“She loves me,” he tells Crow. “She always has, even when she was real little she loved her daddy.” His words send ice through my veins and bile rises up slowly into my mouth. The acidic burn reminds me I’m alive and my sister isn’t.
It’s my turn. I step forward, pulling out the item I kept hidden in my jacket pocket all night. None of the men found it because they didn’t think anything of it. The small round ball is made of metal, but they didn’t realize once the lock latches at the back of the head, a blade shoots out, slicing through the tongue.
I move closer to Mahoney, and smile. I haven’t offered anyone a grin in so long it feels fake, but with him, it’s a reminder of what he’s about to lose. I bind the leather around his neck while the ball slips between his teeth.
The moment the metal teeth clasp together, the blade shoots out. Blood splutters from Mahoney’s lips. Crimson dripping from his chin, soaking the perfectly white shirt he’s still wearing.
“You will never live to see her bask in the glory of your death,” I tell him. “You may think you’ve won, but you have lost far more than you can imagine.”
Falcon takes a step forward. “We’re taking him to the bunker,” he informs me, and I smirk. When we get him home, this bastard will rue the day he was born. I nod. Falcon glances behind me, and orders, “Take him down, we’ll leave now.”
I didn’t ever expect to want to save the girl, but there’s nothing I want more. She’s ours and I’m not letting her out of my sight. I’ve spent most of the time hiding from her, I needed time to figure out why she has such an effect on me. But now I know why, she experienced the same abuse I did at the hands of her father.
“We need to get to her,” I tell Falcon as they drag Mahoney away.
Dante steps forward, his hand offered in greeting. “My men will bring Mahoney to your house. Go to her, I know Drake will look after her until you get there.” Even though it’s the first time I’ve met this man, I know he’s good. But I do recognize the darkness inside him.
We don’t waste time getting back to the house. When I step inside, I make my way to Lucille’s bedroom. She’s sitting up in bed, and Drake is talking to her, but stops the moment he hears me enter the room.
“Are you okay?” My focus is on Lucille. The footsteps of my brothers follow me inside, and we make our way to the bed.
“A little banged up. Lost consciousness but Drake watched over me,” she whispers, a small smile offered to Drake which only makes me jealous once more. This girl is making me crazy. I’ve never been a jealous person. I didn’t expect to care for her as much as I do. But now she’s in our lives, I can’t deny I don’t want to lose her.
“Thank you,” I tell our friend.
“I know what it’s like to lose the woman you love,” he says, and it’s the first time I ever thought about that word. It’s never been in my vocabulary. The emotion hasn’t been present in my mind, or my chest for years. Not since I lost my sister. But now he’s said it, I glance at Lucille and nod.
“You need a doctor,” Crow announces, and pulls his phone from his pocket. He leaves the room, holding the cell to his ear, and I turn my focus back to Lucille.
“We have Mahoney,” I tell her. I still can’t bring myself to admit my feelings. It’s difficult to say the words. Those I’ve never said to anyone. No woman in my life has ever made me feel.
“I-Is he here?”
I nod. “Down in the bunker, we’ll take you to see him once you’re healed.” Her eyes brim with unshed tears, and as much as I want to wipe them away, I also enjoy seeing them shimmer in her golden eyes.
I’ve fought it for so long, but the need to take her, to keep her, it’s overwhelming. “I’m going to check on everything. Falcon will stay with you,” I tell her before pushing to my feet and glancing at my brother. He offers me a knowing smirk, and I want nothing more than to roll my eyes. He told both Crow and me we’ll succumb to the beauty, but I didn’t believe it. Not only for myself, but for Crow as well.
When I reach the hallway, I see him ending the call. “She’s okay?”
“Yeah.” We walk together as we make our way down to the stairs which will lead us to our prisoner. I can’t believe we finally have him. It’s been too easy. Everything was far too fucking easy.