Page 53 of Love & Vendettas

“What do you have, Aris?” I ask impatiently.

“I have the plates, but they trace back to the same rental company that the limo did earlier this year. The last time we spoke with him, he claimed not to know anything.”

“His ass is gonna know something tonight. There’s no way in hell these guys keep using him, and he’s innocent in all this. If he doesn’t know a muthafuckin’ thing, he knows that there’s some shit in the game. He’s got to give me something,” I grumble as Ghalen pulls out of the garage.

“Ryland’s Rentals?” Ghalen asks, glancing at me.

Nodding, I turn my attention back to Aris. “What now?”

“I’m doing a triangulation on the area around her shop. You did say that’s where she was last, correct?”

“Yeah.”

I had called Aris, Parker, Janel, Jamal, and Malik no sooner than that bastard hung up on me. They were all in different locations, but they instantly dropped what they weredoing and went on the move, searching around the city for anything suspicious.

I called Kim and asked her to pick up Zaccai and Zayn and escort them back to the house. Parker called men in to come and secure the home and watch over my family until I could return. He also called Noble to see what he could track down. I had placed Aris on searching through traffic cams and other data.

My other line rings, and I glance at the phone.

“Let me hit you back, Aris.”

I end the call without waiting for her response.

“Hey, I got your nine one one. What’s up?” Damascus asks.

“They took Bayleigh.”

“Who took Bayleigh, Z?” he asks in disbelief.

“I don’t know who these assholes are, but I know they’re after my business. Malik’s on his way to Stage 21 to check out the scene.”

“All right. Let me check into some things, local gangs, and things like that, to see what I can find out. I’ll hit you back as soon as I can.”

“Thanks, D.”

“Z?”

“Yeah?”

“If you find anyone . . . anyone at all that has her, call me in and let me handle it, okay?”

“The fuck? You know it’s not that type of party, D.”

“Normally, I’d agree, but it’s an election year, and she’s gunning for you.”

“Essence Hamilton is the last thing on my mind. Fuck Essence if she gets in my way,” I growl, ending the call.

I immediately dial Aris back, and she answers.

“Hey, Bossman.”

“What you got for me?”

“You’re not going to like this.”

“Give it to me.”

“One of the men’s faces was caught on camera.”

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