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Markus's heart rate inched up at the thought of Davenport walking free. "I was going to go into the office for a few hours in the morning. I'll cancel that."
"Yep. I'm having Ethan close down the club again tomorrow night. The members are gonna have my head, but it can't be helped. I sent Derek to pick up Hannah's kid and her babysitter and they're gonna be on a red-eye tonight, arriving early tomorrow morning. Sean's gonna pick 'em up at the airport and drive them to the loft."
Lukus took a break, placing his hand over his phone to have a muffled discussion with someone at the other end of the line before returning to the call with Markus. "I'm calling Aiden next. I'll have him update the CPD and make sure they are doing rounds downstairs. It's time they get involved officially."
"What about the girl you had going into the warehouse wired? She okay?"
Markus heard the guilt in his best friend's voice as he answered. "Yeah, Hannah's doing as well as she can be after living through the freak show he put her through. Her best friend, Mia, got shot, though. They're here at the hospital for observation, but I expect Hannah to be released tomorrow."
"That's good." Markus knew the answer to the next question before he asked it. He asked it anyway. "You want me to break the news to the girls that tomorrow night's baby shower for Rachel is postponed, right?"
Lukus's sharp intake of breath told Markus that his friend had forgotten about the girls' plans. "Shit, they're gonna be upset, but it can't be helped. No one leaves the loft until further notice. I don't even want others coming in right now. Lock it down."
"Agreed. I'll handle it."
Lukus was in boss mode, barking orders at the other end of the phone before giving Markus his next command. "Hold on. I'm conferencing in Aiden."
The call went silent without giving Markus a chance to even answer. He'd known his best friend since college. He knew Lukus needed to keep a tight control right now to keep himself from losing it by thinking about the horrible things that could happen to the people he loved.
Within a few seconds, Aiden's voice came on the joint call. "Hey, what's up?"
Lukus answered. "Shit went down out here and we raided the warehouse with the authorities. They are shut down, but... the fucker got away. He's out there, and he's coming for the girls. I know it."
Aiden was a hothead, so his calm response surprised Markus. "We don't know that. He's on the run, yes, but if he's smart, his priority is getting out of the country right now."
Lukus countered, "This is personal with Davenport. Trust me. He wants to get even with Markus and me. He wants to hurt our women. It's time to make this official. I want the CPD on alert. I want you guys staking out the loft. I want—"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You want. I get it," Aiden said.
"Don't be an asshole. I didn't have to call you, you know. I have other contacts at the CPD."
Aiden chuckled. "Yeah, so I've heard. Word has gotten around that my sister is engaged to you. I've had cops congratulating me all fucking week at having you 'in the family'—assholes."
Lukus chuckled, lightening the heavy mood. "See. I told you I was a good guy."
"Whatever. The only thing I care about is that you take good care of my sister and make her happy."
"I'm trying, but until I get back in town, I need your help keeping Tiff safe. Think you're up for it?"
"Listen, I've been keeping Tiff safe her whole life."
As usual, the two alpha men were devolving into a crude competition about who loved Tiffany more. Markus pulled them back to reality. "Can you two stop the pissing contest long enough to keep your eyes on what's really important here?"
He heard both men clearing their throats at the other end of the line. They got the message.
Aiden's cold response was all business. "Consider the CPD on the case. I'll call my boss now. I'll be on stakeout myself overnight. Let's talk in the morning."
Lukus replied with a simple, "Got it," just before Aiden dropped from the call. His best friend then continued on with the plan. "I'm gonna fly back tomorrow with Dylan and Hannah as soon as she's released. In the meantime, Markus..." Lukus hesitated slightly before continuing, "I need you to go the closet in my bedroom."
"It's late. Tiff and Rach are already asleep in there."
"Just go there, will ya? It's important." Impatience seeped through Lukus's tone.
"Fine." They remained silent while Markus let himself into the dark bedroom. He smiled as he noticed the women were snuggled close together, sound asleep. They'd left on a small lamp in the corner as if they might have been afraid of the dark. With Davenport on the loose, he couldn't blame them.
"Okay, I'm in your walk-in. What next?" Markus prompted his best friend.
"Go to the far right. There's a row of small cubby shelves right next to my suits. On the top shelf is a black case. Get it down."
