“That’s a serious accusation.”
“I’m aware,” I snarl.
“Don’t put me in the position of having to defend them.”
“I’m sure most of them are loyal,” I say. “And I know how this looks. I fly in after a thirteen-year absence and start accusing our own men of fucking around. I’m very aware that it doesn’t look good. So why would I do it unless I truly believed we have a breach?”
Tension and worry flits across Kian’s face as he stands in the face of my logic. “Fuck,” he growls unhappily. “I’m not saying I don’t believe you…”
“You don’t have to believe me. How about for now, you just trust me?”
Kian sighs. “I suppose I have no choice. You are acting don.”
I smile. “Music to my ears,” I reply. “So let’s get going.”
“Slowly,” Kian barks, reaching for his crutches.
“Ah. When I say, ‘Let’s get going,’ I mean that in spirit,” I say. “You’re staying put, little brother.”
“Are you fucking serious?”
“What do you want me to do?” I say. “You can barely walk.”
“I can still shoot.”
“Kian, if you were in my position, what would you do?”
Kian rolls his eyes, and for a moment, I see the ten-year-old kid I’d never said goodbye to. “Fine, motherfucker. I’ll stay put.”
I clap him on the shoulder. “Good man. You can coordinate from here,” I tell him. “And keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. I want a contingent of men around the mansion’s walls. We need to make sure this place is secure.”
“I’m on it,” Kian grumbles, sitting back down and grabbing the phone.
And just like that, it begins.
* * *
Within the next half hour, I’ve got fifty men all rounded up. They’ve gathered in the private driveway, standing in front of the armored vehicles we’re driving to the Cavern.
Rhys, Rory, and Collin are standing at the front of the chaos. All of the men are wearing confused expressions on their faces.
And I know why.
They’ve been told to get in full gear. Bulletproof vests. Combat armor. Protective shields. The works.
I’ve told them to prepare for war, but they haven’t been briefed on anything else. That’s intentional on my part.
If there is a mole in the team, I don’t want them tipping off the other side.
But the time has come. One more speech before we launch a bloody fucking massacre on the bastards who took my parents.
“This is a rescue operation,” I announce to the assembled soldiers.
Most look instantly excited. A few look wary.
I notice that Rory is in the latter group.
“I’ve found the location at which my parents are being held,” I tell them. “And we’re going to get them back. We attack with full force. No mercy shown and no quarter given. Just work your trigger fingers, stay together, move in formation. We get in, we grab them, and we get out again. Is that understood?”