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“I’m well aware of that, Twink,” Mark snapped.
“We’re not letting her out of our sights.” Liam’s voice didn’t only come through the radio, but it was close by as well. I tossed a glance over my left shoulder and found my cousin flanking me. “She’s family, cuz.”
I was glad to hear him say it. He was right, Aria was my family, the other half of my soul. I’d give my life for her if I had to.
We followed them into the storage room where the kegs of beer and other supplies for running the club were kept. A place that offered plenty of hiding places, which could be either a good or a bad thing.
My heart sank when I heard a roller door open and a truck idling outside. Jamal was making an escape with my girlfriend. “Shit. Aria!”
“Logan! Logan, help!” Aria struggled against her captor.
“Stop it, or I’ll cut your throat, bitch!” Jamal screamed at her.
They were the last words he ever uttered.
A bullet tore through Jamal’s skull, killing him instantly. Aria fell away from him as his lifeless body tumbled to the ground.
I raced to her as sobs wracked her body and drew her against me. “I’ve got you, Aria. You’re safe now, beautiful.” I cupped her face and lifted her gaze to mine. “What are you doing here, huh?”
“I came to rescue you,” she mumbled through the sobs.
I smiled at her. “You did, huh? My brave girl, don’t ever do that again, okay?”
She giggled then scowled at me. “I will if I have to.”
I chuckled and pulled her into a deep kiss.
Mark kicked my leg. “Save it for the bedroom, folks. We’re not done here.”
I broke the kiss off with a sigh. “He’s right.” I stood and helped Aria to her feet. “Now comes the clean-up and the debriefs.”
Aria clung to me and frowned at Mark. “I’m never letting him go again and I’m never staying out of the loop again.”
“Jesus Christ, Aria, you almost got yourself killed. There’s a reason we call it need-to-know,” Mark growled.
I held Aria close and brushed my thumb over her cheek. “This is part of the job, sweetheart. I know it’s difficult, but it’s for the safety of people like yourself that we have to keep things close to our chests. We don’t do it to hurt you or the people we love, but to protect you. To protect you from people like him.” I point to Jamal’s body, but Aria couldn’t bring herself to look at him.
She dropped her shoulders. “I understand.” She stepped back from me, releasing me from her hold. “Go.”
Liam squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll need to get a report from you as well. Then Joe and I will take you home. You’re family, Aria, and we always look out for our family.”
“Thank you.”
As painful as it was to see her walk away, I knew she would be in good hands with Liam and Joe.
My mission was over, and I knew I’d be going home to her soon.
