“How is there nothing?” I turn away from the screens Joey is manning and pace across the bare floor.
“If the dumbass hadn’t forgotten his phone at home, this would be easier,” Joey grumbles and turns to a different display.
“Well, his mistakes and troubles are over.” I grit my teeth.
The hits have been spaced out nearly a month apart. And other than our men dying of lead poisoning, there’s nothing connecting the crime scenes. They’re not even using the same type of bullets.
We’ve been able to find the cars used for the first three, all stolen from random parking lots and all with tinted windows, so even when we find them on traffic cams, there’s no way to identify who’s inside.
But we can’t find the getaway car for my cousin’s hit.
Joey is the best man I know at finding things, so he’ll come through. But the waiting is killing me.
Every place we’ve hit has been empty. We’re always too late. And it’s getting really fucking old.
I run my hand over my hair.
I need Valentine to rub my head again.
I need Valentine to look at me with a smile again.
My fingers tap against my side, and then I pull my phone out of my pocket.
Me: You didn’t eat enough yesterday. Groceries were delivered this morning, but order something for lunch. I’ll be home in a couple hours.
I hit send, then wait to see if she replies.
She doesn’t.
I deserve that.
My phone starts ringing.
I stupidly expect to see My Valentine on the screen.
It’s not her. But I still smile because it’s her big brother.
I let it ring while I walk across the mostly empty warehouse, away from Joey, to give myself some privacy.
“Hello, King.”
“Dom.”
It sounds like it’s killing him to be civil. And it makes my smile even bigger.
“To what do I owe the pleasure?” I lean against the wall.
“Cut the shit. You took my sister because you need something. Now what is it?”
I click my tongue. “Now, now. I didn’t take anything.” Mostly true.
“Bullshit,” he snaps. “There’s something else fucking going on, and I want to know what it is.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, brother.” I keep my tone annoyingly casual. “But you’re welcome to ask Val.”
“She’s not answering my calls.”
“And what does that tell you?” I taunt him.
King sighs. “Just tell me what you need. And if we can help you, then we’ll help you. And then you’ll send Val back home.”
My humor vanishes. “You’ll help because it’s what you’re honor bound to do. And Val will stay right where she is.”
“You’re not keeping her against her will.”
I scoff. “That’s fucking rich, coming from you.”
“You tricked her!” King shouts through the phone.
The barb hits.
Though I don’t think he really understands how. How badly I tricked her. How I set a trap made specifically for her. How I planned it all and kept her in the dark.
“I did what I had to.” I end the call.
I did what I had to.
