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antonio
I head straight for the artillery room, opening the door with the keypad and grabbing up guns as the others follow my lead. I heard Niko call Callan, letting him know what's going on with his wife, Zoe. Callan can hold his own but didn't sign up for this life—not like we did. I hope the man stays clear of all the gunfire. If he doesn’t, I’m praying he has enough street smarts to handle himself.
The ride to the club is quick, but every second feels like it takes forever to pass. The minute the SUV stops, I barrel out, guns blazing. I don't have to hide it. I have the city government—especially the cops—on my payroll. They’ll drag their feet so my men can do what needs to be done. Still, even with that worry gone, it doesn't negate that the problem is happening downtown. It'll take one new officer on the force who's in the area swooping in, causing more chaos.
Luckily enough, the club is off the main drag, affording us a little privacy. Thank God, I had the forethought to close the club to outsiders tonight. If I hadn’t, there would be a fucking bloodbath going on.
The men jump out behind me, already firing off shots. I can see the legs of one of ours.Mack. I know because he always wears these stupid neon socks, and I can see bright green around his ankle. One of the men goes to him and indicates they found a pulse. I’ll get him an ambulance when we clear the rest of the building. I can’t bring more people into the area just to have them become casualties. We're just behind Levi and Zane's SUV when Victorio and Marco join me. Niko's is behind a second SUV with some of my best men.
"Motherfucker," Marco yells, leaning in so I can hear him. “That dumb fuck peeking out behind the dumpster is my brother.”
"I'm going to kill any of your family that are here," I growl at him.
Marco looks back at me, the lines on his face harsh as his body vibrates off hate and adrenaline—just like mine. "Not if I kill them first."
I click my phone, calling Zane as I use the car for cover.
"Little busy here, Boss," he barks through the phone.
"Have you been breached?" I ask.
I need a head count and an idea of the issue inside before we rush the place. Not having a plan of action gets people killed and I can’t do that—especially with my woman inside. My men know to hold back until I signal them. They follow my lead.
I need to think through the haze of fear and anger that is weighing me down. I'm trying to stay calm. I've been in situations like this before, but with Melina in there, it's hard to get control of my emotions.
"Not yet. It's fucking close. We’re holding them off for now, but the rear entrance is nearly gone."
"We’re here. I’m headed to the back of the building."
I yell out to Niko. "You and Vic are with me. Marco, you take lead of the others. Contain these motherfuckers. If there are any left breathing, I want them," I yell, staring him down. He nods, motioning to the others and taking the position. This will be his first test and he better not fail. I just know I need my closest men with me so we can get to the women quickly.
I actually trust Marco to do what needs to be done here. I don’t fully know why, but I do. We take off towards the back, trying to stay behind objects to shield us the best we can. It takes longer this way and I hate it. We’re using time that we might not have.
Stay fucking calm. I caution myself, fighting the urge to run straight through.
Niko and Vic fall in step behind me. Niko grimaces as he manages without his cane. We work seamlessly around the building until Marco and the others provide the necessary distraction.
As we get to the back, I see two men. One—Marco’s brother—is holding a gun, shooting to keep my guys away from them and the door. Luckily, the idiots have no idea that the three of us are here. They’re breathing dead men. They’ll realize that fact soon. I watch as the second guy uses an axe, working away at the hinges.
First fucking thing tomorrow I’m having new doors installed. The hinges and doors will all be reinforced steel. I should have fucking done that already.
I motion to the guys, and we move carefully into place. I motion again, signaling them as we open fire. My bullet rips into the back of Marco’s brother’s skull, dropping him instantly. It's not how I like to do business, but you get what you deserve when you attack what belongs to me. Besides, he had no loyalty to his sister or Marco. If he survived tonight, he would've ended up with worse than he just got. That means I was easy on him.
The other guy with the axe, stops when he sees his buddy go down. Then, he does the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. He swings it over his head as he runs straight at me, screaming. Niko catches him off guard, cracking him with the butt of his gun to the side of the head. He falls but still tries to fight until Vic steps up to slam the butt of his rifle down on his head, knocking him out—maybe even killing him. If he’s alive, we’ll question him. It’s probably not needed. With Dracos’ sons here, I know who is behind this.
Gunfire is still ringing out from out front, but it becomes background noise as I scream to Zane to let us in. I don’t wait. Besides, it doesn’t take much to bust through the door. Victorio and I ram the door and it goes down on the second lunge. Niko hangs back, not physically able to help and I can tell he doesn’t like it one damn bit. It fell a lot easier than I thought it would. I have no idea how the dumbass with the axe couldn't do it.
I storm in, running into Zane, who's sweaty and breathless. He’s cut up from the shattered wood and glass littering the floor, but no real wounds.
"Where's Melina?" I ask, tasting the fear in my words and not liking it. I don't like how it's constricting my chest. Nothing has ever been this important before. I can't lose her.
"Levi and one of Helena's guards took the women to the safe room," Zane says.
I take off, running to the office. I have a shelf there that hides a state-of-the-art panic room.
“I'm coming, Lina,” I yell, knowing the camera in the office will broadcast into the girls. They can watch what’s going on out here the entire time they’re inside. I skid to a halt by my desk, opening a secret compartment under a drawer. It’s at the back and contains a control pad. I press my thumb against it and then key in my father's birthday. The sound of the doors opening ring echoes around us.
My heart rate is going through the roof. I’m not going to be able to get control until I lay eyes on my woman. I shove past Vic, Niko, and Callan. He must have shown up after we broke down the door. I ignore them all. I’m too anxious to wrap my arms around Lina.
