Page 123 of Alec’s Dream

“Your jaw is clenched so tight, I’d be shocked if you haven’t cracked a molar. Your knuckles are white. And you’re practically growling. When we get in that house, your only concern is Aurora. That’s it. You let your team take your back and trust us to handle the rest. That little girl is gonna need you. What she doesn’t need is you busting down the door going apeshit on Doug. She’ll never forget that. She’s six, scared, and likely doesn’t understand why her uncle is bleeding, and why her father is unhinged. You need to be that girl’s hero. And you cannot do that with blood on your hands, snarling. Calm your shit down.”

“Don’t know if I can.”

“You love her—so I know you will.”

Alec prayed Nixon was right, because in that moment, he was seriously doubting he’d be able to leash his fury.

“What’s the plan?”

“We’re walking in. You and me in the front. Chasin and Holden in the back. Weston and Jameson will control the perimeter. If Doug tries to leave, one of them will intercept and his car’s already been disabled.”

“We’re just walking in?”

“Yep. There’s one of him and four of us. And with Rory in the middle, I don’t wanna go crashin’ in through the windows and upset her more. This way we go in nice and easy. Talk Doug down and you take Rory home.”

“Right now I do not have my shit together enough to contemplate your play. So I hope you know what the fuck you’re doing.”

Nixon rolled to a stop at the curb a few houses down from the Spencers. Alec had never been inside but he had driven by after Macy had been attacked, looking for any signs of Doug or Josh.

“And what about the parents. Where are they?”

“According to Chasin, sitting in the living room where Rory and Jonny are.”

Fuck. If Jonny was in the same room as Rory that meant she was watching her uncle bleed. Goddamn prick.

Two shots rang out as the men exited Nixon’s truck. Neither said a word as they took off in an all-out sprint toward the house. Screw going in soft—fuck the plan—Alec needed eyes on his girl.

Nixon got to the door first and shouldered his way in. Alec was right behind Nixon with his heart in his throat. If Aurora was hurt, he knew he’d snap, and there wasn’t a man present that could stop him from ripping Doug the motherfucking prick apart.

The smell of gunpowder hung in the air. He heard a soft whimper. And a decidedly male groan.

Fuck.

Alec rounded the corner and found himself in hell.

“Drop your weapon,” Nixon demanded.

Alec didn’t spare Doug a glance, he only had eyes for Aurora.

Tension thickened and pressed against his chest to near suffocation. Rory wasn’t scared—she was fucking terrified. Ghostly white, wide horrified eyes, lips parted but no sound coming out. She’d hadn’t noticed Alec had entered the room. She only had eyes for her very dead grandfather lying feet from her. Blood oozed from the gunshot wound.

“Rory, baby, look at me,” Alec command.

“Oh hell no. Fuck no. You do not speak to my daughter,” Doug shouted.

“Drop your gun, Spencer. Last warning,” Nix ordered.

Alec still hadn’t taken his eyes off Rory. One glance at Doug and instinct would take hold. His dark emotions would override all control and Alec wouldn’t maim—he’d kill.

“Look at me, baby,” Alec tried to coax Rory.

“If you think you’re leaving here with my daughter, you're wrong.”

“Doug, this is not how you want this to end. Your brother needs a doctor. Aurora’s in shock. Put down the gun so we can see to your family.”

Nixon didn’t mention Mr. Spencer, because there was no helping the man.

Dead on his living room floor shot by his own child.