Page 72 of Betraying Bexley

They pulled up to the apartment complex with local PD and SWAT in tow as the sun dipped low in the sky. They couldn’t do anything alone. Stupid laws about performing operations on US soil and drawing attention. Hell, if Alé had it his way, he’d have gone in guns blazing and asked questions later. All he cared about was finding Bex and making sure her father could never hurt her again. As he got out of the SUV, he stood off to the side with his team. They weren’t allowed on the breach due to other pesky fucking laws.

Asher stood to the side with his men along with the SWAT team. The parking lot had been closed off to traffic and a helicopter circled the area. The only one missing was Noah, but if what he’d overheard was correct, Noahwasthere, he’d been positioned in a higher location, looking down at them. Fucker was hardcore. He glanced at Bronx who hadn’t said two words to him since she arrived with everyone. He didn’t blame her. He’d caused a ton of shit to go down that didn’t have to. Yet, seeing her so upset with him, broke a piece of him.

Alé went to her, uncaring if she wanted his attention or not. He took her hand and pulled her away from the group. When they were alone, she let go of his hand and turned her back to him. As much as he liked Bex, he realized Bronx cared as much if not more than he did. He placed his hand on her shoulder and sighed. “Please look at me.” His feeble words belied his anguish. If he’d only done things differently.

“I can’t,” she whispered with a sniff. “I’m so furious with you.”

“I should have brought you with me,” he replied. “I fucked up.”

She whirled on him. “You think?” She kept her tone neutral, but her blue eyes burned with rage. “How could you Alé? I know we all agreed to tell her, but how could you let her get away?”

"It wasn't like I let her do anything." He sighed. "I tried to do it as easily as I could. She snapped the minute she found out we knew the truth about her father, and we were trying to protect while also using her." Excuses. None of it was Bex's fault. She'd been conditioned to be used and abused and when he spoke the truth, Bex saw it as abuse and broken trust.

“Obviously.” Bronx pushed her hair back from her face. “I love her.”

“I think I do too,” he murmured. “We had sex.”

Bronx snorted. “Of course, you did. Did you think if you fucked her first, it might ease the blow of knowing her father was a cartel boss and was probably going to kill her or worse?”

Well... "Lookit, I wanted to. I didn't plan anything, but it happened. I understand you're angry at me, but I am going to bring her back to us come hell or high water."

Bronx finally met his gaze. "I love her." This time her words were stronger. Determined.

He pulled Bronx into his arms, hugging her tight. “We both do. As fucked as it sounds and as quick as it is. We have to bring her home.”

Bronx trembled in his arms as she cried. “I’m scared.” Her breath hitched. “What if—What if something happened to her and that’s why I can’t track her?”

“Or something could have happened to her leg.” He rubbed her back. “A million things could have happened. We don’t know for sure.”

“Guys, they’re breaching now,” Jacolbi said, joining Bronx and Alé. “We’re on standby.”

Alé grunted. “Got it.”

He watched as the teams went together into the building. Everything was silent, even the helicopter overhead disappeared. The sound of two flashbangs rang out before the slam of a ram hitting the door. Bronx's fingers curled into Alé's shirt as she clung to him. If Julian was in the apartment, they might figure out where Bex was and get to her quicker. However, if Alé knew anything about gang members, it was that they wouldn't squeal. Plus, with Julian working for Gunther, he doubted the man would give up anything or if he knew Raul's plan. They were, as it stood, trying to take everything away from Raul.

The helicopter returned to circling the area and Asher stepped out of the building first, Julian beside him. The leader of R.O.O.T. held the asshole by the scruff of the neck while the others behind Asher, removed their helmets while fist-bumping each other. Grabbing Julian was a big deal for the FBI as it stood, anyway, because of the knowledge Julian had of the inner workings of the Nieto Cartel and the fact the asshole probably killed people. Asher threw the man into the waiting squad car then strode over to where they were waiting. Alé held his breath.

“He doesn’t know where Raul is.” Asher placed his hands on his hips. “Says he hasn’t been working for Raul for at least six months. However, I want you to go take a look around Bex’s apartment. Maybe you can find something.”

Fuck, yes. “We’re on it.” He didn’t care about the other shit. If the owner of the building hadn’t touched the apartment, they might get lucky.

“Matches our timeline then,” Bronx replied. “When new money infused their system.” She looked to Alé. “We might find the connectors at her apartment too.”

Asher nodded. “However, we got one more asshole off the streets and we’re closer to closing the case. See what you can find there.”

“On it. What are you going to do with him?”

“We’re going to interrogate him a little. I’m sure something will shake free. When you’re finished at Bex’s apartment, you all should get back to the base. Hangout there with Callahan, AJ, and Scotty. We’ll be back as soon as we can. If you hear anything, let us know.”

Alé frowned. “Sure.”

“It’s not what any of us wanted kid. I get it. We’re trying though.” Asher patted Alé’s shoulder. “Don’t beat yourself up too much.”

Shit. He’d be beating himself up for a good part of his life. “Right. We’ll see you at the base.”

Alé ushered everyone back into the SUV while Alé got behind the wheel. The idea of leaving there without Bex turned his stomach. But, Asher was right. There was nothing else they could do there. They'd stop at Bex's place then they'd head to the base. They could hide there and strategize their next moves. Whatever came next, he'd be ready for it. He only hoped Bex was safe and not hurt, though if his vehicle was any indication, he knew she was and that fucked him up more.

When they arrived at the apartment complex, he frowned. The place was a grade-A shithole. Looking at the peeling, broken facade of the building still brought out so many visceral emotions, like fury? This is where Raul thought his daughter would be safe? Alé laughed without a hint of humor. Raul wanted to make sure Bex always knew she wasn't worth it. He got out of the SUV and trudged over to the archway, Bronx, Jacolbi, Alex, and Eito hot on his heels. The day had started so well. He'd been so confident he could not only tell Bex the truth, but also keep her safe. His ego got the best of him and in the long run, now they were all fucked. Fatigue clouded his mind and went through the motions on autopilot.

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