Ford! Ford! Why couldn’t he just yell? He wasn’t sure, but it felt like his mouth was forming the words, but there was no sound. Like always.
Duke and Quick were busting through the door before realization had computed for the remaining assailants. The two men started to panic when they saw the state their partner was in. It would make even the toughest S.O.B. cringe in the instant right before his brain kicked in and told him to bolt. The one who’d made the phone call was already on the floor retching when Ford busted through the back door, both guns drawn and aimed. His sharp eyes took in the entire scene, including Brian’s busted face. Still running, Ford went for the first man he saw, with his full momentum. He kicked the scared thug in his already convulsing stomach, knocking him into the wall. The impact hard enough to cause him to bounce off it, and Ford’s huge boot was there and poised again. His next blow landed in the center of the guy’s chest, sending him sliding across the bloody floor, putting him right next to his dead partner in crime.
Ford looked back at his brother, and dropped to his knees, gently cupping Brian’s bruised face. “I’m here, Brian.”
He knew his brother was there, could hear him, but he couldn’t see him. His eyes were blurry and moisture leaked down his face. All he could see was Jenkins looking at him like he had in that cave. The visage wore a clear look of disappointment and was aimed at Brian for breaking his promise.
“I’ll fuckin’ kill all of you,” Ford hollered, standing back up and going for the man Quick had already secured.
Quick
“Duke! Get him,” Quick yelled, trying to shield the man from Ford’s wrath. They already had one dead. They needed the other two alive for questioning. They had no idea why these three men were in their office beating the shit out of Brian. Was it a bond gone wrong? We’re they trying to rob him? They knew nothing. But if they let Ford kill them all, it would stay that way.
Duke and Dana pulled Ford off of Quick’s back when he tried to get to the other attacker. The man looked relieved that Quick was there, and he used his big body as a shield. “Help me.”
“Shut up,” Quick snapped at the guy, standing back up to his full height when Dana and Duke had Ford under control.
“It’s you. You’re… you’re Quick.”
Quick looked down at the guy and it was like a light bulb turned on in all of their heads at once. Ford scowled at Quick, and Duke was at his side in a heartbeat. Damn, he didn’t want to have to fight Ford. But he understood his fury. His brother – a previous prisoner of war – had taken Quick’s beating. While he’d been laid up under his loving doctor, Brian was taking his ass whupping. Shit.
Quick put his hands up. “Ford. I’m gonna fix this.”
“We’re gonna fix this,” Duke added, staying close to Quick’s side.
“They attacked my brother because they thought he was you.” Ford’s tone was sinister and angry. Ignoring the loud wail of sirens closing in on them, Ford stepped into Quick’s space. He was prepared to take a punch if he had to. He deserved it. Quick was the one who had goaded a wealthy man and taken his prized possession, now his family was paying for his selfishness. “If you don’t take care of it… I will. I’ll eliminate any and every one who’s a threat to Brian.”
“I’m not a threat to any of you. You know that. You know me, Ford.”
“Then it’s that goddamn doctor of yours. Where is he?” Ford yelled.
He better be home in my bed.
“Are you threatening him? Are you threatening Cayson?” Quick didn’t realize he was advancing until he felt Duke’s palm against his sternum. Dana looked too confused to pick a side, so he stood there, his still-smoking rifle in his hand.
“Easy. Calm down, Rome.” Duke was there in front of him, but Quick was still locked on Ford’s stealthy eyes while he held his brother. Was he thinking about getting even? Rome realized he didn’t know the lengths to which Ford would go to protect his blood. Duke, Dana, and him were nothing more than colleagues when it came down to it. Brian was something else altogether to Ford. If Ford hurt Cayson… Quick snarled, his body starting to shake from an adrenaline spike. “Rome, look at me. Look at me damnit.”
Quick closed his eyes and then opened them again. Ford was still watching him carefully, but Quick looked at his best friend and listened to his words. Duke knew how to bring him back from the edge. If Ford thought he was angry, he hadn’t seen anything yet. Ford reacted well, compared to what Quick could do. Ford could be pulled back and held. When Rome got angry and unleashed his specially trained beast, there was no holding him. There wasn’t a submission hold he couldn’t break. If Ford was promising retribution, he hoped he aimed it where it belonged. At Dr. Joe.