Page 149 of Ruthless Redemption

Decker gives me an apologetic smile. “Not here exactly. The software only gave an approximation, but the mass of cars outside the property helped. Cole had us in the air from Chicago first thing this morning. You scared him with that phone call.”

My stomach clenches.

They rushed to help me. Theycare.

Their concern shouldn’t have this effect. Keira told me yesterday that she loved me. Cole explained this morning that he feared for my safety. But seeing it… feeling it…

After I’ve spent so long being the black sheep of the family, their support is overwhelming.

“I’m going to do a walk around the perimeter and offer my services.” Hunter closes in and grabs my wrist for a quick squeeze. It’s the most sympathy he’s ever given me. The most I’ve seen him give anyone apart from Sarah. “It looks like this shit with you and the Butcher is a permanent thing, so now’s as good a time as any to pave the way with Lorenzo.”

“Lorenzo’s busy being stitched up,” Salvatore says behind me.

I stiffen. My family does too.

Shit.

Decker and Hunter reach for their weapons.

“Wait. Stop.” I rush to move in front of them. “It’s okay. He isn’t a threat.”

“No?” Hunter sneers. “But I am to him.”

“Please don’t.” I raise my hands in front of me. “Emmanuel tortured his sons more than us.”

“They killed Benji.” Decker glares.

“Emmanuelkilled Benji. It wasn’t Matthew’s brothers. They wanted out. That’s why we’re here.” I glance at Salvatore over my shoulder, waiting for him to back me up. “Tell them.”

“Now isn’t the time. I’m sure we’ll hash this out in the future.” Salvatore crosses his arms over his chest. “Until then we can be civil, right?”

Hunter doesn’t answer. Decker’s lip curls.

“Any expertise is appreciated, though,” Salvatore adds. “We’ve got a lot of shit to clean.” He speaks with authority. With power.

“You’ve spoken to Lorenzo.” I turn to him, trying to read what his stony expression hides. “Have you come to an agreement?”

“We will.”

He’s going to take over. Maybe not today, but soon. He already exudes more confidence than when he shuffled off the jet earlier today.

“I don’t like this,” Keira whispers. “We shouldn’t be here with him. We need to speak to Cole.”

I swing back to face her, finding the other three nodding.

“We have to leave.” Hunter grabs the crook of Sarah’s arm. “Let’s go.

Keira steps forward, her fingers sliding over mine. “Come on. We can wait at a hotel nearby. Get someone to call you when there’s news on Matthew.”

“There already is news,” Salvatore says.

I freeze. Panic.

“I’ll be waiting inside when you’re ready to hear it.”

30

LAYLA

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