Caine seems to have noticed the change and he steps in beside me, our issues forgotten for the moment while our interest is piqued.
“We need to get to the plane and fly to New York,now,“ he growls. “Leave your bullshit here.”
Nathaniel shoves his way between us, not saying anything more, storming toward the front door as headlights light up the front of the mansion.
“My guys found Martinez,” Lion says, his face filled with tension. “He’s being held in the basement of my building. I’ll fill you in more on the way.”
My chest tightens as I absorb that information. They have the man who took her from me. The man who killed both of my parents is in our fucking grasp.
And that fucker is mine.
I switch on the safety and tuck the gun back into my pants, breaking into a run as the others follow. My arms pump as if running fast is going to get me there faster. When it seemed like we didn’t even have a ghost of a chance at finding Malia, this falls into our laps.
I’m coming for you, baby.
28
Nathaniel
Fiveofusstorminto Lion’s building and stuff ourselves into an elevator that would not seem so small if four large men were not occupying it, with only one small woman who looks more comfortable in her tiny space than any of us could.
Lion had a helicopter collect us at the tarmac so we could avoid New York’s traffic and get to his building as soon as possible. We descend from the very top to the very bottom at what feels like a snail’s pace. Tension and anticipation roll through us all as the bloodthirst builds with every floor we pass.
When we finally reach the basement, the elevatorpingsto signal it has reached its destination, and Lion shoves at the doors as soon as they begin to open. As a unit, we all step out into the concrete hallway, flanking each other with the same intention. That intention finally pulling us together rather than driving us apart. For the first time, no one shoves anyone else to beat on his chest, proclaiming how much bigger his dick is than everyone else’s. For the first time, even with the heightened tension, we are a united front for my baby girl.
And that is just what we will need when we face Rico Martinez. I have no doubt he will work to rile these boys up, play on their love for my girl for his satisfaction. I may not know the man personally, but I know enough men in this dark world to understand how shit like this works.
I have brought enough men to their knees and their only weapon is using what I care about against me. It may not have always been Malia when very few knew who she was. Now, we have no idea what has happened to her within these last four months.
Or if she is even still alive.
My chest tightens as we close in on the door that separates us from the one man who has single-handedly ripped so much from the majority of our group.
But if anyone deserves Martinez’s blood, it is Liam.
For Nadya, for Joey, for his sister, for his Nonna, and now for his future wife.
Liam breaks away from us, bursting through the door. His legs eat up the ground of the large empty warehouse, arms pumping as he beelines for Rico Martinez, who is bleeding in a corner. None of us stop him, we all know what he lost. We have all seen his pain, whether we like each other or not, we all have one thing in common—Malia. And now, with Malia there will always be Liam.
I know full well he is it for her.
I did not need to be around them to realize it. I only needed to see, to listen, to pay attention. Little by little Liam chipped away at my daughter’s guarded heart. Which would be a daunting task for any man.
He never once gave up on Malia even when he thought he hated her.
And he still continues to fight for her without the certainty that we will end this with her alive and whole, with us again.
I am no fool, I know the chances of Malia surviving this long are slim to none. Should she be alive, I will hand her a knife to flay my skin from my body for even doubting her.
Liam pulls himself away from a groaning Rico Martinez as we all line up to take in our prey.
I like order. I like tactical.
This is how things are supposed to be done properly. All of these men I have known as boys, who hold animosity toward each other, have finally come together for Malia.
This is what we needed all along.
“Rico Martinez,” I drawl, dragging my enemy’s name out and tasting every bitter syllable. Liam comes to stand next to me and I take in Martinez’s condition.