Darkness Embraced (Hades Hangmen 7)

“The Hangmen Mute,” Valdez said. “I’ve heard of you. I’m glad we finally got to work together.”

I lifted my hands and signed, “Is the Quintana cartel yours?” Ky spoke for me.

“It is.”

I stared at the fucker with slicked-back hair and an expensive suit. “Where is she?” I tried to see inside the other cars. I couldn’t see any sign of Adelita.

Valdez shook his head. “She wasn’t there.” I tensed, and the muscle in my jaw twitched. I glared at this fucker. He must have seen I was still caught in bloodlust and was a second from slitting his throat, as he held up his hands. “We had a deal, Mr. Nash. You wanted the girl alive. For me to not kill her. I gave my word. She wasn’t at the hacienda.”

“Diego Medina?” Ky asked.

“Fled. Alone, we believe.” My teeth ground in fury. “He won’t get far. My men are everywhere. He has no allies and nowhere to go that will offer him safety. It won’t be long until he is discovered . . . and then he will be dealt with.”

“Adelita? Where would she be?” Ky pushed.

Valdez shrugged. “She was gone when we arrived. I don’t know where. Maybe she escaped herself before we got to the hacienda.”

I stepped forward and got right in this fucker’s face. I saw his men move. Mine moved faster, their guns drawn and fucking braced. “If I find out you killed her, if you touched one fucking hair on her head, I’ll kill you myself.” Ky spat out my threat to Valdez.

Fucker didn’t react. “I believe you, Mr. Nash. But we made a deal and I saw it through. I never killed the girl.” He shrugged. “Who is she without her father anyway? She’s of no consequence to me now.” Valdez nodded to one of his men, who moved to the car and opened the door, then looked to me. “I hope we can work together again in the future, Mr. Nash. We will take care of Diego Medina as agreed. We will make contact with you when it’s done.”

Valdez got in the car and drove the fuck away. As he disappeared from sight, Ky got in my face. “You need to tell me now why the fuck you suddenly give a shit about Tanner’s bitch this much. And don’t fucking lie to me.”

I could see my brothers watching, waiting for an explanation. The Diablos were too. Chavez was close by. Where the fuck was she? And how the fuck did we even find her now?

“Styx!” Ky hissed. “Fucking tell me!”

Raising my hands, I signed, “She’s my sister. She’s my fucking sister.” Ky’s face paled, and his mouth dropped open. I nudged my head in Chavez’s direction. “And she’s his sister too.”

“What?” Chavez asked, and came walking over. “What did you say?”

Ky’s confusion suddenly cleared. “Fuck . . . your mama and Sanchez had a kid?” I jerked my head “yes.” “Adelita?” He shook his head.

“How the fuck did Adelita end up with Quintana? What the fuck, Styx?”

Chavez was stock still.

I didn’t have time for this shit. “Keep watch for any other Nazis. We’re going to get Tanner and the others,” I signed to Chavez, who still hadn’t moved. Ky told them what I’d said, then followed me to a truck that Crow had gotten ready for us. I nodded at Crow and got in the driver’s side.

Turning the engine on, I hightailed it to this fucking safe house. It was about time these Nazi fuckers died. Then we could search for Adelita.

We’d hunt for my fucking little sister.

Chapter Fifteen

Adelita

My head hurt as I opened my eyes. My heart raced as a dark room came into view. Voices murmured in scratchy tones, like they were off in the distance . . . no, they were coming from a radio. I blinked when I saw a dim light to my right. I didn’t recognize where I was.

Then my throat clogged with a mix of happiness and relief when I saw who was sitting under the light. “Luis . . .” I whispered. Luis lifted his head from the radio speakers. His hand was playing with the controls.

Luis came over and sat beside me. “Lita . . .” he said, and smiled. Taking hold of my hand, he gave me a glass of water. I took a sip and winced at the simple act of swallowing. Diego . . . the beatings he had given me . . .

I ached all over. I was so tired . . .

“Sleep, Adelita. You’re safe now. It’s all over. You’re free.” I didn’t know what Luis meant. I watched him go back to the radio and turn the knobs. Men’s voices came through the speakers, and I realized he was listening to conversations. We weren’t in his chapel, either. He must have seen my confusion. “Working for your father taught me many things over the years, Lita. I learned quickly how to be sure we were safe. Wiretapping. Secret hideouts.” His smile fell. “Valdez has taken the house. The factories. I took you before they could get to you.” My heart fell, and a surge of panic seized my body. “I heard the plans from Valdez’s men through this. I arrived at your home just before they did. In the commotion of the takeover, I got into your rooms and took you away.” He smiled. “There were a couple of tunnels they didn’t close. Diego never knew about them.” A tear slipped from my eye. Luis came over and wiped it away. “The Hangmen are here, Lita. In Mexico. They have come for you and Tanner.”

“Tan . . . ner?” Fear for him made me try to move. Luis guided me back down to the couch when I hissed out in pain. My ribs . . . my stomach . . . everything hurt. My heart worst of all. “The Hangmen have taken the Klan’s camp.” He nodded enthusiastically. “They’ll save him, Lita. I’m sure of it.”

“He came . . . after . . . me . . .?” My lip wobbled, and my heart ached when I thought of how I left him . . . and what he’d risked to come and get me. “He came . . . after me . . .”

“I’ll make contact with the Hangmen as soon as it’s safe.”

“Thank you . .

.” I whispered. “Thank you so much . . .”

“Sleep, Lita. Heal. You’re safe. You’re finally safe . . .”

Chapter Sixteen

Tanner

I was pulled to my feet by Kenny and Lars. These fuckers wouldn’t have dared even look at me when I was in the Klan. Now, they were dragging me to stand after beating the shit out of me for hours.

I stood fucking tall. I wouldn’t let these assholes see me weakened. They walked me down a hallway. Kenny hammered on a door. I didn’t know who the fuck was beyond it. I’d been met at the border by these two assholes and taken to some camp in the middle of nowhere. Last night, I was put in a truck and brought here—wherever this was. I hadn’t once seen my father or uncle. I hadn’t seen Wade . . . and I hadn’t seen Beau.

“Come in,” someone called, and I immediately recognized my father’s voice.

This was it.

This was fucking it.

My father wasn’t gonna let me go. I’d expected to feel more. I’d expected to want to fight. To fucking survive. But Adelita was gone . . . I didn’t give a fuck what these assholes did to me now.

They couldn’t kill an already dead man.

Kenny opened the door, and I was thrown inside. I quickly righted myself, refusing to fall at their feet. My hands were tied behind my back. The door shut, and I lifted my head. Across the room, I saw them. My father, in his usual suit—all business and politics. Landry, snarling my way . . . and Beau. Beau was staring at me with no fucking expression on his face at all.

Wade was present too. Wade, who had been my contact all this time, was sitting in the corner. He was glaring at me. Playing the perfect little Nazi in front of my father, uncle, and Beau.

“Tanner,” my father said and got to his feet. He came toward me. The second he stood before me he punched me square across the face. My head snapped back. But I made damn fucking sure my feet didn’t move. I wouldn’t give this prick the pleasure of bettering me.