Like before, I was with Hawk, Shotgun, Widow, and Davies. Since we were chosen to enter through the back of the house, Shotgun led us down the backside of Antonio’s property, and once we were in position, we worked together to scale the wall, which was no easy feat. The damn thing was a fucking monster, and even with Shotgun and Widow’s help, I struggled. By the time I finally made it over, I was scratched from head to toe.
Once he’d made sure that we’d all cleared the wall, Shotgun charged forward and announced, “Time to see about that guard.”
Hawk nodded, then we all followed as Shotgun led us towards the house. While the sun was setting, there was still some light outside, but we were able to use the trees and heavy shrubbery as cover as we approached the back door. As soon as we were close enough, Shotgun stepped out of the shadows and caught the guard's attention.
The guard tried to reach for his weapon, but it was too late.
Shotgun had already taken his shot and sent a bullet piercing through the guy’s head. As soon as his lifeless body hit the ground, Shotgun gave us the signal that the guard was down. Hawk quickly glanced back at us and whispered, “Looks like it’s time to move, boys. Let’s do this thing.”
Widow, Davies, and I followed Hawk through the trees and thick shrubbery, then up to the back porch. Shotgun waited a moment, giving us each a second to mentally prepare; then he eased the door open and we stepped inside.
We’d barely had a chance to see that we were in the service kitchen area when two large men in suits came charging toward us. While they had their weapons drawn, they looked surprised to find us there. I used that moment of shock to my advantage and started shooting, taking out the biggest of the two with the first shot and wounding the second.
As soon as they were down, Hawk charged over and knelt down next to the guy I’d shot in the chest. He placed the barrel of his gun at his head as he growled, “Where’s the girl?”
“You made a mistake coming here,” the guy barked. “You’re as good as dead.”
“Answer the fucking question!” Hawk demanded.
When he refused to comply, Hawk pulled the trigger, killing the guy instantly. We were checking to see if anyone else was coming when there was a loud uproar coming from the front of the house. Concerned by what Viper and the others might be facing, Widow turned and started out of the room.
As he disappeared through the doorway, he shouted, “You guys head upstairs without me. I’ll join you when I can.”
Hawk nodded, then followed Shotgun over to the base of the stairs. The stairs curved upward, making it difficult to see what was up ahead. We’d almost reached the top when a shot was fired, and I felt a familiar searing pain flash across my bicep. I glanced down at my arm, and even though it was just a simple graze, I was pissed I’d actually been hit. “Goddamn it!”
I looked behind me and spotted a heavy-set guard trudging up the stairs with a winded pant. When I realized he was the one who’d shot me, I aimed my gun directly at his head and squeezed the trigger. Seconds later, he collapsed, and his lifeless body rolled down to the foot of the stairs. Clearly amused by what had transpired, Hawk glanced down at me with a smirk and asked, “You all right down there?”
“Better now.” I motioned my hand to the bottom of the stairs as I said, “Can’t say the same for him.”
“No, that asshole has seen better days.”
Without any further interruptions, we continued our trek upstairs. When we reached the second floor, I wasn’t surprised to find that the place was decorated to the hilt. There were lavish chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and expensive artwork on every wall. When we went into the first bedroom, it was just as extravagant as the rest of the house—oversized with large windows, pretentious furniture, and obnoxiously expensive bedding.
The whole room was over the top, but I expected nothing less from a man like Antonio. We quickly scanned the room, and when we didn’t see anyone, we moved on to the next. As soon as we entered the second room, I was immediately put off kilter by both the odd smell and the furnishings. There was a bed in the corner with nothing but a thin set of sheets covered in stains, and the wood flooring was scratched and in dire need of repair.
At first glance, the room seemed empty, but as we made our way further into the room something strange caught my eye. I stepped over to the window and immediately spotted a familiar pair of white tennis shoes poking out from behind the floor-length drapes. It took me a second to register where I’d seen them, but then it hit me. “Everleigh? Is that you?”
“Billy?” Everleigh eased the curtain back, and relief washed over her face the second she saw it was me. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around me as she whispered, “Thank God it’s you.”
“What the hell are you doing here?”
Hawk lowered his weapon as he grumbled, “I was just about to ask the same fucking thing.”
“She came for me,” Kiersten answered as she stepped out of the closet.
“Holy shit!” Hawk stepped to the side as I rushed over to Kiersten and grabbed her in a bear hug. “Kiersten! Are you okay?”
“Better now that you guys are here.”
“I gotta let Viper know that we found you.” Hawk took out his phone and sent a message to Viper. He turned back to Kiersten as I asked, “You sure you’re okay? They didn’t hurt you or...”
“I’m fine, Dad. Really.”
The words had barely left her mouth when a young man wearing a dark suit stepped out of the closet and stood behind Kiersten. I pushed Kiersten out of my way, then lifted my gun and prepared to shoot. I was just about to pull the trigger when Everleigh lunged in front of him and said, “No, wait! Please! He’s with us!”
“What the fuck are you talking about? He’s one of them... He’s one of DeLuca’s boys.”
“Yes, but he’s not like them.” Everleigh turned to me as she said, “This is Matteo. You know, the one I told you about.”