Dirty Delivery (Bound & Delivered #1)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Rylan

Savannah cannot possibly understand the weight of what she just asked me and how badly I want to get away from this life. It has been the only goal keeping me sane since Da died and Declan took over the reins. Every choice I have made has been aimed at carving out a life that doesn’t involve blood and bullets.

But here I am, knee-deep in this shit again, and it’s all because of her. She didn't know who she was inviting over that night and absolutely none of this could ever be considered her fault. But if the world wants to take her from me, I’ll burn it down first. Every inch of this godforsaken life, I’d set ablaze for her.

My phone buzzes again with a reply from Declan and I quickly read back through the messages that ruined what should have been a nice day spent with Savannah.

Declan

One of my men was jumped last night. He’ll make it, but the Castillos are moving in.

Me

What do they want?

Declan

What do you think? They’re looking for Vinny. And Savannah.

Me

I thought they didn’t know where she was.

Declan

They don’t. Yet. But there’s a bounty on her head. She’s the last person to see him alive. They think she knows something.

The phone shakes in my hand, the words blurring slightly when I read the words again. Bounty . Savannah . My knuckles whiten around the edge of the couch. Declan’s always calm under pressure, but the clipped tone in the messages tells me just how serious this is.

Declan

They’re demanding answers. They want Vinny’s location. Their heir doesn’t just disappear without causing a shitstorm, Rylan.

Me

I’ll deal with it.

Declan

No, you won’t. I’ll handle the Castillos. You keep her locked down. If they find out where she is, game over.

The brief moment of peace we shared just moments ago is now a distant memory.

I glance over at her, forcing a calm I don’t feel. “I need to step out for a bit.” I stand and grab my phone. “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

She opens her mouth like she’s about to ask something, but the sharpness in my tone must stop her. Her lips press into a thin line, and she nods, though her eyes remain wary. I hate that I’ve already put that look back on her face.

By the time I reach the front door, Declan is already stepping inside, his scowl as sharp as ever. His eyes sweep the room, briefly landing on Savannah. They narrow slightly, assessing her with a flicker of curiosity or maybe irritation, before he jerks his head toward the kitchen, signaling me to follow without a word.

“We need to talk.”

I nod, motioning for him to follow. Savannah’s eyes follow us as we leave the room, and I know she’s piecing together that whatever this is, it’s about her. Hell, she’s right.

Declan leans against the kitchen counter, his arms crossed as he starts. “The man who was jumped last night, Patrick,” he says, “heard enough before they left him half-dead. The Castillos think Vinny’s disappearance isn’t just random. They’re convinced someone from our side is hiding him as some sort of leverage.”

I cross my arms, leaning against the table. “And Savannah?”

“They think she knows where he is,” he says bluntly. “Or worse, they think she helped.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “Because a school teacher has so much to gain from offing a mafia prince.”

“Logic doesn’t matter here,” Declan snaps. “They need a scapegoat, and she’s the easiest target. Add that to the fact she’s the last one Vinny was with, and they’ll come for her with everything they’ve got.”

My jaw tightens. “Let them try.”

Declan leans forward, his broad shoulders tense and imposing, radiating an almost palpable sense of danger. “This isn’t just about protecting her, Rylan. If they find her, it’s not just her life on the line. It’s all of ours. They’ll see it as an act of war.”

“So what do you suggest?” I bite out. “That we hand her over? Because that’s not fucking happening.”

He glares at me, his eyes hard and unyielding, the same look he’d give me as a kid when I’d pushed him too far. It’s a sharp, loaded stare, heavy with frustration and the weight of everything unsaid. “I’m saying we need to keep her hidden, keep her safe, and figure out a way to convince the Castillos that we’re not the enemy here. But if you keep letting your emotions run the show, you’re going to get us all killed.”

“I’m not—”

“You are,” he interrupts. “And I get it. She’s got you twisted up in knots. But you need to focus on the bigger picture. Do you understand me?”

My fists clench, but I bite back the retort burning on my tongue. He’s not wrong, and that pisses me off more than anything.

“Fine,” I say finally. “But we need to make a move. The longer we sit here, the closer they get.”

Declan nods, his expression grim. “Agreed. I’ll handle things on my end. You just make sure she doesn’t leave this house. And Rylan?”

“What?”

“Don’t let this become personal. Because if it does, you’re going to lose.”

He doesn’t stop there. “While you’ve been here, playing house with someone you barely even know, everything else is falling apart. You think you can balance this? You think you can keep her safe while you’re half-assing your responsibilities to the family? Newsflash, Rylan—this life doesn’t wait for you to figure it out. It chews you up and spits you out the second you let your guard down.”

His words hit like a hammer, the weight of them settling heavily on my chest. “I’ve seen men lose everything because they let their hearts get in the way of their heads. Don’t be stupid enough to think you’re any different.”

Declan’s jaw tightens as he steps back, his glare never wavering. “You need to decide what’s more important—her, or the life you’ve built. Because if you don’t, that decision’s going to be made for you, and I guarantee you won’t like the outcome.”

He pushes off the counter and heads for the door without another word. I linger in the kitchen for a moment, letting his words sink in. Personal? Too late for that. Savannah isn’t just a job, and she sure as hell isn’t just a problem to solve.

I take a long breath and run a hand over my face. After Declan leaves, I make rounds of the mansion, checking locks and windows, ensuring every measure of security is in place. My footsteps echo in the empty hallways, and I feel the weight of the responsibility pressing down harder than ever.

As I return to the living room, Savannah looks up from her spot on the couch. Her eyes search mine, and for a second, the fear she’s trying to hide is plain as day on her face. “What’s going on, Rylan? Tell me the truth.”

I sit down beside her with a sigh. “The Castillos are closing in. They’re looking for you because they think you know something about Vinny.”

Her eyes widen, and she hugs her knees to her chest. “Why do they think that?”

“Because you were the last person to see him alive.” My voice steady but gentle. “And they’re desperate for answers.”

She’s quiet for a moment before she whispers, “What happens if they find me?”

“They won’t,” I promise, my voice firm. “Not as long as I’m breathing.”

Her gaze locks onto mine, and in that moment, the fear melts into something softer, something trusting. And God help me, I’ll destroy anything that gets in the way of keeping that trust.