Book Title: Enemy Mine

Series: Westford Series book 1

Copyright © 2024 Davidson King

Website: https://www.davidsonking.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Cover design by: Black Jazz Design

Editing done by: Flat Earth Editing

Proofreading provided by: Flat Earth Editing and Anita Ford

Formatting provided by: Ron Perry Graphic Design

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or mechanical means, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval systems, without express written permission from the author, Davidson King. The only exception is in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual places and events, the names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book’s interior or exterior was designed or written using A.I.

Licensed material is being used for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted in the licensed material is a model.

TRADEMARK

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or in any means – by electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise – without prior written permission, except in the case of the brief quotations embodied in the critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. All products and/or brand names mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective holders/companies.

TRADEMARK NOTICE

All products and/or brand names mentioned are registered trademarks of their respective holders/companies.

TRIGGER WARNINGS

Please read if you want Trigger Warnings. I know some Trigger Warnings can be spoilerish so bypass this if you wish not to know:

Violence, mentioned homophobia, death of secondary character (s), some mild torture.

AUTHOR’S NOTE

Fred was first introduced in Secret Simon. While he was created in the Haven Hart Universe this book does not take place in Haven Hart. You will see glimpses of characters from there but this is not their story. It is recommended you read Secret Simon, Head Rush, and Law of Retaliation but not required. I feel I’ve done a good job covering all my bases but if you’re someone who wants to make sure you’re not missing anything, that would be the order.

SYNOPSIS

Imagine heading the entire Irish Mafia…and despising it.

Fred Brennan’s father was a brutal man, both professionally and personally. When the kingpin died a few years ago, Fred welcomed it, but not the brutal role he was thrust into. As a successful doctor, he’s devoted his life to helping people in a career he loves. The last thing he wants is to continue to fill his father’s shoes, but after three years, he’s no closer to offloading his dad’s title onto someone else. As a mafia boss, he’s forced to deal with the elite assassin organization, Lex Talionis…bringing him face to face with the infuriating man who runs it.

As head of Lex Talionis, secrecy is vital to Vincenzo Belini and his organization. Nothing could coax him into the light to reveal himself to Fred. That is until dangerous adversaries emerge from the shadows, all vying for Fred’s life. Vincenzo knows the enemy is closer than Fred realizes. He just has to convince Fred he’s not one of them because for as much of a pain Fred can be, Vincenzo is exactly the right man to keep him focused—both in and out of the bedroom.

Someone is threatening Fred’s throne, power, and all the responsibilities that come with the title. Despite Fred not wanting any of these things, he can’t let them fall into the wrong hands. Can he rely on Vincenzo to help take down the growing enemy and give Fred the happy ending he’s always wanted?

GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND PRONUNCIATIONS

Lex Talionis (leks-ˌtä-lē-ˈō-nis ): law of retribution in kind : an eye for an eye

Praeses (PREE-seez ): placed before" or "at the head” : This is the President of Lex Talionis

Colonellus (Co- lo-nel-us): Second in command. Second to the Praeses of Lex Talionis

Generalis (Ghen-era-leese): General. Third to the Praeses of Lex Talionis

Excercitus (Ex-sare-k-tus): Army. Soldiers of Lex Talionis

Order of the Irish Mafia

Boss

Right Hand

Driver

Lieutenants

Shot Callers

Enforcers

Aine’s name is pronounced (On-ya)

PROLOGUE

Fred

My life was a series of bad events leading to worse and ending with the most awful thing you could think of. Nothing worked out for me, and the moment it appeared it would, I’d simply say, “Stick around a minute and watch it all burn.”

I sipped my coffee as I looked out onto the garden. Most people couldn’t say they’d died before. I had…a few times. Each time I’d seen no light, no hope, nothing. But I’d always wished that someday I wouldn’t survive death. I had dreams of being a doctor, and I’d fulfilled that. But it was literally all I had to live for…and wasn’t that sad? I’d lost everything that had meant anything to me. It had been shredded and the little I’d held dear, ripped from my grasp.

I stood and walked over to the rosebush. The scent evoked a rare happy memory from my childhood…running through my grandmother’s garden, my Sunday clothes covered in dirt and tiny tears from the thorns. I’d giggle as she chased me, yelling with no threat in her voice. Until I was eight, I’d gone to her house during the spring months when there was no one to watch me, and those had been my favorite times. It was probably why spring was my favorite season. Two birds flew overhead, dancing in a spiral maneuver and I smiled as I thought about my grandmother.

With a sigh, I went to the table and once again took my coffee in hand.

“Your company is here,” Timothy, one of my staff, announced. I turned and smiled when I saw Rush and Simon walking over.

“Thank you guys for coming. Please, sit. Are you thirsty, hungry?”

“We’re good—just curious why you called us here.” Rush sat, and Simon took the seat beside him.

“I haven’t seen you both for a while…since the funeral, anyway, and my life has been sort of a mess for the last year…but also wonderful.”

Their expressions were warm. “We’ve heard some things but honestly, aside from whatever Snow and Pops mention, we aren’t too familiar with everything.” Simon shrugged. “Are you okay?”

“I wasn’t.” I sighed. “I’ve been through a lot in my short life. I’d hoped it was over and I was going to find balance, but every time I did, something would pull the carpet out from under me.”

“We’d like to hear it all from you, Fred.” Rush reached over and patted my leg.

“Well, I suppose to properly tell you this story, I’ll have to start from the end.”

Simon cocked his head. “The end?”

“Yep, because it wasn’t until after I died, that my end became my beginning.”

Rush chuckled. “I have a feeling this will be good.”

I sat back and began.

“Once upon a time…”

“No,” Simon barked. “Be real.”

“Fine.” I rolled my eyes. “This is a story about betrayal, about my enemies, and how in the end what kills you are the things you refuse to see that have been in front of you the whole time.”

CHAPTER ONE

Fred

“Okay, Holden, ten stitches have done the job.” I nodded curtly. This was the fourth time in two months he’d been in the emergency room for reckless behavior. “After twenty-four to forty-eight hours, wash around the cut with clean water twice a day. Do not use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol like last time. It only slows the healing. You can cover the wound with a thin coating of petroleum jelly and a nonstick bandage. Apply more jelly and replace the bandage daily.”

“I know the drill, Doc.”

“Do you, Holden? Because I remember explaining to you that one day your daredevil stunts would lead you to the basement and not the emergency room.”

The sixteen-year-old grunted. “I’m gonna be famous, Doc, come on.”

I sighed as I sat back in my chair, stripped my gloves off, and tossed them into the trash. “Holden, I know your mom works three jobs and isn’t home a lot. But I can’t continue to ignore the fact that you’re getting seriously injured. I’m the chief resident, but I have superiors to answer to.”

“You can’t call child services, Doc, come on.” His once sarcastic, teenage expression morphed into sheer worry.

“Then stop trying to break every bone in your body. This is your last chance.” I rolled my seat closer, narrowed my eyes, and pointed right at his face. “And don’t think going to a different hospital will mean I won’t find out. I have eyes everywhere in Westford.”

His shoulders slump. “Yeah, okay, Doc. I’ll calm down.”

“Thank you. And maybe hug your mother. The poor woman hasn’t smiled in years. You’re going to put her in an early grave with your antics.”

“I will, Doc.”

“Sit tight; I’ll get the nurse.”

I pulled open the curtain and headed over to the nurses’ station, where Sherry was entering something into a tablet.

“You need me to call protective services, Dr. Brennan?”

“No, Sherry. He gave me his word he’d cool it. Once his mom arrives, go ahead and discharge him.”

She sighed and finally looked at me. “I get that you don’t want him to be taken from his mom, and they likely wouldn’t with how crowded everything is, but all these chances are one day gonna get him killed.”

“Questioning me, Sherry?” I quirked a brow at her. The familiar itch of irritation was crawling its way up my spine. Too many people questioned everything I said and did. The one place where I could be exactly what I wanted and thrive was supposed to be inside the walls of Crestfall Hospital.

“A little, but you’re the chief resident and you can do no wrong in Dr. Romali’s eyes.” Dr. Romali was my attending physician, and I wasn’t sure if it was the fact that he knew I was the boss of the Irish mob in these parts, or if he genuinely believed I was a great doctor, but he let me get away with a whole hell of a lot.

“Thanks, Sherry.” Without another word, I spun on my heel and moved on to the next patient.

As soon as my shift was over, I showered, changed, and made my way to the parking garage. Being the boss of the Brennan family, it was frowned upon that I drive myself anywhere. My uncle Sean damn near had a heart attack at me telling him I’d be fine on my own. I tried to compromise, but he was relentless. So, after every shift I would go to the parking garage like everyone else. Except, instead of hopping into a regular car alone, I would slip into a heavily secured SUV that had a driver who could kill a man seven different ways without breaking a sweat.

“Evening, Aiden.” I smiled as he held the door open for me.

“Good evening, Fred.” Aiden wasn’t a fan of referring to me by my first name, but I wouldn’t budge on that.

I buckled up, rested my head against the back of the seat, and closed my eyes. Eighteen-hour shifts were no joke.

“You have a meeting in four hours.” Aiden pulled away from the hospital parking garage, and I peeked at him through droopy eyes.

He was a good-looking man in his thirties. Next to my uncle Sean and my cousin, Aine, I trusted him the most. Hell, if not for Aine, he’d probably be the one to take over the family.

“I’m exhausted; can we reschedule it?”

“Sorry, sir. If we do that it will cause undue stress, and you know it. You wanted to continue your medical studies, and everyone was silent about it. You promised it wouldn’t interfere with family business. Don’t fall down that hole, because you won’t be able to climb out.”

He was right…he always was. I had advisors, but Aiden’s guidance was the only one I listened to aside from my uncle Sean.

“You’re right. But I’m sleeping for three hours and fifty-nine minutes.”

Aiden snorted. “Fair enough.”

“Make sure Aine and Uncle Sean are at the meeting.” My request was met with silence, so I lifted my head and met Aiden’s gaze in the mirror. “Problem?”

“Fred…the men don’t favor Aine, and the more you force her upon them, the stronger they’ll reject her.”

Gritting my teeth I answered, “It’s been three years since I agreed to take over for this family. You know it was never my dream. You also know Aine is qualified and would run this family better than I ever could. What, because she has tits and a pussy, her brain is less?”

“You know I think Aine is brilliant. That’s not what I’m saying. All I’m doing is giving you information. Finn was running his mouth last night at the poker game. Got Rowan and Oscar all riled up about how Aine is in places she isn’t supposed to be.”

Great. My lieutenants were gossiping about my choices…that couldn’t be good.

“They’re never going to accept her, are they?” I knew it in my heart. Aine had even confessed as much to me a few weeks ago—how the men wouldn’t look at her when she said anything in the meetings, most of them pretending she’d never uttered a word.

“No, Fred. They won’t.” Aiden was blunt, always had been, and it was a quality I valued greatly.

“Shit. Fine—can you call my uncle Sean and make sure he’s there? I’ll talk to him about the situation with Aine.”

“You got it, sir.”

After my father was killed…err…died, I’d refused to move into his mansion. I was raised in that house of horrors, was loved until he found out I was gay, and every day since that discovery had been a nightmare. Going off to Abernathy University was a reprieve I’d desperately grasped. Nightmares always found me, though, and the university was a different kind of terror.

I’d had the mansion torn down and rebuilt it into a haven I could call home. I would have been happy with a cottage, something small that didn’t feel ostentatious. Unfortunately, my uncle Sean had made it clear that a cottage would show weakness in the eyes of the family. “The bigger the better,” I was instructed.

Aiden pulled into the driveway and upon stepping out of the car, I stared up at the seven-thousand-square-foot monstrosity. It was beautiful, honestly—just too big. I had a part to play and if I didn’t play it right, they’d snuff me out without blinking.

“I’m going to go wash up again and pass out, Aiden. Wake me with enough time to look presentable for the meeting.”

“No problem. Want them in your study?”

I frowned as I took the steps up to the main entrance. “No, we’ll go to the club. I hate when those guys smoke in my house.”

“You got it.”

I was dead tired. I passed by staff who greeted me, but if I didn’t face-plant on my mattress soon, I was going to cry.

As it was, I forwent the shower since I’d gotten one at the hospital, and did exactly as I wanted. Full starfish on the mattress, I was out in seconds.

CHAPTER TWO

Vincenzo

Zion was staring me down. He’d never outright yell at me—that would be disrespectful, and he was nothing if not by the book.

“Is there a problem with my orders, Zion?”

His hand rubbed over his shaved head, and he sighed. “I will do as ordered, Praeses; it is my duty. But the last time you sent me to Westford to speak with Master Brennan, he told me he’d no longer meet with me until you have shown him the respect of a face-to-face.”

To Zion’s credit, he wasn’t wrong in his worry. Fred Brennan on his own wasn’t a huge threat to Lex Talionis. We were an elite, extremely large, assassin organization. I could order the destruction of the Brennan Clan, and they’d cease to exist. However, he had strong allies over in Haven Hart. If they teamed up with Fred, it would be cause for concern.

“I understand what he told you, Zion. But I have never met with the heads of any family, organization, or other. There’s a reason for that.”

He nodded and sat back in his chair. “Safety. I know.”

As praeses of Lex Talionis, it was imperative I remain cloaked. Many people would love to see me perish if only to force Lex Talionis to scramble in finding a new leader. It was how my predecessor had met his end. After we’d removed a criminal element from a Japanese-sanctioned territory—not hired, it was our duty to remove evil beings, ones whose time on this earth was toxic and gaining nothing—they’d wanted to thank the past praeses. Against my recommendation as his colonellus, he’d gone and the head of the Aikawa family had slit his throat.

They’d thought they’d take Lex Talionis for everything, but they’d been severely mistaken and now the Aikawa family was nothing but ashes and memories.

“Have you explained this to Fred?”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. The setting sun cast a peaceful glow over the garden, where Zion and I were sitting. His dark skin was flawless, his eyes sharp. He didn’t do it often, but his smile could end arguments. He was a beautiful man…and my closest friend.

“I suggest you do. The reason I can go to the movies, out to dinner, anywhere at all is because to the world I’m nobody. If every violent entity knew my face, it would be war, and I so hate wars.”

He pursed his lips and handed me a tablet.

“What’s this?”

“I will do as you order, Vincenzo, but you should be aware of some information I have uncovered regarding the Brennan family.”

I pressed the button, awakening the tablet. It was filled with notes, maps, and names. “Is there distress?”

“Very much so. I believe Fred is oblivious to it all.”

As I scrolled, only reading snippets of the extensive notes, I recognized all of the parties mentioned. While I knew what he looked like, I’d never been in Fred’s physical presence. I was, however, aware of his operation and those he surrounded himself with.

I’d said nothing to anyone, but Frederick Brennan was the most stunning man I’d ever seen. But that wasn’t what shrouded me in awe. It was his dream. He was a doctor, helping people live. His heart was too kind for the malignant nature of being a mafia boss. He was stuck in a position he didn’t want, but he held on in the hope his cousin would take over. A false hope. I suspected the reason he hadn’t simply run was twofold. One, he wanted to be a doctor, and being in hiding would crush that dream. Two, he feared what the Brennan family would do if he couldn’t keep an eye on them. He was noble, a man I’d swoop up and bring into Lex Talionis’s fold in a heartbeat…and into my bed.

“He doesn’t wish to lead.”

Zion hummed. “He might get his wish, but I fear it will deliver him to his death.”

“When you meet, perhaps share these insights with him.”

Zion held out his hand, and I placed the tablet in it. “Vincenzo, if he orders me to never return, it will sever the ties we have with Manos, Blackrose, and all of Haven Hart, as well as Fred Brennan.”

“It would be a cut he’d be making on his own. We could argue our side with the others involved.”

Zion tilted his head. “I understand the secrecy, but perhaps arrangements could be made in which Fred would come to you in private to meet.”

The idea of Fred coming to my home excited me more than I’d let Zion witness. “See how this meeting goes. If he’s pulling out of our alliance, call me and I will have an answer for you then. Right now I need to think.”

“Very well, sir. My plane leaves in the morning.”

“Safe travels.”

The morning draped a warm glow through the corridor leading to the basement. Every morning, I dressed, went over my daily schedule with my generalis, Aurora, and ate breakfast with my sister, Mary.

The stone steps spiraled, so narrow anyone unfamiliar would likely stumble upon descent. I’d lived in this estate for most of my life and could run up and down them with my eyes closed.

The basement was finished, beautifully decorated, warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and far more luxurious than my sister deserved. She should have been killed for her betrayal, but I couldn’t bring myself to do so; therefore she was a prisoner of Lex Talionis.

Two years ago, she’d stolen a chest full of Lex Talionis coins that were used as calling cards; we rested them upon our victims so everyone knew we’d been the executioners to whomever’s fate. She’d then hired mercenaries with no ties to Lex Talionis and posed as the elite assassin group.

She’d traveled to Haven Hart and ordered the deaths of deserving people but afterward, she’d targeted Christopher Manos, Terrence Blackrose (better known as Black), and Poe (the Hart heir)—pretty much the powerhouses of the entire area. And she’d done it in the name of Lex Talionis.

Mary Belini wanted to be part of my organization. As my sister, many thought I’d give her a pass to join, but she’d had to go through the same trials everyone else did. And she’d failed epically. She could fight but psychologically, she was unhinged. She had a problem with authority, and in the end, she’d been rejected. Her tyranny on Haven Hart was her way of trying to prove to me she could be part of the organization, but all it had done was convince me that my choice to refuse her entry was warranted.

“Good morning, Sister.” I walked over and sat at a table beside a large window.

“Right,” she grunted as she plopped into her chair across from me.

She was able to go outside under heavy guard, and only since a few months ago had she been allowed to eat with me minus bars between us. That said, we sat at a distance, and there were guards around the area.

“Sleep well?” I grabbed a piece of toast and began buttering it.

“We don’t need to do these pleasantries every morning, Vince.” She stabbed at her scrambled eggs, glaring at me.

“You know, Mary, any other praeses, and you’d be dead by now…even Father.”

She snorted, but there was a flash of fear there. “Why haven’t you killed me?” Her accent was thick, unlike mine. I was older and had come over to North America from Italy at the age of ten. I’d had the best tutors and schooling my parents could buy. Mary had stayed behind with our mother. When our mother died, Mary was twenty and Father had called her here.

“Do you want to die?” I sipped my coffee and regarded every flicker of emotion that crossed her face.

“I want to live, Vince. But you keep me prisoner here like a monster.”

Softly, I placed my cup down and leaned closer, though not too close. “You are a monster, Mary. You’ve disgraced Lex Talionis, and you are a problem. The fact that you are my sister and I love you is the only reason you breathe.” I sighed and pushed back. “It would break my heart, but if you want death, I will grant it.”

She didn’t say anything after that, and breakfast was silent. I would execute her should she ask, and I’d mourn her loss. But I’d get over the loss in time.

I was the praeses of Lex Talionis. Death was my business. The fact that my sister was still alive proved that love got in the way.

CHAPTER THREE

Fred

When I was a little boy and my mother was far too drunk to keep an eye on me, my father would bring me to his meetings. My earliest memory was at the age of five, and all I could recall was a ton of yelling, finger-pointing, and on occasion somebody throwing something against the wall.

At the last meeting I’d gone to with my dad, one of his lieutenants—Hank, who was now dead—had threatened a shot-caller for not making his quota. It had turned into an all-out brawl. That was the moment I’d realized I never wanted to be the boss of these buffoons.

It was a dead dream because here I was, seated at the head of a large rectangular table, listening to Finn, one of my lieutenants, call out two of Lorcan’s—a shot-caller—enforcers for not doing their job and kneecapping someone for nonpayment.

“You’re fuckin’ crazy, Finn. Jimmy is paralyzed, feels nothing below the waist. Why would I have Brody or Arthur ineffectively break the legs of someone who can’t use ’em?” He stubbed out his cigarette rather aggressively. “I do my job; my guys do their jobs. Maybe mind your business. If you’re bored, go fuck something.”

Finn picked up an ashtray and was about to toss it at Lorcan’s head, so I stood.

“Enough!” I shouted, a headache beginning to form behind my eyes.

“Finn, he makes a good argument. The punishment would have been for nothing. Lorcan, how’d you end it with Jimmy?”

“Brody took his wheelchair. Told him if he don’t get us the money in two days, we torch it along with his store…and he’ll be in it.”

“Seems fair.” Uncle Sean shrugged. “Give it forty-eight hours.” He directed his attention to Finn. “Think smarter, not harder.”

“I agree.” I cocked my head at Lorcan and asked, “Why’d you send enforcers to deal with Jimmy and not one of your soldiers?”

“They had collections, and Patrick and Oran had gone to the deli twice already. Figured he needed a scare.”

Logical, even if thinking about a paraplegic without a wheelchair made me want to puke.

“You’re becoming weak.” Finn sat back down, shaking his head.

“Fuck you.” Lorcan leaned across the table. “Wanna wake up on fire, shitbag?”

“Hey!” I pushed Lorcan’s shoulder, so his ass hit the seat. “Respect.”

“Come on, Boss. Because he’s higher up, I get none and he gets it all?” Lorcan huffed. “Bullshit.”

I didn’t get a chance to respond because Sean turned and punched Lorcan square in the jaw, toppling him, chair and all, to the floor.

“That’s the boss you’re talkin’ to!” Sean loomed over a bleeding Lorcan. “Learn your place or lose your life.”

This was the violence I could never be part of. If it weren’t for my uncle Sean, I’d likely already be dead. I never retaliated like he did, and I found myself wondering why he couldn’t take over in my place.

Lorcan glared at my uncle for a moment, then slowly rose and nodded to Finn and me. “Sorry.”

“Is there any other business we need to discuss?” I made sure to meet every eye in the room. I was exhausted, my feet ached, and my spine felt as if it were going to crumble, but I’d show no sign I was hurting.

“There’s a property for sale between Norport and Danford,” Hugh, the shot-caller for section three, Norport, said. “Rory and I think it’d make a nice club, good revenue, and we’d split it fifty-fifty.”

Rory nodded when I looked at him. “What’s it selling for?”

“It’s three thousand square feet selling at one fifty.” Rory lit a cigarette.

Finn was my lieutenant and advisor regarding money, so I deferred to him.

“It can be done. You each get fifty-fifty, but you kick up percentages as you would all your properties, got it?”

They agreed and made arrangements to figure it all out.

“If we’re done here, Uncle Sean, I need to speak with you privately.”

They all cleared out and once the door was closed and Aiden was on the other side, making sure nobody inadvertently entered, I tried to speak first but Sean beat me to it.

“Before you start, Fred, is this about Aine?”

I sighed and nodded. “Aiden heard the lieutenants talking about how her presence is causing problems. I know I made a promise that I could get her to the top, but it’s been three years, and they aren’t budging. Hell, they’re getting angrier.”

He leaned back and sipped his brandy. “Yeah, I figured.”

“If I keep pushing, it won’t end well.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “I’ll talk to her.”

“How about we all go out for drinks tonight? We can tell her together. I still want her to be involved. She’s brilliant, but maybe in a more secretive position.”

Sean scoffed. “She’ll hate it.”

“I know, and I’m sorry.” Shaking my head, defeat suffocated me. “I hate this job, I suck at it, and I don’t want it. The one person who does and would kill at it isn’t welcome because they’re a woman. Such bullshit.”

Uncle Sean reached over and squeezed my hand. “I love you like a son, Fred, and Aine loves you like a brother. We both know how hard you tried to make this happen, and we don’t fault you one bit.”

“Why don’t you take over?”

Sean burst out laughing. “These guys, they’re of the mind that the eldest son takes over when the father dies. None of them know you’re gay, and they won’t hear it from me. Only if they knew that would I stand a chance.”

“What if I stepped down and gave it to you?”

“They’d kill you, and you know it.”

“Maybe, but I think I’d have a better shot of convincing them you’re a better fit than Aine. And besides, I’m not popping out any kids, so the line will die with me. You’re saying they’d just disband? I don’t think so, Uncle Sean.”

“Fred, I don’t have a son. It would defer to the next male of age and closest to you in relation.”

“Who would that be?” I was wracking my brain, thinking of the family tree. Aine had no children yet, so maybe it would’ve been her son. Sean only had Aine.

“It would actually be Aiden, your driver.”

True, the driver tended to be the next in line if there was no mafia heir, but Aiden was related to me?

“I know the hierarchy that my driver would step up in my absence, but relation wise?”

“He has both. He’s in line, but he’s your second cousin. His parents are dead but he’d be the next up and honestly, not a bad choice.”

“But I can’t step down?”

Uncle Sean shook his head. “Not in the way you’re thinking. Unless down is six feet under.”

One way or another, this job was going to kill me.

“One step at a time.” I smiled and stood. “Drinks tonight.”

“Make it tomorrow night. Let’s do dinner.”

I cocked my head. “Why tomorrow? I’m free tonight. and I’m betting anything you are too.”

He tilted his head toward something over my shoulder, and I spun to look out of the small window in the door. Aiden was standing there with someone whom I thought I’d expressed quite clearly that I didn’t want to see.

“Fucking Zion.”

CHAPTER FOUR

Vincenzo

The clock read ten in the evening and Legend, one of my capitanei, texted me to turn on the news. So, there I was on my couch, watching the events of the day.

“Galileo’s, the booming nightclub in downtown Los Angeles, went up in flames this evening, shocking the community. It was closed for a private party, but sources tell me there are no survivors, and there were chains on the doors on the outside, leading authorities to assume this was arson with intent to kill. All they have to go on is one golden coin taped to a fire hydrant outside of the now-destroyed nightclub.”

That private party had been filled with white supremacists who were celebrating what they’d assumed was a flawless crime. Three of the members of said group had beaten four African American houseless men, and the authorities had nothing to go on. Lex Talionis had ways to extract information, and as soon as proof had landed on my desk regarding who was responsible, there had been retaliation.

I had no remorse for the owner of the club, who’d died in the flames, because he was well aware who these people were. Greg Howards, the owner, had chosen to dance with the devil and as the saying goes: When you dance with the devil, the devil doesn’t change. The devil changes you.

The news went on to explain how these mysterious coins were found all over the world with no understanding behind them. I relaxed on my plush couch and sipped my 2006 II Marroneto Brunello Madonna delle Grazie—my favorite red wine, which I had imported from Tuscany—and enjoyed the knowledge that those sick bastards no longer walked this earth.

Even though Lex Talionis had stepped in instead of being hired, we were compensated in our own way. I had top-notch hackers working for me that happily drained the accounts of all the pieces of shits’ monies. Properties they owned were anonymously bought, and what happened to them was my choice.

Zion texted me once he arrived in Westford, and I hoped I wouldn’t hear from him until he returned.

Fred Brennan was out of his element and yet at the same time far too advanced for the Irish mafia. It was a conundrum, one I felt the need to cling to.

Protecting people wasn’t what I was built for; revenge was. We weren’t sought after in the hopes that me and my exercitus would keep people from being killed. We only extracted justice if those that were too dangerous to breathe weren’t put to justice. Fred Brennan was the exception.

With a sigh, I grabbed my tablet from the table. Zion had sent me his findings and causes for concern regarding Fred Brennan and while I’d skimmed it earlier, I felt compelled to read it over with a fine-toothed comb.

There was uncertainty in the ranks. A few of his shot-callers, as they were referred to, weren’t being honest with their numbers, and in the last month his advisors had taken secret meetings without Fred in attendance. What had been said at those gatherings wasn’t clear, but with money being withheld and higher-ups having private congregations, it didn’t bode well for Fred. Someone was getting ready to make a move, and that didn’t sit right with me at all.

As I read on, the only people close to Fred who weren’t going behind his back were Sean Brennan; his daughter, Aine; and Fred’s driver, Aiden. I hoped Zion would explain to Fred that those were the only three he could trust.

I shut down the tablet and carried my empty wineglass to the kitchen. As I passed the large mirror in the corridor, I stopped. I was a good-looking man, and it didn’t make me vain to say that. A blessed face, my mother had told me once. At thirty-five, my brown hair wasn’t blemished with a single gray. It was thick and just past my ears, easily tuckable. My olive complexion was flawless, and while I didn’t favor a beard, I always had a perfect five-o’clock shadow.

I worked out often, which showed in my physique. My broad shoulders and height of six foot one often had me looming over people. All in all, I was handsome…yet unattainable.

With a quick run of my fingers through my hair, I made the trek to the kitchen and then up to my bedroom. Exercitus were scattered internally and externally around my property. Nobody outside of my employ knew my face was the one behind Lex Talionis, and having my identity discovered wasn’t a risk I was willing to take.

I’d just finished with the bathroom and was slipping under the sheets when my phone vibrated. Zion.

“Please don’t give me bad news,” I greeted him.

“Fred wouldn’t talk with me. He let me in but before I had the chance to speak, he said that unless I was giving him a date and time to meet with you, he wouldn’t listen.”

“And of course, you had nothing to give him.”

“Correct, but I told him there might be a plan in place, though I’d need to go over some ground rules. He waved me off and said to send it in an email.”

I snorted a laugh. Fred was a brat, and I loved it.

“Perhaps arrangements to get him here would be in our best interest. Pass along an email saying I will meet him and that you will go over the schedule with him. Hopefully that will get you in his good graces long enough to explain the rules and to give him fair warning about his family.”

“Very good, sir.”

“I’m going to bed. I suspect he won’t be in a hurry to get back to you, and you’ll not hear from him until morning. Let me know.”

“That’s a likely assumption.”

“Then good night, Zion.”

“Night, sir.”

Zion and all of Lex Talionis were careful not to use my name on open lines of communication whether it be phones, laptops, or anything that could lead enemies to my doorstep. Fred and the people in Haven Hart knew who I was, but that was only because of those annoying underground vaults of that town. It was a fortress of discoveries, and I would be in awe of them if I weren’t so frustrated.

If they could find out who I was, could anyone?

Shaking that thought off, I rested my head on the pillow and tried to guide my brain to something more pleasant.

Easily, visions of the gorgeous, redheaded, lightly freckle-faced man swarmed my mind. I’d only seen his smile in pictures and on occasion from video Zion had obtained. It was contagious, and just thinking about it had me grinning. Soon enough, slumber claimed me and I dreamed of finally coming face-to-face with the Irishman. I wondered what he smelled like, how his laugh sounded, and very much how he tasted.

I’d been foolish to think this day wouldn’t come, and while my mind told me to push him away, my heart and body were already pulling him closer.

CHAPTER FIVE

Fred

Fucking Zion! Fucking Vincenzo!

After I dismissed Zion I had Aiden drive me home, much to his dismay. It was late, and I had a shift the next day and dinner with my uncle Sean and Aine in the evening. I needed to sleep.

I stared out the window of the SUV, watching as Westford breezed past me. The bridge in the distance would take me from the city to the suburbs. Bright lights and chaos would morph into calm streets and a sky full of stars. Westford was big, bigger than Haven Hart, even. Sighing, I pinched the bridge of my nose and bumped my glasses.

Two years, and Vincenzo still refused to meet with me. The alliance was strong…if you could even call it that. More like a peace treaty. No one on my side of the wall was bothering Lex Talionis, and they weren’t poking at us. So why were these monthly meetings even necessary?

I reached into my pocket and pulled out my cell phone. I rarely, if ever, called this man, but if anyone would know the answer to this question, he would.

“It’s almost midnight—someone better be bleeding.” Poe was a man of few words but many times, they were threatening.

“No one is bleeding. I call when I have a moment, and I’ve currently found myself available.”

He sighed and the rustling of sheets told me that I had, in fact, woken him up. “Lucky me, you’ve chosen to spend it with me. Why exactly are you calling?”

“Beneath Haven Hart are the vaults. Information people would kill for is buried inside.”

“Are you asking me or telling me, Fred? It’s far too late for me to play games.”

“Poe, you were able to find out who the leader of Lex Talionis was. It took you like maybe half an hour.”

“Has something happened?” The sound of urgency in his voice made me realize I was freaking him out.

“No, but in the two years I’ve been dealing with them, never once has Vincenzo Belini shown his face to me. I get his number two or whatever. I’ve explained to Zion that I will no longer meet with Lex Talionis unless Vincenzo attends.”

A deep sigh, more rustling. “You cut ties with a powerful and elite assassin organization because you couldn’t get some one-on-one time with the boss?”

“I didn’t call you for a lecture. I called to see if somewhere in those vaults there is information on a location to find him, and maybe a photo.”

“Why?”

“Have you not been listening? Jesus, Poe, he knows everything about me, and I get bits and pieces. Are none of you over in Haven Hart at all concerned with the imbalance of it all?”

“Not really, no. And to answer your question, if you think I haven’t already searched for that information, you’re an idiot. All I have on Lex Talionis, I’ve given to you.”

“Well, I sent Zion away. I have a full plate, and while I know you’re going to tell me I offered to act as liaison between Lex Talionis and us, it’s a waste of my time. I feel we can part amicably.”

Poe was silent for a beat before he answered, “Let me speak with Christopher and Black. We trust your judgment on this, so I don’t anticipate an issue. I’ll let you know tomorrow…or later today, it seems.”

“Thank you, Poe.”

“Now, I’m going back to sleep.” He disconnected without letting me respond, but that was fine.

“I overheard Zion tonight.” Aiden’s voice broke through the silence.

“And?”

“I understand your need to have an in-person meeting with Vincenzo, but that isn’t always feasible. That said, Zion was able to offer some ground rules to meeting the praeses, and you dismissed it.”

I grimaced, knowing he didn’t see me, but the man knew me well.

“You’re being a brat, sir.”

“I’m under a lot of pressure, Aiden. Lex Talionis has no more interest in us than we do in them, so there’s no reason to keep this sham of a relationship going. I’m sure Zion would like to end these monthly flights just for us to stare at each other and say nothing of importance.”

“Pushing away a powerful ally at this time, sir, isn’t a good idea.”

I didn’t respond to that. I was aware of the rumblings, thanks to Aiden, but Aine would no longer attend meetings, and that should shut them up. I’d have dinner tomorrow with Sean and Aine and, unfortunately, close the chapter on her leading the family.

As I glimpsed at Aiden, his eyes securely on the road, I wondered if perhaps he should, in fact, take over for the family. Would he let me step down?

I hated uncertainty. I would broach the subject with him, but it could force an unnecessary hole in a floating ship.

I’d wait until after the dinner tomorrow. One thing at a time.

Morning came way too soon. I stumbled out of bed and moved as if I were on autopilot. Bathroom, brush teeth, shower, change, style hair, phone and wallet, and off to the kitchen, where the scent of coffee was like a beacon calling a ship home.

“Thank you, you beautiful goddess.” Sarah, my housekeeper, came early every morning and on top of being in charge of the cleaning and cooking staff, she made sure I always had coffee and was feeding myself.

“Good morning, Mr. Fred.” She giggled as she went about fixing my plate.

I sat at the table in the kitchen, preferring it to the dining room, and scrolled through my messages.

I paused over an email from Zion. What now? I clicked it and as I read, I could feel my eyes getting wider and wider.

“Bad news?” Aiden said in way of greeting.

“Vincenzo has agreed to meet.”

Aiden froze, coffeepot in hand. “Seriously?”

“Yes!” I smiled because this was huge. “I guess being a little bratty pays off.”

Sarah placed my breakfast in front of me. “Mr. Aiden, would you like food?”

“No thank you, Sarah. I ate already.” He jerked his chin. “What’s the email say?”

“He said Vincenzo is willing to meet but requests my presence at his home and not here in Westford. Zion would like to discuss it over dinner.”

“Oh, Mr. Fred, you have dinner with Mr. Sean tonight,” Sarah reminded me.

“I’ll give Zion the address to the restaurant and tell him I’ll meet him for after-dinner drinks to discuss it.”

Aiden didn’t say anything, just sipped his coffee, his gaze a million miles away. I was sure he was thinking about the hundreds of ways this could be a disaster, or perhaps he was just in awe of how epically this had worked out for me.

I sent off the message, shoved breakfast down my throat, and was out the door and heading to the hospital in under an hour.

CHAPTER SIX

Fred

It had been the shift from hell. A major accident on the highway had brought eight people to our hospital, and three of them died. Days like that stayed with me. I should have been used to it, what with working as an emergency room doctor and being the boss of a mob family. But I wasn’t wired that way, and it was why my running this organization wasn’t good for anyone. Thank God I had Uncle Sean at my side. Every time I fumbled the ball, he always retrieved it.

I was able to shower and change at the hospital so I wouldn’t be late for dinner. I was starving, having blown past lunch due to the influx of patients.

Molly’s was my favorite Irish pub and grill. They had a private room in the back they always gave me when I asked and tonight, I wanted it to be just the three of us. This conversation was going to be hard enough.

“Good evening, Mr. Brennan.” Charlie waved at me as Aiden and I entered.

“Hey there, Charlie.”

“Room is ready.”

I nodded and turned toward Aiden. “Zion should be here in an hour. Stay here and let him know I’ll be out soon.”

“Yes, sir.” He sat at the end of the bar, where Charlie was quick to serve him.

I swiftly moved through the pub to the private room. I’d arrived before my uncle and cousin, which wasn’t the norm, but I took advantage of it.

“Drink, sir?”

“Maple bourbon smash, please.”

Once the server left, I glanced at the menu. Pointless, since I knew everything on it, but if I sat and did nothing my mind would wander, and that wasn’t always a good thing.

A few minutes later, the server returned with my drink and as he left, Sean and Aine waltzed on in.

“How is it I beat you both here?” I placed the menu down, got up, and was immediately engulfed in a hug from Aine.

“Sorry, my fault. I was on my way out when my heel broke, and I had to get different shoes.”

Aine was stunning, smart, and a badass. Everything this family needed. I wished they’d see in her what I did.

Over the last three years, she and I had become close. Hell, the three of us were our own little family and each time I was with them, I relaxed. It wasn’t something that came easy to me, but I truly felt these two loved me.

“Well, far be it from me to stand in the way of footwear.” I laughed and shook my uncle’s hand from across the table.

“I stay out of the affairs of fashion.”

Uncle Sean ordered a scotch and soda, and Aine asked for Gaelic punch. Once we had our drinks and ordered our meals, I took a deep breath and began.

“Aine—”

“Fred, before you start, Dad already talked to me.” I glanced at Sean, who shrugged. “He wanted to make this easy for you, and I understand why. You made a promise that I grasped at, knowing you really didn’t have control over it. No one in this family, or probably any family, would let a woman run things. You did your best to keep me involved, but you’d have to be blind not to see the prejudice every time I was in any meeting.”

“I’m sorry, Aine. I honestly believe you’re what this family needs, but it’s like they’d rather sink than thrive, and I don’t get it.”

She smiled sadly. “Misogyny, cuz.”

“Christopher Manos is openly gay, Poe is married to a man, and he has his fingers on the pulse of Haven Hart. Black runs an assassination ring and seduced a male barista, and they have three boys. Not one person bats an eye at that. I mention you, who happens to be blood, and they’re ready to war over it.”

Uncle Sean sighed. “There’s also the fact that you’re gay.”

“Do they know that? You said they didn’t.” I’d never uttered a word of it and if my father had told anyone prior to his death, I wasn’t made aware.

“I honestly don’t think they do, but I was thinking about it tonight, and I’m not so sure. Your father might have let some know. Maybe they do, Fred.” Sean furrowed his brows. “There’s a shift; I can feel it.”

Pursing my lips, I remembered what Aiden told me. “Aiden mentioned whispers. It was the main reason I thought if I had this talk and Aine stepped away, they’d leave it alone.”

“Not if they know you’re gay.” Aine lifted a brow. “I mean my fucking off will help, but these are not open-minded men we’re talking about, and this is not Haven Hart.”

Westford wasn’t far from Haven Hart, but it might as well have been on a completely different planet with how ignorant these Irish fucks were.

“Aine, I still need your advice. You have amazing insight, and I’d hate to lose any of that.”

She reached over and gripped my hand. “Fred, I’m always going to be here for you. All you need to do is pick up the phone. Also, weekly dinners—I am totally up for that, as you know. I’m not going anywhere…well, maybe. I think I should get away from Westford for a while.” She eyed Sean. “Dad and I have spoken about it, and to get some of the heat off you both, I was thinking about taking a vacation. For a few months, I’ll go see all the places I’ve always wanted to. When I return, we can see how things are. But the phone-call-away thing still applies.”

I hated that she felt the need to run, but if what Aiden said was true, I worried for her safety and this was probably for the best.

“You better send pictures. I sure would love to go with you.”

She chuckled. “Someday, Fred, I think you’ll get to fulfill your dreams. If anyone deserves it, you do.” With one last squeeze, she pulled her hand away.

Our food came out and we ate and laughed. Aine explained all the destinations and must-sees on her bucket list, and I sighed wistfully at her agenda. I was jealous. Funny how we each were living each other’s dreams.

By the time we stepped out of the back room, my chest was lighter but the weight on my shoulders hadn’t let up. I didn’t suspect it would.

Zion was seated at the bar beside Aiden. “Give me a few minutes. I’m just going to walk Sean and Aine out.” Aiden made to move. “Stay with Zion. I’ll be right back.”

“Sir.”

“I said stay.” I tried to sound stern. It wasn’t something I was good at, but it appeared that after tonight I would be on my own in a lot of ways.

Aiden glared at me, clearly not loving my order but knowing he had to obey. Zion nodded curtly and I stepped outside with Sean and Aine.

“I’m parked up a ways.” Sean gestured.

“Okay, I’ll walk with you both.”

Aine giggled. She’d had a few at dinner, and I loved her laugh. “You got the spark, Fred.”

“Spark?”

She gripped my shoulders, her glimmering green eyes full of adventure. “Be the boss. Fake it till you make it. Do not ever, and I mean ever, show weakness. And above all else…” Her smile dimmed, the light dimmed. “Be ruthless.”

That wasn’t who I was, but I understood. “For you, Cousin, I will build a fortress.”

She kissed my cheek and stepped over to the car, and her presence was replaced by my uncle.

“I’ll see you tomorrow afternoon.” Sean jerked his chin to something over my shoulder. I glanced and Aiden was by the front entrance to the pub. “Don’t give him such a hard time. He’s got your best interests at⁠—”

At heart. That was what I’d assumed Sean was going to say, but I’d never know.

The sound of screeching tires forced Sean and me to part. Aine jolted back at the same moment a large SUV rounded the corner.

“Fred!” Aiden shouted. I could see him in my periphery, but I was frozen. The windows in the rear and passenger side rolled down…Why couldn’t I move?

Sean’s face blocked my view for a second before gunfire rang out.

“Dad!”

Aine…I turned in time to see her body flail as she was riddled with bullets. When I reached for her, Sean slammed into me and I was falling.

“No!” My back crashed against pavement, my head whacked the sidewalk, and black dots invaded my vision.

“Fred!” Aiden’s blood-curdling screams and the weight of my uncle’s body on mine were all I could register.

What’s happening?

“Fred.” Sean’s voice was a whisper, and his eyes met mine. He was still on top of me.

“Uncle Sean…what…”

“Shh.” He smiled, but it wasn’t right; he was shaking. Sweat beaded on his forehead. “Listen to me.”

I nodded as best as I could.

“Trust no one. No one.” He patted my chest. “Your gut, your heart. Trust that.” A stream of blood slipped from Sean’s mouth. “I’m sorry, Fred.” Why was he crying?

“Uncle Sean?”

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “I love you like a…son.” The last word was garbled, and then he slumped over, his weight suffocating me.

“Sean!” I gasped.

Suddenly his body was lifted off me, and Aiden crouched in front of my face. “Fred.”

“What…”

He pulled me up and I spun. Aine was on her back, eyes to the sky…unblinking. Uncle Sean beside her. Dead.

“We have to get you out of here.” That wasn’t Aiden’s voice. I saw Zion on the phone…Who was he talking to?

“I…” My knees gave out and I tried to speak, but there were no words.

“Sir.” Aiden’s voice sounded so far away…I was so tired…and that was the moment the world fell away.

CHAPTER SEVEN

Vincenzo

“All current projects are completed, and funds from the Hepburn task have transferred.” Aurora placed her tablet on the table and imbibed her Merlot.

Weekly meetings were held with either Aurora or Zion. Since Zion was currently in Westford, Aurora was my companion for the evening.

“Very good.”

“I’m told that you’re going to meet with Frederick Brennan.” Aurora relaxed in her chair. She was a gorgeous and lethal Korean woman I’d known for close to a decade, and when I became praeses, it had been a no-brainer that she’d be my generalis.

“I am.”

“Is that wise?”

My brows rose, and I put my wine on the table. “If I thought it wasn’t, I’d have never offered.”

She held up a hand in defense. “Of course your judgment is always sound. However, I can’t help but worry.”

“As my generalis, I expect you to make sure my safety is guaranteed.”

“As well as your anonymity?”

I went to answer just as my phone buzzed in my pocket. “A moment.” I pulled it out and saw that it was Zion. “I need to take this—stay.” I pressed the button. “Yes, Zion?”

“Sir, we have a major problem.”

I hit Speaker and slid the phone onto the table. “What’s the issue?”

“Fred, Sean, and Aine Brennan were exiting the restaurant, and I was inside. I heard tires screech, I rushed outside, and saw a large SUV was barreling down the street. I tried to shoot the vehicle, but the driver didn’t stop.”

“Zion, are you okay? Is Fred?”

“Sean and Aine Brennan are dead. Fred was injured, but he’s fine.” I listened to voices yelling in the background. “I keep telling Aiden he needs to get Fred out of here, but he’s unsure where to go…Where’s safe?”

I looked at Aurora, who was already on her tablet. “Zion, take them to 47 Sycamore Street. Garage code five-two-nine-three. We own the property.”

“Thank you.” He was talking to someone—I assumed it was Aiden—and telling him to get Fred to the car now, that he had a secure location.

“Zion?”

“Sir?”

“I’ll meet you there as soon as I can. Do not, I repeat, do not let anyone near that house. I’ll bring some exercitus with me.”

“Yes, Praeses. What if Aiden fights me on this?”

“Let me speak with him.”

“Aiden, take this call. I’ll carry Fred to the car.”

“I’m not handing him off to you or anyone. How do I know Lex Talionis isn’t behind this?”

“Drive-bys aren’t our style, Aiden!”

Jesus, were they arguing in the middle of the street? I glanced over at Aurora, who was shaking her head but typing away on her tablet, likely gathering people for me to take to Westford.

“I’ll get him to the car first.”

I waited, listening to anything I could as they were running…I could tell by their breathing.

“Sir, I can get ten to accompany you,” Aurora said, and I nodded.

“This is Aiden,” the voice on the other end spoke.

“This is Vincenzo Belini. I know asking you to trust me, especially under these circumstances, is unlikely but it seems you don’t know who, on your side of the line, is good.”

“I don’t know if you’re good, Vincenzo,” he snapped.

“I want to work with your boss, not against him. I have nothing to gain by killing him or any of the Brennan family. From what I’m told, there’s some serious infighting going on there.”

He was silent for a beat. “What do you want?”

“I gave Zion an address. It’s secure, and I’m sending people who can keep you all safe. I’m coming to Westford as well. As an ally, I take this seriously.”

Aiden huffed. “Ally is a convenient word that means friend until you’re not. I watched two people I care a great deal about get gunned down in cold blood. Fred is only alive because Sean threw himself in front of the bullets. He watched his daughter die before he could get to her and thought fast enough to save Fred. I’m not feeling allied with anyone right now.”

“I get it. I do. You have my word that I am not behind this. Something in your gut knows I’m right, or you wouldn’t have Zion in the car with you.” I knew he was in the car—someone was driving; I could hear the engine.

“I don’t have much choice right now. I’ll go where Zion is taking us…for now. I swear, if your man even looks strangely at my boss once, I will not hesitate to put a bullet in his head.”

“Understood.”

I ended the call and met Aurora’s steadfast gaze. “Wheels up in thirty. You stay and keep things afloat while I go to Westford and unfuck this mess.”

“Yes, Praeses.”

Five of my exercitus were already at the property. Five were currently with me. We were going over a solid plan of protection. Aurora was digging deep, searching for any information regarding who was behind this. Every fiber in my being screamed that this was an inside job, but jumping to conclusions wasn’t my style.

“Was anyone from Haven Hart notified, do we know?” I asked Legend, the capitaneus in charge of the exercitus.

“I messaged Zion; he said Aiden doesn’t want to reach out to anyone.”

“I don’t believe Haven Hart is behind this. They are on good terms.”

Legend nodded. “I agree, sir, but I also understand Aiden’s caution.”

“As do I.”

“We’re landing in twenty,” the pilot announced through the speakers of my private jet.

“Keep to the plan until we arrive. We’ll assess the situation down there and act accordingly.”

“Sir, what if Aiden pushes us?” Eden, another exercitus, questioned.

“Then we push harder.”

“Understood,” they all responded in unison.

Once my plane landed, we got into the two black Lincoln Navigators idling on the tarmac. Not as discreet as I’d hoped, but we were taking different routes to the safe house, and there was a large garage where the SUVs would be stored.

“I notified Zion we’d be arriving in fifteen. He said Fred is still out cold, has a golf-ball-sized bump on the back of his head,” Legend reported.

I was in the middle seat and turned to Axel behind me. He was one of my exercitus who had a doctorate and experience with trauma patients. “Once we arrive, I need you to assess him.”

“Yes, Praeses.”

Westford was a beautiful territory, large with many towns and over-the-bridge city life that poured with riches and power, and Fred owned it all. No wonder it was being fought over. If only Fred had seen it coming sooner.

Well, I was here now, and if any of those motherfuckers thought they were going to take it out from under him, they had another think coming. They would find out what it meant when Lex Talionis got involved.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Fred

I was well aware that I was dreaming, floating through a calm space. It was quiet and I was warm. My heart ached, but it was as if whatever was causing it wasn’t welcome here. The aroma of sugar cookies tickled my nose, and the smile that tugged at my lips was a struggle to achieve…Why? No, I wasn’t going to wonder that because if I did, the ache would push through.

The whiteness surrounding my vision wasn’t painfully bright; it was as if a million candles were lit in a temperature-controlled area.

“Fred?” someone whispered, and they sounded familiar…safe.

“Fred, where’d you go?”

I spun around as the voice came closer, and there was a little girl. She wore a light-blue dress, her strawberry blond hair in pigtails. Clutched in her hand was a ratty teddy bear.

“Fudge.” I gestured to the stuffed animal.

She giggled. “You want to hold him.” She held it out and I gripped it, immediately bringing it to my nose. Sugar cookies.

“Aine.”

As soon as I opened my eyes, the little girl became a woman. She stared without saying a word but grinned.

“Wake up, Fred.”

“I don’t want to.” The ache thudded hard against my chest, and my head began to hurt.

“You have to.” She stepped forward and held out her hand. “Now, wake up and fight.”

“If I wake up, you’ll be dead…Uncle Sean.” The pain was emerging, and it was suddenly hard to breathe.

“We’re okay. Please, Fred. Wake up.”

I opened my mouth to say something else but she took two steps, grabbed my shoulders, and shook me. “I said wake up!”

That wasn’t her voice, and in a moment everything was noisy, the pain was immense, and there were no more sugar cookie smells.

“Fred!”

I blinked open my eyes, grateful for the low lighting. Aiden hovered above me. Flashes of light came across his face, and my body kept thumping around.

“Where?” I tried to sit up, but Aiden held me in place.

“We’re taking you to safety. Try and stay awake.”

My brain was on fire; every inch of my body throbbed and stung. I wanted to be back in the dream.

“No, keep your eyes open, Fred!” His face turned away from me. “Drive faster.”

“I’d like to not draw attention to us.” Another person. I knew that voice but couldn’t identify it.

“I’m tired.”

“I know.” Aiden held my head. “We need to get you checked out. If you fall asleep, you may not wake up.”

“Morbid,” I mumbled as my eyelids slid closed.

“Do not fall asleep!” Aiden’s yelling pierced through my skull. I tried to move away, but he gripped me harder.

“Ten minutes,” the person, who I assumed was driving—yeah, I’d figured out I was in a car—yelled out.

“Hear that, Fred? Ten minutes.” Aiden ran his fingers through my hair, and it was like a lullaby. “Open your eyes.”

No, I don’t think I will. I let sleep pull me under as Aiden’s shouts turned into faraway whispers.

This time when I opened my eyes, there wasn’t any shouting, and my head was sore but not horrible. That ceiling…I didn’t know that ceiling. Panic set in.

The last time I’d passed out and woken up, I’d been locked away in a basement by my father. No one had known I was there being treated like a prisoner for a long time.

I took a deep breath, remembering that I’d also been saved by Rush’s friends and nursed back to health.

The blanket covering me was pulled up to my chin, and I was beginning to sweat. I dared move my head left and right, happy that the pain didn’t cause my stomach to roil.

Seriously, where the fuck was I?

Above me, on the ceiling, was a wrought-iron chandelier. The metal was intricately twisted, and the candles that gave the room light were clearly not real…thank God, because being lit on fire was not on my bingo card.

To my left was a large window, and through the glass I could make out a balcony. On my right was a nightstand with an antique lamp. The chair beside it was ivory, padded, and there was a mug on the table. I could see steam rising from whatever it was filled with, meaning someone had just been here. I didn’t have my glasses on, but my vision wasn’t so horrible that I couldn’t make out my surroundings.

I wasn’t home. I closed my eyes and breathed deeply. I remembered everything. The screams, the gunshots, the smell of copper. Sean’s eyes…his words.

A low creak followed by footsteps indicated that I was no longer alone, but with my eyes closed, whoever was here would assume I was still asleep.

A wave of delightful cologne danced across my face. Lovely but unrecognizable.

If whoever brought me here had wanted me dead, I’d be dead already. Anyway, wasn’t Aiden with me? That sent a tendril of fear up my spine, and I almost flew off the bed.

“Whoa.” A hand pressed against my chest, not forcing me flat but making me halt. “Easy, there.”

Green eyes and a serious expression met my gaze.

“Who are you?”

“My name is Axel. I’ve been caring for you since you arrived.”

“Arrived where? Who do you work for?”

“I’m going to need you to calm yourself, sir. Keeping your blood pressure down is the best thing right now.”

I sat up and scooted away from the man. “Keeping my blood pressure down? Do you even know what I just went through?” My eyes widened. “Where’s Aiden?”

Axel cocked his head, briefly appearing confused before he nodded. “Your driver. He’s in the kitchen, eating. He sat beside you through the night, and only when he saw you’d be okay were we able to get him to leave your room to eat.”

“I want to see him.”

“And I will gladly go get him, if you could do me a favor and take some deep breaths. I’d like to check your blood pressure…you know the drill, Doctor.”

I narrowed my eyes. This Axel knew a lot about me, and I only knew he was decent-looking and smelled nice.

He stood, blood pressure cuff in hand. “May I?”

I watched carefully as he went about testing my blood pressure. When he removed the cuff, I lifted a brow. “A little high, but not dangerously. Here.” He handed me my glasses. “Your glasses cracked a little; new ones have already been ordered. Your driver said to keep them nearby in case you wanted them, so you could grab them and freak out less.”

I wore my glasses so much, but I mainly needed them for reading far away. “Uh, yeah, still freaking out.”

Axel smirked. “But you’d likely panic more without them.”

“You don’t know that, or me, or anything…Seriously, who the hell do you work for?”

“Me.”

I turned to the doorway, where a man dressed in a casual suit, dark-brown hair tucked behind his ears ending just below his lobes, stood. His eyes were on the inky side, but not too much so. He had a nice five-o’clock shadow going on and was quite possibly the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen.

Words…find words, Fred.

“Well, Me, am I supposed to know Me?”

He snorted, and the motherfucker smiled. “Definitely a brat.”

“Excuse me?” I whipped the covers off, silently thanking whoever had put me in the bed for putting clean clothes on me.

“Do I know you? I don’t think so.”

“You do…somewhat.” He shrugged and moved over to the bed. “Allow me to properly introduce myself.”

He held out his hand, but I just glared at it.

“My name is Vincenzo Belini.”

Well, fuck me sideways into Sunday.

CHAPTER NINE

Vincenzo

Fred stared at me through his black-rimmed glasses, sizing me up, and the beautiful blush that graced his cheeks was enough to tell me that even with the nightmare he was going through, he appreciated what he saw.

I pulled my hand away when it appeared he wasn’t going to shake it. “You’ve been through a lot, Frederick. Axel here has been caring for you, so maybe don’t give him such a hard time.”

That snapped him out of it. “Excuse me?”

“You’ve been through a trauma. Please stay calm.”

He huffed, and it took everything in me not to chuckle as he made a show of getting out of bed. He wobbled but seemed to find his bearings.

“For two years, I tried to get you to meet with me and now, after my life is obviously going tits up, you grace me with your presence, and then have the nerve to order me around?”

“I meant no disrespect.”

He snorted. “What would you call this”—he gestured to my person—“whatever you’re doing?”

“Zion was planning to make arrangements, as you know. I’ll admit these recent events altered those, and here I am.”

Fred opened and closed his mouth a few times. I waited. He’d just lost his uncle and cousin, the two people closest to him, but he was upset with me, and that was a burden I’d take on if it meant he wouldn’t fall apart.

He looked down at himself before meeting my gaze once again. “Do I have clothes other than pajamas?”

I turned to Axel, who nodded. “In the dresser. You’ve been out for two days. With Aiden’s help, we were able to get clothes that would fit you.” Axel motioned to the armoire.

“Two…” He sighed. “The hospital, my job…the family.” His eyes widened. “What’s going on with Sean and Aine? They need a funeral, they…” He collapsed onto the bed, head in hands, and the shake of his shoulders showed the weight of everything finally burrowing its way inside.

“Axel, will you please excuse us?”

“Yes, Praeses.”

Once Axel left, I inched closer to Fred. There was a chair in the corner, and I pulled it over to where he sat.

“You can’t take it all on at once,” I whispered. He didn’t move; only a sniffle and soft sob could be heard. “The hospital was called, and Aiden explained that you were in an accident, and they are allowing you medical leave.”

It had been by far the easiest fix to make for Fred. Everything else presented a challenge. Obviously, his family would know he was alive, and Aiden had made sure no funeral would go forward until Fred was ready.

“Aiden has been in contact with your family. Everyone is waiting on your instruction for funeral arrangements.”

I spoke gently, with an even cadence, and answered each of his concerns as best as I could.

“As for who did this, we are working on that. While you’ve rested, I’ve had Zion doing a deep dive.”

“Why should I trust you?” he asked without looking up. “For all I know you did this, angry with me for forcing your hand and demanding you show your face.”

I sat back and regarded the redheaded man. It was a valid question and smart of him to assume everyone was an enemy.

“Fair assumption, but I had no hand in this. If I did, why would I be sitting here before you…showing you my face?”

When he lifted his head, his glasses were askew, his cheeks crimson, and tears stained his face. He was still stunning.

“Misdirection.”

I nodded. “Another fair assumption but, if you truly knew me and Lex Talionis, you’d know games aren’t our style.”

“Then I guess I don’t really know you.” His mournful expression morphed into rage. “The convenience of your arrival can’t be ignored!”

Leaning closer toward Fred’s unflinching glare, I spoke calmly. “Right now, you’re at my residence in Westford. I bought this house at the same time I agreed to an alliance with you and your friends in Haven Hart. Your driver is in my kitchen, eating my food. Don’t you think if he was worried, he wouldn’t allow any of us near you?”

Fred’s jaw clenched. “The last thing my uncle said to me was to trust no one. He wouldn’t say that unless there was literally nobody to trust.”

Was he referring to more than just me? “Aiden?”

He shook his head and sighed. “I just don’t know if there’s anyone left…I’m alone.”

With what Fred had been through, it was a wonder he wasn’t questioning the loyalty he had in himself. It wasn’t the time to push any further.

“Take a shower, change. We can all talk when you’re done.” I pointed to a door in the corner. “Through there is a private bathroom you can use. I’ll wait in here, in case you fall.”

“I don’t need a babysitter.” He stood and stormed over to the armoire.

“The bump on your head is the only reason I’ll sit here. You shouldn’t be by yourself.”

He scoffed and pulled out some clothes. “Did you miss the part where I said I was alone?”

“No, you’re being crystal clear.”

Again, with that glare. I was fairly certain I was a fan of his brattier side.

“I’m locking the door.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him I had a key to every door. I acquiesced and watched as he charged into the en suite.

As soon as Fred and I entered the kitchen, Aiden shot out of his chair.

“Fred.” He rushed over but stopped short of scooping the smaller man into his arms. The relief in his driver’s expression was telling…or was he merely a good actor?

“Hi, Aiden.” Fred didn’t look the part of a mob boss, but he never had. He’d been thrust into a life he hated, and I had a feeling that someone agreed he didn’t belong and thought taking him out was the only way.

“Are you hungry?” Aiden motioned to the table, where there was a small spread.

“Not really. I’m thirsty, though.”

“You should eat something.” Aiden moved to a chair and pulled it out. “You haven’t eaten in days.”

“And yet I’m not hungry…shocking.” Fred walked past the table and began opening cabinets. “Glasses?”

“Above the dishwasher,” Axel said from his position by the back door.

Fred pulled out a glass and filled it from the pitcher of ice water that was on the counter. The room was silent, every eye on him.

He chugged it and filled the glass again. I glanced at Axel—I wasn’t sure if drinking so fast was dangerous, but when he remained silent, I refrained from saying anything.

“I do have to agree with Aiden.” I stepped closer to Fred. “You need to eat.”

“I’m not hungry.” He put the glass into the sink rather forcefully.

Zion chose that moment to enter the kitchen, laptop in hand.

“I might have found something.”

Fred’s eyes widened, and he rushed over to Zion. “What?”

He placed the laptop down, and on the screen was a picture of what appeared to be an abandoned SUV.

“Thomas and Eden—they’re Lex Talionis, Fred—found this SUV on their search. Shell casings were found in the back seat and the passenger seat. They match three separate guns, a nine millimeter, forty and forty-five calibers. The SUV was found a mile from the restaurant and is registered to an Arnold Blessett.”

“That name isn’t familiar to me. Do you recognize it, Aiden?” Fred was hopeful.

“No.”

“Well,” Zion continued, “Arnold’s grandson, Richie, has ties to a local gang known as the Bleeding Angels.”

“I’m aware of the gang, but not the name Richie. We’ve sold guns to them. We have a decent relationship with the leader, and they’ve never caused us grief.” Fred’s frustration was palpable.

“But for a price, I’m sure whoever wanted you dead could have hired them,” I pointed to the SUV. “Sloppy work. No self-respecting hit man would leave so much evidence all over.”

“Unless they wanted people to believe it was the Bleeding Angels that did it to get attention away from themselves,” Axel added.

“Exactly.”

Fred huffed. “Can we find out if Arnold called in a missing vehicle?”

Zion nodded. “Yeah, let me see what I can find out.” He left the room, laptop in hand, and I faced Fred.

“If you want to be up for a fight, you need energy.”

“I’m fine.”

I took a deep breath and moved around him, grabbed a plate, and filled it with fruit and some pieces of cut-up cheese and salami. When I returned to Fred, I thrust the plate at him.

“Being a brat is only cute sometimes. Now eat.”

When he took the plate, I spun on my heel and left the kitchen. I had to call Aurora and see how things were going at home.

CHAPTER TEN

Fred

I was done eating, and I wanted a tour of the house I was currently being stored in. Vincenzo was happy to oblige, and Aiden demanded to remain close to me. After ordering him to stay back last time, there was no way I could even fathom keeping him away. Another reason for the tour: my mind, as full of chaos as it was, kept returning to that night. Aine’s screams, Sean’s eyes…it was a prison.

“Aurora was the one to find this property. She knew my love for French provincial and scooped it right up.” Vincenzo sauntered through the foyer with an air of confidence. If he was worried about the current situation, I couldn’t tell.

“It’s a gorgeous house. I believe Finn lives around these parts?” I looked behind me, where Aiden was trailing, and he nodded.

“He’s two streets over,” Vincenzo said. When my eyes widened, he chuckled. “It’s my job to know these things. If you don’t know where all the eyes are, you’re sure to be spotted. Anyway. French provincial always caught my attention. I’m not sure if it’s the balance and symmetry, the brick exteriors, or the minor things like steep roofs and substantial balustrades.”

Who the hell was this guy, and at what point had I become an unwilling participant of this architectural documentary?

“Yeah, as much as I love the history lesson, I just wanted a tour of the house so I don’t get lost.”

Vincenzo sighed, and I swore he muttered the word brat for the hundredth time.

“Fine, a basic tour then.”

After that, he showed us the living room, sitting room, bedrooms, and told us who all slept in which. We went outside to the pool and guest house where he explained his exercitus would be staying while here. What a pretentious word. Just call it army, for fuck’s sake.

“And how long do you plan to keep me here?” I faced Vincenzo at the end of the tour.

“Keep you?” He rolled his eyes. “You’re not a prisoner. As soon as your life was threatened, where to bring you and who to trust were the most important questions.”

“Not a prisoner. Okay, then I can leave?”

He looked over to Aiden, who was uncharacteristically quiet. I’d have thought this would be a perfect moment for him to jump in and agree that we should get the hell out of here.

“Someone tried to kill you. If you go home, how sure are you they aren’t lying in wait?”

I stepped closer to the man, lifted my head—because of course he was taller and broader than me—and responded, “How do I know the threat isn’t in here, sleeping under the same roof as me?”

He didn’t flinch. He was barely breathing as he stared right back at me. “Frederick, if I wanted you dead, you’d be dead. There wouldn’t be any abandoned SUVs or bullet casings. You would have never gotten away that night, and only the whispers of what might have happened would linger on the lips of those who knew you.”

This motherfucker…hot as he may be, was pissing me off. “Don’t call me Frederick.”

“Is that not your name?”

“It is if you’re my grandmother, which you’re not, because she’s dead.”

He cocked his head, and only the slight lift at the corner of his mouth broke his placid expression. “That seems to be a trend with you Brennans.”

“You listen here, you piece of⁠—”

“Fred,” Aiden interrupted. “How about you and I have a little talk about your next steps?”

Vincenzo simply quirked a brow, and without taking my eyes off the man, I answered Aiden.

“Good idea.”

Vincenzo didn’t attempt to follow Aiden and me to the pool house, and I was glad. He was irritating with his perfection and witty banter. Lex Talionis was a flawless and lethal organization, and while part of me could hear Snow yelling at me for poking the homicidal bear, another part of me knew I was safe. See? Irritating!

“I spoke with Oscar,” Aiden began. “Finn, Rowan, and him have been keeping things running smoothly. I explained that you were recovering and safe but didn’t want whoever did this to see you as weak in any way.”

I furrowed my brow. “We don’t know who did this, Aiden. For all we know, those three had something to do with it. Wasn’t it you who said they were saying how they weren’t thrilled with how things were being run?”

“Exactly. That’s why I can’t act any differently. If they think you suspect them, how do you think that’ll end?”

He had a point. “I can’t stay here. The longer I hide, the more power my enemies gain.”

“You’re not ready. You still need to heal.”

The medical professional in me knew he was right, but the bloodthirsty part of me who sought revenge for Sean and Aine spoke up. “Maybe let me decide what I can and can’t do, Aiden.”

He jerked back as if I slapped him. “I didn’t mean…” He sighed. “You’re angry.”

“No shit. The only two people who gave a shit about me in this world are dead. Because of me.”

“Not because of you.”

“And you know this, how?” I stared at him waiting. “You don’t, do you?”

“We don’t know anything, Fred.”

“And we’re not going to gather much information from here. We need to be out there and looking these fuckers in the eyes.”

He plopped onto the chair beside me. “Have any ideas?”

“I do.”

He swept his arm out. “Care to share with the class?”

“As dramatic as it sounds, I’ll face them all at Sean and Aine’s funeral. They’ll be buried in the Brennan plot, and it will be done together…just like how they died. And there I will see all their faces, and if even one of them flinches, I’ll cut their heads off.”

“You’ve never been this brutal in all the time I’ve known you.”

I narrowed my eyes at Aiden. “I never wanted any of this; that’s no secret. But by the time I’m done with this fucking family, I’ll make them all wish they never crossed me. I will make them wish Aine was the head, and they can drown on their regrets until their last breath.”

“Whoa.” Aiden stood. “That’s if any of them are responsible. You can’t go in there, guns blazing, without proof.”

I smirked, anger filling my heart. “Oh, I’ll have proof.”

“How can you be sure you’ll get it?”

My smirk turned into a full-blown grin. “Because whoever did this either didn’t realize I was allied with Lex Talionis, or didn’t realize how unstoppable they are. They sealed their fate when their bullets missed me, Aiden.” I stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“I won’t miss, they will pay, and we will have our revenge.”

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Vincenzo

I felt Zion before I heard him. “He doesn’t trust you.”

I chuckled lightly. “He doesn’t trust anyone, and why should he?”

Never had I let anyone speak to me the way Fred had and walk away the same person. Then again, I’d never met anyone quite like that man, and he was suffering inside. I’d let him use me as a punching bag this once.

“He trusts Aiden.”

I turned to look at Zion, noting a change in his tone. “Should he not?”

He had his laptop in hand and sighed. “Eden got back to me with more information.”

“Should Fred hear this?” I motioned toward the pool house.

“Yes, but maybe only Fred.” He narrowed his eyes. “Lex Talionis are the only people I feel are one hundred percent not responsible for this. More and more, the evidence we pull up is proving how unsafe Fred is, and one of us should be with him at all times.”

I smiled. “You sound like you care, Zion.”

“I’ve met with Fred many times. He’s not a bad person. He’s brilliant, and he’s stuck. They could have just let him walk away. Why kill him?”

“If it’s his family that is trying to kill him, that’s easy to answer. You simply don’t just walk away from the mob, Zion, you know that.”

He tutted. “Ridiculous.”

“We’ve dealt with many oddities; this one is actually tamer than most.”

He shrugged. “Perhaps.” He gestured to his laptop. “We need to go over what Eden discovered.”

“I’ll head to the pool house and ask Fred to meet us in the sitting room when he’s done.”

Zion spun on his heel and left, and I made my way to the pool house.

I was about to knock on the door, but Aiden’s raised voice stopped me.

“So you’re just going to believe that Lex Talionis isn’t behind this?”

“If they can’t be trusted, why’d you bring me here to recover?”

I couldn’t see their faces, but Fred’s voice was full of that brattiness I adored, and Aiden was clearly upset.

“I didn’t have a choice. At the time I didn’t think they were responsible, but now I’m not sure.”

“Why, Aiden? What’s changed?”

“Just a feeling.”

There was a pregnant pause, and then Fred responded. “Even more reason to leave this place and for me to get home.”

“You’re not one hundred percent.”

Fred chuckled. “That’s why I have you. You’ll watch my back, right?”

“Of course,” Aiden answered without hesitation, and that was the moment I knocked.

“Come in,” Fred shouted.

I opened the door and saw Aiden and Fred standing across from each other.

“Pardon the interruption. Zion has news and is waiting in the sitting room. Whenever the two of you are done, meet us in there.” After eavesdropping, I realized how suspicious it would be to ask Fred to come alone. If they thought me and my people were behind this, I had to convince him we weren’t.

I didn’t wait for an answer. I left, wondering so many things. Why was I uneasy letting Fred leave? Was Aiden to be trusted? Who’d done this, and if he wasn’t in my line of sight how could I prevent it from happening again? And why did I care so goddamn much?

Zion had linked his laptop to the large TV in the sitting room. Fred and Aiden entered and took the two seats on the opposite side of the room. It was telling, how he consciously or maybe subconsciously drew a line between me and him.

Before he began, Zion glanced at me. He really didn’t want Aiden in this meeting and while I understood, it was far riskier to discount him. I nodded to Zion, and he began.

“Eden and Thomas were made point on digging into the shooting.” Zion clicked a button, and a photo of shell casings appeared on the screen. “As you know I explained that nine millimeter, forty caliber, and forty-five caliber shells were found in the SUV.”

Fred waved his hand in a “Get on with it” gesture, and I couldn’t help the smirk that adorned my face. Fred noticed and simply narrowed his eyes.

“Right.” Zion clicked another key. “These are the autopsy reports for Sean and Aine.”

Fred sat up straighter and visibly swallowed. “That was done quickly.”

“Connections.” I shrugged.

Fred ignored me and Zion continued. “Aine was hit eight times with the nine millimeter bullets. Sean ten times in the back with the forty-five calibers.”

I tilted my head when he didn’t continue. “What about the forties?”

Zion pointed at me. “Exactly. Eden returned to where Sean’s car was parked. He was parked a little ways down from the restaurant. Upon the shots being fired, the only thing behind Sean, Aine, and Fred was a brick building. Eden was able to extract a few bullets from there, all matching a forty-caliber gun.”

“They missed?” Fred wondered, confused.

Zion scratched his chin. “No, and yes.” He clicked another key, and an illustration popped up. “This is Aine, this is Sean, and this is you.” The drawing was of the three of them standing by the car before the SUV had turned the corner.

“Okay.” Fred stood now as if getting closer would make everything make more sense.

Zion clicked another key and the picture changed. Now Sean was in front of Fred, and Aine hadn’t moved. “The forty-caliber bullets Eden pulled out of the building were directly behind where Sean would have been standing. This indicated that there were three shooters, and each of them had a target. By using three different bullet types, it would make it harder for police to nail a single person responsible. And while that’s clever, it’s also not, because it proves all three of you were targets, not just you, Fred.”

Fred stood stock still and I turned my gaze toward Aiden, who was staring at the screen and clenching his jaw.

“Did you find out if Arnold Blessett reported his SUV stolen?” I asked Zion.

“He didn’t.”

“That doesn’t mean anything.” Fred’s voice was a whisper. “He could just be protecting his grandson.”

“Then perhaps it’s time to pay Grandpa a visit,” I said.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Fred

As we drove to Arnold Blessett’s house in a large, luxurious—and no doubt, well-armored—SUV, my mind wandered. Zion’s presentation proved one thing I’d been wondering this whole time: I wasn’t the only target that night. Were Aine and Sean also on a list?

Whoever was behind this, they wanted to take out not just me but my bloodline…why?

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Vincenzo reading something on his tablet. With him not paying attention to me, I allowed myself a moment to really look at him.

He gained nothing by killing me. If he wanted to eliminate this treaty or whatever it was called, why would he attack me alone, knowing Haven Hart would retaliate? Not because they wanted to avenge me, but to not do so would be a sign of weakness.

No, it made no sense that Lex Talionis was behind this. I may have been a shit mob boss but my gut was what had kept me alive all these years, and to ignore that would be foolish.

I wanted to contact Simon and Rush about what had gone down here, but there hadn’t been a good opportunity. Too many eyes and ears. I shot them text messages when several messages from them were going unanswered and threats of coming to see me lingered.

I couldn’t have them here in the midst of this clusterfuck. I explained that it wouldn’t be unreasonable if they showed up for the funerals and that I’d talk with them at that time. After assuring them I was protected, they relented.

“We’re here,” the driver—I found out his name was Thomas—said.

Gazing out the window at the house proved that Arnold Blessett was very much taken care of by his grandson. It was a gorgeous three-story, dark-blue, craftsman house. The lawn was well maintained, and it sat on close to an acre of land. It wasn’t a mansion like mine, but it also wasn’t something a man who worked as a train-stop janitor could afford.

“Let my people out first, Fred.” Vincenzo held his hand up as soon as I made to open the door.

He was right and I had to be safe, but I also didn’t have to like it or let him know I agreed.

“You take care of your own safety.”

He rolled his eyes but said nothing more, which was almost as irritating. As though he were above verbal sparring. As if he thought of me as beneath him. Believe me, that wasn’t something I was unfamiliar with.

All my life, people had been sniffing at my presence. I was an abomination to my father, my mother was never present even when she was physically there, and then there were people like Rush’s dad. Men who saw through the mask I put on and used it to their advantage.

Rushmore Abernathy the Second had gotten great pleasure in using my mind, body, and spirit to direct me where he wanted me. I hated how much I’d loved the sex with that man, but after the dust had settled and I’d seen that he was no different than anyone else who came into my life, I’d been sick for weeks.

Rush, his son, had every reason to hate me but instead chose to forgive me and pull me into the fold…yet I still felt like I was standing on the sidelines with him and all of Haven Hart.

“It’s safe to get out,” Zion said once he opened the door.

Vincenzo slipped out, followed by Aiden and me. Zion took up the rear, and I was cased in. I snorted at how ridiculous this must look, but Vincenzo faced me before I could say anything.

“I am here as a bodyguard for you. All of Lex Talionis are.”

“Wait, what.” I grabbed his arm, stopping him from moving. “Why are you telling me this now when we had an entire car ride to talk?”

“Because you’d ask questions and argue.”

“That’s bullshit. I wouldn’t argue and I’d likely understand, but seriously, why can’t anyone know?”

He snorted. “See? Questions. We can talk about this later. For now, you lead the charge.”

“Fine.” I sighed and we reached the porch.

Eden was in the lead and rang the doorbell. We only had to wait a beat until the door opened and a man who appeared to be in his late seventies stood in front of us.

His eyes widened as he took in everyone on his porch. Along with me, Aiden, Vincenzo, Zion, and Eden, Thomas was at the SUV, and there was another parked behind him and four other Lex Talionis on the property.

“Can I, uh, help you?”

I had to be the one to speak, and I really wished we’d had a rehearsal on this and Vincenzo the douche hadn’t sprung it on me.

“Are you Arnold Blessett?”

He chuckled nervously. “I’m not sure I want to answer that.”

I hummed. “Yes, understandable. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Fred Brennan…” I was glad when he blanched—he was well aware of who I was. “Everyone else you see here is for my protection.”

“Protection?” His brow creased. “From what?”

“Perhaps we can take this conversation inside.”

He peeked behind himself, then to me. “Are…well, I don’t want no trouble.”

“I suggest you let me enter, Mr. Blessett, and hopefully we can make your dream a reality.”

I couldn’t tell for sure what was rattling around in the old man’s head but a few seconds later he indeed stepped aside, and we all made our way in.

His home was fully furnished, clean, and one glance at the artwork, interior design, and the elderly man in nice clothes, told the tale that he was absolutely taken care of.

“Nice home.” I smirked.

“Thanks…my grandson takes good care of me.” He walked to the living room and I followed.

“I bet Richie does.”

Arnold’s steps faltered, but he gripped the side of the couch and sat before he fell completely.

“You know my Richie?”

I sat on the couch adjacent to him. “It’s why I’m here, Arnold…may I call you Arnold?” He nodded. “See, the other night someone tried to gun me down and did in fact kill two of my family in the process.”

His eyes widened. “What?” His head swiveled this way and that, gaping at every person who now crowded the room. “You think Richie did it?”

“Thing is, Arnold, it was your SUV that was abandoned a few blocks from where the shots were fired, and bullet casings matching those that killed my family were with it.”

“My SUV?”

I nodded. “Did you not notice your vehicle missing?”

His face twitched but he seemed more confused than scared. “No, I mean, my SUV?”

My eyes flicked to Vincenzo, who stood directly behind Arnold, his head cocked.

“Yes, Arnold. Your SUV. Can I ask you if it was stolen or⁠—”

“No, I mean, I don’t own an SUV. I don’t own any vehicles. I can’t drive. I used to many years ago, but as I got older I couldn’t see in the dark anymore. I get transportation through the community program, and Richie is here every weekend to help me run errands.”

“The SUV found was registered to you. Did the police not come talk to you?”

He shook his head. “I just got home this morning. I was away visiting my sister in Wyoming. No one has reached out to me. I’m sorry, Mr. Brennan, I’m very confused.”

I sat back on the couch and worried my lip. “Appears we both are, Arnold.”

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Vincenzo

Fred wanted to go find Richie and get to the bottom of things, but leaving Arnold alone wasn’t a great idea. He’d absolutely tip off his grandson if he thought we were going to hurt him.

I met Fred’s stare, hoping he’d understand what I was thinking…then quickly realized how stupid that was because he wouldn’t know what I was asking and instead gestured toward Arnold, quietly asking if I could speak. Of course I didn’t need permission, but Fred was like a feral cat—no reason to piss him off and risk a bite.

When he nodded, I stepped in front of the older man. “Arnold, could you please call your grandson and have him come here?”

“Are you gonna hurt him?”

“That is an answer I cannot give you. The fact that Fred here was almost killed and two of his family were, and the getaway vehicle was registered to you, who had no idea about that, raises more questions. We feel your grandson could shed some light on these.”

“So you just want to ask him questions?”

“For now, yes.”

“Richie’s a good boy,” Arnold pleaded.

“I’m sure he is, but we need answers.”

He didn’t have a choice here; we were simply trying to present ourselves as peaceful. But if he didn’t make the call in the next twenty seconds, he’d soon find out how much we were holding back.

Fortunately, a moment later he started dialing.

“Hey, Richie. Yeah, I’m fine. Are you busy, could you stop by the house?” There was a pause, Arnold’s gaze kept flicking around the room. “I’m okay, but I think it’s best you get over here.”

We should have demanded him to put it on Speaker, but Arnold wasn’t saying anything too ominous. Just enough for Richie to come over.

“I’ll see you in a bit.” He disconnected the call and released a long breath. “He’ll be here in a bit. He lives about fifteen minutes from here.”

“He won’t bolt when he sees my cars and the people, will he?” Fred asked.

Arnold shrugged. “I don’t know.”

Fred pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes. “If he runs, Arnold, that would be a very bad thing.”

Arnold didn’t say anything. He sat there clutching his phone, the sweat beading on his forehead making his dark skin glisten.

Through the window, I could see my people walking the yard. It was a quiet area and no doubt drew some attention from neighbors. I garnered many were at work so hopefully there weren’t any authorities called, but I wasn’t worried either way.

True to his word, Arnold’s grandson arrived almost exactly fifteen minutes later…but he wasn’t alone. Three other men stepped out of the car with him.

“I got this.” Zion walked out of the house and approached the men. They spoke briefly, and I watched as two stayed outside while two followed behind Zion.

“What the hell is goin’ on here? Grandpa, are you okay?” The man I assumed was Richie rushed over to Arnold, and they hugged briefly.

“I’m guessing you’re Richie?” Fred never rose from his seat, merely quirked a brow, his petulance shining like a bright star.

“Yeah…” Richie looked as if he were going to shout but paused. “Wait, you’re Mr. Brennan.”

“I’m glad you’re at least aware of who I am.”

Richie glanced around the room, likely knowing who Aiden was, but the rest of us were probably a mystery to him.

“I don’t understand—what’s goin’ on here?”

“Have you been keeping up with current events, Richie?” Fred asked.

“Some. I’m sorry about your family.”

So Richie was aware of the hit, but there wasn’t a lick of nervousness coming off him.

“That’s why I’m here today.” Fred relaxed more into the couch, his ankle resting on his opposite knee. “The SUV that was used in the drive-by was found near the restaurant where my uncle and cousin were murdered. An SUV registered to your grandfather.”

“What?” Richie faced his grandfather. “What’s he talking about?”

“I…I don’t know, you know I don’t own a car.”

“It’s true he doesn’t, you gotta be mistaken.”

Fred sighed loudly. “Thing is, Richie, I believe your grandfather has no idea what’s going on, but I can’t help but wonder if you do? Did you register a vehicle in his name?”

Richie jerked away. “Are you accusing me of killing your family? Do I seem suicidal?”

Fred lifted a shoulder. “Perhaps you are; I don’t know you.”

“Exactly.” Richie stepped away from his grandfather. “If you did, you’d know I’m not stupid and I happen to like living. If I did what you’re thinking I did, I’d be a hunted man. If not from you, from the rest of my crew.”

“Unless the Bleeding Angels ordered the hit,” Aiden added.

“No way. And if they did, they’d never set up my grandpa.”

Fred laughed. “Right, because they’re good-natured and honest criminals.”

“Hold up.” Richie took a deep breath. “The Bleeding Angels work with your family, Mr. Brennan. We got a good relationship—why would we ruin that?”

“Money?” I answered. “Territory? There are many reasons that make sense and many that don’t. Why people do things is a question with no answer.”

“Well, I didn’t, and the Angels wouldn’t. I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about.”

Zion stepped up, slipping his phone into his pocket. “Know what’s interesting? I just got information sent to me stating that the casings trace back to your crew.”

“What, how?” Richie was truly confused. Either he was telling the truth and the Bleeding Angels hadn’t done this, or if they did, he wasn’t aware.

“The Bleeding Angels’ marking was on each shell.”

Richie’s eyes darted from Zion to Fred. “Mr. Brennan, I didn’t do this and my crew has no beef with you. We have a great relationship.”

“I won’t deny this seems odd.” Fred uncrossed his legs and stood. “You purchase your guns and bullets through me. I assume the markings are put on after they are in your possession.”

“How are all of you not in jail?” I was exasperated. “That’s sloppy to leave a calling card that is obviously you.” Fred chuckled at me and yes, I saw the irony in what I said. Lex Talionis left behind a gold coin with our signature. Difference was, we weren’t a street crew, and we were impossible to find.

“We aren’t stupid. We don’t mark our shit. Don’t you see we’re being set up?” Richie argued.

Zion was typing again, presumably researching something.

Fred took a few steps closer to Richie. “Who would want to set the Bleeding Angels up?”

Richie scoffed. “We have rivals, Mr. Brennan.”

“How about you tell us who those rivals are?” I asked.

“I’ll write you a fucking list.”

List in hand, we were back in the car. Fred stared out the window, an expression of anger and sorrow adorning his face.

“He’s right,” Zion piped up from the front seat.

“About what?” I tilted my head at Zion.

“I had Eden look into any hits the Bleeding Angels have done in the past. All shell casings found, any evidence against them, not one brand was on any of it. I think Richie is telling the truth. Someone is setting the Bleeding Angels up.”

“They’re not just setting them up,” Fred mumbled.

“What are you saying?”

His sad eyes met mine. “The hit on me and my family was legitimate. Obviously they weren’t going to show their hand, so they used the Bleeding Angels as the fall guys, so to speak. Have me fight them, a war ensues, and when the dust settles, the most powerful street gang and mafia family in Westford would be annihilated. Whoever is behind this would have a shit-ton of territory and power.”

“Are you saying the hit on you wasn’t personal?” Zion wondered.

“Oh, I think it was. I also think opportunity knocked, and whoever is running this show answered the door.”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Fred

Vincenzo cocked his head to the side, staring at me. “If what you’re saying is true, Fred, that would mean it’s not an internal issue either.” He gestured to the list in my hand. “Reading those names, are there any parallels with those who want to take out the Bleeding Angels and the Brennan family?”

I recognized pretty much every name on the list, and without looking again I knew the answer to his question.

“No.”

“This reminds me of the Fernandos,” Thomas said as he turned onto the highway.

“Fernandos?” I glanced over at Vincenzo.

“Yes, Gerald Fernando was a wealthy and powerful man. Whatever he wanted he got, and he needed for nothing. Then his wife began sleeping around, and he told her he wanted a divorce.”

I scrunched my forehead. “This is nothing like that.”

“I’m not done with my story.” He lifted a brow.

With a sigh, I motioned for him to continue.

“It was bound to be an ugly divorce because when they met, they were young and in love and didn’t get a prenup.” He rolled his eyes. “About five months into the divorce proceedings, because yes, this was going to be long, Gerald was killed.”

“Damn, totally the wife.” I nodded.

“And she knew that was exactly how it would be seen. Except he was poisoned. The chemical compound was a new invention from a doctor in Switzerland. As soon as the autopsy was completed, there was a huge investigation and the wife claimed she didn’t know anything about poisons, and to the police it was reasonable. The doctor had also publicly stated he was against Fernando’s political views and rejected an offer from Fernando to buy the rights to the poison.”

“Can you even buy rights to lethal chemicals?” I was a doctor myself and was sure you couldn’t.

“You can when the purpose of the poison is to kill ticks and certain kinds of mosquitos that pass on deadly illnesses to humans.”

“Okay, fair, go on.”

“Anyway, the doctor was arrested because while he lived in Switzerland he happened to be in the same town as Gerald at the time of his death. Couple that with all evidence pointing toward him and boom. The spotlight was off the wife, she got everything, and that was that.”

I released an undignified sigh. “Still nothing like what we’re dealing with.”

Vincenzo smirked, and I’d never wanted to equally smack and kiss someone so much in my entire life.

“Because she did, in fact, do it. See, Gerald’s brother suspected his sister-in-law of doing it. He had no proof, though, but he felt the wrong man was in prison. He went to a private investigator Lex Talionis has on our payroll and when he contacted us, we agreed that if a woman was poisoning people, we’d like to know. So, we dug.”

We were stopped at a light, and I realized we were close to Vincenzo’s house already.

“Turned out the wife was having an affair with some tech of the good doctor’s and was able to get her hands on the poison. If the tech knew, we had no idea. She then went about making sure the police focused on the doctor and kept attention off her. While everyone was fighting over the riches, the wife was planning to take it all. She knew to win, Gerald had to die and she had to make it look like someone else was responsible.”

“And were you able to find the proof?”

Vincenzo nodded. “We were, but not any evidence we could use in court. Turned out she had a few deaths under her belt—some before she even met Gerald, so we dealt with her. After they found her body, the proof that she was guilty surfaced and the doctor was freed. The brother got the money, which he donated most of, and that was that.”

I pursed my lips, thinking. “You said the evidence wasn’t usable.”

“It wasn’t obtained legally, so it couldn’t be presented in court…but if it happens to show up with a dead body and cops find it…” He shrugged, and a laugh bubbled out of me.

“Clever.”

“I thought so. Anyway, this is similar in that someone wants your power and riches and to make it seem like someone else is guilty. In the end someone will prevail, and that would be the guilty party, who will have covered their tracks perfectly.”

“That’s a lot,” Aiden commented. “Who’d do all of that?”

“That’s what we need to find out.”

When we pulled into the circular driveway, I didn’t bother waiting for anyone to open the door. I got out and stormed into the house. Irritation and frustration were like an unscratchable itch under my skin. I wanted to punch something or someone.

I rushed up to the bedroom that was considered mine, slammed the door, and paced. Uncle Sean and Aine were dead, I had no idea who’d done it, I had a target on my head the size of Westford, and my emotions were all over the place.

I couldn’t think, could barely breathe with how broken my heart was, how enraged my soul was.

The knock on the door only spiked my anger, and I pulled it open.

“What?”

Vincenzo stood there as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

“You’re spiraling, Fred.”

“Excuse me? How about you fuck off?”

“Let me in.”

I snorted. “I don’t want to see your face right now. I don’t want to see anyone right now.” I tossed the now crumpled-up list Richie had given me into his face. “None of these people did this, and I think you know that.”

He glanced at the paper on the ground before meeting my eyes again. “No, I agree. That list is pointless.”

“Someone in my family did this to obtain power.” I huffed, and traitorous tears filled my eyes. “A power I would have gladly handed over to them.”

“This was an unnecessary move on their part. Selfish men fueled by their lying egos.” He took a step closer, and I didn’t stop him as he gently pushed me into the room and closed the door.

“All I ever wanted was to be a doctor, save lives. I wanted none of this. They fucking could have just taken it, and I’d have skipped off into the sunset.” I couldn’t stop the tears from falling, and Vincenzo stayed near but said nothing.

“If they waited, they’d have known I was pushing Aine away. I was giving them everything they fucking wanted.” I tucked my fists against my thighs.

“You’ve yet to let yourself grieve, Fred.” He inched closer and took my fists in his hands. “Anger is consuming you and while warranted, it will get you nowhere.”

“It’s all I have.” I gritted my teeth.

“No, Fred, you have so much more than rage. You’re smart, smarter than all of them. Perhaps they are threatened by that. They’ve been disloyal and likely thought punishment was incoming. Who knows? But you will get ahead of this, spin on them, and eviscerate every single traitor.”

He cupped my cheek in his hand and the warmth pulled me in…God, was I so desperate for touch?

“Then, you will mourn the loss of your family and begin to heal.”

What was this man doing to me, and why didn’t I want him to ever stop? The fire in his eyes, the feel of his warmth on my cheek. Suddenly, I wasn’t thinking about ripping the heads off people or the sadness that threatened to drown me. No, right now, I wanted to strip Vincenzo Belini of every stitch of clothing and lick him from head to toe.

Damn…I was a broken box of crayons.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Vincenzo

Fred leaned in as if an invisible thread were pulling him to me and no force could stop us from the inevitable bliss of a searing kiss.

Well, until a loud knock made the skittish guy jump away from me. I was the kind of man who believed staying calm and collected brought forth organized finality to chaotic situations…but right now, I wanted to rip the door off the hinges and beat whoever was behind it to a bloody pulp.

Fred’s cheeks pinked, and he took a deep breath. The knocking started again.

“Fred, you in there?” Aiden’s tone was frantic.

With a sigh, Fred opened the door. “Sorry, Vincenzo and I were talking.”

Aiden regarded me briefly before focusing on Fred. “Oh, you ran out of the car. I was worried.”

“I’m fine.” Fred’s smile was shaky, and I wondered if it was because he was flustered and trying to tamp down the sexual energy or if he was upset over what had almost happened.

“Right. Well, did you want to sit and go over that list?” Aiden’s gaze went to the crumpled piece of paper on the floor.

“It’s useless, Aiden. No one on there is responsible. I’m sure it was in-house.”

“Fred, you can’t know that. We should at least check it out.”

I stepped forward. “I can get some of my people to look into every person on the list.” I bent and picked up the paper. “The funeral is in two days. Fred needs to concentrate on a strategy to lure out some of the bad seeds in your family or find out those who might have information.”

I met Aiden’s now-livid expression. He grabbed the list from my hand. “I’m not convinced your band of assassins isn’t behind this.”

“You can tear the world apart trying to find proof I had any part of this, and you’ll come up empty.”

He advanced on me, but I didn’t budge. “Because you hide it so well?”

“Because there’s nothing to hide. Now, if you don’t back up, I’ll show you why I lead the most dangerous assassin organization in the world.”

“Aiden, enough.” Fred pushed in between us, facing Aiden. “This isn’t Lex Talionis. If it were, someone from Haven Hart would have told me by now.”

“You don’t know that.”

Fred huffed. “Yes, I do, because it would affect them and after what happened here, you better believe they did a deep dive into the situation to discount or prove if Vincenzo was behind it.”

“Then why aren’t they doing more, hmm? Why aren’t they tearing apart the Brennan clan?” Aiden’s anger morphed into disgust. “They don’t give a damn about you unless it can damage them.”

Fred’s face fell. It was a low blow and uncalled for. Fred likely only saw Aiden trying to make him realize a false truth. What I was witnessing was the slip of the driver’s mask.

“I’m going to ask you to leave this room, Aiden.” I gently pushed Fred to the side and pressed my chest to Aiden’s. “Now.”

“Excuse me?”

“You have ten seconds to get out of my sight. If it weren’t for Fred, you’d be dead where you stand. Out of respect, I’m asking you to get out of this room.”

Aiden looked over at Fred but the redheaded man was staring at the carpet, his thoughts drifting him miles away.

“Sir—”

“Want me to start counting?” I practically growled.

With one last glare, Aiden spun on his heel and left.

I quietly shut the door and faced Fred, who was now sitting on the edge of the bed, head in hands.

“He’s not wrong, Vincenzo.”

“Yes, he is.” I took the few steps toward him and kneeled. “Aiden’s words were said to hurt you. Whether it be because you and I were talking alone or to make sure you know he’s all you can trust. But one thing I know is, the Manoses, Harts, Blackroses—all of them give a shit about you. It’s my job to know people, and I’m positive of this.”

He lifted his head, and the sorrow in his eyes was enough to take the air clear out of my lungs.

“I shouldn’t be vulnerable in front of you.”

I smirked. “Maybe I’m exactly who you should be vulnerable in front of.” I took his hands in mine, happy when he didn’t pull away. “Your uncle said to trust nobody and to trust your gut, so do that. No matter what, even if it means being a pissy brat to me until the end of time. You need to think about only yourself right now.”

He snorted. “I’m not a brat.”

“Oh, but you are.” I squeezed his hands. “But you know what?”

He raised a brow silently asking me what.

“I like that about you.”

Fred rolled his eyes and playfully pushed me away. “You’re messed up.”

I shrugged and stood up, Fred joining me. “Brave face, Fred. In two days’ time you’ll face off with whoever was behind this. Trust no one, remember?”

Fred nodded, his expression soft. “Even you?”

“If that’s what you need to do.”

The entire time Fred had been here, he’d shown nothing but animosity toward me. Suddenly it was as if the realization that I might be the only one being honest with him had hit home. But if it meant keeping Fred safe, I’d accept the anger and snark any day.

Something about this man had me turned inside out, and the more time I spent with him, the more I wanted to know him, protect him, and avenge him.

“I’m going to take a shower and change. I’ll be out in a little while.”

I stepped back and smiled. “Take your time.”

“Vincenzo?”

“Hmm?”

“Thanks…you know, for not being a colossal asshole.”

I chuckled. “It was difficult, but I managed.”

He grinned and rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I bet. Now get out.”

I did as was asked and as I walked down the hallway to what I was sure would be an irate Aiden, I tried hard not to think about a naked Fred in the shower.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Fred

The remainder of that day and the next was filled with strategizing for the funeral. I knew Haven Hart would have a big presence there, and it would be a good chance to speak with some of them without raising suspicion or risking people overhearing.

Aiden had offered very little, opting to glare at Vincenzo as if he were trying to blow him up with his mind. Unfortunately, I couldn’t deal with his feelings right now with everything so uncertain.

The night before the funeral, after a lot of silent treatment, Aiden had approached me while I’d been sitting out in the garden alone.

“Sir.”

“Now I’m back to being sir?” I chuckled and motioned to the seat in front of me.

“I’ve been an ass, I know.”

He took a seat and his shoulders sagged. I waited for him to speak, knowing it was he who had to make the first comment.

“I’ve been thinking, wracking my brain really. And yeah, Finn, Oscar, and Rowan have been skimming from the top. I saw Zion’s proof.”

My nostrils flared as I listened to him. God, was I just a huge joke to my entire family?

“But why would they do that if they were just intending to take over in the first place, Fred? Yeah…” He held up his hands halting me when I opened my mouth to speak. “They need to be punished for that, and I’m sure you’ll dole it out. But, as much as you think it’s an internal thing, I don’t think it is.”

“You think it’s Lex Talionis?” I swallowed my rage. It wasn’t Aiden’s fault that my lieutenants had sticky fingers.

“I think it’s possible. But while we were all talking about strategy and how you’d get to talk to Manos and all them at the funeral, another thought struck.”

I gestured for him to go on. I didn’t have time for these suspenseful pauses.

“Haven Hart wanted your father dead. Rightly so—he did them wrong. Had it not been for you, they’d have been given a shit-ton of territory to split between them all.”

A laugh burst from somewhere deep in my gut. Aiden stared wide-eyed at me as I held my belly and full-on cackled, listening to his assumption.

“Fred…”

I held up a hand, I couldn’t listen to this. “Stop, it hurts.”

Aiden huffed and sat back in his chair, a look of pure annoyance on his face.

“It’s not funny, Fred. I’m serious.”

“Oh, I know.” I wiped my eyes, my chest feeling lighter than it had in days. “But that’s the most ridiculous conclusion I’ve heard to date.”

“Why? It’s absolutely feasible.”

I let my body fully relax in my seat and met Aiden’s gaze head on. “Because that’s not who they are. They don’t want any more wars. If they wanted my territory, they’d have taken it when I was barely breathing and being held in their bomb shelter. They’d have killed me at that moment, annihilated every Brennan, and called it a day.”

“Fred, but⁠—”

“No, Aiden,” I snapped. “I know this was internal. You know it was too. Why are you trying to divert?”

He ran his fingers through his hair not once, not twice, but three times. “I dunno.”

“It’s hard for you. You’re close with Finn, and maybe you’re pissed. He’s making a move, and you knew nothing about it. Hell, Aiden, if I hadn’t ordered you to stay with Zion, you’d likely have been shot too.”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

“Let’s get through the funeral. Afterward, we’ll see where we all stand.” I stood, took a step and placed my hand on his shoulder. “You’re the only family I have left, Aiden. We have to stick together.”

He covered my hand with his and shot me a soft smile. “I got you, Fred.”

“I know you do.”

The plan was for Vincenzo and Lex Talionis to act as security at the funeral. Aiden had made sure to let my lieutenants know that due to the possibility of the Bleeding Angels or another street gang being sent out to take me down, the more security I had, the better—and these guys weren’t familiar to anyone here.

That appeased Finn and the others, and they even praised me for my smart thinking. Fools. I was smarter than them, but they just didn’t know it.

Aiden had planted the perfect amount of false security, making the family believe I thought them all innocent and their hands clean. This was vital in finding out who was responsible.

My black Armani suit fit perfectly. Coupled with a crisp white shirt and black tie, I was good to go. I descended the stairs to find everyone waiting for me in the foyer. Vincenzo looked impeccable in Valentino. His hair was smoothed back and tucked behind his ears. His perfect five-o’clock shadow finished off the whole aesthetic, and if I hadn’t known he was an elite killer, I’d have sworn he was a model.

“Everybody ready?” I asked as I smoothed my hands over my suit jacket.

“As we’ll ever be.” Aiden offered me a small smile.

“We follow your lead, Fred, remember that. Treat us how you would any security for yourself.” Vincenzo repeated what I already knew.

“I will. Let’s go. As much as I’ve dreaded this, I also couldn’t miss it for anything.”

This act we had to all play would start the second that front door opened and end after we were all tucked away at nightfall.

I had to address returning to my house but until I knew more, I recognized that Vincenzo was right and it wasn’t safe.

Uncle Sean had been a fairly religious man, but he’d so often said that he didn’t support organized religion. I was able to pay a priest to do me a favor—shocking to no one—and perform a service in the large garden near the Brennan plot. Fortunately, it was a beautiful day. The downside was that we were out in the open, making it a little more difficult to keep me safe.

Our procession consisted of four SUVs and while a bit overkill, it was on purpose. They all needed to know that I was alive, I was strong, and I wasn’t going anywhere. They may have taken out the only two people who meant anything in the world to me, but they wouldn’t see me crack. No, all they’d managed to do was unleash a beast that had lain dormant in my soul all these years.

Every single one of them would pay. And when I found the head of the snake, I’d cut it right off.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Vincenzo

It was an extravagant sight. From the window of the SUV I could see more flowers, chairs, and people than most events I’d been to.

Sean’s and Aine’s caskets were being carried in after Fred arrived, so there was an empty space in the middle of all the people.

I faced Fred. “Are you ready?”

“Sure.”

I tilted my head and smirked upon seeing who was standing by the SUVs like lethal guards of support: Christopher and Snow Manos; Bill and Mace; Black and his husband, Quill; Poe and Phin Hart; Riordan and Teddy Darcy; and the deadly three—as I’d come to call them—Lee, Ginger, and Jones. They were all there waiting for Fred. Simon and Rush were closer to where Fred would be sitting. Haven Hart was ready to make it clear to anyone watching that Fred had their full support and protection and at that moment, I knew my decision to become allies with them was sound.

“Look at them,” Fred whispered.

“They are here for you; let’s not keep them waiting. It’s a good wall of security to have.” I opened the door and stepped out first.

I wasn’t sure if any of them knew who I was, but none of them even glanced at me. Every single one of them intently stared at the redheaded man who followed behind me.

Christoper stepped forward and clasped Fred’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Fred.”

“Thanks.”

One by one they offered their condolences, and with them and my people encompassing Fred, we walked over to where he’d be sitting.

Aiden slipped off to the side and moved toward three men. Men I was well aware were Finn, Rowan, and Oscar.

As Fred took his seat and people came up to him one after another to say their “I’m sorries,” I kept my eyes on Aiden and Fred’s lieutenants.

They were having a conversation, Oscar was gesticulating, and the four of them often regarded us.

“A bit unorthodox that his lieutenants wouldn’t come over to pay their respects to their boss immediately, isn’t it?” Zion spoke softly in my ear.

“Very.”

Fred sat in the middle seat in the front. While everyone else was in a circle around the setup, his seat and three others, which were taken by Christopher on one side and Poe on the other and Black beside Poe, were in a row all their own.

Finally, Finn, Rowan, and Oscar came over to pay their respects, and I wondered if they thought the seats beside Fred were supposed to be for them.

Snow and the others were behind them and I, along with the rest of my people, were scattered throughout the space.

I was as close to Fred as I could get and as I perused every inch and every guest, I noticed Aiden coming up beside me.

“I thought I was going to be sitting beside Fred.”

Yes, that had been the original plan, but I wasn’t about to step on toes and make the heads of Haven Hart move.

“You were instructed not to leave Fred’s side, yet there you were, talking with Fred’s lieutenants, who paid no mind to their boss until it was convenient for them. Did you think Christopher or any of them were going to leave him exposed?”

Aiden’s jaw clenched, and his eyes narrowed. “I was dealing with them so Fred didn’t have to. Unforeseen circumstances, Vincenzo.”

I turned my body so I gave Aiden my full attention, trusting Zion and my exercitus to watch Fred.

“It wasn’t unforeseen that they’d be here, Aiden.” I cocked my head. “Let’s make something very clear, and then I expect you to piss off and do your job. I don’t trust you. There are more holes in your theories than there are in a strainer. You’re trying to direct us in every direction that doesn’t lead us to the lieutenants. I’d ask you why that is, but I’d suspect you’d lie.”

Aiden’s nostrils flared and he was about to speak, but I barreled on. “I will figure it out and that, Aiden, should be what keeps you up at night. Now scurry off and pretend to give a shit about Fred.”

I turned my body, no longer giving him my attention, and saw Zion watching me. I subtly shook my head, and he went back to surveying the area.

Music began to play and if Aiden had been planning to retort, he’d lost his chance. He moved over to the chairs and took one that was beside Jones.

I watched from along the path leading to the decorated area. Sean’s and Aine’s caskets were being carried. I wasn’t sure who the pallbearers were but from what I gathered, Fred believed them to be the best for the job.

Sean’s casket was dark wood, and Aine’s was ivory—both radiant and yet showing the contrast in the types of people they were.

I glanced at Fred, who had placed sunglasses over his eyes. He’d forgone his black-rimmed glasses in favor of contacts and I had to admit, while I loved him in glasses, he gave the appearance of stone without them.

Once the caskets made it to their spots, the pallbearers stepped away and, one by one, shook Fred’s hand.

The pastor began, but I tuned out his words. I scanned the entire area, stopping every few seconds on Fred, who hadn’t even flinched. The only indication that he was struggling were his clenched fists on his thighs.

Aiden was staring at the grass at his feet, and part of me wondered if he couldn’t bear to look at the caskets. Was it because of the guilt he had contributing to their deaths, or was it grief?

Once the pastor concluded, Fred stood. He’d explained that he’d be expected to say a few words, so this wasn’t a surprise.

He stood beside the pastor, pulled his sunglasses from his face, and tucked them into his pocket before meeting every gaze head on.

“My father wasn’t a good man.”

Well, that’s one way to start. Judging by the subtle gasps, nobody had been expecting that.

“My uncle Sean was the one to show me what being a human being was. It was he who made sure my homework was done and upon my acceptance into college, he was the one to buy me a drink and congratulate me. He was more of a father to me than my biological one.”

A bird crowed in the distance but other than that, everyone was silent.

“Aine was a bright light in this shitty world. She laughed with me…and sometimes at me. She taught me not to take life so seriously, and she was a born leader. She was my best friend, and she never failed to make me smile when I had nothing to be happy about.”

As I stared at Fred, I could see how hard it was for him to keep his composure. I doubted anyone else noticed how he was a swift breeze away from falling apart. He’d grown up hiding his feelings and unfortunately, he was really good at it.

“The night they were brutally taken away from me, Aine was preparing to see the world. She was leaving this life behind to make memories, to fall in love, to move on.” He turned toward his family, who were congregated together.

“She was going to be something somewhere in this world where she was appreciated.”

Damn.

“My uncle was proud of her, and you could see it in his face as she described her destinations. Then he put his arm around me and promised he wouldn’t leave my side.”

His head fell forward for a moment—no tears, just gathering himself, I assumed. After a breath he looked up, and there was a fire burning in those pale eyes I hadn’t seen before.

“He didn’t break his promise; it was torn from him. Aine’s dreams bled out on the pavement beside her father and me. And I wouldn’t be here right now if my uncle Sean hadn’t sacrificed himself for me.”

He took a deep breath, his gaze wandering over each person…even me.

“And no matter what it entails, I will make whoever is responsible meet the same fate.” He smirked and, like the sarcastic brat he was, said, “Amen,” and sat back down.

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Fred

My insides were vibrating. I hoped the fear I felt brewing in my body came off more as vicious anger, because these vultures could smell vulnerability.

The repast was going to be at Uncle Sean’s and Aine’s favorite restaurant. The private room had been booked, and everyone had pretty much left the cemetery…except me. Aiden stood by the car on the pathway, and as much as I wished Vincenzo and Zion would have also gone to the restaurant, I wasn’t fool enough to think being here alone with only my driver was a smart decision.

I stood between the caskets. They’d be lowered down after I left, but I needed this time with them.

“I’m so sorry.” I whispered, my voice cracking. “This was never supposed to happen, and I’ve failed you both so horribly.” My throat clogged, and my vision became watery.

“You were the two people in my life who meant everything to me. You stood by me when everyone else either turned their backs or let me suffer. You loved me unconditionally, and protected me not just physically but with words, hugs, promises, and love.” I hiccupped and was sure Vincenzo could hear me but he wasn’t facing me, giving me the illusion of privacy.

“I’m all alone, Uncle Sean and Aine, and I’m terrified. I feel raw, and all I want to do is hide under the blankets and cry forever until I’ve depleted myself of everything keeping me alive and be with you both…” I sniffled. “I know that’s not healthy and if either of you were here, I’d have gotten smacked upside the head.”

As discreetly as possible, I wiped my cheeks. “Aine, you’d make me promise to live for you. Sean, you’d tell me to never even blink in their presence but allow myself to feel my emotions the moment I closed my door at night. I will do all those things for you guys.”

I leaned first over Uncle Sean’s casket and gently kissed the cold wood, then did the same to Aine’s.

“I will deliver whoever did this to you; you have my word on that.”

I took a few deep breaths, making sure my face was dry and my heartbeat calmed, before turning around and beelining it to the SUV.

While Molly’s was my favorite, I couldn’t have the repast there after Uncle Sean and Aine had been murdered out front. Teresa’s was their favorite, so it made sense to have it there.

I’d tuned out the blanketed condolences; I was a machine set on rinse and repeat. “Thank you for being here. They were wonderful people. They’ll be missed.”

Once I was done talking to someone, another body would take their place. I wanted to scream.

“Drink.” A tumbler filled with amber liquor was thrust before me. I followed the arm it was attached to and was met with ice-blue eyes, white hair, and an impressive, quirked brow.

“Thanks, Snow.”

“Honestly, I’d let yourself get drunk. Go sit in one of those ugly velvet chairs in the corner and imbibe.”

The chairs weren’t that ugly. Teresa, who owned the restaurant, didn’t skimp, and I was sure just one of them cost over a thousand dollars.

“I can’t let my guard down.” I sipped the drink, relishing the burn as I swallowed.

“If you think anyone would dare do a thing with all of us here, you’re losing your mind. We’ll keep an eye out.”

I wanted so much to wrap myself in those words and hide away. “Wanting to relax and trust those words and needing to only rely on myself are currently at odds with each other, Snow.”

“Hmm…indeed.” He eyed the people moving about, sitting, dare I say laughing. “You’re certainly in the viper’s nest, Fred.”

“I’ll find who did this.”

He smirked, eyes glittering with his ever-present mischief. “I have no doubt.” He inched closer and lowered his voice. “We can step in. Christopher and Simon very much want to.”

I nodded. “I know, but until I know who did this, the more muscle I bring in, the more likely whoever is responsible will flee.”

He tilted his head and smiled. “You’ve become quite the boss, Fred. Pity you don’t want it.”

That was an understatement. “What’s funny is they killed my uncle, who was everything they wanted in a leader. Why? I’d have handed it over to him and gone back to the hospital.”

Snow tugged on my suit jacket and dragged me, respectfully, over to a corner where no one was mingling.

“So you’re positive it’s in-house, then?”

Nodding I said, “Has to be. I think the Bleeding Angels were a setup, but someone was hired to make it appear like it was them.”

“You need to focus on the shooters, Fred. Work backward on this. My bet is that whoever is responsible for the act will fold as soon as they are found out. They were probably promised money and protection. When they realize they were found, they’ll fold.”

It was logical. “I’m going to set up a meeting with the Bleeding Angels. I’m sure they aren’t too keen on the idea that someone is framing them for a mob hit.”

Snow sniffed. “I think in the end, whoever did this will wish they’d never been born.”

“Oh, of that I’m sure.” I bit my lip, a wave of sadness washing over me.

“What was that?” Snow asked. “You thought of something.”

I surveyed the room, my gaze stopping briefly over Vincenzo, Zion, and Aiden. “I’m just afraid of what I’ll uncover and if it’ll…” I sighed.

“Lex Talionis? You think they’re part of it?”

“No, I can’t explain it, but I don’t think they are.”

Snow nodded. “Nor do we. It’s not their way.”

“Right.”

“So then what is it?”

“I’ll have to dole out the punishment, Snow.”

Snow pursed his lips and stared at me for a second…the longest second of my life.

“Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown, Fred.”

I closed my eyes and chuckled darkly. “It’s serious if Shakespeare is quoted.”

Snow grinned. “Indeed it is.”

“I need to mingle, unfortunately.”

Snow patted my arm. “Haven Hart is a phone call away, and if you think Poe won’t have his ear to the ground listening for even a chirp, you’re crazy.”

“I appreciate that. It’s nice to not feel so utterly alone.”

Snow’s expression became serious. “You’re not that, never that, Fred. We’re here for you and if you need reminding, I’ll happily smack you to remind you.”

I snickered. “So violent.”

“And you’d be wise to remember that.” He winked and sauntered away.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Vincenzo

I had my back to the wall, surveying the room…mostly any and every area where Fred was. Snow had just walked away from him and judging by their postures, it had been a serious conversation.

I felt him before I saw him; the man was imposing. “One thing I can’t figure out,” he said. “Are you the head of Lex Talionis, or just one of the…what do you all call it, exercitus?”

I turned and took in the man beside me. Slightly taller than me, his long sandy-blond hair with many steaks of gray was tied in a low ponytail. His eyes were practically gold, and it was as if I were standing in a field being hunted by a lion.

“You must be…” I tilted my head. “What do they call you, Black?”

He smirked. “So you’re Vincenzo.”

I wasn’t sure if I should have been thrown off-kilter by how easily he’d figured out who I was. He wasn’t a threat, per se, but he also wasn’t an enemy I wanted.

“I’d implore you to keep that tidbit of information quiet.”

He hummed. “I’m not stupid.”

“Oh, I’m well aware.”

I faced the room, again zeroing in on Fred, who was now speaking with who I believed was Lorcan, one of his shot-callers. I’d spent many waking moments going over the faces and names of his operation.

“How bad is it?” Black asked.

“Well, two people who shouldn’t be are in the ground, so I’d say bad.”

Black snorted. “You’re sarcastic, and it’s charming. But for real.”

I sighed. To anyone else I’d have said it was under control, but Black was my equal. He ran an elite assassin organization, I was familiar with his practice, and I had an inkling he was aware of mine. He’d understand better than most.

“There are too many people in the shadows right now.”

From my periphery, I saw him nod. “Gotta shine some light, then.”

“Keeping Fred safe is most important, and I think finding out the ringleader in all of this is the only way to do it.”

“You’ve taken a liking to the redheaded menace.”

I chuckled. “I’ve thought of him as more of a brat, but yes, he’s a good man undeserving of his fate.”

“He’s certainly been through a lot.”

“I’ll keep him safe.”

Black bumped his shoulder into mine. “I’m sure you will,” he rumbled before walking over to his husband, who was talking with Snow now.

I watched as Aiden moved toward Fred with a full plate of food and encouraged him to eat. The two sat at a table, where it appeared they were making small talk in between people coming over to pay even more respects. If Fred ate a quarter of the food in front of him, I’d have been surprised.

I gestured for Zion to come over, and once he did I said, “Make sure there’s food prepared upon our return.” He nodded and returned to his post.

The rest of the repast was uneventful, as I’d hoped. Christopher and the others from Haven Hart kept their distance from me, with Black the exception. There was no doubt that if they all approached me, who was there as extra security, it would garner much unwanted attention.

I ushered Fred into the SUV, and Aiden requested to drive. With no reason to refuse, Fred allowed it. That left Fred and me in the back together.

The second Aiden hit the gas, Fred sagged against the seat. “That was exhausting.”

“Funerals usually are.” I offered him a small smile.

“I was speaking with Snow. I’d like to set up a meeting with the head of the Bleeding Angels. If they’re innocent in all of this, I’d think they’d want to know who was trying to frame them. They’d be good eyes to have on the street as well.”

“I think that’s smart. We can arrange a neutral meeting place.”

“Are you sure that’s wise? What if they’re working for whoever did this and give them a heads up?” Aiden offered as he turned onto the highway.

“I’m getting nowhere as is. This is a risk, sure, but my gut is telling me it’s right.”

Aiden snorted. “Your gut? Come on, Fred.”

“It’s all I really have right now, Aiden. Uncle Sean told me to trust it, and I’m going to.”

“And see how good trusting his gut got him,” Aiden snapped, and it was so out of character that Fred gasped at the same time I snapped my head in his direction.

“Uncalled for!” I growled.

Fred’s color turned even paler than he already was.

“Maybe it is, but check out where he is.” Aiden narrowed his eyes at me through the mirror.

“I think we’ve heard enough out of you.” I hit the button on the door, raising the privacy separator. Just before it closed Aiden shouted, “Don’t you dare.”

But I did dare. I locked it so he couldn’t push it down, and faced Fred.

“Fred.” I spoke softly, but he either didn’t hear me or was ignoring me. He stared at the partition as if he could still see Aiden’s face.

“Don’t listen to anything that comes out of Aiden’s mouth. Perhaps he’s grieving, and anger is at the forefront of his emotions. That doesn’t excuse what he said, however.”

“Is he right, though?” Fred stared at his hands that were folded on his lap. “I mean Uncle Sean is dead, and maybe he wouldn’t be if he listened to his gut.”

“Look at me, Fred.” He didn’t, so I gently tilted his head up so he met my gaze. There was no brattiness there, and I didn’t like it. “It’s your uncle’s gut and reflexes that kept you alive and sitting here. Don’t diminish his sacrifice because someone shouted lies to you.”

“Lies,” he whispered. “So many lies.”

I nodded. “There are too many. We’ll expose them all.”

Fred tilted his head a little higher, disconnecting our touch. I found I liked feeling the man.

“We? Are you so sure that’s wise?”

I sat back, giving Fred some space. “I think it’s not only wise but necessary.”

“Is that right?” A spark of that brattiness shone through, and I smiled.

“You’d be lost without me.”

Fred rolled his eyes. “Well, look at that—I’ve exposed a lie.”

A laugh barreled out of me. “You have jokes.”

“I have a lot of things.”

He was happier now, and it felt as if I’d just won the most prestigious award in the world.

“I will have to agree with you on that for sure.” I peered out the window and saw we were pulling into the driveway of my house. “I had food prepared. I know you didn’t get a chance to eat much.”

“Thank you.”

I faced Fred again just before the door opened. I went to speak but was suddenly hauled out of the SUV and slammed against the side of it.

“You don’t ever do that to me!” Aiden roared in my face.

“Oh, you silly boy, you’ve just made a huge mistake.”

In the blink of an eye he gasped, went limp, and collapsed on the driveway.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Fred

Holy shit! I rushed out of the SUV and raced over to Aiden, who was out cold on the pavement.

“What did you do?” I glared up at Vincenzo. Just moments ago, I’d been beginning to feel like we were connecting on a peaceful level.

“He’s not dead. He’s tranquilized…though he’ll have one hell of a headache when he wakes up.”

“Why’d you do that?”

He motioned to Thomas and Eden. “Please carry him inside. Fred, walk with me, please.”

“I’m not leaving him with any of you.”

“Please.” He spoke sternly.

I stood, my gaze going from Vincenzo to Aiden and then landing on Vincenzo again. “Five minutes.”

He slowly made his way toward the back of the house—to the garden, I assumed. Once I was in step with him, he began.

“My exercitus are trained to kill anyone who dare lay a hand on me. The fact that Aiden is alive shows that I hold you and those you care about to a higher standard. But in no way can I allow what he did to go unpunished.” He stopped at a bench and sat. “No more than you can dismiss any disrespect you are given.”

“Aiden is off-limits, Vincenzo. No tranquilizing, killing, none of that.” I was standing my ground on this.

He huffed. “No, I can’t agree to that.”

“Excuse me.” I crossed my arms and quirked a brow. The fuck did he say?

“I am the praeses of Lex Talionis. Fred, I’ve already rearranged a lot for you. Just being here is unheard of. I won’t let your driver push me around, or any of my people. I won’t budge.”

“I’ll speak with Aiden about any physical contact with you, but I don’t want you zapping him or whatever you do whenever he says something you don’t like.” I understood what Vincenzo was saying, but I needed to make sure Aiden stayed alive.

Vincenzo snorted. “He’s said many things I find disrespectful, and I never once hurt him.” He held up a finger when I opened my mouth. “That’s the only compromise.”

I relaxed my stance and sighed. All the energy I’d stored left my body, and damn I was exhausted. I looked out over the garden. “My life is a mess, Vincenzo. Aiden is important to me.”

“I understand.”

“I hope you do.” I plopped onto the bench beside him. “I’ve shown a lot of trust in you, Vincenzo. I’m still in this house. I’ve agreed to so much. Like I said, I will speak with Aiden.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, before he wakes up, we should talk about arranging this meeting with the head of the Bleeding Angels. I don’t agree with Aiden that it’s foolish. Risky, yes, but I think there’s something to it.”

“I agree.”

Axel was watching Aiden so Zion, Vincenzo, and I met up in the library to discuss how this would be set up.

“The leader of the Bleeding Angels is Albert March, also known as Hammer,” Zion said.

“Lovely.” I snickered.

Zion rolled on. “Their headquarters is attached to March’s Mechanics.”

“Number?” Vincenzo’s question was more of an order.

“Yeah, that wasn’t as hard to obtain as it should have been.”

“What do you think about contacting Richie to arrange this? He’s the one—well, his grandfather, really—that was used in this that led to the Bleeding Angels.”

Vincenzo nodded at me. “Good idea.”

“I can call him.” Zion whipped out his cell phone, obviously already having the number.

Axel stepped into the room and whispered something to Vincenzo. I was trying to hear both Zion and Axel but couldn’t.

“Very good, Richie. This will be very beneficial to solidifying the peace between the Brennan family and the Bleeding Angels. I’m sure your boss wants to figure all of this out as well.”

He ended the call. “All set?” I asked.

“Yes, he’s going to contact me once he speaks with Albert.”

“Good.” I faced Vincenzo. “Aiden awake?”

“Oh yeah, and apparently he has a lot of colorful words about me.” He smirked.

I stood from my seat. “I’ll go up and talk with him.”

I didn’t wait for a response. I needed to fix this issue between Aiden and Vincenzo. They had to work together; it was vital.

I was outside Aiden’s bedroom. There was one guy standing guard, and I rolled my eyes before knocking.

“Come in. Lord knows I can’t open it!” Aiden shouted, and I glared at the guard, who merely shrugged.

The second I turned the knob and pushed, Aiden was right there and ready to fight. Upon seeing it was me, he stepped back.

“Fred, oh thank God!” He gripped my shoulders. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. It wasn’t an attack or anything…well, not on me, anyway.” I turned to the man at the door. “It stays unlocked.”

He didn’t say anything, just clicked something and shut the door.

“What’s going on, Fred?”

“First, I need you to calm down and have a seat.”

His nostrils flared, but he took a seat in the wingback chair by the window. His room had a view of the side of the house, but the tall trees provided privacy.

“You’re going to let me talk without interrupting me, understand?” I was firm with Aiden. I had a lot of patients who needed me to be a tough doctor, and it was far easier to be that than a mob boss. So, it would have to do.

“Okay.” Aiden’s voice was a rumble, anger simmering at the surface.

“What you said in the SUV regarding my uncle Sean was hurtful and uncalled for. Disrespect like that has ended people in our family, and you know that. I was too lost in my grief in that moment to speak up, and so Vincenzo did. He is the head of Lex Talionis, a boss in his own right, and you then disrespected him. If that wasn’t bad enough, Aiden, you manhandled him out of the car! You’re lucky all his people did was tranq you and not kill you.”

He was clenching his jaw so hard, I feared he’d crack teeth.

“You’re alive because he wouldn’t do that to me, but understand—it was a courtesy, Aiden. He won’t be lenient a second time.” I sighed and stepped closer. He kept his eyes on me the whole time. “I can’t lose you too. Please stop reacting like this.”

There was silence, and I realized he was waiting for me.

“You can speak.”

“Oh great, because this is insane.” He gripped the arms of the chair. “Fred, he’s brainwashing you. How do you not see this?”

“Aiden, give me some credit. I was raised by the king of manipulation; I know when I’m being played with.”

He huffed. “I’m not sure you do.” He held up his hands and softened his voice. “I’m sorry I said those things about Sean, and I shouldn’t have put my hands on Vincenzo, and I’ll apologize to smooth things over, but I no longer feel being here is in your best interests.”

“Thank you for the advice, but until the meeting with the Bleeding Angels is concluded, we’ll be staying. Afterward, we can reassess.”

He jumped out of the chair. “You’re actually meeting with them?”

“I said I was. You were there in the SUV, remember? I believe you thought it was a bad idea.”

He nodded. “Still do.”

“I’ll be vigilant, Aiden.” I patted his chest. “Besides, I have you watching my back, right?”

Aiden sighed. “Of course.”

“Good. Now I’m starving—let’s eat.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Vincenzo

Aiden had approached me and apologized, much like a child ordered by his parent would. I accepted simply to move forward and hoped Fred had the man on a leash.

“Richie called.” Zion entered the room just as we were finishing up our food.

“And?” Fred wiped his mouth and relaxed in his chair.

“Tomorrow at noon, if agreeable with you, Albert March would like to meet with you.”

Fred nodded. “That’s doable. Where?”

“Lancaster Port. There’s a fish market there. He said it’s safe behind the store because one whole side is water, so we’d be able to stay protected and discreet.”

Fred looked over at me, and something inside warmed at the thought that he was wondering my opinion on this.

I hummed. “Have Eden and Parker take a few exercitus and case the place out tonight and get there an hour early tomorrow.”

“Yes, good idea,” Fred agreed.

“Understood.” His tablet in hand, Zion left the room.

Only Aiden, Fred, and I remained.

“I’m going to go to bed if business is concluded for the day?” Aiden asked Fred, not even sparing me a glance.

“It’s been a long day. Good night, Aiden.”

“Sir.” He stood, still never meeting my eyes, and left the dining room. Now it was just Fred and myself.

“Would you care to join me in the sitting room for a drink?” I offered, hoping he’d accept but knowing the day had indeed been very long and taxing.

“One drink wouldn’t hurt.” Fred stood, and I held back my smile as he regarded me, clearly suspicious.

“Very good.”

Once in the sitting room, Fred took a seat on the blue tufted sofa, his gaze moving directly out the window. The gentle lighting in the garden gave off an ethereal ambiance. Between the calming light and the company of this delightfully bratty and beautiful redheaded man, I felt at peace.

“Any preferences?” I inquired as I stood at the small bar.

“Whatever you’re having is fine,” he said without looking away from the view.

I poured the golden-brown liquid into two tumblers and added a couple of ice cubes to them and joined Fred by the window. There was a matching chair by the couch I took once he accepted my drink.

“Thank you.” He didn’t ask what it was, just took a sip. Trusting or reckless? Two very different definitions and outcomes once figured out.

He made an appreciative sound. “What is this?”

“Drambuie on the rocks.”

“It’s delicious. I can taste the honey and spices, but they’re not overwhelming. Smooth.”

I smiled, pleased he enjoyed the beverage as it was my favorite post-dinner drink. “Glad you like it.”

After he took another few sips and rested the glass on the table, I broached a topic with him I’d avoided…Future me might hit present me upside the head.

“Fred, I know you’ve had a trying day, and I hate to burden you further. But before we meet with Albert tomorrow, I feel I should discuss something that has been on my mind.”

He sighed as if I’d shattered the fragile peace he was wrapped in. “Rip it off like a Band-Aid.”

“I’ve been going over everything about the night your uncle and cousin were killed. One thing keeps bothering me.”

“Only one?” He snorted.

“Well, yes, actually. I am examining all of this as the professional killer I am. I can remove emotion and only concentrate on facts.”

Fred seesawed his head back and forth. “Fair. And what’s keeping you up at night, Vincenzo?”

Was there a purr in his voice? Shit, was he flirting, teasing? Maybe I was reading into something that wasn’t there. Shit. I was about to burst the bubble I’d worked so hard to slip into with Fred.

“You said you told Aiden to stay with Zion as you left the restaurant. He naturally disagreed and explained he very much didn’t like you going without him.”

“Right, but stupid me thought we were fine.”

“Not stupid, relaxed. And sadly for people like you and me, it’s a rare feeling we embrace when we can.”

He nodded. “True, so go on.”

“If Aiden had followed you, he’d likely have been killed or wounded. Perhaps the whole scenario would have changed.”

“I imagine it would have. My uncle might have been able to save Aine, or concentrated on himself and I wouldn’t have lost them both that night.”

“My point is…” I didn’t want him falling into the hole he was sliding into. “If the plan originally was for four of you and not three of you, how’d it go down the way it did?” I held up my hand because I knew it was unclear. “Zion told me that the shots were fired about two minutes after you exited the restaurant with your uncle and Aine. But right after you left without Aiden, he took his phone out and texted someone.”

He shrugged. “Okay…he does that. I tend to not follow rules; he might have had Kieran or Adam or somebody on the street and was getting a message to them to watch me.”

“Did you see them?”

“I didn’t see anything, Vincenzo.” Fred’s eyes narrowed. “All I saw was the SUV rounding the corner briefly before shots were fired. Then my uncle’s face, then nothing.”

“You’re not going to like what I have to say next, Fred.”

“I’m already not liking it, Vin.” He quirked a brow as he shortened my name.

“We need to get our hands on Aiden’s cell phone records, or find out if he has a burner. We need to get more information as to who Aiden texted and why. How’d he walk away from that?”

“You’re dry humping my last nerve.” Fred shifted in his seat. “I just explained it to you. It was fast, and even if any of my guys were nearby, I doubt they would have been able to get to me.”

“They’d have tried to stop the SUV, though.”

He tilted his head. “Huh?”

“The only bullets embedded in the SUV that were found were Zion’s from when he tried to stop it. If Aiden had put guys on the street, you and I both know they’d have unleashed on that SUV or at least chased it…and they would have caught it. Where were all your people that night, Fred, and who the hell did Aiden text?”

Fred visibly swallowed, and his coloring turned ashen. “I…I’m tired.” His voice cracked. “I want to go to bed.”

“Fred.”

“No, Vincenzo, I’ve heard enough. Good night.”

I watched Fred speed walk out of the sitting room, and I cursed myself for saying anything. Zion had told me not once but three times the play-by-play of that night, and more questions arose with no answers. I didn’t trust Aiden, but the truth was, I didn’t trust anyone outside of my own people. Well, maybe Fred, but that was an oddity.

I reached into my pocket and called Kehlani.

“Yes, Praeses,” they answered.

“I want eyes on Aiden’s and Fred’s doors and patrols every fifteen minutes along the premises.”

“Yes, sir.”

They didn’t ask why; they understood the order. If I angered Fred enough for him to grab Aiden and go, I wanted to be prepared. As it was, sleep wouldn’t find me tonight.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Fred

Rage…yeah, that was what I was feeling as I glared at the ceiling all night. I might have dozed off one or two times, but I felt the opposite of refreshed by the time the morning light crept into the bedroom.

I pulled back the covers and moved right into the en suite to shower, brush my teeth, and get ready for the day.

Fear…yeah, okay, I felt that too. Something in the corner of my mind was poking at me after my conversation with Vincenzo. Doubt…which caused fear.

“Ugh!” I buttoned my pants and took a deep breath. “You’re going to concentrate on today, focus on the meeting with Albert. Stay vigilant.” I pressed a hand to my stomach. “And trust your gut.” I closed my eyes and saw Uncle Sean’s face, his life seeping from his body, telling me to trust it.

“What the fuck is it telling me?” I whispered to myself before opening my eyes and leaving the room.

I walked into the dining room and noted it was a full house. Aiden was sitting on the left side toward one end and Vincenzo on the right on the other. They couldn’t be farther apart if they were in another room. Zion and the others were spread about.

They both looked up at me as I entered, and I found I couldn’t focus on either. I took a seat smack in the middle of them both. If I chose one end of the table over the other, it would have been seen as a stance and I had to give off the illusion that I was neutral. Was I, though?

A plate of food and a fruit bowl were placed in front of me. I ate quietly as others made mundane conversation. I’d just finished my food, tasting none of it, when Aiden’s voice broke my trance.

“I’ll drive Fred; it would be odd otherwise.”

I lifted my head and saw that Aiden and Vincenzo were in a staring match.

“I’d think you’d want to be by his side.”

“I will be after I get out of the car,” Aiden sneered. “Besides aren’t you going to be practically sitting on his lap in the car?”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!” I shouted, slamming my hand against the table and making my dishes and silverware clang. I didn’t shout often; I snarked. I was sarcastic and, dare I say, bratty. But rage wasn’t something I visibly showed. And judging by the shocked faces they understood how rare it was.

“I’m two seconds away from having you both stay here, and I’ll go with Zion.”

“My apologies, Fred. I was trying to organize the travel plans and felt it would be best if Thomas drove the vehicle you were in with Zion, myself, and Aiden in attendance.”

I looked at Aiden. “And you don’t want that, why?”

“I always drive you…it’s literally my job.”

My gaze flickered to Vincenzo. He was placid, not an emotion to be seen. I had to make a choice in a way that it didn’t offend anyone.

“I would feel better if you were beside me, Aiden.” My smile was shaky, but I hoped it would appease him. I didn’t think who drove us there mattered.

“If there’s an issue, I need to be able to get you out of there faster,” he gently argued, and I appreciated what he said.

“If you’re there as my driver, Aiden, then you stay at the car. You won’t be permitted in the meeting.” I didn’t know if that was bullshit but to be honest, keeping Aiden and Vincenzo in my sights right now was vital.

Each of them thought the other was a traitor, and I was conflicted…I believed Vincenzo’s intentions were good, but there was a lot of hatred between the two men.

“You can order me to come.”

I shook my head. “No, I’d never leave our vehicle unattended. And if you drive, I’d expect you to make sure that didn’t happen. Thomas can stay with the SUV and you with me.”

I saw the upset in Aiden’s eyes and hated that I wondered what exactly it was about my orders that had upset him. Was he truly worried about me, or was he planning something that staying beside me would ruin?

I glanced at Vincenzo, his expression like glass, and was curious if I was maybe playing into his hands instead. Fuck.

“Whatever you wish, sir,” Aiden said.

“Good.” I stood. “We’ll leave in a couple of hours. I’m going to go rest; I had a sleepless night.” I glared at Vincenzo before turning on my heel and leaving the room.

Thomas drove, Zion was in the passenger seat and Aiden, Axel, Vincenzo, and myself were in the last two rows. I sat in the middle row, Aiden beside me, while Vincenzo took the back with Axel. We’d gotten word it was all clear at the port from Eden, and we would arrive on time.

We parked near the port. Cars weren’t allowed on the boardwalk, but Vincenzo guaranteed his people were spread out. Thomas stayed behind with the vehicle as did two other men just in case.

With Aiden on my left and Vincenzo on my right and protection all around, we made our way to the fish market on Lancaster Port.

A large Black man nodded when he saw me. “Mr. Brennan, I’m Ike. My boss is over there waiting for you.”

“Thank you, Ike.”

Single file, we went in and all the way into the belly of a small shack. Albert was right—water covered one whole side. Westford Bridge was in view and the city directly behind it. It was a gorgeous skyline.

“Mr. Brennan.” Richie approached and held out his hand.

“Richie, good to see you. How’s your grandfather?” I shook his hand and followed him to where a few chairs were arranged.

“Good, thank you.”

A tall man with light-brown skin stood. He wore a causal suit and looked every part the boss.

“This is the head of the Bleeding Angels,” Richie introduced, “Albert March.” I was surprised he didn’t go by Hammer, but perhaps his nom de plume wasn’t for people like me.

“Mr. Brennan, it’s good to meet you.” He also held out his hand, which I took.

“Same, business usually goes through channels, and it’s often we bosses never have conversations.”

He nodded, and we all sat. Aiden was directly behind me; I could see Zion on my left and Vincenzo on my right. Albert’s people were scattered as well.

“Let’s cut to business,” Albert said. “We had nothing to do with Sean and Aine Brennan’s murders. I’ve torn my operation apart, and there’s not a traitor here.”

“It appeared rather sloppy in my opinion.” Actually, Vincenzo had said that originally, but I agreed. “And certain things didn’t add up, which means someone wanted it to seem that the Bleeding Angels were responsible.”

“From what I’m hearin’, you aren’t supposed to be alive.”

I released a dark chuckle. “You’re not wrong.”

“And had you died, I have a feeling the Brennan family would be shooting up all my businesses and people.”

“Someone needed to take the blame.”

Albert smirked. He was a handsome man, and some likely saw a gang member but not me. He was shrewd. There was no hiding his intelligence as he stared at me.

“Sounds like you being here messed up some serious plans. I’d bet there are a lot of people scrambling.” He looked around at my people. “Or maybe just one.”

“You think I have a traitor in my midst?”

“I think you may have more than one.” He motioned to one of his guys, who handed him a folder. “I don’t usually deal with paper; the world is digital but it’s also not always safe.”

He handed me the folder and glanced at Vincenzo, who once again was like a sphinx. Inside were black-and-white photographs.

“Cameras were disabled from the restaurant all the way down to where the SUV was stashed…weird since they worked fine the day before and the day after. I know because I’m linked into every camera in my territory.”

I didn’t recognize the faces in the pictures. “Who are they?”

“Right. So like you said, this was sloppy. They didn’t disable the cameras on Hemingway Avenue, which is the line where my territory ends and the Fire Demons’ territory begins.”

The Fire Demons were an all-female motorcycle gang, and they were somewhat unhinged. Great to have on your side but the complete opposite to have against you.

“How’d you get these?”

“Gia owed me, and when I explained what was going on, she had no issue checking her feeds. Third picture shows the SUV in the distance. Five guys walking away from it, no one else nearby. Those are your hit men.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Vincenzo

While everyone was keeping an eye on our surroundings, I was watching Aiden and he was glaring at the photographs. I couldn’t see them but being positioned behind Fred, he could. Was he angry because the hitters’ faces were out in the open and he was afraid it would lead to him, or upset because he wanted to kill them for hurting Fred and killing Sean and Aine?

“Do you know who these five guys are?” Fred asked as he went through them all.

“None of my guys. Gia didn’t recognize them but once she found out they were on her territory, she’s been searching.”

“Rivals of yours?”

Albert snorted. “Nah. I’m thinking these are outsiders, not from these parts. A hit and leave.”

“Why pin it on you, though?” Fred closed the folder and handed it to Aiden. I really wanted to see those faces.

“Had to blame someone, and I have good relations with your family…at least I thought I did.”

“You do. This isn’t me.”

Albert nodded. “I know, but someone wanted everyone to turn against my people and start a war just so you, your uncle, and cousin would die. That’s big.”

“It is. Can I rely on you to relay any information you might come across? I can promise the same.”

Albert regarded Fred for a moment before agreeing. “Quicker we end this, the faster these fuckers die.”

“Agreed.”

“I have a friend at the DMV—they’re looking into how the registration was put into Richie’s grandfather’s name. Should have something on that soon.” Albert had people that could maybe find things hidden under rocks. While Lex Talionis could as well, it never hurt to have more eyes on things.

Once again I watched Aiden for a reaction, and there was a slight twitch of the cheek but nothing more.

“I appreciate that, Albert.” Fred stood and held out his hand.

“Stay alive, Fred.” They shook.

“You too.”

No one said anything until we were back in our vehicle. Even then, we were a mile from the port when I spoke.

“Can I see those files?”

Fred nodded. “Aiden, let Vincenzo check them out.”

Aiden handed them to me, but not without a stellar glare.

“Thank you.” I smiled sweetly, which only enraged him further.

I was about to open the file, but Aiden’s phone buzzed and from my seat, I could only make out his profile. but it didn’t seem as though he was happy with whoever was calling.

“Finn?” Aiden said. “Okay, yeah, I’ll let Mr. Brennan know.”

“What’s going on?” Fred asked once Aiden ended the call.

“Some detectives have been poking around and asking questions, calling people in. They’re asking if someone could get in touch with you to come to the station to answer some questions.”

“Okay, I can go tomorrow. I want to sort through what Albert said, make a few calls, and I need to contact the hospital too. I’m sure the police have gone down there.”

Aiden simply nodded, and it appeared he was texting.

“I’ll let Finn know that you’ll head there tomorrow so if they ask he can tell them. You and I can go after breakfast.”

I wanted to state that more protection going anywhere was crucial and just the two of them going was unsafe, but I felt that conversation would be better as a one-on-one, and Fred hadn’t commented.

We’d just pulled up to the house, so I tucked the folder close and exited the vehicle. “I’d like to look these over. I can run their faces through software Lex Talionis has. We use it often when we’re trying to locate people.”

Fred nodded and walked into the house behind me. “That’s a great idea. The sooner we identify and find these guys, the better. We need more answers.”

“When we’re done with dinner, perhaps the two of us could discuss a few things.”

Fred stopped walking and faced me, his eyes searching…as if he knew I had something to say but was unsure he’d like it.

“Sounds good. I’m going to go make those phone calls now.” He left me in the foyer and went up the stairs.

I spun to go the other way and came face-to-face with Aiden.

“Can I help you?”

He glanced around me, seeing my exercitus, knowing he was outnumbered. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you won’t win, Vincenzo. I’ve known Fred a very long time and I’m all he has left in the world. It’s not a bond you can break.”

I cocked my head. “Everything can be broken, Aiden. But I’d never sever a tie that had Fred’s best interest at heart.”

He hummed. “I don’t trust you.”

I chuckled. “Finally something we can agree on.” I sidestepped him and made my way into the study. “I don’t wish to be disturbed.” I locked eyes with Aiden before shutting the door.

After sending everything over to Aurora I sat, relaxed, and got an update on things back home.

“Everything is going well here, Praeses. Quiet.”

“Sounds lovely. And my sister?”

“Everett has been responsible for her meals and even convinced her to get outside more. She’s fine.”

“Has she wondered where I am?”

“No, Everett reported she often just talks about when she was younger, about the flowers, occasionally states how you’re running Lex Talionis into the ground.”

I huffed. “Sounds about right.”

“We have no concerns here. Concentrate on what’s happening there, and I’ll make sure I contact you if anything comes up with these photos.”

“Thank you, Aurora.”

“Have a good night, Praeses.”

I disconnected the call and stared once again at the faces of the five men. The images weren’t super clear, but Aurora would be able to sharpen and run them. From what I could see, I didn’t know them.

A knock on the study door shook me out of my thoughts. “Enter.”

The door opened and Zion stepped in. “Dinner’s ready. Everyone said you ordered to not be disturbed, but you must eat.”

“Thank you.” I stood, feeling the exhaustion from not sleeping well last night in every bone in my body.

I was the last to enter the dining room. Fred sat beside Aiden, Axel on his other side. Aiden wasn’t contributing to conversation, but Fred and Axel seemed to be talking some medical jargon. Axel being educated in medicine, it didn’t surprise me that he was following along with whatever Fred was telling him.

“Your dinner, sir.” A plate of roasted duck, with seasoned potatoes and carrots was placed in front of me. The aroma alone made my stomach growl, and I realized I hadn’t eaten anything since breakfast.

I listened as everyone talked, far too tired to contribute. I’d be sure to take a cold shower to wake myself up prior to speaking with Fred. It couldn’t wait; I didn’t want him going to the station or anywhere alone with Aiden until I was one hundred percent sure he was innocent…but it would take a miracle to convince me of that.

Once I finished, I stood and walked over to Fred’s chair. “I’m going to shower. Perhaps you can meet me in my room in thirty minutes?”

“Your room?” He quirked a brow.

Shrugging I said, “I’d like privacy to discuss something with you.”

Fred nodded and went back to his conversation with Axel but before I walked away, I made eye contact with Aiden. Pure hatred burned in his gaze, and all I could do was smile.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Fred

I’d finished a cup of coffee, needing the boost to stay awake, and then made my excuses. I decided to stop at my room to freshen up before going to Vincenzo’s. I’d just reached the stairs when a hand on my arm stopped me.

“Aiden?”

“Why does he want to talk to you in his bedroom?”

“Why does it matter where?”

Aiden released my arm. “I don’t trust him. What if he assaults you in there? Do you think any of his little army will come to your rescue? Maybe I should join you.”

I snorted a laugh. “That’s ridiculous, Aiden.”

“Why? Because everything else that’s been happening has been so explainable?”

I pursed my lips and regarded the man I’d known for a long time. “I get that you don’t trust Vincenzo; he’s not a fan of yours either. But I’ll tell you the same thing I’d tell him. Who I choose to speak with, and how I choose to do so, is not your business. I’m safe here, and you need to trust my decisions.”

He lifted his chin. “You’re reckless.”

“And you’re out of line.”

He released a loud sigh and took a few steps back. “Do what you want, sir, but I’m advising you it’s a mistake.”

“Duly noted.”

He spun on his heel and stormed off.

I stood there for a brief moment trying to figure out this change in Aiden. He’d always been somewhat even tempered, even the times he was frustrated with me. If Vincenzo had wanted me dead he’d had ample time to have done it, and that right there was why every time I thought I couldn’t trust him was washed away quickly.

After brushing my teeth and freshening up, I walked over to Vincenzo’s room and knocked.

He opened the door with a smile. He was dressed in a silky, black button-down shirt that was open and what I could only describe as tan linen beach pants. He was the vision of relaxed.

“Hi,” I croaked out because I was awkward and his abs were droolworthy.

“Come in.” He held it open more, and I slipped in. He closed the door and I noticed he didn’t lock it, which put my mind at ease.

I hated how Aiden’s words kept rattling around in my brain.

“You wanted to speak with me privately?”

“I did. Please sit.” He motioned toward two chairs in the corner. He had a little sitting area that overlooked the garden. “Drink?”

“Just water. If I have alcohol, I’ll pass out.”

“I understand.” He had a drink cart in his room as well, and I watched as he poured us each a glass of water.

He waited until he’d given it to me, and I’d taken a sip before he began.

“I wanted to speak with you privately because⁠—”

“It’s about Aiden again?” I was so tired of these two fighting, but I was more frustrated that with each conversation I had with Vincenzo about Aiden, I was seeing his side more and more.

“Yes.”

I placed my glass down and settled in. “Let’s hear it then, so I can go to bed.”

He smirked and I wanted to know why he always did that every time I snapped back, but I wanted to stay on course.

“In the car, he said the two of you will go to the police station together in the morning. I didn’t say anything at the time because I knew he’d react. Anger seems to be his permanent setting when it comes to me.”

He wasn’t wrong. “Fair enough. So let me guess, you don’t want just the two of us going?”

“Yes, but more to the point, I don’t want you going anywhere alone with Aiden.”

My eyebrows shot to my hairline. “Pardon? I’ve been alone with Aiden for years, and many times.”

“I understand, but right now I don’t think it’s safe.”

“Based on all your theories you have about him? Texting and oh yeah, not dying?” I rolled my eyes.

“Actually, yes.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “Okay, here’s a hole in your boat of conclusions. If Aiden had anything to do with this, why would he arrange it at a time he knew someone from Lex Talionis would be there?”

He hummed and I hoped I’d stumped him…but nope. “I already thought about that. For a beat I danced around the idea that he wanted to possibly blame it on Lex Talionis, but to his credit, he realized how dangerous it would be.”

“More so than pissing off street gangs?”

He nodded. “While formidable adversaries, none of them alone or together hold a match to Lex Talionis.”

“Ha!” I sat up straighter. “You’re so arrogant!”

“Arrogant, how?” Again with that motherfucking smirk.

“You think your merry band of murdering Marys are the be all and end all and could never crumble against anything.”

“I never said⁠—”

“That if all the gangs in Westford teamed up to fight you that you’d be the victor?”

“Well, I mean, I do think⁠—”

“That if Haven Hart also thought you had something to do with my death they’d just sit on their thumbs and not retaliate?”

“Actually that helps my argument more because⁠—”

“Someone needs to knock you off your block, Vincenzo Whatever-your-middle-name-is Belini.”

He burst out laughing, and it just enraged me more. I stood from my chair and hovered above him.

“This is funny to you?”

He shook his head but continued to laugh.

“All this death surrounding me and no leads, and this is humorous to you. My life could be snuffed out in a breath, and you’re finding it funny.”

Too quickly he stood. Gone was the laughter, and in its place was fire—a raging inferno behind those dark eyes and an expression so grim, it made me want to step away.

“Never that. Your life is why I’m here and while I’ll remain here until I know it’s secure and whoever did this is six feet under.”

I had to crane my neck to see him. The heat coming off his body sparked a burst of lust in my stomach and definitely lower.

“I…”

“I’ll listen to your brattiness any day of the week, Fred. I love it. It’s your defense, and it’s stunning. I’ll even let you rip into me and try and shatter my ego and reputation, but I will never sit silent while you accuse me of being just fine with you dying.”

“I don’t…” I swallowed, willing my body to stand down. “I don’t understand why you care so much about what happens to me. You’re unstoppable. Why would my death affect you in any way?” I took a deep breath and asked the question that had been eating me up inside.

“Why are you even here, Vincenzo? If you’re so mighty and don’t really need anything or anyone, why are you risking so much just for me?”

He opened his mouth but not to answer me, no. I hadn’t even blinked before his mouth was pressed against mine. I’d thought many times what his lips would feel like. What I hadn’t expected was the realization that just one kiss would reshape my whole existence.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Vincenzo

Fred was a flavor all his own, quickly becoming an addiction I’d happily die from.

He gasped right before our mouths crashed together, and I’d have stopped if he’d pushed me away or said no. But whether he realized he was doing it or not, he gripped my open shirt and the second our tongues brushed together, he sighed and his body turned into Jell-O.

I held him close so he wouldn’t fall, and fed off his need to be touched.

When we broke away, I wasn’t sure which version of Fred I’d see. He might slap me and I’d gladly accept it. But he opened his eyes, and I was shocked to see how glassy they were.

“Don’t cry, I shouldn’t have…”

He pressed his finger to my lips, and it took everything in me to not suck it into my mouth.

“No, please…” He swallowed. “Can you do it again?”

“Kiss you?” I asked after he removed his finger.

He nodded. “More…do more.”

I held his face in my hands, loving when his eyes widened. “You need me.”

“Yes.”

I stared in his eyes, searching for something…There it was—how’d I miss it?

“You want me to own you, Fred? Take what I want from you, leave you on the edge, make you beg to come?”

His pupils expanded until all that was left was blackness.

“You want to be good for me?”

Bingo. That’s the button right there. His breath hitched, and while there was no doubt what he wanted from me could be seen as weakness in the eyes of the people who expected leadership from him, all I saw was strength.

Fred knew what he wanted, what he needed, and he trusted me with that.

I stepped away and moved toward my door.

“Where are you going?” The desperation in Fred’s voice was more telling than anything.

“Just locking the door.” I did it fast and was at his side in a minute. “Fred, look at me.”

His eyes snapped to mine, and with every word I spoke, I made sure he saw the truth.

“You’re safe with me; what we do in here stays with us and no one else.” Again, I held his delicate face in the palms of my hands. “I have wanted you since the first time I saw your picture.”

“You have?” This man, the boss of the Brennan family, an emergency room doctor, was so lost, so vulnerable in this moment.

“I have, and you ask why I’m here, why I didn’t squash you or anyone else in my way? Because I couldn’t—it would break my soul. Fred Brennan, I’ve wanted to be with you, like this, for a long time.”

“I…”

“Don’t think about it. There’s no room here for doubt and judgment. For tonight let’s just be present with each other, and enjoy each other’s bodies.”

His fingers, so gently, tickled their way up my stomach, and splayed over my pecs once their destination was found.

“Okay, Vin, you lead and I’ll follow.”

Holy shit, this man.

Any exhaustion I had a few minutes ago was long gone. All I felt was excitement and the incredible honor that at least for tonight, Fred was trusting me with his body.

I took his hand and led him to the bed.

“Sit here.” He did, his gaze never leaving mine.

I pulled back my shirt, letting it fall off my arms. Fred watched every movement, and his noticeable bulge told me he was liking what he saw.

My hair was slightly damp from my shower and I’d wanted to be fast, knowing Fred was on his way. I’d only put on my loose linen pants…no briefs. I undid the bow, and they fluttered to the floor, leaving me completely nude.

“Fuck,” Fred whispered, and I couldn’t stop the chuckle that won me a marvelous glare.

“You know you’re gorgeous.”

I shrugged. “I am what I am, but you…” I took a few steps closer, my cock inches from his face. “I want to see your body.”

“Or I can enjoy this.” He gripped my hard shaft, and I hissed.

“Oh…you’ll enjoy it from every hole…but you don’t get this until you’re naked.”

Reading Fred was easier than I thought it would be. He craved submission. This man wanted to be told what to do in bed, and while he was nothing like that outside the bedroom, in here, he needed to surrender.

He scooted up the bed a little, tore off his shirt, and shimmied his pants down in record time. And finally, there he was.

“Oh, Fred…you’re stunning.”

His blush started at his cheeks and bloomed across his chest, and I wanted to lick every inch of it.

He didn’t move at all after I put my knees on the mattress. His chest rose and fell faster, but there was no fear, just excitement.

I didn’t look away as I crawled closer, our skin brushing, hairs tickling. I wanted that mouth.

I hovered over him and smiled, only relaxing the second he returned it.

“You ready to follow?”

He nodded. I carefully removed his glasses and placed them on the bedside table.

When my lips touched his, he opened up and I dove in, tasting him once again. Our moans mingled, and his hard cock rubbed against mine, and I willed my orgasm away. I could come just kissing this man.

“Vin,” he begged as I scraped my teeth over his pulse. Vin…No one ever called me that. I loved hearing the nickname fall from his mouth.

I slid my arm under him and lifted his chest up and devoured his left nipple, followed by the right. His nails dug into my scalp, only fueling me more.

“Delicious,” I hummed as I released him and moved along his body to his very hard and leaking cock.

“Please.” Fred was shaking. He was so close…that wouldn’t do.

“You want me to suck you, Red?” I tugged gently on his pubic hair that perfectly matched the color on his head.

“Fuck.”

I shook my head and stood, hating that separation. I crooked a finger at him, and he rushed over so obediently.

“You need to earn your release, Red.” Slowly, I pumped my dick. “Show me how much you want me.”

His smirk was beautiful; his gaze never left mine as he leaned closer and wrapped his lips around the head.

“Just like that. Be a good boy and get it nice and wet.”

I didn’t know it was possible to get more turned-on, but the second I said the words “good boy,” he swallowed me all the way down.

“Shit.” I gripped his hair, keeping him in place. “That’s it, hold it there.” I counted to three and released him.

“Again.” His voice was rough but his eyes…they were so peaceful.

“I’m gonna fuck your pretty face, Red. You tap my leg if it’s too much. Understand?”

He nodded but quickly followed it up with, “Yes.”

Gripping my shaft, I guided it back into Fred’s amazing heat. Once he’d taken it all the way in, I starting rocking—slowly at first and then faster and faster until I was pummeling his throat.

I could die right now and accept my fate gladly.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

Fred

It had been so long since I hadn’t heard the chaos in my brain, so long since every emotion hadn’t been vying for my attention. I was in a state of bliss. Vincenzo had control, and I could drift away in it.

He pulled out of my mouth, and I chased his cock like the lifeline it was.

He stepped back slightly and my eyes roamed over him. His body was a work of art and while I didn’t know art, I knew what I liked, and hot damn I liked what I saw.

“Lie down,” he ordered and I did so without hesitation, awaiting my next command.

“Good boy. Slide up.”

Last time anyone had said those words to me was Rushmore Abernathy the Second. I’d thought he loved me, but I was nothing but a toy to him…a tool. Just like I was for most people…no, I wasn’t going there.

“Hey,” Vincenzo whispered. When had he gotten so close? “Stay with me, Fred, in this moment.”

I gazed into his dark eyes, hoping I wasn’t a toy for him too. But what else could I be?

“No,” he snapped, and in the next breath I was lifted, spun, and repositioned until he sat on the bed and I straddled him.

“Fuck yourself on my cock.”

What? Oh. I moved my hips, his hardness resting between my cheeks.

“Now, Red!”

I lifted up and wrapped my hand around his dick. How had I missed him putting on a condom?

“I’m lubed up; take it slow. Let the pain center you—I know you need that.”

How’d he know? I wanted out of my head, so I positioned his cock against my hole and so carefully, I lowered my body. The pain was like a choir singing, the heavens opening…Shit, who was I kidding? This was sinful and everything my body and mind craved.

Once I was fully seated, I released a breath.

“You’re so good.” He pressed a kiss to my lips. “Now, fuck yourself.”

Without hesitation, I did just that. I held on to his broad shoulders and used him just the way he wanted me to. As each stroke hit my prostate, the pain ebbed and pure pleasure washed through me. I was no longer chasing the demons in my head. I was chasing relief.

“Faster,” he growled as his nails dug into my ass. My legs burned and shook. “Fuck,” he shouted, and once more I was spun before my back hit the mattress.

Not a second of momentum was lost. One minute I was fucking myself on his cock and the next, he was giving me the dicking of a lifetime.

“Vin, oh shit, I’m going to come.”

“Yes, Fred, do it. Come for me.”

The world disintegrated; it was just Vincenzo and me and the greatest orgasm of my life. The buzzing in my ears, the thumping of my heart, and the peace…Oh God, the peace.

It felt as if I were floating; I’d cling on to this feeling forever if I could.

Something wiped across my stomach, and I peered down. Vincenzo was cleaning me up, a huge smile on his face.

“You look pleased with yourself.”

He shrugged. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.” He tossed the cloth onto the nightstand. “How do you feel?”

“Amazing,” I answered without hesitation and just like that, contentment was overshadowed by fear. Did I sound too eager?

“You’re doing it again.” He pulled the blanket over me and moved to the other side of the bed and got in.

“Doing what?” Wait, was he expecting me to sleep here?

“You’re letting your doubts do the thinking and feeling for you.” Under the covers, he rested his head on his hand and faced me.

“How do you know what I’m thinking?”

He snorted and reached over my body to the side table and slipped my glasses onto my face.

“I can see it in your eyes. They cloud over. It’s as if your mind takes you somewhere else…somewhere dark.”

“Oh, well, I’d deny that, but I have a lifetime pass on the trauma train.”

He hummed and traced his finger along my chest. “Your past, it’s not pretty, but you’ve overcome.”

“Have I?” I turned so I was facing him. “Right now, I feel like a game piece being shoved along the board until I’m where everyone wants me to be.”

“You feel that way because that’s exactly what’s happening.”

“Wow, that’s not helpful at all. Attention, passengers, our next stop is brutal honesty, be careful of the gap.”

He chuckled. “I won’t lie to you, Fred. I’ve told you that. You’re not a piece to me, or a toy, or whatever crazy thing your doubts are telling you.”

“I’m supposed to believe you’re here because, why? You believe in me, think I have a great personality, am an amazing fuck?”

“Yes to all of those things. Listen, Fred.” He sat up, and I followed suit. “I’m a private man. I have dalliances that last a couple of days, and then I disappear or they are sent away. You’re the first person I have ever”—he inched closer to my face—“ever exposed myself for. You’re also the only person I’d start a war over.”

“But why?”

“Do there need to be reasons or words to describe it? I’ve watched you, and you’re too good for the circumstances you’ve been forced into. I’m intrigued and amazed by you. You’re brilliant, gorgeous, and even though you’ve walked through hell, you choose to care for a world that hasn’t been kind to you a day in your life.” He smiled softly. “There. I gave you words, and I meant every single one.”

I searched his eyes for a lie, just one, but dammit, I saw none. I knew in my heart that he was everything he swore he was, and if he was telling the truth and everything he had told me about Aiden was true, where did that leave me?

“Thank you for those words, Vincenzo.”

We lay down again, his arms wrapping around me as I rested my head on his chest.

“Vin.”

I tilted my head, not understanding.

“I like it when you call me Vin.”

I snickered. “Okay, Vin.”

“Now rest.”

I wanted to tell him I had to return to my room, but the exhaustion of not sleeping the night before and the long day weighed down on me like a blanket of stone.

Instead I said, “I’ll trust you to set up the security for my visit to the police station tomorrow.”

I closed my eyes, and a kiss was pressed to my forehead.

“Thank you.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Vincenzo

I’d awoken to an empty bed, but it was somewhat warm, so I knew Fred hadn’t left long ago and had slept with me the whole night. I’d hoped to shower together and maybe enjoy each other before our day, but I’d take the fact that he stayed all night as a good sign.

Once I was washed and dressed, I made my way down the stairs and was just outside the dining room when I heard Aiden’s voice.

“An entourage to the police station. You can’t be serious.”

I stormed in, ready to tear him limb from limb for speaking to Fred like that, only to discover he was talking to Zion.

“I have my orders.”

“From him.” He jerked his head my way, having seen me enter.

“Actually, they were my orders.” Fred came in through the kitchen, holding a mug of steaming coffee. He kept his eyes on Aiden as he took a sip.

“That’s a bad idea, Fred. How’s it going to come off if we pull up with three big black SUVs?”

Fred shrugged and slowly walked over to his seat. I’d never seen him so sure of himself and wondered if I had anything to do with it.

“I suspect they’ll think I’m taking extra precautions since someone is clearly trying to kill me.”

“It’s a bad look,” Aiden argued.

“I’m not taking any risks.” Fred sat and lifted the dome from his plate. I moved over to my seat and didn’t interrupt. I rather enjoyed watching Fred like this.

“You risk a lot if you bring all of them. It should just be the two of us. I’ll keep you safe; I’ve done it for years.”

Fred nodded as he cut his pancakes. “So you keep reminding me.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

I was about to stand and drag him out of the room. His disrespect was getting out of hand.

Fred held up his hand. “Perhaps it would be better if you sat this one out, Aiden.”

The man’s eyes widened. Anger and a hint of embarrassment shone through. “What?”

“Since you seem to think all my choices are wrong, I’d hate to subject you to them.”

“I’m not sitting here and twiddling my thumbs while you’re out there with an assassin brigade all by yourself.”

Fred put his silverware down and pushed his plate to the side. Hands folded together, he regarded Aiden sternly.

“First, you’ll do what I say you’ll do. Second, this assassin brigade has proved themselves to me as a trusted ally. You either step in line and start working with them, or I’ll find someone who will.”

Aiden’s glare was utter contempt and if he’d wielded a magical power, I’d have feared he’d eviscerate Fred. He moved his attention to me.

“I see how it is.”

“I really hope you do.” Fred’s voice rose.

“Oh, I do…sir.”

He knew. There wasn’t a doubt in my mind that Aiden knew Fred and I had slept together.

“We leave in an hour, Aiden. I certainly hope you’ll be with us.”

“Of course, sir.” There was a sneer on his face. It was slight, but I could see it for what it was.

“Now, let me finish my breakfast in peace.” Fred pulled his plate close again and began eating, dismissing Aiden, who stormed out of the room.

No one said a word, and I’d have paid good money to be able to read Fred’s mind right then, but one thing I’d learned about this man in such a small time was that when he was ready, he’d tell me.

The police station was rather large and in very good condition. There were district stations, but Westford had a main hub and judging by the size, it was obvious this was the mother of them all.

“I’m meeting a Detective Walters, correct, Aiden?”

“Yes, sir.”

Since we’d all met in the foyer, Aiden had turned from a casual, opinionated man, back into a cold, professional soldier. I wasn’t sure I liked it very much, and I could see that it bothered Fred.

This was one of his main issues. Fred didn’t want to be the boss of a mafia family because he wasn’t built that way. In a perfect world he and Aiden would be best friends who bickered. The fact that Aiden continuously stepped out of line and forced Fred to pull rank didn’t sit right with my Little Red.

“He won’t let any of you in with me, and I won’t push the issue.”

“Your attorney has been called, sir,” Aiden said from the passenger seat. Zion had forgone the spot in order to make this outing as smooth as possible.

“I’m not sure that was needed, but thank you.”

Aiden nodded and exited the vehicle. Zion got my door, and Thomas got Fred’s.

When we all entered the police station, it did not go unnoticed. We were nicely dressed—there were six of us not counting the two outside guarding the SUVs.

“Can I help you?” the officer at the desk asked Fred as she eyed each of us.

“Good morning, I’m Frederick Brennan. Detective Walters is expecting me.”

She motioned to all of us standing behind him. “And them?”

Fred chuckled. “They’ll be staying out here; they’re for my protection. Private security. All unarmed, I assure you, but you are welcome to check.”

That was one thing that bothered all of us—that we had to be unarmed. Our weapons were in the vehicles. Thomas and Beau had weapons on them outside, however.

“I’ll ask them to have a seat, and I’ll let Detective Walters know you’re here.”

“I appreciate that. My attorney is on the way as well, but he might arrive late. Lance Friedman.”

“Oh.” Aiden stepped forward. “Lance wasn’t available. Barry Germaine is coming in his place.”

Fred’s brow furrowed briefly as he faced Aiden. “I don’t know who that is.” He then faced the officer. “Never mind. It’ll just be me, it seems.”

“Ok, please, if you’ll all sit.”

Once we took our seats, Fred looked at Aiden. “Call whoever Barry is, and tell him his services aren’t needed.”

“Sir, you need representation.”

“Not for this, and not by someone I’m not familiar with. Make the call, Aiden, and the next time you decide to bring a stranger into the mix like that, tell me before we’re in the thick of it.”

Fred turned his head in the other direction, anger and hurt evident in his expression.

“Yes, sir.” Aiden gritted his teeth and stepped outside, likely to make the call.

I wanted to comfort Fred, pull him into my arms and tell him he was being such a good boy and that I’d reward him later. But I was sure if I did so, he’d bite my head clean off. I almost laughed at the ridiculous thought that I’d probably enjoy that coming from him.

“Frederick Brennan?” A man likely in his midforties, sandy blond hair, green eyes, and a surprisingly warm expression stepped toward us.

“Yes?” Fred stood.

“I’m Detective Walters. If you’ll come with me?”

Fred shot me one last glance filled with emotion.

“We’re good here; I got your back.”

Fred’s smile was slight, and even though it was small, I was happy I could give him at least that.

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

Fred

I was brought into an interrogation room, but it was warm with light colors, cushioned seats, and even a coffee machine inside.

“This is nice,” I said as I took my seat.

“Yeah, this is our ‘we need to talk to you but you’re not going to jail’ interrogation room.” He laughed. I found Detective Walters to be a nice guy.

“Well, I do appreciate that.”

“Coffee?”

“No, thank you. I’m good. While this is a lovely interrogation room, I would like to leave it as soon as possible.”

He smiled. “Understood.”

Once he sat and had a tablet and notepad in front of him, he spoke. “First, I’d like to express my condolences for the loss of your uncle and cousin.”

It wasn’t completely unorthodox for a cop to be kind, but it certainly was rare, so I was sure my face showed my surprise.

“Uh, thank you.”

He shrugged. “Sean Brennan was a good man…Well, I mean he was always respectful. He’ll be missed.”

I was truly touched, but I didn’t want to fall into a pit of naïveté and start blubbering to this detective over how nice it was to hear that. Instead, I sniffed and nodded.

“I was told you had some questions for me.”

“Yes. Honestly, if you could tell me where you’ve been all this time, that would be great.”

“I’m staying at a friend’s residence. I haven’t disclosed the address to anyone, for obvious reasons. I also have had to take a leave of absence from work due to suffering a minor concussion the night of the shooting and also for bereavement.”

“I can understand your need for discretion, Mr. Brennan, but it would be very helpful for me in this investigation if I knew how to contact you.”

“I can give you my personal cell phone number, Detective, but since I have no idea who did this, I’d like to keep where I am quiet for now, if that’s okay.”

He regarded me a moment and gave me a curt nod. “For now.”

“Thank you.”

He then went on, asking me to recount the evening all the way up until I passed out. He asked if I had enemies, to which I simply quirked a brow and he understood.

“Look, Detective, let’s cut to the chase. I’m aware there were three guns used in this drive-by⁠—”

“Four,” Detective Walters interrupted.

“I’m sorry, what?”

He sighed. “I’m really not allowed to discuss information in an active investigation, but I spoke with my chief, and he feels we can actually work together on this and bring whoever did this to justice…if you’ll let us take them in.”

That was certainly not a promise I could keep—but in for a penny, in for a pound. “Fair enough. I’m a doctor after all; I’m about saving lives, not taking them.”

“On a hunch, when forensics were canvasing the scene and beyond, I wondered about prior to the shooting.”

“Before it happened?”

“Yeah, before the SUV came into sight.”

“Why would that even cross your mind?”

He lifted one shoulder. “Like I said, a hunch. I always trust my gut.”

Back to guts again. “And did you find anything?”

“I did.” He pushed over a picture of a nine-millimeter glock. “It was tossed behind a dumpster on Elm Street.”

That was the road I’d seen the SUV turn from. “And you think it’s connected with what happened to my uncle and cousin?”

“I do, but it’s suspicious.”

For many reasons. “How so?”

“It’s what we call a blank bullet gun.” I didn’t need to ask what that was, but I pretended not to know so he’d explain. We all knew I was the boss of the Brennan family, but I didn’t need to advertise it. Plus, maybe he’d say something that would help later.

“Some people have these when they don’t want a regular weapon in their home. It’s the type of gun that scares off attackers by producing a sound much like a real gun would. Difference is, it doesn’t release a projectile.”

“Why would that even be in a vehicle doing a drive-by?”

Walters hummed. “Why indeed? And more so, why was it tossed moments earlier?”

We spoke for a few minutes, and he took down my cell number. I answered everything but garnered no further information from him. I let him know I’d spoken with the owner of the SUV and we’d both come to the conclusion that it was a setup. The detective informed me that the police were looking into all angles.

“Thank you for your time, Mr. Brennan, and please reach out if you learn anything.”

I shook the detective’s hand and walked out toward the waiting area, where everyone was.

Vincenzo stood as soon as I came into view. I tried to hide the confusion, worry, and anger from my face but I knew he saw it, because he narrowed his eyes.

“Ready to go?”

I nodded and scanned the area. “Where’s Aiden?”

“Outside. He didn’t return after you told him to tell the attorney not to come, but Thomas said he’s been sitting in the SUV.”

I couldn’t deal with Aiden’s temper tantrum right now. I needed to get to the house and let them all know what I’d learned.

“Let’s go.”

Aiden was sitting in the passenger seat of the SUV. I took the same spot I’d had on the way to the station, and Vincenzo scooted in beside me. He briefly squeezed my hand and settled in.

Once we were on the way, my mind wandered. A blank bullet gun. Why would they need that if they intended to kill all of us? It made no sense. And then to suddenly discard it right before? Why would they do that? I had more questions than answers.

Once we returned to the house, I’d be sure to run all of it by everyone and listen to every theory possible.

I regarded Aiden in the passenger seat. He was typing away at his cell phone, and I hated the unease I felt as I watched him. I’d always trusted him with every facet of my life. His job was more than just being a driver; it was keeping me safe, and he’d always done that. Why would he be behind getting me killed? Maybe that was why he was so angry with me, because I was treating him like he was responsible, and his feelings were hurt. Fuck, life was hard.

I opened my mouth to say something to clear the air, and Thomas swerved quickly to the left.

“Sir, we’re being followed.” He was talking to Vincenzo, who was on his phone in a second.

“Beau, we’re being followed.” He turned to see behind us, and I did the same. “Three cars back—black Cadillac. Shit, there’s a van directly behind the caddy, on its tail; they’re together.”

“Plan B, sir?” Thomas asked.

“What’s plan B?” Aiden reached inside his jacket and pulled out a gun.

“Yeah,” Vincenzo answered.

“Stay calm, Aiden.” I reached over and put a hand on his arm. “Be ready but calm, please.”

He clenched his jaw but nodded. His gun was clutched in his hand, resting on his lap.

I turned to see if they were gaining on us just as we were rammed on the right side by a pickup truck.

“Fuck,” Thomas shouted.

“Not just the caddy and van, then,” Vincenzo growled. “Zion, find us a way out of this.”

“On it, sir.” He pulled out his tablet—probably to search alternative routes—and I looked up ahead of us to see the large pickup truck trying to drive Beau’s SUV off the road.

“Slam the truck,” I shouted.

“That’s insane,” Aiden argued.

“Slam. The. Truck!” I repeated.

Thomas hit the gas harder and rammed the back of the pickup. We were all ready for it, so we braced ourselves, but the truck jolted to the right and we watched as it spun out of the way.

“That’s one down,” Vincenzo said, but all I could do was stare at Aiden, who was glaring right back at me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Vincenzo

Zion was shouting directions to Thomas, and Beau’s SUV moved behind ours. The van and caddy were relentlessly following us and no matter where Zion told them to go, we couldn’t shake them.

“We can’t go to the house with them following us,” Thomas said as he turned left and then right, taking side roads.

“The hospital.” Fred took out his wallet and pulled out a key card. “I can get us into the parking garage. If you can get us enough space between the Cadillac and the van, they won’t be able to follow us inside without a key.”

“Perfect.” I smiled. “Thomas, relay the plan to Beau and make it happen. No room for failure.”

“Yes, sir.”

We all kept quite while Zion gave Thomas directions. I kept an eye on the cars, and when we took our fifth turn in under a minute, they finally began to fall behind.

“Almost there,” Zion informed us. “Turn right at the next light, and the garage entrance will be on your left.”

Fred handed Thomas his key card just as he turned, and the bar rose. As soon as we were clear, he hit the gas and quickly but efficiently drove all the way up to the top level. Beau was able to get in behind us before the bar fell, but the caddie and van didn’t seem to get in.

“This is a private garage just for staff, so unless they have a key of their own, they won’t be able to get in.” Fred pointed to an open spot on the top. “That’s my friend Meghan’s spot. Park there; she’s off shift for now.”

Not only did the staff have their own garage but their own spots—very nice.

“Where’s your spot?” I asked.

“Second level.”

“Beau’s going to drive down and double-check that they didn’t get in,” Thomas announced as he reversed into the spot.

“Drones are in the air.” Zion was on top of it.

“You have drones?” It was the first time I’d heard Aiden speak in a while.

“I dispatched them from the house; they’ll be here momentarily. They’ll search for the van and Cadillac once we confirm they aren’t here. We can figure out where they came from,” Zion answered without lifting his head from his device.

“We’ve had them flying periodically within my property since we’ve been here. It’s how we knew no one was near, or at least nobody we could detect.”

Aiden faced forward again without commenting. I wondered if he was worried about that. I recognized that by telling him, I was leaving him open to tell someone. I had to get his cell phone from him and find out who he’d been texting all this time.

“Beau says the garage is all clear, and the drones are giving me visuals outside, they’re gone. I’m going to have them backtrack and see if they can locate the vehicles.” Zion was clicking away, and I left him to it.

“We should wait a little while longer to be certain they’re gone and not hiding somewhere.”

Fred nodded. “Good plan in theory, but if they’re lying in wait, they still might catch us.”

I smiled at the man and damn, I wanted to kiss him every time he bit his lip. “We won’t go anywhere until we’re sure it’s safe.”

We stayed there for half an hour. Beau’s SUV went out first, and we followed five minutes later. If anyone was following, we couldn’t see. Zion had one drone trail behind us, keeping an eye out while the other was searching the area for those vehicles.

Typical drones didn’t have the range Lex Talionis’s did. These were very special, and I was sure the government would love to get their hands on them.

Once we were all safely inside the house, Axel and Fred began checking everyone out for injury. Aside from some bumps and bruises from swerving and our SUV ramming into the truck, everyone was okay.

“I’m going to shower.” We’d just finished dinner when Fred stood. “If you and Zion find anything, please let me know.” He left, Aiden right behind him. I faced Zion, who shook his head.

“No sighting for those cars. I’ve looked under overpasses, parking lots, went through some abandoned warehouses.”

“Send a team out tonight. Get them to drive around, and perhaps they’ll find them. Send them all the info on makes, models, and license plates.”

“Yes, sir.”

I stood and hoped Fred would still be in the shower by the time I made it to his room. Once I was closer, I could see his door was ajar, but the sound of water indicated he was in the en suite.

I pushed the door open and froze. Aiden was sitting in one of the chairs, staring out the window. Accusing him of being someplace he wasn’t welcome without proof would be foolish.

I stepped back and knocked on the doorjamb. Aiden turned, and the second he saw me he narrowed his eyes.

“Fred’s in the shower. You’ll have to try again later.”

I didn’t step into the room, but I also didn’t move. “And I am guessing he asked you to sit there and wait for him to be done?”

He leered at me and if I were a lesser man, I’d probably have shivered. “And what if he did?” He stood slowly and faced me. “Did you think you were special?”

“What are you talking about?” I wasn’t going to take the bait. If Aiden had something to say, I’d make him say it.

“I know you were together last night, I could hear you…” He stepped closer. “Everyone in the house could.”

“And you think after Fred comes out of the shower, and he sees you sitting in here, he’s going to jump your bones? He has standards.”

“Many nights, I stayed in Fred’s room. I was always there for him, protecting him and watching over him. Do you think you can hold a candle to the years and the loyalty the two of us have for each other? All you could do was seduce him with your cock; it’s a standard I’ve never had to stoop to.”

“Aiden.” Fred’s voice was like a whip.

Neither one of us had heard the water shut off, and we’d been too focused on one another to realize he’d entered the bedroom.

He was standing there in a towel, his hair a mess on the top of his head, droplets dancing along the planes of his torso. His eyes were ablaze with anger, and I’d never seen anything more stunning.

“Fred.” Aiden had the decency to shy away from the half-naked man; I did not. I wanted to drink him in.

“Why are you in here, and why are you once more showing disrespect to a boss?”

“Me? He’s in your room too.”

“Difference is, I asked him to come and let me know if he’d found anything, which I’m assuming is the reason?” He looked at me, and I nodded. While I hadn’t found anything, I wanted to update him on what Zion said.

“I don’t recognize you anymore, Fred.” Aiden gestured to me. “You’re sleeping with the enemy, making rash decisions, not listening to me when I advise you—it’s like you died and were replaced with someone else.”

Fred slipped on his glasses that were on the night table and stepped up to Aiden.

“The night I watched my uncle Sean and Aine get brutally killed, part of me did die, Aiden. It’s a piece of me that will never grow back. In its place is a dark hole that feeds on revenge, and until I have that I’ll never heal, I’ll never be whole. Your ideas, while cautious, aren’t going to get me any closer to putting a bullet in the head of whoever ruined my life. I won’t tell you again to respect rank; next time I will dismiss you and call in someone else.”

He stepped away. Aiden’s face was ashen, but Fred wasn’t done. “You say you don’t recognize me, but it’s you who is unrecognizable, Aiden. You’re turning into a person I don’t want to know. I miss the man you were, and I wish he’d come home. So upon your return to your room, if you happen to find him, I’d very much like to see him at breakfast tomorrow.”

Aiden didn’t say anything; as he turned to leave I stepped out of his way and watched him walk to his room, never once turning around.

CHAPTER THIRTY

Fred

I sank onto the corner of my bed, head in hands. “I hate this.”

“What do you hate exactly? You’ll need to be specific because there’s a lot to hate, but I think there’s a lot to like as well.”

I could hear the smile in his voice as he spoke; I didn’t have to lift my head.

“I hate having doubts about someone I’ve known for years, Vincenzo. I can understand his hurt.” I looked up, and Vincenzo was closer but gave me space.

“Can he understand yours?” He held up his hand before I could answer. “I know how someone unfamiliar with me would see me. He’s known you forever, and here I come swooping in. My words shine doubt on everything he says and does, and on top of it, I’ve had you in my bed.”

When he said it like that, it did sound every part the manipulation Aiden claimed.

“But anyone who does know me, would realize how dedicated I am not just to finding out who did this and bringing them to meet their fate, but to you, Fred.” He took a few steps closer and kneeled so he was eye level with me.

“I meant what I said. I’ve seen you, I know the type of man you are, and I’m enamored. I don’t want to extinguish the flame that flickers inside you; I want to pour gasoline on it and watch you burn away your demons.” He reached out and took my hands in his.

“I welcome any proof Aiden can find that I have nothing but your best interests at heart.”

I sighed and slid my fingers through his. “In my gut, I know who you are.”

He nodded. “But you’re uneasy because you can’t say the same about Aiden, someone you should have no doubt about?”

“That’s it exactly.”

He lifted my hands to his lips and pressed tender kisses to my fingers. “I’ve been betrayed in my life by people who were supposed to love me, protect me, and sacrifice for me.”

“Your sister.”

“Probably the most painful of all betrayals.”

“Yet she lives.”

He hummed, his concentration on following a vein on the front of my hand. “Last time I saw her she spoke of death and I told her if she truly wanted it, I’d take her life.”

I gasped. “You’d kill her if she truly wanted it?”

His dark eyes met mine. “Anyone else, and she’d already be dead, Fred. It’s not easy to forever remove someone from this earth who you loved unconditionally once upon a time.”

I pulled my hands free and cupped his face. “Do you still love her?”

“Yes, and I hate that I do.”

I understood that completely. If it came down to it and I had to kill Aiden, could I?

Pressing my lips to his, I tried to convey how I felt. I got it, he got me. I’d never be able to explain to Aiden that Vincenzo was trustworthy, but honestly, it wouldn’t matter if he were the reason for all this devastation in my life.

“Can you stay with me tonight?” I pleaded, my cheeks warming, fear of rejection ever present.

“There’s no place else I’d rather be.”

Vincenzo ran to his room to shower and get ready for bed. I never asked for the update he’d come to give me, but I was sure he’d get me up to speed soon.

Once we were in bed, I sighed as his hands, fingers, and tongue explored my body. As he opened my legs and tasted the most intimate part of me, I had to bite my tongue not to scream out in pleasure.

When he slid inside me, I wrapped my arms around him, clinging to him as if he were a lifeline in a vast ocean. Vincenzo consumed me, and in this moment I’d let him because being surrounded by him was pure oxygen—revitalizing, lifesaving, everything.

Aiden never joined us for breakfast and when I questioned one of the staff, they explained that he’d come into the kitchen early, grabbed food and coffee, and returned to his room.

I hoped he was taking time to think about all I’d said to him the night before. My intent was to go up to talk to him once I was finished, but Albert March chose that second to call.

Zion put it on Speaker. “Good morning, Albert, this is Zion. You’re on Speaker, and Mr. Brennan is here.”

“Mornin’. I heard from my friend at the DMV. The paperwork for the SUV is legit. But she was able to pull up the footage near the time the paperwork was stamped. No one matching Richie or his grandfather was at the DMV at that time.”

“I thought we already established they were being set up,” I asked.

“Yeah, I’m getting there. Thing is, there was someone who came to the counter with that paperwork. It was as if he knew there were cameras and kept his head lowered. Bushy beard, probably fake, wore a John Deere baseball cap. He took his sunglasses off at one point, but we still couldn’t see his face clearly.”

“This is unhelpful,” Zion responded.

“You need a lot to register a car. All of it matched to Richie’s grandfather?” Vincenzo wondered.

“Yeah, because you don’t need a photo ID to register a car as long as you have the paperwork, duplicated perfectly or otherwise—anyone could do it.” Albert sounded frustrated like the rest of us.

“Could we see the photos of the person at the DMV? I know they aren’t good, but maybe we can glean something from it.” Vincenzo was smart to ask, but I had a better idea.

“Better yet, can I see the video of the entire interaction?”

Vincenzo cocked his head at me.

“If it’s someone I know, a person who may be in my life and I’ve stood side by side with, I might recognize mannerisms.”

“Smart.” Albert chuckled. “I’ll get those to you. Where do I send them? They’re physical copies, otherwise I’d email them over.” He chuckled again. “Some things are just old school.”

Zion took over from there and arranged to have someone go to March’s auto shop to pick it up.

“I’ll let you know when I have it in hand.”

Albert disconnected the call, and I caught Vincenzo’s eye. “I want to arrange a meeting with Finn, Rowan, and Oscar.”

“Why?”

“We’re getting nowhere fast. Maybe it’s time to shake things up. If those three know anything, I think I can get it out of them.”

“How?” The corner of Vincenzo’s mouth curled up.

“Good old-fashioned manipulation.”

Vincenzo laughed, and his smile lit up the whole dreary room. “Sounds like a perfect plan to me.”

“One more thing, I keep forgetting to ask.”

“What’s up?” Vincenzo asked, and Zion peered up from his tablet.

“The detective said they found a fourth gun, a blank gun. It doesn’t shoot bullets, just makes it seem like they do. It was near the turn by Molly’s where I was shot at. Suspicious, right?”

“Very.” Zion glanced at Vincenzo, then me. “Why would someone toss that? Unless it was no longer needed.”

Neither man said it outright but they were thinking it…and so was I. The niggling feeling that Aiden truly was behind this was getting stronger, and no matter how much I pushed it down, it bobbed up again. But why would he do this? Was I paranoid or just refusing to see it in technicolor?

I went up to Aiden’s room after breakfast. He let me in, and I made my way over to the window.

“I’d like you to call Finn, Rowan, and Oscar, and arrange a meeting with them.”

“What? Why?” Where he was solemn a moment ago, he was now, dare I say, trepidatious.

“It’s time I find out what they know, and I’m never going to get it by hiding out here. They want a boss; I’ll give them one.”

“What are you planning on doing, Fred?”

I grinned. “You can’t be raised by a man like my father and not learn a thing or two. I know how to extract information.” I shrugged. “And if they won’t listen to me, I’m a doctor. I know places on the body that when sliced don’t kill right away, but the pain will make you wish you were dead.”

“You’re going to slice up your lieutenants?”

I stepped up closer to Aiden. He was taller than me—most people were. “I’m going to do whatever I have to do to end this. It needs to be over.”

Neither of us moved an inch. Of course Aiden was going to call for the meeting, and the three men would attend. I just wondered if this maneuver would bring the old Aiden back or unveil a monster he’d been working hard to keep covered.

“I’ll make the call.”

I nodded curtly and left the room.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Vincenzo

I had no idea what Fred was going to say or do. I was both nervous and excited. The redheaded brat kept me on my toes, and I found that the longer I was around, him, the more I was on the edge of my seat to find out what would happen.

Aiden had arranged a meeting in the back room of Rowan’s butcher shop. It was a place where they all congregated often.

“You need to bring unknowns here?” Rowan was a man in his late forties. He had black hair, clearly dyed, a round belly, and the beginnings of jowls.

“When the people you’re supposed to trust prove they don’t have your back, you find an army that will.” Fred sat at the head of the table and to their credit, the three men said nothing.

“You’re saying you don’t trust us?” Oscar was a little younger than Rowan, thin with light brown hair and glasses that rested on a long nose.

Fred snorted. “Let’s talk about trust, Oscar.”

Aiden was behind Fred, in the corner. I was keeping my eyes on him the entire time. Any twitch, move, anything—I was cataloging it all.

“Did you call this meeting to lecture us?” Finn brought a cup of coffee over to Fred and then sat in the seat beside him.

He was the oldest of the three, with a receding hairline, medium build, and a permanent scowl.

“Does it matter if that’s exactly the reason I called this meeting, Finn?” He lifted a brow.

“Well, lookie here, you found your balls.” Oscar was joking, but only the three men laughed.

“I always had them. I am my father’s son, after all. The difference is, I don’t chop people’s heads off just because they glance at me wrong. If I did, the three of you wouldn’t be here.”

That silenced the trio, and I had to concentrate on not smiling.

“What’s going on here?” Finn folded his hands on the table. “We’ve been keeping things running smoothly while you’ve been hiding, doing what you’ve ordered. Why all of a sudden are you lookin’ at us like you’ve never seen us?”

“None of you respect me.”

“That’s bullshit,” Rowan argued.

Fred snapped his head in Rowan’s direction. “So, you steal from all the people you respect?”

“What the fuck are you talkin’ about?” He sneered, his cheeks turning red.

“How long did the three of you think you’d be able to take from me without my notice?”

“I’ll ask again, what the fuck are you talkin’ about?” Rowan appeared genuinely upset.

I flicked my eyes to Aiden, and he wasn’t giving his attention to any of them. His gaze was focused on something on the wall, as if he were holding himself together by sheer will.

“Numbers don’t lie, Rowan. I have proof the three of you have been skimming from the top for a while now.”

“You have to be shittin’ me,” Oscar growled. “We’d never do that.”

“Right because honor among thieves and all that?” Fred huffed. “Should I show you?”

“Please do,” Finn said.

While all the proof was on the computer, Fred had spent the afternoon making copies so he wouldn’t have to pass around a tablet. These were old fashioned men, and Fred wanted to do this the old-fashioned way.

He slapped the proof on the table, and all three men scrambled to get an eyeful. I watched as they read document after document. Only one thing showed on their faces, and something didn’t sit right with me. They were utterly confused.

“What’s this shit?” Rowan slapped the papers in front of him.

“Proof, Rowan.”

He shook his head. “That’s not right. Those numbers lie. I got my own books.”

“Books you cooked to counter this.” Fred motioned to the papers on the table.

“Hold on.” Oscar was glaring at the documents. “Where’d you get these? They don’t match my books either.”

“Shocking.” Fred folded his arms over his chest.

“You’ve just decided to not believe us no matter what.” Finn pushed the papers away. “You come in here guns blazing, but you’re pointing the barrel at the wrong people.”

Fred stood, hands flat on the table and towered over Finn.

“Am I? Here’s how I see it. The three of you were taking from me, you knew it was a matter of time until I figured it out and you’d have to pay for your disrespect, so you hired some thugs to kill me and since you all hated Aine and by extension Sean, you figured you’d take them also, keep your money, and take over my empire. What part of that do I have wrong?”

“All of it,” Oscar answered without hesitation.

“We haven’t taken any more than our take. We loved Sean and while yeah, Aine had no spot at this table, we’d never kill her for her ambition. We were waiting it out; soon enough she’d get the hint and back off. Whoever has been singing in your ear is off tune, sir.” Oscar slammed his hand on the table.

I could see doubt begin to creep into Fred’s entire demeanor, and I was beginning to think these guys might be telling the truth.

“What about the poker game?” Fred turned to Finn. “You were running your mouth about Aine, about how I was a shit boss.”

Finn scrunched his nose. “You are a shit boss, but so was your pops at first. You’re young, but not stupid. You lack things but bring other stuff to the table. You’re better at numbers than your pops, and we’re raking in a lot more these past three years.”

“And Aine?”

“She had no place here ever. But, sir, we’d never hurt her.” Finn didn’t flinch away from Fred as he spoke.

Fred returned to his seat and glared at the three lieutenants. “Why would someone want me to think the three of you were behind this?”

“Isn’t it obvious?” Rowan snorted. “If you’re lookin’ at us, you’re not payin’ attention to who you should be.”

To Fred’s credit he didn’t turn toward Aiden, but he was the one who’d given Fred all this information and as I met Aiden’s eyes, I could see the countdown. He was a ticking timebomb, and we were running out of time. Fred was going to have to do the unthinkable, and I could tell from Aiden’s expression he wasn’t going to make it easy.

“I need to speak with each of you alone,” Fred said.

“Sir,” Aiden interrupted.

Fred whipped his head in Aiden’s direction, I couldn’t see his eyes but I imagined they were filled with hellfire.

“I. Said. Alone.”

Aiden stepped back, to his credit he composed himself. “Yes, sir.”

“Finn first, the rest of you can leave.”

“I’ll be right outside the door.” I spoke for the first time.

Fred nodded but was facing Finn. The two men were in some kind of staring contest.

Once we all filed out, Rowan announced he’d be in the front checking on the shop, Oscar said he’d be down the hall making a call. Zion moved to the end of the hallway, and I stayed at the door. Aiden…he was pacing. Every part of him screamed nervous energy.

“He’ll be fine in there.” I knew he wasn’t worried about Fred’s safety, but playing it off as if that were the problem prevented Aiden from lashing out.

“I don’t trust them, they’re lying.”

I pursed my lips and regarded the man. “You gave Fred the proof, told him what you heard, and you’ll stand by it?”

“Absolutely.”

“Does seem like the three of them are sticking close on this one.”

Aiden tilted his head. “You believe me?”

No. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

I shrugged. “In that room, those guys tore your entire argument to shreds, and you never bolted or interrupted. Only someone with the truth on his side would face it head on.”

While that was true, I didn’t think Aiden had a plan at this point. His world was falling apart. I’d make amends and make him think I was in his corner. An unlikely ally.

He snorted. “I never thought, out of everyone it would be you believing me.”

“I never hated you, Aiden. We just clashed in personality. But I’ll stand by the truth.” I stepped closer to him. “You and I both want to keep Fred alive, right?”

“Exactly.”

“Then maybe we do our jobs.” I held out a hand in a false truce.

“Okay, I’ll relax.” He shook my hand squeezing a little harder than necessary.

“For Fred.” I smiled.

“For Fred…” He did not.

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Fred

After the others left and I was alone with Finn, I took a deep breath. There was so much that wasn’t adding up at this point, I didn’t know where to begin, so I chose to go all the way out of left field.

“What did my father tell you about me?”

Finn was clearly as shocked as I was. “Like the kind of man you are, or what?”

“Any conversation he had with you, what did he say about me?”

He shrugged. “Said you were soft, but I remember a time your old man was too. Was proud of you getting an education.”

I snorted. “Finn, he’s not going to walk in here and shoot you for telling me anything bad, and I’m not going to either. I need to know the truth.”

Finn rested his ankle on his opposite knee. “He said you were a fairy, but he thought he could change you. So, he said he took you to a place to do that.”

I nodded. That sounded more like my father. “Did he tell you that location was a dank basement he locked me up in for a year and just made sure I stayed alive long enough for him to decide how he was going to kill me and make it look like someone else did it?”

Finn rolled his eyes. “He’d never do that, Fred.”

“But he did. It was actually Black, Christopher, and all the guys over at Haven Hart who saved me.” I cocked my head. “But what did my good dad tell you about that?”

“Said they stole you from the place he had you.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “I’m glad my father’s dead. There’s not a day that goes by I don’t thank God he’s gone. I didn’t love him, and he didn’t love me. I am gay, Finn, so gay. Like I have unicorn pajamas, gay.”

“Fred, whatever you are, keep it quiet. No one has to know. Only Rowan, Oscar, and I know.”

I slammed my hand on the table. “No. I’m not going to be quiet about it, so you all can either get with it or I promise, I will replace every one of you. I have the support.”

“Why you gotta tell the world?” Finn sneered. “The three of us don’t give a shit what you do behind closed doors, but keep it there.”

I hummed. “Maybe you wanted to make sure it stayed a secret, and that’s why you put the hit out. And knowing my uncle Sean supported me, you’d all be left with him and he’d continue to push Aine into the head seat. Were you three old fucks afraid everyone else might truly like evolving into the twenty-first century?”

“You got some messed-up shit in your head, Fred. I don’t agree with what you are, but blood takes the seat at the head of this family, and that’s what you are.”

I chuckled. “That’s an outdated rule, and you know it. Haven Hart is insanely successful and powerful, and every head of every faction there is queer.”

He waved me away. “It’s not our way.”

I stood abruptly, my chair crashing to the ground and making a clang. “It’s our way if I say it is. I’m the boss, that’s what you all wanted and so here you have it. Me, Frederick Brennan, queer mob boss for the Brennan family.”

“This won’t end well.” Finn growled.

“You mean worse than someone trying to kill me?”

“I had no part of that, and I didn’t take anything more than I was supposed to. Someone cooked those books, but it wasn’t me, Rowan, or Oscar.”

I leaned closer. To Finn’s credit, he never flinched. “Tell me who I should have my sights on.”

“I don’t know. The three of us handed our shit to you or Sean. Whoever does your books, that’s who you need to talk to.”

I couldn’t do that, because it was Aine who’d dealt with that, and she was dead. But there was no way she would have fucked me over. It wasn’t her style.

“You know, Finn, I will figure all of this out, and you better hope for your sake, you’re right.”

“I am. I got nothing to hide.”

“I suggest you get real comfortable with my queerness because as long as I sit in this chair, it’s your new reality.” I tsked. “Maybe you all should have embraced letting Aine take the lead. Is a woman better or worse than a queer man in your ignorant brain?”

He didn’t say anything, but judging by his expression he wasn’t happy.

“You’re dismissed.” I looked away from the old man and moved to the other side of the table so my back wouldn’t be to him as he left.

Rowan and Oscar’s responses were almost identical to Finn’s, as I expected they would be. I wasn’t so much afraid I’d put another target on my head. What those three may not have realized was, they needed to be the ones checking over their shoulders.

For the first time ever, I understood why they would never just let me walk away. Letting someone like us leave our organization left a loose end, and a possible enemy down the road. No matter how much Finn, Rowan, and Oscar would claim they hadn’t and wouldn’t ever harm me, I wouldn’t feel safe as long as they had air in their lungs.

I chuckled at the thought. Who knew I’d finally understand one of their archaic rules?

“What’s so funny?” Vincenzo asked as we were driving to the house.

“Just going over my meeting with my lieutenants.”

“How’d it go?” Aiden looked over from his seat in the front. I noticed once I stepped out he was in a better mood, and he and Vincenzo were actually talking nicely to each other…Wonder what that’s about.

“Horrible for them, I imagine. I told them I was gay, that I didn’t believe them, and that they better hope they’re right and they better be okay working for a queer boss, or I’d replace them.”

Aiden’s eyes widened and Vincenzo snorted.

“Jesus, Fred, did you need another challenge?” Aiden shook his head. “Keeping you alive is becoming an Olympic sport.”

“Maybe leaving you alone with people is a bad idea.” Vincenzo squeezed my arm. “But I’m proud of you.”

“Uh, thanks?”

“You’re welcome.”

Smug little asshole. I rolled my eyes and rested my head on the back of the seat. I was exhausted but that meeting, while uncovering very little, made me feel free. I wasn’t sure what the three men would do with this information, and right now I couldn’t find it in my heart to care.

Vincenzo’s phone buzzed, and I listened to the rumble in his voice as I began to doze. I was almost completely under when the glass beside my head shattered and gunshots rang out.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Vincenzo

I was in the middle of a call with Aurora. She’d just said she was able to identify the five men in the photographs, and then all hell broke loose.

Fred ducked immediately, and I threw my body over his.

“We’re two minutes from the house!” Thomas shouted.

“Anyone hit?” Zion asked.

We got an all-clear from everyone, and a moment later, more shots hit the SUV.

“Stay down!” Thomas yelled as he started taking turns. I couldn’t see where we were going, but he was certainly taking them on a ride.

I looked over the seat in time to see Zion shooting out of the broken rear window at the same van from the other day. In the front, Aiden was also shooting out of the passenger window.

“You can’t take us to the hospital.” Fred was yelling. “Drive to the police station!”

“What?” Aiden shrieked. “Are you crazy?”

“We’re being shot at, Aiden! Take us there, Thomas.”

“Yes, sir.”

I liked how Thomas listened to Fred without checking with me. He clearly saw him as my equal, and that did things to me…even in the middle of a gunfight.

Thomas made a series of lefts and rights, and then suddenly the shooting stopped.

“The van turned off,” Zion announced.

“Police station straight ahead.” Thomas slowed the vehicle.

“Okay, maybe don’t actually go into the police station.” Fred pushed me off him with a roll of his eyes. “The alley there, back in.”

Once we were parked we did a check-in. Glass was everywhere, from the seats and floor to our hair and clothes.

Aiden was nicked on the arm, but Thomas was able to wrap it with gauze we had in the first-aid kit.

“Everyone else okay?” I tried to see each person the best I could from my spot.

“Fine. Pissed off, though.” Fred shook the shards from his hair. “Could it have been Finn or the others?”

I shook my head. “It was the same van from the other day. Unless it’s been them all along.”

My phone buzzed at the same time Zion’s did. “Aurora.”

“Everything okay, Praeses?”

“Just a day in the life of the Irish mafia. We’re fine, did you have anything for me?”

Fred glared at me, and I wanted to bite his lower lip every time it jutted out.

“I do. We were able to get IDs on the five men: Rafferty, Liam, Cian, Murphy, and Keir Byrne. I did a deep dive as soon as they were identified. They flew into Westford International Airport five days before the shooting but haven’t flown out. They’re still there.”

“Interesting. They’re known to take hits from anyone, no questions asked. They just want money. They’re slimy but will do exactly what they’re told as long as you give them what they want.”

I was familiar with the Byrne family. I’d call them assassins, but they were more like guns for hire. They had no code or honor. They were disgusting and ruthless. They wouldn’t stop until the job was done. When it all went tits up after Fred didn’t die, I’d guess they were who was in the van, and in the two vehicles the other day.

“Yes, Praeses.”

“Keep digging, Aurora. See if you can find any paper trail on the money. It might be impossible but if anyone can do this, it’s you.”

“Thank you, sir. I’ll contact you if I find anything. Stay safe.”

“I’m trying.”

I disconnected the call and looked at Zion. “Was that Beau? How’s everyone in their SUV?”

“Everyone’s fine. They were behind the van, and they’re still following it.”

Fred smiled, an honest-to-God smile. “We need someone alive.”

“Understood.” Zion was texting.

“Aurora was able to identify the men in the photos Albert found.”

“Who were they?” Fred was so eager—we were getting answers, and with Beau tailing the van, hope was on the horizon.

“The Byrne family.”

He shook his head. “Who?”

“They’re from Meath, Ireland. More like mercenaries, not assassins. They have no morals—they kill for the highest bidder. They were sloppy at the restaurant because they wanted to be. Aurora is trying to follow the money.”

Fred sighed, and it was loud and full of relief. “Oh my God, we’re getting somewhere, finally.”

“It’s nice when the light at the end of the tunnel turns out not to be a train, right?” I grinned at Fred, who returned it.

“Yeah. Can we get back to the house? Is it safe yet?”

“Let’s go.”

Zion confirmed Beau was still with the van, so we used the opportunity to pull out of the alley and head back to my house.

Once we arrived, we went about fortifying my property even more than it already was. I had to assume they’d eventually get desperate and need to break in to finish the job.

“I contacted Albert and let him know who the guys were. He’s contacting Gia, and they’re going to get the word out. Even if Beau doesn’t get them, it’s only a matter of time until they’re grabbed.” Fred sat beside me on the couch in the sitting room. “Are those them?”

“Yeah, Aurora got me clearer pictures. We were able to identify them properly through my own database, and I got better photographs. You should send them to Albert.”

“Good idea.”

I emailed them over to Fred, who made quick work of getting them to Albert, which would only help them find the Byrne boys.

“Any word from Beau?” Fred asked, and I set my laptop aside and faced him.

“He tracked them to some rundown house on the outskirts. I have a team I’m putting together to grab one and eliminate the rest.”

Fred’s jaw dropped. “When were you going to tell me this?”

“As soon as I saw you, and look at that, here you are.”

He sighed. “Please don’t do that.”

“What?”

“That thing where you’re going to try and take over all of this in the name of honor or whatever. I’m no wilting flower.”

With one hand, I cupped his cheek. “I in no way think you’re incapable, Fred. I was just trying to help and get one of them alive.” I traced his bottom lip with my thumb. “I would no more expect you to run things by me when seconds matter.”

He leaned into my touch. “Fair enough.”

I moved in and pressed my lips to his, right there for anyone to walk in and see. I wasn’t sure if he’d pull away, get angry, or what, but I had to know if this was okay. If what I was feeling and where I wanted this to go was the same as Fred. And sure, I understood a kiss in a sitting room wasn’t some huge grand gesture to solidify a relationship, but it was something.

As soon as his mouth opened and his tongue brushed the seam of my lips, I relaxed and returned the heated kiss.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Fred

“When are your people infiltrating the house?” I asked between kisses.

“Tonight. Why?” He leaned back, his brow lifting.

“So, we have some time?”

He pursed his lips, and I was desperate to taste them again. “Are you asking me if I want to fool around?”

I nodded. “Today has been…it’s been a day. Ups and downs, I’m feeling so⁠—”

“Out of control,” he finished.

“Yeah, exactly.”

We stared at each other for a moment; then he said, “My room, fifteen minutes.”

I’d never run so fast in my life. I wanted to take a quick shower, get all the glass out of my hair, and make sure there wasn’t anything else foreign lingering on my body.

Once I got to Vincenzo’s room, I checked the hallway before knocking. I didn’t so much care at this point if anyone knew Vincenzo and I had kissed, but sex was another thing. I didn’t know how he felt about everyone knowing. No. I shook my head and knocked a second time.

“Come in.”

I turned the knob, stepped into his room, and froze.

“Oh…”

“Shut and lock the door; this is only for you.” He was completely naked, standing in the middle of his room, and slowly pumping his cock.

I followed the order and turned again…waiting.

“Take off your clothes and get on your knees.”

I fucking loved this. Nothing got me hotter than being told what to do in the bedroom. Vincenzo had been the first person in a long time, maybe ever, who I was honestly comfortable doing this with.

I scrambled to remove my clothes and immediately dropped to my knees. He took a few steps and as he stood directly in front of me, he tapped my lips with the tip of his cock.

“Open.”

Without hesitation, I obeyed. He slid his shaft in so slowly, and the moment I went to close my lips around it, he removed it immediately.

“Don’t suck until I say so.”

Loosening my lips, I stared into his dark eyes so full of fire and passion, my dick twitched. He was gorgeous, powerful, and protective…and he wanted me.

I gagged slightly when he hit the back of my throat, but otherwise I didn’t move a muscle.

“Now, suck.”

As if my life depended on it, I closed my lips and sucked. He gripped both sides of my head and started speeding up.

“Tap my leg if it’s too much. Otherwise, you’re going to make me come like this. Hum if you understand.”

Humming, I relished the feel of his shaft pummeling my throat. My brain shut off and I took everything he gave me, content as soon as the taste of warm come filled my mouth.

“Fuuuuuuck,” he whispered loudly, his neck arched.

After he pulled out, he scooped me up and crashed his lips to mine as he carried me to the bed.

“You’re amazing, Red.”

I loved hearing him call me that. He only did it in the bedroom, and it felt special, only for us…only like this.

“Your cock is amazing.”

He chuckled as he gently laid me on the mattress. “Arms up.” I lifted them, and he reached under the blanket and pulled out a scarf.

“It’s all I had on short notice.” He shrugged.

“You’re a real boy scout.”

He snorted as he tied my wrists together. “Absolutely not.”

He leaned down and kissed me chastely. “Hold the headboard, and don’t you dare let go.”

“Yes, sir.” I smirked and he shook his head.

“Such a brat.”

“You love it.”

He rested his hands on my sides, and with a warmth that took my breath away, he said, “I really do.”

I gripped the headboard and waited for my next order, but none came. He spread my legs and lifted them to my shoulders.

“I’m going to rim you until you come, Red. However long it takes. You can only come from my tongue.”

Holy fuck. “Uh…okay.”

He smiled and dipped his head. In the next breath, he licked across my hole and I bucked.

“Fuck!”

He chuckled and began eating my ass like a Thanksgiving feast. He speared it, licked it, sucked it…I didn’t know how much time had passed, but I was both desperate to come and wanting this to last forever.

“Vin,” I pleaded. “Touch my dick.”

He lifted his head, and through watery eyes I saw his spit-slicked grin.

“Like this or not at all, Red.” He plunged his tongue into my hole, and that was it. My orgasm tore through me.

“Sweet fucking wow.” He brought my legs down, I hissed, and he started massaging my hips and knees.

“Are you all right?”

I nodded. “Can I let go?”

“Yes.”

I released my death grip on the headboard, and he untied my wrists and sweetly rubbed over the light pink marks.

“You’re radiant when you come, Red.”

“So are you.”

He got up and moved to the en suite. I heard the faucet, but my eyes were so heavy. I jolted as he wiped over my stomach cleaning me up.

“Rest,” he whispered close to my ear. “I’ll wake you once I hear from Beau.”

I wanted to argue that I was fine, but my body was mush and my brain was quiet.

“And, Red?”

I opened my eyes and he beamed.

“Yeah?”

“You were a very good boy.”

And now I was dead. His words had killed me. I sighed and within seconds, I was asleep.

I was gently shaken awake sometime later. I had no idea what time it was, but Vincenzo was sitting beside me on the bed.

“I’d have let you sleep, but I promised I’d wake you.”

“Beau?” I sat up and reached over to put my glasses on.

“We have a survivor, and he’s being held in a warehouse.” He chuckled. “We can talk about how clichéd it is that he’s tied to a chair in an abandoned warehouse later.”

I shook my head and got out of bed. “I just need to freshen up; can we leave in fifteen?”

“Whatever you’d like. He’s not going anywhere.”

I pulled on my clothes, went to my room to clean up properly, then to the sitting room. When I arrived, everyone was already there. Aiden was in the corner, talking with Vincenzo, so I joined them.

“How are you feeling?”

He patted his arm. “It was just a graze; I’ll live.”

“Thank God.” I smiled and looked at Vincenzo. “Everyone ready?”

“Waiting on you.”

“You’re going?” Aiden asked. “Could be dangerous leaving the house again.”

“Not with the others dead. This guy has answers, and I’m gonna get them.”

Aiden shrugged. “Fair enough. Let’s do this.”

We took one SUV. Some of Vincenzo’s people stayed at the house to watch over things, and the rest were with Beau at the warehouse.

“I remember this building,” I said as I exited the vehicle. “They used to make candy here. I loved walking by here as a kid—you’d get a sugar high off the fumes.”

Vincenzo laughed. “Might be why it closed.”

It had actually closed down because the owner of the warehouse couldn’t pay for the protection my dad had demanded he take, so he’d sabotaged all the machinery, which had started a fire, and as soon as it was all out, my pops bought the spot and did nothing with it. Well, I imagine he’d done with it what I was doing right now.

“Did you know I own this property?”

Vincenzo smirked. “Maybe.”

And he called me a brat. Once we got to the door, he pulled it open.

“After you.”

“Such a gentleman.” I took a deep breath and made my way to the center of the room, where a man I’d never seen in my life sat tied to a chair.

He tilted his head to the side, a slight sneer all I could see of his face. A stranger, someone who didn’t know me, had taken money to remove two of the most important people in my life.

Before I left tonight, I’d make sure he understood the huge mistake he’d made.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Vincenzo

Rafferty Byrne was hunched in the seat; only his grimace could be seen. Each ankle was tied to a leg of the metal chair someone had bolted to the floor. His hands were tied behind him, and blood was dripping from the side of his head.

Fred regarded him with an expression one might equate to a scientist trying to figure out a new specimen.

“This is Rafferty Byrne, the sole survivor of the Byrne family of mercenaries…assassins…shitbags? What are you guys calling yourselves these days?” I asked. Of course, he had no idea who I was or how I’d have this information, but when he lifted his head I saw his eyes widen.

“I believe you know Mr. Brennan?”

“Funny, I haven’t had the pleasure.” Fred grinned and took a step closer to Rafferty. “So, you’re the one who has decided to take it upon themselves to kill everything in the world that matters to me.”

“And you have done the same to me. My brothers and cousins are dead.” He spat on the floor right near Fred’s feet.

Fred crouched so he was at eye level with Rafferty. “It’s a pain like no other, isn’t it?” But Rafferty didn’t respond, so Fred continued. “Grief is the slow caress of death. It rots you from the inside and makes you feel the ache of loss in inches, for days, months, years. Grief doesn’t pass—only time does, Rafferty.”

“Don’t act like you’re a saint,” the man growled.

“The difference between you and me, is that I’d never take a penny to kill someone. Ever.” Fred stood and walked around the chair as he spoke. “I’m sure you did your homework on me. Any good assassin would be prepared for anything.” Fred winked at me, and I could’ve kissed him right there.

“We are the best.” Rafferty sneered.

“Well.” Fred sighed. “Your family is mostly dead, and all that’s left is you…but that’s not the point. You know that I’m a doctor, that I’ve chosen to dedicate my life to saving people.” He stopped by the table that was off to the side. A few instruments were laid out, courtesy of Lex Talionis.

He picked up the scalpel and stepped over to the chair. Rafferty watched Fred’s every move.

“In all your research, did you discover how much I never wanted to be the head of this family? How I wanted to live my life in peace? Did you know that I never wanted any of this?”

“We were given a target, got paid, and we were executing it. It was just business. You went and made it personal!”

With a flick of Fred’s wrist, he sliced across Rafferty’s cheek pretty deeply. The man screamed and after a minute, he began breathing heavily.

“No, Rafferty, you made it personal without even knowing. So here’s how this is going to go. You’re going to tell me who hired you, every detail you know, and if you do, you’ll die fast. If you don’t, I’ll show you what else I can cut with a scalpel.”

“I die either way.”

Fred’s expression was blank, unreadable, he answered but only his lips moved. “Yes.”

Blood sprayed across Fred’s face, but his eyes were clear. Neither Rafferty nor Fred blinked.

It was fascinating to watch Fred in this situation. He despised running this family, hated killing, but he was surprisingly good at it.

As Fred regarded Rafferty, there was no way he wasn’t reliving the moment he’d watched Aine and Sean fall to their deaths. I imagined it haunted Fred every second of the day. Revenge wouldn’t make the pain go away, but I hoped for his sake it gave him closure.

“Keir was the one who took the call when it came in. I can’t tell you the sound of the man’s voice, but he went by Liam, and no, not my brother.”

“Liam,” Fred asked.

“Yeah.” Rafferty huffed out a laugh. “That was the kick of it all. Man said he was Liam Brennan and he needed his son Fred taken care of.”

Fred swallowed and there was a twitch of surprise, but he gathered himself.

“My father died years ago.”

Rafferty nodded. “Which we discovered after we ended the call. We figured the person wanted anonymity, but it was sketchy, even for us, so we declined the offer.”

“But…but you didn’t.” Fred gripped the scalpel in the palm of his hand. Anyone with eyes could see he was barely hanging on.

“We did at first, but he called again, gave a different name, but paid extra for our silence.”

“Spit it out, Rafferty, or I’ll show you the best way to flay someone.”

Damn. Was it wrong that I found that hot?

“Thing is.” Rafferty lifted himself up as best as he could and glared at Fred. “The guy would update us periodically once we arrived. Telling us where you were, what to do. All of it.”

“A name,” Fred growled.

Rafferty kept going, though. “The night we killed Sean and Aine, a few minutes before Murphy drove onto the street, he texted us.”

I didn’t need Rafferty to go on. Exactly what I’d thought was now coming to light, and I spun to where I’d last seen Aiden, but he wasn’t there.

“See, we were supposed to kill you, Sean, and Aine, and make it appear like the guy who hired us was hurt in the process.…He’d be the only one to walk away.”

“Who?” Fred’s voice cracked. He wasn’t stupid, but I understood that he needed to hear it.

I jerked my head toward the exit, and Beau and Zion raced out. I didn’t need to tell them who we were searching for.

“He only gave us a first name. Told us exactly what to do to make it look like a certain street gang did it. Provided anything we needed.” Rafferty chuckled. “This guy really, really wanted the three of you dead and to be able to walk away. I wonder what he’d have gotten out of it?”

Fred pressed the scalpel to Rafferty’s cloth-covered dick. “I’m going to count to three.”

Beau returned and shook his head. Fuck! He’d gotten out, and we’d missed it. How?

“One.”

“I don’t need three seconds.” Rafferty grinned. His fate was sealed, and he knew he was about to crush Fred’s world. Any glimmer of hope Fred had for Aiden’s innocence was about to shatter.

“Two.”

“Aiden,” Rafferty said as he laughed. “Your own fucking driver. Your cousin, isn’t it?” His laughter got louder. “The only blood you had left hated you so much, he wanted to end your life and start a war.”

Fred took a step away, lifted his arm, and in one flawless move, slit Rafferty’s throat. A spray of blood covered the front of Fred. His shirt and face were painted in crimson, and the scalpel dripped.

And like someone hit a switch, I watched the most amazing man I’d ever known fall apart. He crashed to the floor and screamed…a battle cry, a release. So much pain, too much heartbreak. He never looked for Aiden. It was as if he knew the man had fled. For the first time since Sean and Aine had died, Fred crumbled.

I stepped beside him and kneeled. Without thinking, without caring that I’d be covered in blood, I wrapped my arms around him and did my best to hold him together. The scalpel clanged to the floor, and his fingers dug into my arms. His sobs tore at my soul.

I felt my exercitus surround us, protecting, supporting, giving whatever they could to a shattered man.

It didn’t matter how long it took. I’d pick up every piece and put my Red back together again.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

Fred

I didn’t remember leaving the warehouse, and I vaguely recalled being washed, dressed, and put into bed. Through the night a constant warmth surrounded me. The scent was familiar and comforting. I drifted on and off, plagued with nightmares of Aine’s body being torn apart by bullets, of my uncle Sean’s eyes.

I jolted awake to the sound of gunshots only to realize it was a dream.

“You’re okay.”

I turned and faced Vincenzo. He was noticeably exhausted.

“Did you sleep?”

He shook his head. “No.”

“Why not?”

“I wasn’t leaving you.”

How ridiculous was this man? “I was sleeping; you were here. How is that leaving me?”

“Anytime you woke I wanted you to know I was here, no matter what.”

Jesus. “Oh, Vin,” I whispered and pressed my lips to his.

He ran his fingers through my hair and tenderly, as if I were fragile, returned my kiss. We lay like that for a while. I had so much I needed to deal with, but wrapped in his arms under the softest blankets in the world, I could easily forget.

When we broke apart, I could read his expression and it was all the same emotions I had swirling around my head and heart.

“Where is he?” I didn’t have to say who…I didn’t even want to say his name.

“We’re searching.”

I closed my eyes for a moment. “I knew, in my gut, and I didn’t listen to it. My uncle would be so disappointed.”

He gripped my chin and lifted my head. “No, he’d be so damn proud of you. I bet he already is. And sad, because of what you’ll have to do.” He kissed my forehead. “I know you feel alone, but you’re not. I won’t leave you, Fred, and I’ll stand beside you through all of it, and after if you’ll have me.”

My eyes widened. “What?”

“However this ends, wherever you end up, I’d like to be with you…do life with you.”

I snorted. “Do life with me. I’m not marrying you.”

“No.” A flustered Vin might be my favorite Vin. “I mean, this, what we have, whatever it is, I want to explore it so wherever you hang your hat, I want to hang mine right next to it.”

“You motherfucking charmer.” I devoured his mouth—there was no other way to put it—and we’d have gone further if there hadn’t been a knock on the door.

“Stay put.” He pulled the sheets back, and I pouted as he pulled on a pair of pants before answering the door.

“Zion.” Vincenzo looked over his shoulder at me, and I waved him in. “Come in.”

“Sorry to disturb.” He smirked. “A couple of things. Albert came through with the DMV video. I have it and yeah, pretty sure it’s Aiden.” He had more to say, so I motioned for him to go on. “The cell phone records were a dead end. He was careful not to do anything nefarious on there, so likely he used several burner phones which are long gone.”

A tender thud beat against my chest upon hearing his name. “Can I see the video?” At this point, the phone records didn’t matter to me.

“Of course but the other thing—Finn contacted your phone. I’ve had it on me since the warehouse.” It was nice of Zion to not mention when I fell apart like a little baby.

“And?” Vincenzo asked.

“I answered it, explaining that Fred was busy, and he said he needed to speak with Fred urgently.”

“How long ago was this?” I was glad I had boxers on, because I’d whipped the sheets off myself without thinking.

“A few hours ago; he said to contact him as soon as you could.”

“I need my phone.” Zion tossed it to me and without hesitation, I called Finn.

“Oh, thank God.” Finn sounded relieved.

“What’s going on, Finn?”

“Oscar figured it out, the money.”

I nodded even though he couldn’t see me. “Let me guess, Aiden was the one taking the money.”

“Yeah, you figured it out?”

“I’m smart like that, Finn.” I rolled my eyes. “Was there anything else? While I can understand the urgency to that, I feel like there’s more.”

“There is, but not from the three of us.”

“Who?”

“Lorcan and Conor.”

I had the phone on Speaker so Vincenzo and Zion could hear. “What about them?” They were shot-callers and ran certain boroughs in Westford. Lorcan ran Kent, and Conor ran Arbor Flats.

“I don’t want to do this over the phone. Can we meet?”

Vincenzo nodded and slid Zion’s tablet over. “Yeah, okay, do you know Bethany’s Bakery in Norport on Bayside Avenue?”

“Of course.”

“Okay, meet me there in an hour.”

“See you then.”

An hour later we were walking into the bakery, and it was empty. Lights on, a little old lady at the counter, but no customers.

“Hi, Erma.” Zion smiled and walked over to the old lady, kissing her cheek.

“Hey there, boys.”

“Thanks for letting us have a quick meeting here.” Zion beamed and Erma returned it.

“Anything for you. I’ll be in my office in the back.”

She sauntered off and we all moved toward a table. A minute later Finn, Lorcan, and Conor entered.

All three men approached, each kissing my cheeks and taking a seat. “So here we are, Finn, what do you got?”

“Lorcan?” Finn motioned for Lorcan to speak.

“The morning Sean and Aine were killed, a strange request came in from Aiden. He said it was on your behalf. He wanted my soldiers to go into Norport, said the night club Hugh and Rory wanted was getting some vagrants. Hugh had half his guys on a job, so it was quiet in my sector and we went.”

“Conor?” Finn asked.

“Yeah, same call came into me, but it was to go to Danford for Rory, same reason. Since the club dances the line, I asked about Hugh’s guys and he said they were busy and Rory’s guys were dealing with something for you. I didn’t question him, didn’t think to.”

“And the restaurant where Sean and Aine were killed was in Arbor Flats but only a couple of miles from Kent,” I surmised. “He wanted to make sure I had zero backup and none of the family would see the shooting.” I turned to Vin. “That’s why I didn’t see anyone, because if they all knew I’d be there with Sean and Aine, Conor would have made sure I had people, and Lorcan being so close could have stumbled across the SUV flying down the street, and the setup to frame the Bleeding Angels would have gone up in smoke.”

“Damn, Aiden’s been busy, that two timing son of a bitch rat bastard,” Conor growled, but my eyes were on Finn.

“What aren’t you telling me, Finn?”

He sighed. “I didn’t think nothin’ of it until Oscar figured out where the money went.”

I motioned for him to go on.

“About six months ago, during one of our weekly poker games, Aiden was asking me and Rowan a bunch of questions. Like what would happen if something happened to you, who’d take over. Rowan explained that everyone would likely side with Sean in that instance.”

“Which you all should have done to begin with, but go on.” I rolled my eyes.

“And then he went on about line of succession and asked who’d stand a chance up against Sean, and I said no one.”

“But a few months ago Aiden got a little drunk at one of the games and said how your pops told him how good he’d be at running things. Oscar said…” Finn exhaled loudly.

“Oscar said what?” I narrowed my gaze, not loving where this was going.

“Oscar said the only way he’d get backing is if he was the last in the bloodline.”

Lorcan followed that up with, “Which if you died, Aiden would be who we’d all expect to take over.”

I tried to calm my temper. It wasn’t Oscar’s fault for answering questions. Who would think Aiden of all people would go on a rampage just for power?

“Why Aine?”

Finn shook his head. “I can’t answer that.”

I nodded. “Then it looks like I’m going to have to go hunting and get the answer for myself.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN

Vincenzo

All the pieces were falling where they should, and all that needed to be done was to find Aiden and give Fred his closure.

After we left the bakery, not only was the Brennan family on the lookout, but Fred sent word to Albert, who also informed Gia. There were very few locations Aiden could hide. Not to mention, I had my own resources.

Drones were up, and I had my exercitus on rotating shifts both on the property and out on the streets. I was confident that we’d find Aiden soon.

Fred was in the sitting room, scrolling through his phone. From over his shoulder, I could see him going through some pictures. One was a little grainy.

“Is that you as a kid?” I came over and handed him a cup of tea.

“Thanks. Yeah. I got a lot of these pictures downloaded digitally once my dad died and I went through his house. There were a lot of albums.”

“Who’s the girl?” I pointed to the person in question, hair in pigtails, smiling as she had her arm wrapped around Fred’s shoulders.

“Aine. We went to an amusement park. It was so hot, and I remember Aine saying that we weren’t getting out of the water park until we were so cold our feet fell off.”

I chuckled and sipped my tea. “So she was always tough?”

“From the second she was born.”

“You were close?”

“As kids we were, but then we began to drift. Once my father found out I was gay or even started to suspect, he rarely brought me near family and any time he did, there was a threat attached to it.

“Only after he died and I reconnected with my uncle Sean did Aine and I became close again.”

I reached over and squeezed his knee. “I know this is hard.”

He sighed and placed his phone on the table. “I was never naïve enough to think the darkest parts of this job would never touch me. I knew the consequences; I understood that at any time I could be killed, and Sean knew it too. Aine was prepared because she believed she could make the Brennan family reach heights they only ever dreamed of.”

“Naïve is one word I would never call you, Fred.”

“Thank you. I just…Aiden of all people. He knew I hated this position and never wanted it. He saw me struggle every time I had to sit at the head of the table, make a decision. I’d have handed it over to him. Hell, I wanted to so many times. When Sean and Aine died, I felt truly stuck, and I wanted him to take it all.”

“Hmmm, but it doesn’t work that way.”

He nodded. “Yeah, I recently realized why no one liked anyone walking away with a plethora of knowledge that could put you away for good.” Fred removed his glasses to rub his eyes. “Aiden never told me he was even interested in the job.”

I pulled Fred closer until he rested his head against my chest. We were stretched out on the couch, and holding Fred in my arms was the best way to have him.

“I’ve seen something like this before.” I ran my fingers through Fred’s hair.

“Oh?”

“Mmhmm. A couple of years ago…the Giaquinto family. Ricardo Giaquinto was a proud husband and father of three children. Two boys and one girl. The daughter, Abigail, believed because she was always side by side with her father that naturally she should head the organization. But the eldest child, Ricardo Junior, was in fact the one everyone sided with. They believed it a rite of passage.”

Fred snorted. “Did he even want it?”

“Nope but he took it to keep the peace.”

“What happened?”

“One night while Ricardo Junior was at the theater with his family, a man came up behind him and stabbed him in the neck. He died at the hospital.”

“Holy shit.” Fred looked up at me.

“Indeed. Fingers were pointed, conspiracies tossed around. In the end it was found out that Abigail hired a hitter to take him out.”

“So stupid. What happened to her?”

“She disappeared, so the middle son, David, contracted Lex Talionis. We investigated and not only had Abigail murdered her brother, but we discovered she had poisoned her father as well. So, we took it on.”

“I see.” Fred hummed. “So I take it David runs the family now?”

“He does. A job he didn’t want either, but he does it since there is literally nobody else.”

Fred shook his head. “It’s all so senseless. She did it all for power?”

“Sometimes jealousy and power seep into people’s veins and carry them along, doing their bidding like the puppets they are. Families get torn apart over things that they could have figured out over a glass of vino on a clear night.”

“You’ve seen a lot.” Fred turned completely so that he was facing me.

“I have.” I sighed, the weight of the years was heavy on my chest.

“Can I ask you a question?”

I cupped his check and tenderly leaned in for a kiss. “You can ask me anything.”

“What would you do if you were me?”

I thought not about what I’d do but how to explain to Fred what had to be done. “In this instance, it’s about separating the feelings from the responsibility. Aiden killed Sean and Aine Brennan. One of them was a high-ranking member of your family. Not to mention, he tried to have you killed. Not many would let that slide, at least nobody I know.”

He nodded, his gaze roaming. “I have to kill him.”

“Unless you want to be like me and lock them away.”

Fred blew out a raspberry. “I don’t own a dungeon, and honestly I’m not sure I’d want to see his face every day.”

“Hmm, that is the difference. My sister, Mary, never killed any of my family. Everyone she killed was deserving. Her punishment is because she went after those she shouldn’t have in the name of Lex Talionis.”

“So, not the same thing then.”

“I suppose it’s not.”

He sighed and snuggled into my chest. “I know what I have to do, but I’m trying to find a way not to do it.”

“I can do it for you.”

He wrapped his arms around my torso and squeezed. “I know you would. Thank you.”

I wasn’t sure Fred knew what he’d do until he was face-to-face with Aiden. But regardless of what he chose, I’d be with him and if it came to it, I’d strike the man down.

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Fred

Vincenzo and I didn’t get to bed until late. We lazily kissed, rubbing our cocks together, coming with strangled breaths. Nothing rough, no orders, just tender climaxes.

My sleep wasn’t fitful like I thought it would be, and I was sure that had everything to do with the man I was currently wrapped around.

I had to get up, so I gingerly extracted myself from Vincenzo, careful not to wake him, and made my way to the bathroom for a shower.

I let the water pound my aching muscles, unsure why I wasn’t freaking out. Aiden was out there, and I was going to have to kill him. Was I disconnecting?

“You practicing becoming a prune?” Vincenzo questioned as he opened the bathroom door.

“Funny. I’ll be out in a second.”

I dressed in a suit, not knowing where the day would bring me, and headed down to the dining room. It was weird without Aiden, but as soon as the flicker of missing him entered my mind, I stomped that thought away.

We were halfway through eating when Zion’s phone buzzed. He took it at the table, and we all watched as he spoke to whoever was on the other end and then hung up.

“Eden saw Aiden enter the train station. He bought a ticket across the country; it boards in forty minutes.”

“Did he think we wouldn’t be watching the train stations?” Vincenzo wiped his mouth and stood. “We should get there. We could end this today.”

I followed suit, one foot in front of the other. Gun in my holster, open door, get in car, and go.

“Are you okay?” Vincenzo squeezed my hand.

“I’m great. So excited to kill my best friend and cousin, can’t wait, gonna be a banner day.”

“Shit, is he spiraling?” Zion asked, and I glared at him.

“He is right here, and no he is not.”

“What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?” Vincenzo gently tugged my hair, and I swatted him away.

“I have very expensive product in there.”

He held up his hands. “Apologies. Now what’s going on?”

“I don’t want to kill him. It’s like if I do, I’m alone.” I dismissed him with a wave of my hand just as he was about to speak. “I know, you’re here, but this kills my bloodline, Vin. Finn, Rowan, Lorcan all of them, none have the Brennan name. I’m going to be it and it’s hard…” I chuckled. “I don’t know why I care. A huge part of my life was wishing I wasn’t a Brennan.”

“I get it. But I think it comes down to something you share with your uncle and cousin, and you think by killing Aiden you’re killing their legacy, and that’s just not true. The Brennan name might die with you many years from now, but you’re bringing respect to it, and for that Sean and Aine’s memories will mean everything to those that keep this organization together.”

I couldn’t hold back my smile. “You’re a charmer.”

“Yes, but I also speak the truth.”

I chuckled again. “Thank you.”

He brushed a finger over my cheek, and I wished I could freeze the moment.

“We’re here,” Thomas announced. “Eden said he’s just gone to the bathroom so we can get in position while he’s in there.”

“I think it’s best you stay in the car, Fred.”

“What?” With everything Vincenzo had just said, he wanted me to hide.

“For two reasons. The second he sees you, he’ll run. Me and my men know stealth.”

I clenched my jaw. “The second better be outstanding.”

“Let me bring him to you, Fred. When I open this door, let it be your face he sees. He’ll realize he has nothing to hide behind, and you’ll get your truth and your revenge.”

I pursed my lips. “Well, fuck…okay, that was good.”

After a quick peck on my lips, he left the vehicle. Thomas was staying with me, so I watched from the window while Vincenzo and the others went into the train station.

“It’s going to be fine, sir.”

I took a breath and met Thomas’s eyes in the mirror. “I’m sure in the end it will all work out.”

Once they weren’t in sight anymore, I texted Finn and Albert. They’d asked for updates as soon as I had any and while I didn’t have much, I let them all know that we had Aiden cornered. It was only a matter of time.

Thomas’s phone buzzed, and I watched his reaction through the rearview. He gave nothing away, just said “Yes, sir” and “No, sir.” Once he disconnected the call, I didn’t have to ask.

“Aiden wasn’t in the restroom,” he informed me.

“Where was he?”

“Seems to have given them the slip. We have to keep an eye out.”

Motherfucking fuckballs of fucking epic proportions. “I guess it was too easy to ask for this to go smoothly.”

“Nothing in life ever comes easy,” Thomas responded, and I couldn’t argue with that.

Thomas watched the front of the car and I watched the rear; he took left and I took right. All I saw were people coming and going—no one I recognized, certainly not Aiden.

“What if he left before we began searching for him out here?” Fuck, he could be long gone.

“How would he do that without anyone seeing?”

“How has he been able to do any of this, Thomas? He’s smart.”

“Security is coming to the car.” Thomas sat up straighter, and I turned to the left and saw a uniformed man approach the vehicle. I couldn’t make out his face just from midtorso.

“Why is security approaching a parked car?” Shit. “Thomas, don’t open the window.”

Thomas didn’t argue and when the man tapped on the glass, Thomas refused to slide it down. The man was on to us. He stepped away, pointed his pistol at the window, and shot.

“Bulletproof glass, asshole,” I muttered. I texted Vin that he was trying to shoot the car. No response but I knew in my heart he was on the way.

“Fred!” Aiden shouted. There weren’t a lot of people in the parking lot, and those that were scattered once gunfire was heard.

He kept shooting the glass. Thomas started the car, ready to hit the gas, just as the window shattered. Thomas reached for his pistol, but there was no question he’d be too slow, and I couldn’t sit here and watch another person I cared about die.

“No!” I shouted and opened my door. “Me, you want me. Leave him alone, Aiden.” I had my gun clutched in my hand behind the open door.

“Drop your weapon, Fred. I know you’re carrying. You have two seconds.”

I didn’t let him count; I dropped it. “Leave him alone, and I’ll go with you.”

“I could shoot him and take you anyway.”

I looked around quickly and saw the front doors to the train station open and Vin, Zion, and a few others came running out. But they were too far away. They wouldn’t make it in time.

I inched toward Aiden. “You’ve killed enough people. Take me or I run, and you’ll have to chase me.”

He narrowed his eyes but he jerked his head to the left. “Company’s coming. We’re out of time.” In a swift and strong movement, he slammed the butt of his gun to the side of my head and as I fell to the pavement I heard two shots, and then darkness surrounded me.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

Vincenzo

I couldn’t run fast enough. I saw Fred standing by Aiden—who was dressed like a security officer—and just like that, he hit Fred, and Fred collapsed, Aiden holding his limp body close.

“We can’t shoot in a parking lot—we might hit someone,” I shouted. We all raced to the car. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from Fred lying in Aiden’s arms.

“I wouldn’t do that,” he growled as each of us lifted our weapons. He tipped his chin, and I looked over my shoulder, where several men flanked us from behind. I didn’t recognize them.

“I’m leaving with Fred, or you all die right here. I don’t want a war with Lex Talionis. This is a family matter, and you should never have been brought in.”

Was he serious? “If you think I’m going to pack up and leave, you’re mistaken, Aiden. See, Fred isn’t yours, he’s mine.”

He cocked his head and took a few steps toward his car. “I really expected more from an elite assassin organization.” The back door of a different car opened, and a large man got out. The new threat directed his gun at Fred’s head.

“Shit,” Zion whispered.

“I’m leaving now.” He chuckled. “You have your hands full.”

Then all hell broke out. A bullet grazed my arm, and we began maneuvering to defend and attack. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Aiden drag Fred into the back of a car. A bullet whizzed by my head, and I focused on not dying.

“We’ll find him. Just stay alive,” Zion shouted as he pulled me behind a truck.

In the distance I could hear tires screech, and I knew Fred was gone. “That motherfucker.”

“We’ll find him. I got enough details on the car. You need to take these fuckers out first.” He was right.

I stood and shot one, two men down. “Eden, get a ride.”

She nodded from her spot next to another vehicle. I wanted to take each one of these guys out, but the further Fred got, the harder it would be to track them.

“I have drones on him,” Zion said as he slipped his phone into his pocket and clutched his gun again.

It felt like forever before Eden drove up beside me. “Get in,” she shouted while bullets rained around us from all directions.

“We’ll hold them off.” Axel was shooting with precision, and the enemies’ numbers were dwindling.

I couldn’t wait, and I trusted my exercitus. I jumped into the back seat with Zion, and Eden hit the gas.

“Aiden’s going into the tunnels,” Zion reported.

The tunnels went under the Westford Bridge and while they were in there, we couldn’t track them. There was interference and those tunnels were so narrow, the drones would crash if they went inside.

“I’ll get the visuals at the exit point.”

I nodded at Zion while I pulled up a map. “Take the bridge, Eden.”

“It won’t bring us to the tunnel’s exit.” Zion was tapping away on his tablet. “When they built the tunnels, it was to eliminate traffic, so it goes in an eastern direction while the bridge goes west.”

“Shit, so we have to take the tunnels?”

“Yes, but I have eyes on the exit. We can track him.”

It was the most helpless feeling, sitting in a car, racing toward a man with a gun to his head. This whole day hadn’t gone as planned, and I’d spend the rest of my life trying to figure out where it had gone wrong. I just hoped Fred would be at my side while I did it.

Zion had his eyes on the tablet, tracking the drone, which was stationary. We’d hit the tunnel in a minute, and he’d lose connection with the drone while we drove through. He had the drone programmed to follow the car Aiden was in, which was easy enough since we were able to get the make and model and have the drone connect with it.

“Going into the tunnel,” Eden announced and ten seconds in, we lost connection.

“The drone will sync up with us once we’re through, so as soon as Aiden hits the exit, it will follow the car.”

“I know.” I’d never been more on edge. I was a professional. I dealt with more dangerous situations, but this one…this was personal.

The tunnel was insanely long. Either that or it felt that way. There was no question Aiden had reached the end while we were still in it. I only hoped that by the time we reached the end, we’d have a location.

“We’re out!” Eden announced, and Zion’s and my attention went right to the tablet.

“Where is that?” I saw on the screen that the drone had stopped at a residential address.

“It’s a mile east. Rosefield Street.”

Eden plugged the address into the GPS, and we were off. “Who lives there?”

Zion started typing. “Louisa Amsterdam, age seventy, widow…she lives alone.”

“Are we to assume she’s been killed, and they took over the home?” Eden asked, and it was a logical assumption.

“No idea. He has some support, but we don’t know from who.”

“I didn’t recognize any of them, but that means nothing.” Zion was hacking into the security cameras from the train station. “I’ll get these over to Aurora.”

We pulled up to the house, and the car Aiden had driven was in the driveway, the drone hovering above it.

“Circle the property,” I ordered and Zion and Eden broke off, one going left, the other right. I stayed at the front of the property.

The rest of my exercitus were at the train station or coming to me, but I didn’t have time to wait. Aiden’s end goal was to kill Fred. I don’t know why he hadn’t just done it at the station, but he had his reasons and I’d take them since it meant that Fred lived.

Eden and Zion returned, and they both reported that all was quiet.

“It seems to only be Aiden’s car. No sign of Louisa?”

Eden shook her head. “No, we can ask a neighbor, perhaps?”

“Good idea. Eden, get the neighbor on the left; I got the right. Zion, watch our backs.”

I approached the quaint cape and knocked on the yellow door. I heard rustling, and then a middle-aged man stood before me, his Jack Russell terrier at his feet.

“Can I help you?”

“Good afternoon, my name is Vinny. I was supposed to be meeting with Louisa Amsterdam about medical care. I see a car in the driveway but no one is answering, and I’m a little concerned.”

He furrowed his brow and looked over. Zion rested against our car and waved when the man saw him.

“I’m surprised to see a car there at all. Louisa doesn’t drive, but she left yesterday for a vacation with her son.”

“Oh.” I made a show of scrolling through my phone. “It must have been a scheduling mishap. Thank you.”

He nodded. “No problem.”

I walked over to Zion and Eden was coming over too. “So…that dude was sketchy.”

“Really?”

She hummed. “I asked about Louisa and he said she went out, but when I asked what time she’d be home he said, ‘I don’t know, she was on a trip.’ Which was odd, because did she go out, or was she on a trip?” She shrugged. “I said I was there from the bank and asked if I could leave a message, and he said that he didn’t live there and was only housesitting. He’d never met Louisa.”

“Okay, that is odd.” I hooked a finger toward the house I went to. “He said she went on vacation with her family yesterday. No hesitation. Your guy is suspicious.”

I glanced at Louisa’s house, then over to the sketchy guy’s. “He’s not in Louisa’s house. He just wants us to think he is to buy time.”

“Well, me showing up at his door gave us away.”

I agreed with her. “We’re out of time. Let Lex Talionis know we’re going in, and they are to proceed upon arrival no hesitation.”

“Yes, Praeses.” Zion made the call, and the three of us carefully approached the house.

“I’m coming for you, Fred.”

CHAPTER FORTY

Fred

If I got out of this, I would get a CT scan on my head. I’d been banged on my noggin too much lately.

I opened my eyes and I was in a room…definitely a basement. One look left and right and I could tell I was chained to a bed, and none of this was boding well for me.

“Good, you’re awake.” Aiden smiled above me.

“I’ve decided I hate you,” I said.

He chuckled. “Boo-hoo…however will I recover?” He hit a button and the back of the bed rose, putting me in the sitting position.

My eyes widened to see Finn, Rowan, and Oscar tied up in front of me. They weren’t in beds; instead they were in chairs.

“What the hell are you doing, Aiden?” Finn had a trickle of blood on his temple, but the other two just seemed to be exhausted.

“What I have to, Fred.” He shrugged.

“You’ll never get away with this. Do you think any of the shot-callers or enforcers are going to sit idly by and let you kill the highest-ranking members of the family and not come after you?”

He rolled his motherfucking stupid eyes. “Funny thing about that. See, Oscar here explained to me that support was everything. But with Sean alive and you, well, that would be hard. Everyone would flock over to you or him, and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to sway them.” He snorted.

“So you devised a plan to kill us all and come out of this the hero. The blank gun the detective found, it was to make it appear like you were being shot at too. You probably had blood bags attached to you or were planning to fall down, miraculously not getting hit. Then what, you’d be the only survivor and everyone would bow before you, and that would be that?”

He sneered. “But you had to change things up and not die.”

“Oh, sorry about that.”

He rushed over to me and wrapped his hand around my neck. He squeezed but not enough to stop my breathing, just enough for me to be uncomfortable.

“You never even wanted any of this. You wanted to walk away and honestly, I’d have let you but no, that’s not how it worked. So I had to kill you and Sean…you were in my way!”

He released me and I cleared my throat. “Why Aine?”

He walked over to Rowan, who glared at Aiden.

“Aine was too smart. If she lived, she’d have figured it all out and while she may not have come at me on her own, she was smart enough to get others on her side…Haven Hart mostly. I couldn’t have that.” He smiled. “With my plan, everyone would see me as someone who tried to save you, even Zion, who would tell Vincenzo and I’d be thanked, supported, and have an army as I took my seat at the head of the table.”

“How are you this delusional? My father always said you were smart, here you are…being all dumb.”

He lifted his gun and, without hesitation, shot me in the leg.

“Fuck!” I shouted. It was as if fire was eating at my flesh and crawling up my bones. My damn mouth always got me in trouble.

“He did think I was smart.” He came back over to me and pressed his hand on the wound. The pain was razor sharp, and I thought I’d throw up or black out…maybe both.

“Your father once told me he wished I was his son so that he’d be leaving his legacy in the hands of someone worthy.” He removed his hand from my leg.

“Great,” I hissed. “You should be so proud to have something in common with a psychopath.”

“You’re only alive because I need you to contact Albert and clear me of all of this. I was willing to war with the Bleeding Angels—no question we’d win, but the Fire Demons, no. He can fix things.”

“Hold on.” I shifted my leg, blood was oozing out of the wound at an alarming rate. “You want me to tell Albert you’re a nice person so the ladies don’t hunt you down?” I laughed. “After your spectacle at the train station?” Jesus, he was stupid. “Vincenzo isn’t going to rest until you’re dead.”

The door opened and Declan, one of my shot-callers, entered.

“We just had a visitor, some woman asking for the old lady next door.”

“Declan?”

He looked over at me and spit. “Fucking fairy.”

I nodded. “Ahh, I see. So you turned Declan and his Manchester sector against me because I’m gay…gotcha. Who else is on your side, Aiden?”

He ignored me. “What did the lady want?”

“Said she had an appointment with her. I took care of it, but we gotta move soon. Finish up.”

Aiden faced me. “Manchester was easy. Declan isn’t a fan of the gays.” He chuckled. “He recruited a few enforcers, Niall and Rooney, of course. A few of them kept Vincenzo and his guys occupied at the station while the others secured this place.”

He had backing, but he was delusional if he thought it was enough. “I’m not calling Albert.”

He nodded, lifted his gun, and shot Rowan in the head. Instant kill.

“No!” Finn shouted. “You motherfucking piece of shit, you’re a dead man.”

“You first.” Aiden aimed his pistol at Finn.

“If you kill anyone else, I never speak.”

“Make the call.” He held out the phone, and I shook my chains.

“Would you like me to grab that with my tongue, you fucking moron?”

He gritted his teeth. “I dial, you talk.”

“Fine.” I gave him the number and after the second ring, Albert picked up.

“Yeah.”

“Hi, Albert, it’s Fred.”

“What’s up? You get that fuck, Aiden?”

I leveled my former driver with a glare. “Yup. Found him, and would you believe he’s super innocent and isn’t at all a baddie. Like he’s just cotton-candy sweet. Bought us matching sweaters and everything.”

“Fuck,” Albert whispered. “He’s got you, huh?”

“Seems that way. Hey when I’m dead, spread the word that Aiden likes to fuck goats.”

“You…” Aiden disconnected the call and threw it, and it shattered when it hit the wall. “I’m going to enjoy this.”

He gripped my neck again and this time squeezed until my breath was cut off. Darkness creeped in at the edges, and all I could think about was Vincenzo.

His million-dollar smile, the way every touch left a mark that sunk deep into my skin and tattooed itself to my soul. The taste of his tongue and the power it had to short-circuit my brain and calm the chaos.

How he truly saw me.

I could search the world ten times over and never find anyone who looked at me the way he did. Like I mattered, like I was precious and could do anything. How he saw in me the fighter and didn’t ignore my vulnerabilities; instead he made me own them and see where they took me.

I’d miss him. I’d miss the unknown future. The hope…the dream.

I’d miss the happily ever after I had always wished I’d get.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Vincenzo

I didn’t know who Aiden had gotten to work with him, but they weren’t going down without a fight. Eden went in from the back, I went in from the front, and Zion entered from a sliding side door. We had all the exits covered.

There were two guys in the kitchen that Eden disposed of quickly, but not so silently. By the main door there was one large guy. He pushed me into the wall and when I say into, I was in the drywall.

Fortunately, his movements were slow, and I got a shot off and then another three.

“Fuck you.” I sneered at the asshole who was now dead and rushed over to the living room, where Zion and Eden were going head-to-head with four others.

One had his back to me, so I clubbed him on the head. He slumped forward and the second he turned, I shot him right between the eyes.

“He’s not on this floor,” I said once the last guy dropped.

Eden nodded. “House is quiet.”

“Something’s up if these guys were all here.” Zion checked his phone. “Aiden’s car is in the driveway of Louisa’s house still. He has to be here.”

“Or is he in Louisa’s house.” I had to wonder if it was a little bait and switch and switch again.

We raced through the house—every level, even the basement—but there was nothing.

“Fuck!”

“Praeses, we’ll find him.” Zion squeezed my shoulder.

Once outside, we headed to Louisa’s house. Through the windows there was nothing, but there were BILCO doors in the yard that weren’t bolted shut.

“Here.” Eden and Zion came over the same time two SUVs arrived, but I relaxed as soon as Axel jumped out. I waved them over, and now I had my exercitus.

“We time this. The four of us go through here; the others use the front and back doors.”

They all nodded. It took a minute but once everyone was in position, we all entered at the same time.

A shot was fired in our direction and we hit the floor. “Careful where you fire,” I ordered.

I looked up and saw something out of my nightmares. Three men tied to chairs, one, I believed was Rowan, clearly dead. Aiden’s hands wrapped around Fred’s throat, and the man I loved wasn’t breathing.

“You motherfucker.”

Aiden spun at the same time two others burst through the door, but I didn’t pay attention to the mayhem surrounding me. Aiden didn’t have his gun out, and I did.

In two seconds I shot his kneecaps off, and he collapsed to the ground. His gun fell out of his waistband, and I kicked it away and raised my pistol to his forehead.

“For the record, I never liked you, believed you, or trusted you.”

“I don’t give a fuck.”

I leaned down and stepped on his ankle, making him hiss. “I wasn’t done.”

I gestured over to where Fred was. Axel was working on him, and in a moment I’d be right beside him.

“He did, though. You were all he thought he had in the world.”

“He was weak.”

I pressed the barrel of the gun to his head, and with my other foot I slammed on his wrist, relishing the sound of the crunch and his screams. “No, he’s the strongest man I know. He knew he had to kill you but didn’t want to do it. And that’s okay, because you know why?”

He said nothing, just glared at me. But I wanted to hear him, so I pressed harder on his broken ankle, smiling when he screeched in anguish. Music to my ears.

“Because I actually do want to kill you.”

He opened his mouth to speak but I squeezed the trigger.

“I have to get him off this, where are the keys?”

With brain matter on my shirt and blood dripping from my hair I turned to Finn, who was staring at Aiden’s dead body.

“Where’d he keep the keys?”

“Back pocket, I think.”

Unceremoniously I kicked him, rolled him over, and pulled out the keys.

Once Fred was freed, Eden went to release the others but nothing and no one else mattered but Fred.

“Is he breathing?”

“Pulse is really weak, Praeses.”

I scooped him up in my arms and rushed out the cellar doors toward the car. Zion was on my heels and opened the door to the SUV.

“Get us to the hospital, fast.”

Lex Talionis was on site and would deal with everything there. Right now Fred was all there was.

“Open your eyes, baby. Please.”

His face was pale, and the bruising around his neck made me want to revive Aiden just to kill him again.

Axel came over to Fred and immediately made a tourniquet to stop the bleeding on his leg, but between the blood loss and strangulation, my Red wasn’t looking so good.

“Three minutes,” Zion announced.

“Red, you need to wake up. This isn’t the end of your story, baby.”

His lips—which were blue before I got into the car—now had a little color, and I was clinging to that lifeline for all it was worth.

Zion jerked the wheel and I was about to yell at him when I saw we were at the hospital. Thank God.

“You can’t go in, sir,” he said after he opened the back door.

“Like hell I can’t.”

“You’re covered in Aiden, sir.”

Fuck, I was. “Get him inside.”

“I promise. There are clothes in the trunk.”

I watched as he rushed into the hospital with my world in his hands.

“Please don’t die on me.”

I was able to reach the duffel from over the back seats. There was a towel, four bottles of water, clothes, shoes, a hairbrush, and a first-aid kit.

Without caring if I ruined the upholstery, I stripped off everything and poured water over my head, scrubbing as much as I could out of my hair. I washed my skin and bandaged the spot where a bullet had grazed me. Quickly, I dressed, and I was tying my hair into a ponytail as I ran into the hospital.

“My…” My what, what was Fred? “My life is here, my love.”

The nurse smiled. “Name?”

“His name is Frederick Brennan.”

Her happy expression fell. “He went that way with a very angry man.”

Zion. “Thank you.”

I rushed along the corridor and would have kept going if I hadn’t seen Zion sitting on a set of chairs.

“Why aren’t you with him?”

He looked up and sighed. “They took him through the doors. They don’t let people follow into those areas.”

I wasn’t caring very much about protocol, but when I went to go yell at someone Zion grabbed my arm.

“Sir, please sit. We can’t do any more than we already have.”

I knew he was right, so I plopped down beside him.

“He can’t die, Zion.”

“Because you love him.”

I turned my head, and my colonellus smiled.

“Yeah, I do.”

He nodded. “He won’t die. He’s far too stubborn and bratty to die this way.”

I chuckled, but it felt hollow. “I fear I’d follow behind him if he did. My heart would surely break.”

He squeezed my shoulder. And we waited.

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

Fred

Pain.

So. Much. Pain.

I didn’t want to open my eyes because I could see the brightness from behind my lids, and I couldn’t talk. Something was in my throat, and it wasn’t anything I wanted down there.

Trying to swallow was a mistake, but it got me some attention.

“Dr. Brennan, don’t move, and please don’t touch the tube.” No one called me doctor…except in…my hospital…I was in my hospital.

The lights dimmed, as if the angels in the room had realized it was too much, so I was able to open my eyes.

The woman beamed at me. “We’ll get this out of you in a moment, I promise.”

After that it was doctors, more nurses, and a lot of words I couldn’t focus on. I must have fallen asleep, because the next time I opened my eyes there was nothing in my throat, and all the medical personnel had cleared out.

Something was holding my hand in place. Vincenzo sat beside me, head back, eyes closed, his hand covering mine.

As gentle as I could, I turned so I could slip my fingers between his, and I squeezed. I would have laughed if it didn’t hurt because Vincenzo bolted up, eyes like a wild beast scanning the room.

“Hey.” My voice was rough and my throat sore but he heard me.

“Baby,” he whispered and not caring that I smelled like hospital or that I hadn’t brushed my teeth, he pressed his lips to mine as if a kiss would make everything better…and well, it kind of did.

“Baby?”

“Do you hate it?” He was now kissing each of my fingers.

“No.”

“Don’t talk. Your doctor said it was best you rest your throat. You have some damage there.”

I nodded. “What…”

“I literally just said no talking, but you’re going to ask what happened, so I’ll tell you.”

I smiled and waited.

“First off, Aiden’s dead.”

I figured he was. Last I’d seen him, he’d been choking the life out of me. Obviously, with me here and not dead, he’d failed and that meant Vincenzo had found me.

“Thomas is in critical condition. He was shot in the head.”

Grimacing, I squeezed his hand. Thomas was a good man.

“Rowan’s dead, but Finn and Oscar are okay. Apparently, according to Finn, your Manchester sector sided with Aiden on a takeover, plus a few enforcers…By the way, they’re all dead too.”

I rolled my eyes. “Busy.”

“Yes, I have been and if you talk again, I’m putting tape on your mouth.”

I chuckled silently, reached, and made a drinking motion.

“Water coming up.” I watched as Vincenzo put some ice in the cup, along with a straw, and filled it. How were the simplest things the most sexy on a man?

I sipped and the cool water felt nice but swallowing was anything but. I motioned for Vincenzo to go on with the story.

“Right. So, your detective friend came by. He had some evidence that was not at all placed where he’d find it, and wanted to let you know there was a bolo for Aiden’s arrest.” He shrugged. “Hope they find him.”

I shook my head and waggled a finger at him.

“I’m not sorry I killed him, but I’m glad you didn’t have to.”

I was too, but at the same time I wished I had. He’d killed my uncle and cousin. Taken them from me. He’d been a confidant and I’d really thought he cared about me. Turned out he was no better than my father, or any person in my life who used me.

“Flower delivery.” Eden walked in with a big bouquet. “It’s from Snow and Christopher Manos.”

“Oh, there’s a card.” Zion walked in followed by two orderlies wheeling in more flowers than there was space.

Vincenzo read each card to me. Simon and Rush, Atlas and Toby, Black, Quill, and their boys, Poe and Phin…the names went on and on and maybe I wasn’t so alone.

As I looked into Vincenzo’s eyes, his expression warm—and dare I say his eyes were screaming he loved me?—I realized that while my happily ever after was beginning in a hospital bed, it was in fact beginning.

ONE MONTH LATER

I placed flowers on both Aine’s and Uncle Sean’s graves and stood up. Vincenzo wrapped his arm around me and drew me close.

“I wish they got to meet you.”

He kissed the top of my head. “If they had, I’d tell them how magnificent you were.”

“Is that all?”

He chuckled. “I’d tell them that I’d take care of you and that you’d never be alone. And that the only way I’d ever leave your side would be in death.”

“Wow.” I grinned up at him. “That’s some serious talk.”

“I’m a serious guy.”

I regarded the headstones. Simple and perfect, just how they were to me. I was still head of the family but Aiden’s betrayal had caused quite a few rifts, and I couldn’t abandon them until they were all mended.

No one argued with me about dedicating more time to being a doctor, and Finn and Oscar made sure to have my back…They owed me everything.

“You should see the world,” Vincenzo said.

“What?”

“You said Aine wanted to travel, see things she only dreamed of. You should do it. Go to every destination on her list.”

I loved that idea. “I don’t get a lot of time off from the hospital right now.”

He hummed. “But you get vacation time, and you don’t need to do it all at once. But, Fred.” He gripped my shoulders and I gave him my attention.

“What?”

“You are alive. So go and live. Make every moment count, and I’ll be right by your side for all of it.”

“Here? In Westford?”

He was silent for a beat. “If that’s where you are, so am I.”

I looked down briefly. “I can’t ask that of you.”

“You’re not. It’s where you need to be right now, and you’re who I choose to be with and so, here we are.”

“You’re going to move Lex Talionis to Westford?”

His smile widened as if he were the Cheshire cat.

“Oh, my God!” I gasped. “You already did, didn’t you?”

He shrugged. “Maybe.”

He gripped my hand and we walked to the car. “You’re crazy.”

“Crazy about you.” He kissed my cheek.

“And cheesy.”

“I love cheese.”

I laughed and he opened the car door.

“What am I going to do with you, Vincenzo Belini?”

He leaned in, mere inches from my face. “Keep me?”

I nodded. “Yeah.”

EPILOGUE

Fred

“The end…or really the beginning.” I smiled softly at Rush and Simon as they looked at me with wide eyes.

“I don’t understand why Snow didn’t tell me any of this,” Simon huffed.

“Haven Hart knows as much as I’ve shared and before today, I hadn’t told anyone every part of it.” I sighed, my gaze drifting to a group of hummingbirds happily drinking from the feeder.

“So what’s next for you?” Rush cocked his head to the side.

“Vincenzo is staying in Westford; he feels he can run Lex Talionis from here. Sure, he’ll have to go back and forth since he’s going to split his people, but he insisted.”

Simon chuckled. “And you’ll live happily ever after? Him running the most lethal and elite assassin organization and you heading the Irish mob and being a doctor?”

“My life isn’t everything I’d wanted. I lost so much, Simon. But with Vincenzo, I don’t feel alone anymore, and truly…and this is the most important—I’m safe. I trust him with my life, and I’ve never been able to say that before. I’m not getting out of this position of running things any easier than you would get out of yours.”

“Difference is, Fred, I want to take over for Pops when he steps down.”

I nodded. That was true. “Anyway, I wanted to tell you both what’s been going on. I’ve never had friends really, at least not real ones. I had plenty I thought were friends until they stabbed me in the back. But you two, I owed you this piece of me…and I wanted to share it.”

Rush reached over and took my hand. “Thank you for telling us. Even though your life from here on out will likely be a tornado of chaos, I’m happy you found someone to ride out the storm with.”

I squeezed back and smiled—a genuine one. “I am too.”

That night as I lay in bed, Vincenzo’s arms wrapped around me, I was hopeful. I didn’t know what our future held, but I knew we would face it together.

THE END

CLOSING NOTE

Thank you for reading Fred and Vincenzo’s story. As you can see Fred is on his way toward a happy…somewhat violent life. But, hey, he has Vincenzo so it’ll be fiiiiine. Please share the love you have for these guys by rating and reviewing. It’s much appreciated. If you want to find some free short stories and exclusive material join my Facebook reader’s group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DavidsonKingsCourt/

Also, keep up with my new releases and info on book, translations, audios, and more by joining my newsletter: https://www.davidsonking.com/subscribe

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Always and forever thank you to my husband and my children. Living with an author is never easy, but they are my strength, my muses, my everything. None of this would be possible without them.

Thank you to Anita for being the beginning and the end of every book, and for being a shoulder I can often lean on. Thanks for making me laugh at my Americanisms.

Hope and Jess, thank you so very much for the countless hours you take making my books shine. You teach me so much and never lose patience.

Thank you, Ron Perry, for making this shine to perfection.

My mom is my biggest cheerleader and every time I finish writing a book, I can’t wait for her to read it and tell me what she thought.

Thank you to Cindi Livingston and Rosina King for being amazing assistance to my crazy.

Thank you, Garrett Leigh, over at Black Jazz Design for finding my perfect Fred and being so freaking chill about everything.

Most of all thank you to all my readers. Without you, none of this would come to life.

OTHER BOOKS BY DAVIDSON KING

You can find an updated list of all my books on my Linktree. Simply click or copy paste the link or use the QR code below.

https://linktr.ee/davidsonkingsbooks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Davidson King always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.

She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children.

If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she'd tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you're afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.

Link to all Davidson’s social media and website:

linktr.ee/davidsonkingauthor