“I agree. He moved the girls from the warehouse last night and they are now in the penthouse with him.”
“Do we know what tipped him off?” Caliber asks. I look each of them in the eye before I answer, wanting them to know I have no remorse.
“I killed one of his men. I caught him going through my woman's apartment. He is how I know most of this information. I might have left him a message by sending him one of his fingers in a box.”
“That was a rookie move.” One of the guys says, chuckling until he realizes no one is laughing with him.
“What the fuck did you just say to my brother?” Jak’s back straightens. I watch as he expands his chest, clearly pissed and feeling disrespected.
“I..” he stops and clears his throat before continuing. “I was just saying you might have played your hand too soon and given away an advantage.” I don’t disagree with that, but at the moment, I could only see red. I could only picture what would have happened if she was home.
“Who the fuck are you to question him? He may not be a DeSantis by blood, but he is by allegiance. He will be giving the orders beside me. You better get used to it, Bronco. He is your boss. Disrespect is punishable by death when you are walking behind me. This is your one and only warning.” he finishes by looking at everyone, making sure they know he is talking to them. “Anyone have a problem with that, tell me now so we can rectify the situation.”
Everyone shakes their head, letting him know they are with us. Releasing a deep breath, I see Nose, his face tense and apprehensive. He knows firsthand what happens when someone goes against my brother. Nose has been there for some of Jakub’s infamous interrogations and retribution moments. Hell he can’t talk about most of them without dry heaving.
“My thought is that we get to our drop zones. I have walkie talkies for everyone. Once my guy tells me the system has been disarmed in his penthouse, we hit our spots simultaneously and do what the fuck we need to do. I got word there is a bounty on Aisling. There is a price for her return to him. We have to do this tonight. I want him alive.”
“Then let’s move.” Jak says, dispersing the players. My phone rings and I see it is Aisling. My instinct is to pick it up and hear her sugary sweet voice. I want to bask in the warm honey of the very essence of her, but I hit ignore. I can’t go soft right now. I have to stay hard and focused. “Are you alright?” He asks as we drive to the location we are headed too.
“I am fine. I just want this over with so I can move on with my woman and son.” he shakes his head and grips the steering wheel.
“I just can’t get over my little brother having a baby.”
“Yeah. Especially before you. I’m surprised little sis is not already knocked up.” he chuckles and shakes his head.
“Not for lack of trying.”
“Figured.”
“In position.” I hear in the walkies. “Boss. What’s your ETA?”
“Pulling up. Does everyone know the game plan? The girls are positioned by me. So is the snake. Your job, neutralize the minions and find out any information you can. We will grab the snake and rescue the hostages. Everyone ready?”
“Yes Boss.”
“You got it Boss.”
“Let’s get this bastard.” They all sound off. I watch my brother stretch his neck and crack his knuckles. I am simply waiting for my guy to tell me the alarms have been disabled. Taking a moment, I turn to my brother.
“Thank you Jak.” he looks at me earnestly, clearly not sure what I am talking about.
“For what?”
“For always having my back. For showing me what a man is supposed to look like. For taking such good care of me and mom no matter what.”
“Zef, those are things you never have to thank me for. I have told you once and a million times. You and mom are my life. That hasn’t changed since I found my woman. It just added another person I am bound to protect. I love you little brother. Now let’s go make the streets safe for your woman.” Right as he says it my phone dings and the message I was waiting for comes through.
“It’s showtime boys.” My brother, Nose, Stallion, Lo and myself get out of the car. Jakub and Nose take up the rear, with Lo providing cover from a nearby hill with Stallion and myself going through the front door. We all have to go through stairwells to the top. The elevator is too risky. It opens right up into his place.