Page 23 of Trigger's Temptation

Capone lights up a cigarette, inhaling deeply before exhaling a slow stream of smoke. He doesn’t smoke much these days, only when shit weighs heavy on his mind. Today is one of those days.

“While Pretty Playboy is gone, we have some other business to discuss.” His voice is steady, but the room picks up on the shift in energy. “I received a call from Jameson, our National Chapter Prez, this morning. The Bloody Scorpions are causing a fuss in Hawaii, and he wants me to send two of you down there since we are the closest.” Muttered curses ripple through the room. Grumbles offuckandshitas brothers exchange glances. No one likes dealing with the Scorpions, and Hawaii isn’t exactly around the corner.

“Red and Aftermath, you two are heading down with Kensi and Nadia. Use this trip as an all-expense paid honeymoon for Aftermath and Kensi.” Capone smirks before adding, “While you are there on yourhoneymoon, check up on shit. I expect daily reports so I can keep Jameson in the loop. And don’t let the girls know what’s going on.”

Red leans forward, arms resting on his knees. “What about Matthew?” The concern in his voice is clear. His and Nadia’s little boy means everything to him.

Capone takes another drag from his cigarette. “Danyella and Monica are going to keep him for you while you’re there.”

“As long as Nadia doesn’t mind leaving Matthew, I’m in. How long will we be gone?” Red says.

“Two weeks minimum,” Capone replies, stubbing out his cigarette. “Maybe more if shit gets messy. Aftermath, are you good with this too?” Capone asks.

Aftermath leans back, a slow grin spreading across his face. “Oh, I’m definitely down for it. But I can’t guarantee my Ol’Lady will stay out of trouble. We all know how she gets. She doesn’t find trouble, trouble finds her.” Laughter erupts around the room, heads shaking in agreement. Kensi doesn’t go looking for trouble. Trouble damn near has a tracking device on her.

"Try to keep her on a leash," Capone says dryly, but even he knows it’s a lost cause.

"Yeah, good luck with that," Red chuckles.

The laughter fades while the weight of the mission lingers. Hawaii might sound like paradise, but if the Scorpions are making noise, it won’t be a vacation for long.

Before anything else can be discussed, Pretty Playboy comes barging into the room, slamming the doors open. “Prez, we have a problem. Elise is gone.” He’s breathing hard, pissed off and scared.

The words hit me like a freight train.Elise is gone.My mind blanks for a second as everything else falls away. I can’t breathe, can’t think. My little sister... gone. The very person I’ve been trying to protect, the one who I thought was safe...gone.

I stand up so fast that the chair screeches back. My fists are clenched, and my entire body is tense with the need to act, todo something. The room falls dead silent as I glare at Pretty Playboy, waiting for him to explain what the hell happened.

“What the fuck do you mean,gone?” I manage to growl through clenched teeth, my voice low and dangerous. Every muscle in my body is screaming at me to move, to find her, but I’m trying to hold it together.

Pretty Playboy rushes to explain, sweat beading on his forehead. “I went into her room to bring her here, and it’s trashed. Clothes are scattered everywhere, the furniture is smashed. She didn’t go without a fight. At the same time I was heading back here, I got a call, Trigger. An anonymous tip. They said she was taken. It looks like she was snatched, man.”

A low growl escapes from my throat. My blood is boiling, my heart racing. I’ve failed her. Ishouldhave checked on her, should’ve made sure she was safe. This is on me.

“Where’s the tip coming from?” I demand, ignoring the stunned silence around me.

Pretty Playboy shakes his head, panic in his eyes. “I don’t know. They hung up before I could get any more details. But I’m telling you, someoneknowswe’re looking for Lattimer. This has to be connected.”

Capone slams his fist on the table, his expression hard. “Everyone, stay calm. We need to think. Red, Aftermath, you’re still going on the mission to Hawaii. We can’t afford to keep you all here, especially with the situation escalating. But, Pretty Playboy, I need you to help Trigger on this. Get a team together and search for Elise. No stone unturned. I want answers, and I want themnow.”

I don’t wait for anyone else to speak. The urgency in my chest is like a fire, burning through me. I’ve never felt this kind of panic, this kind of fear. Not even for myself. Not when I’ve faced down the worst shit imaginable. But for Elise. I can’t lose her.

I turn to Capone, my eyes wild with rage. “I’m going now. You don’t need to tell me twice.” The words spill out, a mixture of frustration and pure, unbridled anger. I can’t sit here any longer. I need to find her. I need to get to the bottom of this. I’ll tear apart the entire goddamn city if that’s what it takes to get her back.

Before anyone can stop me, I’m out of the room, heading straight for the garage. I don’t care about the mission to Hawaii. I don’t care about anything but finding my big little sister, Elise. The Scorpions, Lattimer, whatever the hell it takes to get my sister back. I’ll make them all pay for this.

Chapter 11

AERIANNA

Zach and I ride back to the city in silence. The air conditioner is cranked to full blast, but it does nothing to cool the heat burning beneath my skin. I’m reflecting on everything that young girl told me. Have I been wrong this whole time about the Royal Bastards? Are they really the good guys doing illegal things to get shit done?

I don’t know anymore. I don’t know what to think or how to act. Do I keep going down this path, or do I turn in a different direction?

“I can hear the wheels spinning, Aerianna. What’s on your mind?” Zach asks as he shifts in his seat.

I shake my head. “I don’t think I’m good at this job, Zach. If I were, you’d think I would know the good guys from the bad. But I don’t. I’ve been thinking this whole time it was the Royal Bastards who took Allison, but it wasn’t.”

“What exactly had you going down that path?”

---