Ride or Die (Rejects Paradise 4)

The second I can, my Veneno goes screeching into the clubhouse to where I find Nic standing front and center, armed and loaded with his Widows at his back. His jaw is clenched, and he looks more than ready to face down any fucking army. No wonder Ocean was so into this guy.

I force my Veneno forward, not about to park it at the front of the shop to be target practice for any of these dickheads. Call it selfish and wasting precious seconds, but this thing set me back a couple of million dollars, and getting new parts isn’t going to be a walk in the park.

Every Widow watches me, Nic in the center with Kairo, Elijah, and Sebastian right by his sides, ready to lay their lives down and protect their family at all costs. I roll out of my car and hurry around to the passenger side, grabbing Russo with both hands and hauling his ass out.

I get no resistance from him as he’s too fucking out of it to even know where he is, but as I clear the back of my car and the Widows get a good look at the man in my arms, there’s a fucking uproar. Men come at me, wanting to get their hands on Russo for all the bullshit that he’s brought to their doorstep.

Nic’s voice bounds through the warehouse. “LET HIM THROUGH.”

The Widows reluctantly stop coming for me, and I pass by them, more than aware of the automatic weapon that each of them holds. As I make my way through the throng of people, I glance around. Men are hiding up in the trellises of the roof with rifles, ready to take out any threat. I can’t help but feel that they’re as ready as they’re going to be, but the Wolves have been preparing for this. I’ll bet my whole fucking estate that they’re coming with bigger toys than these guys have.

“I need a fucking chair and cable ties,” I call out, strutting past the widows and going right to the front of the warehouse, and passing through the massive roller door.

I pull Russo off my shoulder and dump his heavy body to the ground as Nic presses his lips together before deciding to play it smart. He nods at one of his men, and the guy goes running. “What the fuck are you doing?” Nic demands, shooting his glare back at me.

“You want to survive this without losing your fucking men in a massacre? Then I suggest you shut the fuck up and help me tie this bastard to the chair,” I tell him, not bothering to flinch at the way the Widows begin to creep forward. They don’t like the tone I’m taking with their boss, but in the end, who really gives a fuck? I’m about to save their asses. They’re all just too fucking stupid to see it. God fucking knows Nic doesn’t deserve it, though. Not only is his bullshit with Ocean’s dad to blame for this, but he also killed my father, and for that, he still hasn’t been forgiven, nor will he ever be.

Nic clenches his jaw, holding his ground but as his guy comes racing back with the chair and cable ties, he has no fucking choice. He’s backed into a corner, and he knows there’s no way to win this.

The chair gets put down at my feet and I grab Russo’s limp body before slamming him into it. Nic instantly starts binding his wrists. “How the fuck is this supposed to help?” he demands, loud enough for his men to hear.

“When the Wolves come, do you really think they’re about to open fire on their fucking boss when fifty Widows are standing behind him with guns pointing at his head?” I question, raising my brow at his blank expression. “Yeah, I didn’t think so. They’re going to have to cover themselves to get him out of there, slowing them down and giving us the advantage.”

“Us?” he questions. “This ain’t your fight. Get the fuck out of here, rich boy.”

I scoff and look back at Kairo, Elijah, and Sebastian. “I’m not going anywhere,” I snarl, stepping up to him. “For some fucked up reason, Ocean still loves you four dickheads despite the bullshit you’ve put her through. You’re her family, and because of that, I stand with you.”

“Even though she’s one of them?” he demands, nodding at Russo.

“She’s one of them because you forced it on her after killing her father. That doesn’t mean that those other three dickheads aren’t still her brothers. If you four were to get hurt in this, she would never forgive herself, even though some of you deserve it.”

Nic stares at me for a short moment, before realizing that he’s quickly running out of time and has to make a decision now. Whether he likes it or not, I'm staying, because that’s the kind of man Ocean deserves. I’m not about to back out of this with my tail between my legs. I will stand and fight and save the lives of Ocean’s brothers.