Page 87 of Aussie
Ava looked at him, her eyes glistening with gratitude. “Got it.”
As the miles stretched ahead of them, Ava leaned back in her seat, trying to calm the storm of emotions swirling inside her. Tomorrow felt like an ominous shadow, but for now, she focused on the positive of having Christian with her now. Whatever awaited them at the courthouse tomorrow, she knew she wasn’t facing it alone.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Ezekiel sat in the dimly lit corner of his office, the blinds drawn to shield him from prying eyes. A cigarette burned between his fingers, its ash collecting in a glass tray overflowing with discarded butts. He had been laying low for weeks, ever since the heat had turned up on the gang’s operations. The kid—Christian—had been a thorn in his side, meddling in business that was none of his concern. And Ava? She was a problem Ezekiel intended to eliminate, one way or another.
The buzzing of his burner phone broke the silence. Ezekiel exhaled slowly before answering, his voice sharp and impatient. “What?”
“It’s Jarod,” came the gruff reply. “I just found out something you’re gonna want to hear.”
Ezekiel leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. “What is it?”
“Ava and the kid,” Jarod said, lowering his voice as if someone might overhear. “They’re back in Virginia Beach.”
Ezekiel’s grip on the phone tightened, his pulse quickening. The corner of his mouth curled into a sneer. “You’re sure?”
“Positive,” Jarod confirmed. “They got back late last night. Been laying low at her place.”
Ezekiel’s thoughts churned as anger bubbled beneath the surface. He had been waiting for the right moment to clean up this mess, and now it seemed the opportunity was presenting itself. “Good,” he growled. “Send someone to track them. Watch their movements. When the time is right, take them out—both of them.”
Jarod hesitated. “Actually,” he began, his tone shifting, “I already know where they’re gonna be later today.”
Ezekiel’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”
Jarod cleared his throat. “They’re going to court. Something about the kid’s case. They’ll be there this afternoon.”
The sneer returned to Ezekiel’s face. This time it was sharper and more sinister. “Perfect. That makes things easier. I don’t care how you do it. Just make it happen. Take them out.”
“You got it,” Jarod said. “I’ll handle it.”
Ezekiel hung up, a sense of satisfaction washing over him. He leaned back in his chair, propping his feet up on the desk. Things were finally falling into place. With Ava and Christian out of the picture, his business could get back on track, and the gang’s operations would flourish once more. He allowed himself a rare moment of relaxation, his lips curling into a smirk.
That moment was short-lived.
The door to his office burst open with a thunderous crack, the sound of splintering wood echoing through the room. Ezekiel jolted upright, his feet slamming to the floor as armed officers and FBI agents flooded the space, their weapons drawn.
“Ezekiel Torres,” one of the agents barked, “you’re under arrest!”
“What the—” Ezekiel started, but the words died in his throat as two agents grabbed him, forcing him to the ground. The cigarette fell from his fingers, its ember snuffed out as it hit the floor.
His heart raced as cuffs snapped around his wrists. “You don’t know who you’re messing with!” he spat, struggling against their grip.
“Oh, we know exactly who you are,” Agent Jefferson replied coldly. “You’ve got a long list of charges to answer for, including murder.”
As another agent walked Ezekiel out of his office while reading his rights to him, Ezekiel’s mind reeled. How had this happened? He had been so careful, staying out of sight, makingsure nothing could trace back to him. And now, his plan to eliminate Ava and Christian was crumbling before it even began.
As he was hauled to his feet, he saw that his office was now swarming with law enforcement. The smirk on his face was long gone and replaced by a mask of fury and disbelief. His carefully constructed empire was crumbling around him, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to stop it.
???
FBI Agent Jefferson stood in the chaos of Ezekiel Moore’s office. The adrenaline was pumping through his veins. This was the moment he’d been working toward for months. Finally, they had the mastermind behind the wave of violent crimes and gang-related operations that had swept through the region.
Jefferson’s chest swelled with pride as he watched the infamous criminal hauled off in handcuffs as his rights were being read to him.
This was justice in action.
Jefferson couldn’t suppress the smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth.Got you, you slimy son of a—
