Ruthless Saints

She turns to me, her hands opening and closing into fists.

The guy drags himself up off the floor, and then I shout, “MJ! Watch out!”

Bringing her elbow back, she slams it into his gut, knocking the air from his lungs, then she rolls her eyes, shaking her head at me. “Some people just don’t learn.”

I lift my hands in a what-the-hell motion. I can’t believe he just attacked her, but now I know she can definitely handle herself.

MJ turns to the guy. “Leave before I get angry.”

“Bitch,” he gasps as he struggles back onto his feet. “You’re going to regret this.”

“Oh, I already do,” she says, actually looking bored.

We watch as he staggers away from us, and then I turn my shocked gaze to MJ. “You’re going to teach me how to fight like that.”

A smile splits over her face. “Any time.”

She keeps glancing at the guy as she takes hold of my hand and pulls me in the opposite direction. “Now I’m starving. We need to get a pizza each.”

“You were badass,” I say. “Pizza is definitely on me.”

Then she reminds me, “Only doing my job.”

CARSON

When I started searching for info on Dimpo, I found more than I bargained for. She was handpicked.

I press play on the video Lekgari sent me, and the corners of my mouth lift as I listen to her laughter while she runs to her mother. I watch them embrace, her mother crying harder than I’ve ever heard anyone cry before.

‘Dimpo wave at the camera,’ Lekgari calls out.

She turns, and with her innocence intact and a happy smile, she waves. ‘Thank you, mister.’

Lifting my eyes, I scan over the information I got on the man who ordered Dimpo.

Eduardo Beuno.

Fuck I hate Columbia, but if I don’t kill him, he might try to kidnap Dimpo again.

Picking up my phone, I dial Alexei’s number.

“You okay?”

“Yes,” I let out a chuckle. “I have a contract for you.”

“Just forward me the details, and I’ll look at it,” he replies absentmindedly.

“No, I mean I want to hire you,” I explain.

My brother grunts. “Who pissed you off, and why can’t you do it yourself?”

“Eduardo Beuno. He’s after a little African girl. I fucking hate Columbia, and you’re closer. Take him out for me.”

“You want me to take out the head of the Beuno cartel?” he asks incredulously.

“I’m sending you a video. Watch it before you say no.”

“Okay.”

We end the call, and I forward the video of Dimpo to Alexei’s phone.

Five minutes later, my phone vibrates.

Alexei: Contract accepted. Fee: A lifetime supply of vodka.

I let out a chuckle and type my reply.

Carson: Thank you.

Alexei: You did good. Proud of you.

Setting my phone down, I let out a sigh of relief.

I watch the video again, taking in Dimpo’s surroundings. It looks terrible where she lives, and my heart constricts.

I grab my phone again and text Lekgari.

Koslov, Carson: Find out everything you can about Dimpo and her mother.

A couple of minutes later, he responds.

Lekgari, George: Will let you know later.

Now I can focus on Hailey.

Just the thought of her makes my heartbeat speed up.

Rising to my feet, I leave the armory and walk to my bedroom so I can pack a bag. I really need to get the house in Croatia furnished so I can stay there.

Stepping off the plane, I walk to where my car is parked. I toss my travel bag in the backseat then slide behind the steering wheel.

In thirty minutes, I’ll see Hailey.

I steer the SUV in the direction of Rovinj, wondering how this conversation is going to play out between us. It can either go one of two ways, in my favor or epically shit.

I park the SUV by the docks where my yacht is, which I’m using as a temporary place to stay while in Rovinj.

With my eyes scanning over my surroundings, I head in the direction of Hailey’s apartment. When I’m close, I pull my phone from my pocket and send her a text.

Carson: Where are you?

Only when I’m outside the building does she reply.

Hailey: I see you. Up ahead.

My head snaps up, and the corner of my mouth lifts at the sight of her coming down the road with MJ by her side.

Not getting to see her made the past week extra long.

When Hailey’s close enough, she teases me, “I saw you first. You’re losing your touch.”

“No, you’re just getting better.”

We stare at each other.

“Hi. Bye,” MJ says as she keeps walking.

I nod in her direction, my eyes not leaving Hailey, then I whisper, “It’s been too long.”

To my surprise, she moves closer to me, and opening her arms, she says, “I think this qualifies as a hugging moment.”

I dart forward and sweep her up against me, burying my face in her hair. I press a kiss to her neck and then just hold her, taking in the feel of her in my arms.