"God damn it," I say too loud and shoot another glance at her bedroom door.
"But this time, we caught one."
My pulse quickens. "Wait. What? Is he alive?"
"For now."
"Where?"
"We moved him to the old packing facility. I'm staring at his fucking ass right now."
"Keep him alive. I'm on my way." I hang up and move quickly, gathering my clothes.
As I dress, I look back toward the bedroom again. I don't want to leave her. Not like this. Not after everything that happened between us. But this is family business. My business. I need answers.
I grab my shoes and slip them on.
I consider waking her, but what would I say? Hey, gotta run, need to torture some asshole who's trying to destroy my family?
Yeah, that would go over well.
Instead, I leave without a sound, and as I'm still in her hallway I text her.
Had to handle something urgent. I'll see you soon.
I then text Henry.
Need you back at Lyra's place. Now. Don't let her see you, but don't let her out of your sight either.
He replies as I get to my car.
On it, boss
The drive to the packing facility takes twenty minutes. Too long. By the time I arrive, dawn is breaking, casting a warm glow across the industrial district.
Shane is waiting for me at the back entrance, smoking a cigarette.
I get out and he tosses it to the floor and steps on it. "He's inside," he says, blowing out smoke.
"How's he looking?"
"Not good. Took a bullet to the shoulder when we caught him, lost a lot of blood."
"He say anything yet?"
Shane shakes his head. "Nothing useful. Just keeps laughing like he's the one who caught us."
I push past him into the dimly lit building, following the sound of low groans from the man tied to a metal chair in the back office.
Four of my men are standing guard over him.
He's bound, head hanging limply forward.
Blood seeps into the cracked concrete beneath the chair. His shirt is torn open, revealing a shoulder wound. His face is a mess, one eye swollen shut, lips split, nose broken.
I crouch in front of the chair and the guy lifts his head. He smiles.
Fucking smiles at me.