Rialto (Unbreakable Bonds 8)

Ian was holding a gun.

His sweet, loving, soft-hearted husband had a gun.

It was something he never thought he’d see or even have to contemplate. There was no one kinder or more loving than Ian. Hollis couldn’t fathom Ian ever shooting someone.

But there had been no way any of them was going to allow Ian into this drug warehouse without a weapon to protect himself. As it was, they’d already cleaned Rowe out of body armor. Noah and Lucas had pulled Ian aside and given him some tips on using the weapon along with a few minutes in the firing range. Hollis knew they were all praying that Ian never had to squeeze the trigger. That the gun was a last resort in case the entire operation went pear-shaped fast.

There had been no point in calling the cops. Trying to explain everything and then convincing them to lead a raid on the place for one poor guy with a history of drugs and prostitution was a waste of time Max didn’t have. There was a small part of Hollis that wanted to just leave Max to the drug dealers holding him. The guy had hurt Ian, Sean, and Wade. He’d made his choices in life, and he had to suffer the consequences. Particularly if they put Ian in danger.

But Hollis could too easily see Ian’s point of view.

Were it not for a small whim of fate or luck, that could have so easily been Ian. If Jagger had chosen Max over Ian. If Lucas, Snow, and Rowe had met Max instead of Ian, would they have helped him, saved him? Would Ian have been left behind to be tortured for several more years before being tossed to the streets without a penny to his name?

Hollis knew in the end, it had been Ian’s drive and determination that got the man to not depend on Lucas and the others. He worked hard to become a great chef and open an amazing restaurant. He worked hard to have the incredible life he had.

But it also didn’t hurt that Ian had a great base from which to rise. Lucas, Snow, and Rowe gave him a loving, stable environment from which to recover and find himself.

Max never had that.

He could now, though, if he’d just listen to Ian and let him help.

Of course, that was assuming they all got out of this insane plan alive so they could even offer to help Max.

A hand gripped Hollis’s shoulder and squeezed. He twisted around and saw Ian’s worried eyes watching him while a weak smile lifted the corners of his mouth. Hollis wished he could reassure Ian that he had no regrets. That he was there because he’d do anything to make Ian happy, that he was there because it was the right thing to do.

But there was no denying he’d prefer that his heart was far from this place, maybe even back at Ward Security with Quinn and Gidget.

But Ian had a right to be there. As much as any of them did.

Max didn’t deserve to be left behind a second time.

“All right, kids,” Rowe drawled in their ears through the coms they were all wearing.

Hollis smirked and looked over his shoulder at Ian, who rolled his eyes. Hollis had heard so many tales about the infamous Rowe and Noah assaults with the crazy weapons and code names, but he’d been involved in only the small one with Rowe, Noah, and Ian down in Kentucky and then the crazy operation at Union Terminal against Jagger.

Good to know that if the police got wind of this, they were all going to jail together.

“Is everyone in position? Check in,” Rowe continued.

Ian winked at him, some of the worry and fear finally leaving his eyes. “Dorothy and Toto are in position outside the western entrance. No guards.”

There was a low snicker, but it was too soft for Hollis to identify. Yeah, he was Toto to Ian’s Dorothy, but he didn’t care. As soon as the plan was being sketched out, Ian quickly announced that he had the theme for code names decided. No one grumbled. Apparently, it was becoming understood that the family member behind the mission got to pick the code names.

It didn’t hurt to hear the enthusiasm in Ian’s voice. He was finally being included in a mission, in the secret plans of Rowe, Snow, and Lucas. Hollis just could have done without risking Ian’s life in the process.

“Wicked Witch and Flying Monkey outside the front door,” Noah said, referring to him and Dominic. “Two visible guards.”

“Glenda on the roof,” Garrett announced. “No guards, but the door is sealed shut. I’m going down through the skylight.”

“Shit. I knew I should have picked the roof,” Dom muttered. “Did you bring the flamethrower?”

“No, Wicked Witch confiscated it,” Garret grumbled.

“Damn straight I confiscated that. It’s not a toy!” Noah snapped. “Plus, I didn’t get to play with it before it ran out of fuel.”