I got up and gave Earl a forced smile. “The last few weeks took a toll on me, Earl. That’s all. I just want to get my hands on Vitiello before he slips away.”
“He can’t. Not this time. Now let’s celebrate.”
I followed him toward the bar and shared a couple of drinks with the club, to put their suspicions to rest and as a goodbye to those who wouldn’t survive.
I’d sworn to get revenge on Luca Vitiello, to make him bleed emotionally and later, physically. I wanted him to suffer as much as I’d suffered.
Marcella had been the means to an end. She was meant to be the ransom we needed to get our hands on Vitiello. I’d despised her before I’d known her, and now this woman owned me in a way I should have never allowed. I hadn’t seen it coming but I should have. Marcella Vitiello was a woman unlike any I’d encountered before.
And today I’d betray my club for her. I’d give up my life goal for her. And maybe I’d even lose my life for her. I’d never thought anything could ever be worth it, least of all a woman. Relationships come and go in a biker’s life, the only lasting bond was that to your club and its brothers, but with Marcella I knew I wanted it to be an until death do us part kind of thing. Of course, death would likely do us part very soon.
She was worth it. Fuck. I knew it now. I’d die a thousand deaths for her.
Taking a last deep drag, I flicked away my cigarette. It was around ten in the morning, and I’d come out here after celebrating with my brothers last night, instead of going to bed. I couldn’t sleep and also couldn’t face Marcella. I needed time to think. Today Marcella was supposed to move back to the kennels, as far away from me as possible. Earl had granted me a few more hours for a fuck with her before she’d be fair game. I’d strolled the premises, had checked the fence, but it was guarded heavily.
I grabbed my phone, then stared down at it as the first sunrays of the cloudy day touched the ground beside my feet. Too many guards surrounded the perimeter for me to save Marcella alone. Fuck.
My pulse pounded when I dialed the number of Vitiello’s nightclub where he had his office. I’d never talked to him before. That had always been Earl’s privilege as prez.
After a few minutes, I was finally put through to the Capo’s cell phone because he wasn’t in the club. I wasn’t surprised that he wasn’t at work. He and his men probably worked 24/7 for a way to save Marcella. “What do you want?” Vitiello asked. His voice was tight with suppressed rage. I could imagine what he wanted to do to me, and I probably deserved it. But Vitiello was the last one who should judge anyone. “You better listen carefully because what I’m telling you next is where you can find Marcella.”
I gave him the address, then added, “You should hurry if you want to protect your daughter from more harm.”
“We both know it’s a fucking trap,” Vitiello growled.
“Does it matter? You’d die for her. This is your chance to prove it.”
He didn’t deny it, and for the first time in my life, I had something in common with my worst enemy. The funny thing was the person probably going to lose his life was me. If Vitiello attacked our clubhouse with the full force of his soldiers, none of us would survive. A quick death was all we could hope for and would probably be denied. “Be quick. Earl has more in store for your daughter.”
“I’ll tear you all apart,” he growled, but I hung up before he could elaborate on his promise. I’d seen what he was capable of.
I sagged against the wall of the shed, staring up at the sky. It was ironic that the sun came out now that I’d decided to destroy the one thing I’d clung to all my life. Then I dragged my eyes to the tattoo of the hellhound on my upper arm. I’d been born into the club. I’d loved it with all my heart, had sworn my loyalty and life to it and my club brothers, but in only a few weeks Marcella had turned my life upside down. Her kidnapping had shown me Tartarus’ ugly head, one I always tried to ignore. I’d still fight at my club brothers’ side and try to kill Vitiello once Marcella was safe. I wanted to help her not spare him.
I pushed away from the wall and went in search of my half-brother. He needed to get away from here before Luca arrived. I found Gray, Gunnar, Cody, and a few others gathered around the table, playing poker, most of them looking like death warmed over from drinking too much. Some of these men were like my friends. They didn’t deserve death, but if I told them about what lay ahead, they’d tell Earl, and he would evacuate everyone and bring Marcella to a new hiding place. Only this time, I wouldn’t be able to protect her. I only had this one chance and I wouldn’t fuck it up for anyone.