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“Why are you wasting precious time here, with this?” He asks, waving his hands around him. “You should be working to find Quinn. I entrusted you with her safety she was promised to you.” His lips scold me as his eyes glare into mine.
“Don’t I need to be granted redemption before I’m able to do anything?” I bite back, not willing to experience public humiliation in front of so many bottom of the barrel recruits.
I’m pressing my luck feeling him out for any traps he might be laying. For all I know, he wants me to prove I know the rules. Never show fear; I am not afraid to ask him for redemption any longer. I know from our simple exchange the answer is clear. He is not willing to risk losing an asset like me when granting me redemption can guarantee I bring his daughter home safe. He doesn’t just want a job well done; he expects it. My body relaxes and my fists unclench as the weight of all the building tension rolls off my body into oblivion.
“My boy, you do not need my permission to rescue my most prized possession. Get yourself cleaned up. Two teams are on the way. One to replace the men we lost tonight, and another to accompany you from now on. These are our top recruits, most of them are highly ranked. You can organize them into the groups you want.” The Don speaks with a sharp but humble tongue as I realize the next level of honor he’s bestowing upon me, his undying trust.
I raise my tatted hand to my mouth and nod a response. “Clay’s sticking with me,” I say, narrowing my eyes, waiting for his approval.
“Done,” he replies. “Anyone else?”
“Only Clay for now,” I say, bowing my head before walking into the house and motioning for Clay to follow me inside.
“Do you want to grab a shower?” I ask Clay.
“How about a shower and six hours of sleep? Most of the thugs we are going to want answers from aren’t going to start surfacing on the city streets until afternoon at best,” he tries to negotiate with me.
I can see the exhaustion in his sagging face and shoulders. He’s right, going to the city anytime soon is a complete waste of time. The villains rise with the moon and fall with the sun. We know this and we may as well freshen up so we can stay sharp. A new crew will take time to gel, no one will be at peak performance and they will still be adjusting to the assignment. I don’t want to wait, but I do what’s best. “You have a valid point. It makes sense to grab some shut eye. We need to be fresh and it will be important to get a read on these new guys. Let me make a call about the guys in the garage. You can take either guest room they were untouched last night. Just close the door so I know which one to avoid.”
“You got it boss, and Christian,” he pauses, “Thanks for the promotion. I swear we will get her back in your arms before the night is over.”
I force a smile. I know he’s trying to make me feel better, but only one thing can fill the aching hole in my chest right now. One thing and I have no idea where she is or if she is okay. All this time I’ve been worried about the Don, wondering how he would react. As I turn on the shower, it hits me. It isn’t just his reaction I should have been worrying about. Quinn will need to forgive me as well. That girl has a temper and if I don’t rescue her fast enough, she may never forgive me.
It’samazingwhatalittle rest can do. Clay and I are thumbing through files, organizing the new men. A few more minutes and we will be ready to roll out. Our first stop is the club to question the girl who is being held in the basement. I can’t shake the feeling that she knows something about the attack, or may even be involved. The man in the garage was rambling on about birds of a feather flock together or some bullshit before they shot him and put him out of his misery. Clay and I really did a number on those guys. The other guy never made it. Clay must have hit him too hard when he pistol whipped him. At first I thought the Don might be pissed we fucked up the survivors a little too rough, but he was just happy one was alive enough to give us a clue even if it didn’t make sense yet. I haven’t told anyone, but I have a sinking feeling in my gut that somehow this all might involve Le Manchot. I mean birds of a feather, and penguins are technically birds. The one thing I can’t figure out though is if we were working towards a deal, why sabotage things like this, unless it’s a negotiation move, but then where’s the ransom? Those are the only pieces of information we have to go on for now, but everyone is working hard to find our little mafia queen.
Finding Quinn is going to be like trying to find a needle in a haystack. I’m trying not to get discouraged. I crave the way she fits in my arms perfectly, like the two of us were made for one another. I shake my head to focus, placing the last three men’s files into respective piles. Twenty men will train in the house for the next month with experienced mentors, and another ten will provide me with additional protection at all times. Once we get Quinn back, five of my men will be with her at all times. I never want to lose her again.
“Ready to roll?” Clay asks, giving me a pat on the back.
I nod my response, appreciative of his eagerness to step into the role as my number one. He’s been my number two for the last three years and while he must know the size of the shoes he’s expected to fill, I am confident he won’t disappoint me. Eventually, I will need to replace his position, but I don’t know any of these new men well enough. Everyone piles into the black SUV’s while Clay and I wait for the Jag to be pulled out of the garage. I’m sending one car to the pier to scope things out around the docks and cargo areas, and the other will tail us to the club. I should have sent Clay to the pier, but I selfishly need him with me. Now it’s just a test to see who rises to the top as team lead. If they don’t make it, then they weren’t cut out for the job to begin with. Clay and I drive in silence, it’s not uncomfortable. He’s digging for information online, and I am deep in thought, plotting my revenge step by step. My phone rings through the car. It’s a number I don’t recognize. I answer on bluetooth.
“Christian, I presume,” the voice crackles over the line and I instantly recognize it as Le Manchot. I smack Clay in the arm to pay attention. This feels important.
“Le Manchot. To what do I owe the pleasure?” I ask nonchalantly as I try to play it cool. My knuckles are turning white from gripping the steering wheel while I try to control my bubbling rage.
“You have something of mine and I want it back,” he replies, not bothering with small talk.
“I don’t know what you are talking about, I have nothing that belongs to you and I hope you understand what your accusations might mean in terms of our business arrangement.” I’m trying to maintain my composure, but he’s playing with fire. I am liable to snap at any moment. If I blow this, the Don will be pissed. He may have surprised me with his reaction about Quinn, but if I screw up a business deal with Le Manchot, there will be consequences.
“Ha, ha, ha, ha,” the same bird-like laughter from the club fills my ears. “Oh, that’s right,” he coos softly, taunting me. “You don’t know yet, do you?” He continues. “I have something that belongs to you too, and if you want it back, you’ll need to play nice.”
I keep driving, putting my foot into the gas. We need to get to the club faster. Everything feels wrong. Next to me, Clay’s jaw has hit the floor. He thinks fast, setting up a recording on his phone to capture everything that happens next.
“I don’t want to play your games. I have bigger problems right now. Let’s make this simple. What do I have that is yours, and what did you take from me?” I demand.
“Go ahead darling, say hi to your lover,” Le Manchot cackles.
There’s a shuffle and then I hear Quinn’s voice crackle over the line, “Christian, are you there? Don’t negotiate with them. I will be fine. I can take them. The pea–”
The line goes silent for a moment.
“Quinn!” I roar, making Clay flinch.
“That’s right Christian, I have your precious, what do you call her again, Jewel?” He laughs. “Now, if you want her back, pay close attention.”
I gulp. I can’t risk this opportunity. I will do whatever he asks just to have Quinn back safe in my arms.
“Talk,” I command gruffly, “I’m listening.”
