” I sneered as I lined up my eye and watched Nicole with the child in her arms open the door of the front SUV. I aimed at the last vehicle where some of the kids were hanging out the window laughing. “Fuck the next generation. This ends now!”

“Please, Bruno!” Armondo pleaded and grabbed my arm so at the last second my aim shifted.

Whoosh. Boom!

The RPG’s missile slammed straight into the first SUV with a crash then a sharp, snapping sound found me. A fireball consumed the vehicle, and I was blinded for a hair of a second.

Everything I had worked so hard for slipped away in a blink. I needed that child alive, and the thought of losing Nicole when she was so close hit me like a hot lava, and I saw red.