“There have been shots fired at Dark Star,” I say, my voice sharp and clear. “We don’t have the details, but Agent Tate is on his way and has promised a full report. The likelihood of this being a random event is slim.” I meet each of their eyes one by one. “We need to get this cemetery cleared and expect anything as we try to get back downtown. It could be a distraction, a trap, or who knows what the fuck the plan is, but we need to be prepared.”
“I knew it!” Ivan says, his head swiveling in every direction, fear in his eyes. “They’re coming for her.”
“We don’t know that,” I snap, refusing to feed his worst-case-scenario speculation. “What I do know is that we need to get our asses home … safely. We’re sitting ducks in the open like this.”
“I say we make a procession,” Carlos suggests. “Unless they brought an army, there’s no way they’d be stupid enough to attack a show of force like that.”
I go quiet as I consider his plan. It’s a fucking smart one, I’ll admit. Yeah, it’ll attract attention if we move as a unit through the city, but it’ll also be an imposing visage. You’d have to be a fucking fool to consider attacking ten cars at once.
“I like it,” I bark. “Anyone have a better idea?”
Ivan’s gone quiet, his fear for Madeline paralyzing him, but Lorenzo nods in agreement. “Let’s do it.”
“Give the order,” I snap, eyeing Lorenzo and Carlos. “Ivan and I will take Piper and Madeline to the vehicles. I’m anxious to get them out of the open.”
My eyes fall to the two caskets, and I take a moment to silently bid farewell to two of the biggest influences over the span of my life. With my head bowed, I silently send them one final message: The Outfit mourns the loss of two great souls, but we are content to know you are together, wherever that may be. May you rest in peace.
Taking Piper’s hand, I lead her past Sergio and Cary, and I snap my fingers for them to fall in line. They aren’t Outfit members, but they are my personal security, and I’m not stupid enough to climb into a vehicle that’s been parked for any amount of time without it being thoroughly checked over, especially with this feeling coursing through me.
“Cary, do your magic,” I say, waving toward the two Hummers parked front to rear. “Make sure there are no explosives.”
His eyes light up like a kid in a candy store, and my jaw ticks. I know he doesn’t mean to be so giddy when it comes to performing acts to save our lives, but getting to play with his gadgets is his favorite thing to do. I watch, every muscle within me tense as he runs a handheld scanner through and underneath each car. When he’s done with the first, he takes out another item and uses it like a camera.
“It’s clear, Boss,” he says, attaching the last gadget to his belt.
I snatch him up by his shirt. “On my fucking life?”
“The only better thing I could use is a bomb-sniffing dog,” he assures, unaffected by the coldness in my voice or harshness of my grip.
“Get in and crank the engine.” I shove him away and stand still until the Hummer’s running and all seems well. “Now the other one,” I bark, pointing to the vehicle in which my brother will be riding.
As he follows my orders, I open the door and assist Piper inside, scooting my body as close to hers as possible. Every cell within me is charged and ready to defend against an unknown threat. My muscles are coiled and prepared to strike, and the monster is pacing his cage. We’re in the open and vulnerable to attack.
When Sergio climbs behind the driver’s seat, I bark, “Lay on the horn. It’s time to get this show on the road.”
The loud bellow breaks the tense silence and causes my men to pick up speed as they file into the other eight vehicles parked randomly along the drive. Three pull away and I instruct Sergio to fall in line behind them, watching as Cary pulls Ivan’s Hummer in line behind us. The final five SUVs bring a show of force to the rear, where an attack is most likely to come from.
The ride is spent in complete silence, my eyes constantly on alert as we traverse through the neighborhood and onto the interstate. Piper leans her head against my shoulder and stays quiet, recognizing my need to protect her at all costs. My phone buzzes from inside my suit jacket, and I pull it out to read the text.
Two pigs taking up the rear
I smirk and slip my phone back into my pocket, catching Piper’s eye. “It seems your father has offered his own little protection detail.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “Can he do that?”
“Not in so many words.” A chuckle rumbles in my chest. “I’m sure he coined it as surveillance, considering they don’t want any of us near Dark Star right now.”
“I hope this is all a misunderstanding,” she says softly, her eyes falling closed as she leans her head against my chest. “I don’t want innocent people being hurt in our place.”
I brush my hand along her back. “Piper,” I say sternly. “They can
