Page 50 of Joyride
She takes a deep breath. “Steve isn’t your biological father.”
“That explains a lot,” Shade mutters. “But he is Wren’s?”
She nods her head. “I overheard him talking to someone on the phone about a debt he owed. Another time, I heard him talking about the Russos. I never knew what his debt was for nor how he was planning to pay it. He has been very secretive for the last couple of years. Now it all makes sense.”
Tech is typing away on his phone.
“We know where Zack lives, why don’t we go over there and bring her home?” Shade suggests.
“If Wren was given to the Russos to pay off a debt, he’s not gonna give her up so easily. Taking her could very possibly cause a war with the Italians,” Prez tells us.
“Would it matter if I’ve claimed her as my Ol’ Lady?” War or not, we have to get her back. Two weeks of her being mine weren’t enough.
“Her being your Ol’ Lady and Shade’s sister just means we have to go about this carefully. They wouldn’t think twice about killing her if that’s what they needed to do,” Prez explains. Pain crosses Lily’s face. I can’t imagine what’s going through her head right now. A man she was married to and had a child with, who she loved and trusted, handed over her little girl to pay off a debt. “Tech, start by tracking her phone and seeing how much of the Italian mafia are currently in town.”
“On it, Prez.” He stands from the couch and heads to his room, to his computer.
A couple hours go by before Tech emerges from his room. We all gather for Church to hear what he has to say.
“Whoever their tech guy is, he’s good, but not good enough. I tracked her phone. A number I’ve confirmed is Zack’s, texted her a picture of Buster, Cali, and Caden this afternoon telling her to come home or he’d ruin the happy family.”
“Ratchet and Gunner have been sent to the hospital to keep them safe,” Bull announces. “Go on, Tech.”
“The Russos have a house here— where Big Vin and his wife are currently staying. They have some kind of fancy party going on tonight.”
“Which means they’re gonna have most if not all of his guys there serving as guard dogs,” Bull says.
“Is there anyone attending the party who might be an ally to us,” Shade asks.
“I’ve sifted through the guest list, but none of the names stuck out as an ally,” Tech tells us.
“I’ll reach out to Andrei Orlov to see if he and his men could lend a hand. Ranger, Thor, Trigger, and Tech, y’all stay. Everyone else, you’re dismissed.”
Lips pressed together, I bite my tongue so I don’t say something I’ll regret. I walk out of Church and am about to head for my room when Rascal stops me.
“We’ll get her back, brother. Even if it means going to war with those assholes.”
“She left to keep us safe. To keep Buster, Cali, and Caden safe. Even if that meant putting herself in danger.”
“Why do you say that,” Rascal asks.
I walk behind the bar, grabbing a beer for each of us. Shade sits at the bar in front of me.
“Because of why she ran in the first place.” I continue, telling Shade why Wren ran to New Orleans.
31
Wren
We pullup to an extravagant mansion at quarter to seven. The driver pulls up next to the steps of the front door. A young man with a bow tie opens the door, extending his hand to help me out of the car. As I stand from the car, Zack appears at my side, offering me his arm. I link my arm through his and let him guide me up the stairs.
“Have I told you how delectable you look this evening?” he whispers against my ear.
I nod. Walking through the front door, there are people everywhere. We make our way to what I would call the living room as couple after couple stops us to greet Zack.
“My baby!” A gorgeous Italian woman walks toward Zack with a huge, toothy smile. She wraps him in a hug. Even with her heels on, Zack is still a good six inches taller than her. She turns to me, still smiling. “And you must be Wren. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
“Wren, this is my mother, Gabriela.”
