“Yeah, I’m good.”
“I’m so sorry this is happening.”
“Stop. It’s going to be okay.” I kissed her on the temple as I told her, “We’re going to get Kiersten back, and then....”
Before I could finish my thought, Everleigh took a step back, breaking our embrace, then asked, “How are you going to get her back? What are you going to do?”
“That’s not for you to worry about.”
“You’re going there, aren’t you?” When I didn’t respond, she shook her head and cried, “You can’t do that, Billy. It’s too dangerous! Antonio will...”
“He has my daughter.”
“But...”
“There’s no other choice.”
Tears trickled down her cheek as she muttered, “I can’t tell you how much I hate this.”
“I hate it, too, but I have to do this. I have to bring my daughter home.”
Everleigh nodded, then wrapped her arms around me once again. “Just promise me that you will come back to me.”
I wasn’t going to make a promise I couldn’t keep, so I gave her a tight squeeze and said, “I’ve gotta go.”
I leaned down and gave her a quick kiss, then turned and started down the hall, leaving her standing there in the doorway with tears streaming down her face. As much as I hated to leave her like that, I needed to go find the others and see if they needed help with anything.
I’d barely stepped outside when I heard Shotgun call out to me, “Hey, Billy! You got a vest on?”
“Nah, I don’t have one.”
“Didn’t figure you did.” He walked over and handed me the one in his hand, then waited as I slipped it on. Once I had it secured, he asked, “What about a weapon?”
“I got my Glock in the truck.”
“You’ll need to get it.” He handed me an extra clip along with another handgun. “And take these, too.”
“Thanks, man. I appreciate it.”
“No problem.” He reached up and gave me a quick pat on the shoulder. “You ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Good. Now, let’s go get our girl back.”
I gave him a quick nod, then followed as he headed over to join the others. After a quick review of the plan, everyone started to load up into their designated SUVs. I was with Hawk and Shotgun, so I got in the back and waited until the others were ready to roll out.
Once Hawk was given the go-ahead, we eased out of the parking lot, and with Widow and Davies following close behind, we started toward the address Everleigh had given us. After a thirty-minute drive, we arrived at the location. Hawk didn’t want to take a chance on anyone seeing us, so he drove behind the abandoned building next door and waited for Widow to follow.
Once they’d both parked, we all got out and made final preparations to head over to the warehouse. Shotgun gave us all the once over before asking, “Everyone ready?”
“Yep,” Hawk answered confidently. “Just waitin’ on you.”
“Then, let’s do this.” Shotgun motioned his hand to the side of the building as he turned to Widow and ordered, “You and Davies cover us while we check things out inside.”
Widow nodded, then he and Davies kept a watchful eye as we started toward the rear entrance. I was surprised to see that there wasn’t much to the place. It was just an old, secluded warehouse with a lot that was overgrown with weeds and cluttered with litter. It was a dump—not the kind of place you’d expect a man like Antonio DeLuca to own.
Anticipation coursed through me as we headed toward the old metal building, and I wasn’t the only one with an uneasy feeling. Hawk looked just as worried as I was as he glanced over his shoulder to make sure Shotgun and I were close behind. It was eerily quiet, and the building looked deserted, making me wonder if the two guards Menace warned us about were actually there.