Unbroken (The Protectors 12)

Vaughn wrapped his arm around me from behind. “We’ll find him again, Aleks. I promise.”

I nodded and then let him tug me away. My brother and Magnus had stopped at some point to watch the exchange between me and Vaughn, but Dante didn’t ask me about it. I was still trying to deal with the fact that Brian had managed to elude punishment, so I didn’t notice what was happening in the main room until I heard Con say, “Holy fuck.”

I looked up and gasped when I took in the sight before me.

More than a dozen men with guns had formed a large circle around another group of men, all on their knees and bound and gagged.

Some of the bound men were sobbing, others looked sullen. But not one of them was making any kind of sound otherwise. I recognized Mr. Oak and Mr. Stark among the men on their knees… along with Brian and the rest of the party guests.

They were all bound and gagged.

Caught.

Helpless.

Afraid.

Like all the kids they’d hurt.

“What is this?” Vaughn asked in disbelief.

“This,” Ronan said as he came up next to us, “is Aleks’s family.” He nodded at the men forming the circle. “Every single one has suffered at the hands of another or known someone who has. And like Aleks, they had to choose to let it break them or to survive it and then fight back when they could. This is them fighting back for themselves, for the people they love, and for those who aren’t able to fight for themselves just yet.”

My eyes scanned the faces of all the men. I didn’t know any of them, but my heart swelled at knowing that they’d been willing to risk their lives to help me, Luca’s son, and most importantly, the kids who’d spent every second of tonight wishing a miracle would happen and they’d get to go home.

“Where are the kids?” I asked.

Ronan motioned to the door. Several men were ushering a line of kids out the door. A couple of the smaller children were being carried by the men and a couple of the older kids. I saw the little boy that had been with Brian in one of the men’s arms.

“Did your brother ever tell you how he and I met?” Ronan asked. “Or how he came to work for me?”

I shook my head.

“It was several years ago. We were both in Chicago looking for the same man. That man had hurt Mace and Cole’s then-boyfriend, Jonas. They’re now all married to one another,” Ronan said with a smile.

I glanced at Vaughn, who looked positively confused at the mention of three people being married. I’d been in the same boat when I’d been introduced to one of the many threesomes in our family. Dante had explained to me that none of them were legally married, but they’d said vows in front of their family and friends to show that they were going to spend their lives together just like regular couples. I took Vaughn’s hand in mine and waited until he looked at me. “I’ll explain it to you later,” I said with a wink. He laughed at that and I smiled.

It felt good to finally be the one who had more experience with something.

“The man who hurt Jonas tried again shortly after Mace, Cole, and Jonas fell for one another. I knew he’d always be a threat to Jonas, so I made sure he wouldn’t be anymore,” Ronan hedged. “Your brother and I sort of stumbled upon one another. He was not happy with me,” Ronan said with a smile.

Dante appeared at my side. “I was looking for leads on you and Ronan had taken out the one lead I’d had in a long time. It wouldn’t have panned out anyway, because the guy hadn’t had any information on you, but Ronan offered to help me in my search. He had more resources than I even knew was possible.”

Dante looked pointedly at Vaughn, who ignored him.

Oh God, they were just going to kill each other at this rate.

“We haven’t been in this world for as long as you, Vaughn,” Ronan said. “But we’ve seen the same things. Some of my men more than others. But like you and your family, we’ve discovered that if you cut the head off a snake—”

“Two more will grow in its place,” Vaughn murmured.

“But we keep cutting and like you and Luca and your brothers, we try to get the kids out. Having more resources means we’ve learned some new tricks,” Ronan said. “We did what you did – we got some men in– we just did it on a bigger scale.”

Ronan motioned to a few of the men who were guarding the others.

I recognized a couple as men who’d worked the party or had been guests. One of the men had been one of the guards at the back exit near the bathroom. I also recognized the bartender. He actually waved at Vaughn.