Havoc

Chapter 21

Kenna

“You know, you’re just as gorgeous as you were in high school.” Benny tapped his wine glass to mine. “Now, is this the part where you’re going to tell me you’re getting married or something?”

“No, marriage isn’t in my cards,” I sidestepped his flattery, “but I’m not exactly single either.” Or was I? I didn’t really know the answer to that. What I did know was my head didn’t have room for anything more. “What about you?”

“I was dating,” he sipped his wine, “but she’s in Kentucky and my heart’s in the west, so things just fizzled out. She’s great, and we still talk, but she’s moved on, and I need to as well.”

“How very mature of you.” I was pleased to hear Benny was still the same.

“You really are a knockout.” He shook his head and smiled in a way that showed he was happy to be with me. It was a good feeling. “You know, I’ve never told you this, but the few times I mustered up the courage to ask you out, your dad’s men always seemed to get in the way.”

“What do you mean?” I knew the guys were always around, but they never seemed interested in the few male friends I’d had. My girlfriends, maybe, but that was typical.

“I called them the gatekeepers.”

“Gatekeepers?” I chuckled. “They were annoying to me, but I didn’t think they paid much attention to any of my guy friends. Did they?”

“A few made their presence known.”

“Let me guess. Sasha?”

He laughed and made a face like I nailed the nail on the head. “Let’s just say there was a time he made sure I knew you two were something.”

“I’m sorry, Benny. I didn’t know that.”

“It wasn’t your problem. You were gorgeous.” He shrugged. “I’m sure there were plenty of guys who had their eye on you. Sasha was just marking his territory. I’d have done the same.”

I looked away as the memory of the way his body had slumped to the ground after Grim killed him suddenly flashed before my eyes. “Well, he isn’t around anymore.” I didn’t elaborate further.

“He wasn’t the worst of them, actually.” He pursed his lips in a way that caught my interest. “And from what I can see, nothing’s changed much.”

“What’s that mean?”

“It means I’m still being watched by one of the same sleazeballs from all those years ago.” He nodded over my head, and I turned to see Sonny watching me from a few tables away.

Wait. What?

“No, Benny, that’s Sonny Conti. He’s from Chicago.”

“Trust me, I’m very aware of who Sonny Conti is.”

“But I only just met him this past year. I signed him as a client.” Something prickled at the back of my neck, and I tried to sort out the confusion.

“You might not have known him, but he sure knew who you were. He and your father go way back. I’ll never forget the time I bumped into them at a bourbon club in Venice. I was with my father, and Sonny made a point of making sure I knew I wasn’t welcome in your world.”

“Sonny Conti?” I repeated. I wasn’t getting it. “He’s known my father for years? Told you to back off from me? Back when we were in high school?” This didn’t make any sense.

“Yes.”

“And you’re a hundred percent certain that the Sonny you’re talking about is the same man five tables over by the window?”

“Yes.”

“But that’s impossible.” I couldn’t grasp the idea. I never remembered ever seeing Sonny at my home or with my father.

“Excuse me.” Jayden was suddenly at my side. He cleared his throat in that irritating way he often did when he wasn’t pleased about something. “Kenna, a word, please.”

“Um, Jayden, I have the night, off and obviously I’m busy with someone.” He didn’t even glance at Benny.

“Trust me, you want to hear this.”

“Jayden, my head is?—”

“Kenna.” His expression was serious.

“All right.” I looked back at Benny. “I’m sorry, but can you excuse me a moment?”

“Of course.” He eyed Jayden who stood, obviously agitated, by our table.

“Kenna,” he whispered as I got close. “Someone’s targeted Grim’s dogs.” I turned to look at him straight on. “Darcy took them out tonight for their walk and she didn’t come back. There’s footage of someone jumping her out front in the parking lot. Leal got away, but Darcy and Zhar were taken.”

“What?” My head spun.

“Trigger’s right outside.” He leaned in. “Kenna, I don’t know if Leal made it.”

“Benny,” I whirled around, “I have to deal with something important. We’re going to have to do a raincheck.”

“Can I help?” He stood, but I grabbed my purse and hurried away without looking over my shoulder. I heard his voice behind me. “I’ll call you.”

I tried to focus on my steps as I wound through the busy restaurant, not wanting to draw attention to myself. Jayden was hot on my heels as we hit the parking lot, but slowed to a halt as we approached Trigger.

“Leal’s hurt. He went that way.” Trigger pointed down the strip. “Minnie and Tess are already walking the alleyways, but I want you to look too. Leal likes you. He might respond to your voice.”

“Yeah, okay.” I turned to look at Jayden and saw Benny fast approaching. “Can you intercept?”

“Fuck.” Trigger looked like he wanted to say more but thankfully didn’t.

“Where the fuck are Grim’s guys?” He seemed to remember that not everything was right in our world either.

“Trigger,” I shook my head, “I got this.” I had to assume Jesse’s security team was somewhere nearby, but I didn’t have time to think.

“Yeah.” He understood now wasn’t the time to pussy hold me.

He answered his phone. “What? Good. Kenna, we’ve got eyes on the van that took the girl and Zhar.” He fired up his bike, and people all around looked over. “Call me if you find him.” He roared off while I ran in the opposite direction.

I knew the girls would look in every place possible. They knew this town backward and sideways. In a flash of inspiration, I suddenly knew if Leal was hurt, he’d head to Secrets. It was quieter there and a place he often went with Grim.

I headed for the same entrance I had that night when on the run after killing Matt. I moved quickly through what was left of the construction and pushed on the door the security kept unlocked for their rounds and slipped inside. I paused to listen and turned my phone flashlight on and began to shine it around. The light bounced over the marble flooring. A chill went up my spine as I thought of one of the boys being hurt. It would surely push Grim over the edge, if he hadn’t gone over already. Why would someone do this? My mind went to poor Darcy, and I had to push it all back.

“Leal,” I called quietly. “Leal, are you here, boy?”

Nothing.

I made my way through each room, then at the elevator I spotted a smear on the floor. I bent down. It looked like a wet footprint, small and not from a human. I touched it and shone my light on my finger. Blood.

“Leal?” I tried to use a calm voice so as not to scare him. “I’m here, sweetheart. Leal?”

When I turned the corner into a little alcove, I heard a faint whimper. His eyes lit up in my flashlight. He let out a low growl, and I could see him lift one of his legs.

“Oh, no, poor boy, are you hurt?” I slowly approached and tried to assess the situation; he was scared, and there was a dark stain on his thigh. “Oh, sweet boy, what happened to you?” I quickly tapped Grim’s number on my phone, but I was sent to voicemail.

Shit.

“Grim,” I whispered after the beep, “I’m sure you’ve heard and you’re on your way already. I’ve found Leal at Secrets. He’s…” I paused as the poor pup whimpered at me for help. “I’ll get him home.”

I quickly called Trigger and filled him in. As I waited for our ride, I moved closer to Leal and talked to him quietly. I held out my hand, and he licked it. His poor body shook.

“I won’t leave you,” I promised. “I’ve got you.”

It was Jason who came for us. He hesitated when Leal snarled at him as he got close.

“Hang on.” I took the blanket he carried and carefully covered Leal’s head with it. I talked softly to him while Jason gathered him up. “Be gentle. He’s hurt.” I hurried with them outside and into the car.

“Have you heard anything about Zhar or Darcy?”

“Trigger didn’t tell me anything except to come get you and take you to the vet hospital. Sorry.” He didn’t look happy. “I’m sorry I didn’t see you leave,” he said, white-faced. “Last I saw, you were having dinner with that guy, and I went to grab a coffee. Shit, Jesse’s gonna have my hide.”

“Don’t worry about that right now. Let’s just get him to the vet.” I didn’t have time to feel sorry for the guy.

Leal whined unhappily during the short ride back, and I internally cursed at every red light. It only took about five minutes, but the poor pup had me emotionally strung out by the time the vet met us at the big double doors. I wasn’t surprised that Grim would have an on-call doctor and an assistant waiting to step in.

“Kenna, is he okay?” Jim came up to me as they whisked Leal inside.

“I think so.” I tried to sound in control. “What about the others?”

“Trigger’s still on it but that’s all I know.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “Grim just told me what happened and asked if I’d meet you here.” I could see he was a step away from breaking down. “I’m sure it’ll all be okay.”

“It will be,” I assured him as his tired gaze went to the doors Leal had been taken through. “Why don’t you go back to the hotel and get some sleep? I’ll stay with Leal. You can check in at any point, and I promise I’ll answer you.”

“No, I should?—”

“With all due respect, Jim,” I lowered my voice, “you’ve been through the wringer. No one would think anything of it if you went to get some rest. If we’re going to get through all this, we need you well.” I hoped I didn’t cross a line by referring to how ill he seemed. I softened and played one last card. “You should go be with Laurel. No mother should be alone right now, given…”

“Yes,” he cleared his throat, “perhaps I should.” He unexpectedly pulled me into a hug. “Thank you, Kenna.”

“Of course.” I watched him as he left. He looked much older, suddenly, and my heart went out to him as his driver opened the door and he disappeared inside.

I pressed my hands into the wall and took a breath to steady myself. Breathe, Kenna. In and out. I slowly gained control and took in my surroundings. The place had little photos of animals on the walls and shelves of toys and treats. I sat in one of the chairs by the wall and closed my eyes while my mind spun with all that had happened.

Christ, what was the next blow to come? Who would go after Darcy and the boys? What the hell did Benny mean that my father knew Sonny all these years? Had Sonny been watching me, too? Was he behind the attack at the hotel? Could he have anything to do with all this? Holy shit, Grim was going to lose it. It was way too much.

“Hey,” Jason said behind me. “He’s stable. The doc got the bullet out. They’re just stitching him up now. Then they’ll be bringing him back to the hotel. If you want to go now, we can meet them there later.”

“No, thanks, Jason.” I got up and turned toward the doors. There was no way Leal was going to be alone tonight.

“Mr. Gates should be home soon.”

“And until then, I’ll be with Leal.”

“Understood.” I caught his nervous nod in the reflection of the glass doors and took pity on him. “Don’t worry, Jason. I’ll put in a good word for you with Jesse.”

* * *

“In here.”I directed the vet and his assistant into Grim’s penthouse. An unconscious Leal was hooked up to an IV and looked comfortable on whatever medication they had given him.

“This way, please,” I rushed ahead and opened Grim’s bedroom door, “on the bed.”

“You sure?” Jason asked as he helped lift the pup off the gurney.

“Yes.” I waited for the doctor to finish up.

“I’ll come back in the morning.” The doctor explained, “He should sleep through the night, but try to keep him calm and stress free if he wakes. If anything changes, here’s my number. Call me.” He handed me a card. “Please tell Mr. Gates…”

“I’ll be sure to tell him how well you’ve looked after Leal,” I cut him off and waved for him to leave. “Jason, you need to leave too.”

“I can’t. I have orders.”

“And now you have some from me.” I raised my chin. “Leal hates people in his space. It stresses him out. I’m sure not having his brother here will prey on his mind too. I understand your position, but?—”

“I’m not leaving you alone.” He looked uneasy. “They’ll behead me.”

“Fine,” I nodded, exhausted, “but you can’t be in this room, then.”

“Okay,” he raised his hands, “I’ll be right out there.” He pointed over his shoulder, and I nodded. He’d get no more argument from me. When he left, I took a deep breath and stepped toward the bed, only to have my heel wobble on something. I looked down at a bright orange bra that had wedged under my shoe. I kicked it aside, and it landed next to a pair of matching panties.

“Nice, Grim.” I grimaced and sank onto the mattress. I kicked off my heels as the hurt that he’d had a naked woman up here since he’d come back, when I’d been so worried, burned in my throat. I got my emotions in check and tried to focus on the bigger picture.

Leal let out a little squeak, and I turned to find him eyeing me from where he lay.

“It’s okay, I’m here.” I inched up the bed and lay beside him. I was close but extremely careful not to touch him. He might be high on strong medication, but the boys had been trained to kill first and ask questions later, and who knew what affect the meds would have on his mind. He blew his lips out and whimpered, but he didn’t growl. I figured I’d just speak to him, so he knew he wasn’t alone.

“Everything’s going to be all right, Leal,” I whispered. “I promise you I won’t let anyone hurt you. Zhar will be home soon.”

I repeated my chant over and over not just to calm him but for me as well. I felt my eyes grow heavy and gave in to the dark abyss.