Chapter 45
My heart pounds against my ribs when another knock rocks through the cabin. Is it him? Has he truly escaped from the island? God, I fucking hope so. It’s been hell without him by my side. The guilt I felt going to the wedding with that monster instead of Shepp nearly killed me. Maybe that’s why my stomach is in such knots right now.
I lick my lips, swallowing down the bile attempting to shoot up my throat. All I need is food. Oh, and a nice long nap before things kick off in the basement. Arrow has promised Shadow's death when Shepp returned. There’s no villain getting out of those restraints and sneaking away under our noses. I'm ready for it. They’re ready for it. And I know for a fact, Shepp has been ready to end his father’s life since the moment he magically came back to life.
Shadow deserves every ounce of torture for what he’s done.
"Better answer it, Kitten. Your face is the only one he'll want to see." Arrow winks, shooing me away with the flick of his wrist.
My legs shake beneath me when I stand. God, I feel like a newborn deer stumbling over my feet. I catch myself on the arm of the couch with a huff. This has to be the effects of that damn drug Arrow gave me. Something I’ll punish him for later because fuck him for doing that. Again. It wasn't like this before. Sure, I was groggy and had sand in my damn eyes, but this feels different. Like I need a full day's nap or a year's vacation. Yeah, that sounds better to me. Maybe once all this mafia shit is put to rest, we can go on a holiday and sit on the beach and do nothing at all.
But right now, I have a door to answer.
Jericho looms cautiously behind me, standing close when I peek out the window to confirm it’s him. My heart nearly leaps from my chest at the sight of him standing outside. The sun beams down on him like he’s a goddamn angel. He is my savior. The man who kept me sane in the darkness of the caves. The man who grounded me when I had to fight to stay alive.
Shepp.
I weep at the sight of him. My emotions go haywire before I finally step back from the window with a breath. He continues to knock, pounding so hard I swear the door will jump from its hinges and he’ll march in.
“Open it, Little Chaos, before he beats it down,” Jericho murmurs encouragingly. His warm breath blows across my flesh, sending goosebumps down my spine.
My fingers tremble when I open the door, revealing him. My neck cranes back as I take in every inch. Those ocean eyes I’ve lost myself in gleam with worry as he takes me in entirely from head to toe. We’re frozen in the moment. Our feet grounded without movement. I can barely breathe. I’m barely able to process that he’s finally in front of me, even if it’s only been a few days.
Tension rises inside me before I launch myself at him, wrapping my legs around his waist. He hoists me up, resting his thick arms under my ass and keeping me close to him. The heat of his body feels surreal. He’s here. He’s okay. Shadow’s men didn’t hurt him while I was away.
His smell hits me first, settling my aching guts. It's like a piece of me has returned from the land of the dead and has found his way back into my arms. His large hands anchor me to him.
"You're okay," I choke out, nestling my face into his neck.
He hums something to me. Not really speaking, but it rumbles against my chest. Using the voice he has hidden within him, but only for me to hear. One day, he’ll break through the anxiety of speaking. One day, Shepp will heal from the permanent damage his dad inflicted on him.
Pulling back, I hold his face in my hands. "How did you get out? I can't believe..." I trail off when his expression softens, and then a throat clearing makes me look to his left. I blink several times at the figure I've come to know on the island. The dick. "Darrell?" I ask, rearing back and looking at Shepp, who shrugs with a twisted expression. Basically telling me it’s complicated.
All right, there’s definitely a story there that I’m eager to hear.
"Not my name," he says, rubbing a hand down his face. "I can explain," he says, gesturing for us to enter the cabin for more privacy. But there’s nothing for miles except a town I’ve been informed of that’s small and trustworthy.
"Perhaps you can explain everything to me out here," Jericho says, stepping out with a menacing expression. "Who are you? And why have you come to my home?”
Darrel—or Not So Darrell—huffs a breath. "Does the name Olivia Viotto ring a bell?" Darrell raises a knowing brow. “She sent me along with Shepp to have a fun fucking discussion with you.” God, he’s such an idiot for giving Jericho lip. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jericho tosses him out on his ass. Actually, I’d love to see that.
"What does she have to do with anything?" Jericho asks through clenched teeth, looking ten seconds away from ripping Not So Darrell’s throat out.
"I am Agent Twelve with the Veritas agency. A certain Agent Seven reached out in hopes her family could be extracted, with no one raising a brow. We tried several outside agents in boats to get to them without blowing my cover. But yet, here I am. Cover completely blown. You're welcome," he snarks back, folding his arms over his chest.
This idiot has a damn death wish.
Also, what the absolute fuck? He was an agent the entire time? Fooled me. He was a good actor. Asshole, too. I can’t imagine the things he’s seen or had to do in the name of Shadow. Hell, he had to haul us around for meetings. Probably had to kill people. In fact, he had to watch them die in the ring.
"Well, do come in, then," Jericho says, gesturing for us to come inside the cabin for a talk. I eye Jer’s hands fisted at his sides, waiting for him to produce a weapon. There’s no way in hell Jericho believed what he had to say.
"Kitten, I'm jelly. You didn't jump into my arms like that," Arrow pouts, shoving a cracker into his mouth as he advances on us. Without waiting for Shepp to put me down, Arrow wraps his arms around the two of us with a smile. "So happy to have you back, Sheppy Boy. It hasn't been the same since you disappeared." I frown at the crumbs spilling out of Arrow’s mouth when he pulls away, and I wrinkle my nose. “Oh! These are for you.” Arrow thrusts a sleeve of crackers into my hands.
“Uh, thanks,” I murmur, looking between him and the crackers.
My stomach turns again at the prospect of eating. Or maybe it’s my damn anxiety spiking. This whole situation is wearing me down. The quicker we can kill my monster and Shadow, the faster we can heal. But then what?
Shepp raises a brow, gently thumping Arrow's back with affection. I kiss Shepp's cheek before climbing down, preparing myself for what’s about to come.
“Talk,” Jericho growls at Darrell.
I swallow hard, ambling into the kitchen where they’re facing off. Jericho eyes Darrell like he’s a bug invading his space.
“What do you mean, your name isn’t Darrell?” I ask, taking a small bite of a Ritz cracker.
His shoulders tense. “I don’t even know why I’m explaining this,” he mutters. “Listen, I’m undercover. I told Shepp here all about it. I work with Olivia. They’ve had their eyes on Shadow’s movements for a while now. It was at least a year and a half before we noticed he was becoming a threat. My assignment was to study his movements, but I did more than that.”
Jericho puts a hand up. “And you’ve been relaying this information back to my cousin?”
“Yes. She oversees everything in the organization. Every step of the way, I’ve communicated with her while isolated on that stupid island.”
Jericho nods a few times, taking it all in with a blank expression. Well, until he whips out his phone. His face hardens, shifting into something I’ve yet to witness before. Pure fucking fury. He pounds out a message with trembling fingers, barely containing the rage fueling him.
“So, you’ve been what? Playing in Shadow’s gang for over a year?” I ask, watching Jericho carefully, hoping he doesn’t reach over and strangle Not So Darrell with his bare hands. Thankfully, he puts his phone away in a huff and settles down.
“I worked hard to get into his inner circle. But it took more than a year to earn his trust. I was his main guard, transporting prisoners and having his back. I was in most of the meetings he held with other organizations as potential allies.” Darrell raises a brow.
“Are you going to allude to what you know?” Jericho grits out impatiently.
“I bet he’d be happy to see you then,” Arrow cuts in, chomping on another sleeve of crackers rustling in his hands.
Darrell narrows his eyes. “I’m only supposed to drop him off and relay one piece of information, which Shepp has the evidence to show you. I don’t want to know any fucking thing happening in this house.” He raises his hands.
Arrow cocks his head. “Ah, Olivia, huh? Hmmm,” he hums, stuffing his face again.
“Look, I have a message for you from Olivia. The one piece of evidence I can give you. She asked me to tell you not to do anything stupid with this, which includes murder.” Darrel doesn’t move, tensing when Jericho narrows his eyes.
Jericho straightens. “Okay,” he says tonelessly. “Tell me.”
Darrell looks up at the ceiling and then back to Jericho with pleading eyes. “Again. Don’t fucking shoot me. I’m just an unwilling messenger, but they think you should know this intel.”
“You’re dragging this out, Agent. I suggest you...”
“I was in Shadow’s meetings. The majority of them, at least. Especially when he started making headway with the new crew after he was completely in charge, he planned things. They planned things in secret.”
“They?” Arrow asks, chomping on more food. “Like his merry band of sheepy psychos? Or partners? Please tell me partners, I'd love to have more throats to slash.” He’s way too giddy at the prospect of murdering people. But who am I kidding? He’s Arrow. Of course, he loves slashing throats and drugging people.
Remind me to stomp his balls later.
Darrell sighs, probably regretting every single one of his life decisions. Also, he looks pale. Ghostly, even. For a super secret spy who held ranks within a gangster's army, he sure acts like he hasn’t seen blood and death before.
Amateur.
Even I’ve witnessed murders. Oh, and taken lives, too. I wrinkle my nose. I’m not exactly proud of it. But being in a room full of people who have committed the same crimes as me has me loosening the reins.
“Thomas Mondelli wasn’t the original Shadow. He was a sheep, following his leader’s rules while she was away and holding down the fort. Until recently, that is.” He grimaces. “He started making moves on his own. Telling the world who he was when the entire brains of the operation was away on a mission they plotted out together in secret. Shepp, the evidence,” Darrell says, snapping a finger.
Shepp sighs, digging into his pockets and pulling out several small photos and pieces of paper.
“Elaborate,” Jericho says stiffly, waving a hand with a pinched expression. Agitation roars through him when Shepp hands him everything, and he stares at the photos. “Is this…” Jericho blanches, moving through the pictures one after the other.
“You said he was a sheep? A follower?” I ask, trying to move this along.
“He may have acted like he built it all. But he has only been there for a few years since…”
“I killed him,” I murmur, casting my gaze away.
“Right. Since you apparently killed him. I’m learning so much,” Darrell mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Tell me this isn’t who I think it is. Tell me you’re not alluding to the fact that this woman right here. Is…” Jericho levels him with a demanding glare, pointing to the woman in the photo repeatedly. Vibrations seem to wrack his body. His fingers tremble with anticipation as Darrell squares his shoulders.
Oh fuck, this can’t be good.
Darrell blows out a breath. “Fuck. Yes. Grace Viotto. Your mother. She’s the one who started it all.”
Jericho stands impossibly still, eyeing Darrell with a lethal glare. I swear if he stared any harder, Darrell would catch on fire and burn to death. Turn to ash right before our damn eyes.
Darrell must feel it, too. He swallows hard, instinctively taking a step back.
“I think I have something in my ears, Agent. You’re saying that the woman who gave birth to me and who disappeared when I was five and miraculously made her return to my father’s life is the spearhead of that entire operation?” The lethal edge to Jericho’s voice has goosebumps erupting along my flesh.
Jericho doesn’t move a damn muscle. Basically freezing in place. Is he breathing? I would be too if I just found out my mom was the person in charge of an underground gang trying to take down the Viotto’s. But how? Shadow—Thomas—or whatever you want to call him, confessed to not attacking Gabriel at the tower. Or the bomb. Hell, he acted like he had never done a damn thing in his life.
So, what are they up to?
“This is better than daytime TV,” Arrow whispers dramatically, watching the two of them with wide eyes while stuffing his damn face. “I need something better than crackers. Make the popcorn, Sheppy Boy.” Shepp silently huffs when Arrow thumps him on the chest with puppy dog eyes. Shepp rolls his eyes and flips him off.
At least I know what that hand gesture means.
Jericho’s jaw clenches tight, popping the veins of his neck and forehead. Still, he hasn’t moved. His eyes glare holes through the photographs of a man and woman standing together.
“And you were there for some of the planning sessions?” I ask, nibbling my cracker, attempting to soothe my stomach.
“I’ve only been undercover for a year and a half or so. Sometimes. I witnessed meetings between alliances and Thomas. Thomas was the face of the operation to the masses. Those men wouldn’t have followed her rule.” Right. All those men. The masses in the crowds, cheering for death while smacking kidnapped girls on their asses.
“Did you get the girls out?” My brows furrow when Darrell nods.
“I’m sure they did,” he says with reassurance. “I reported that, too.”
“Good. They didn’t deserve to be there.”
“Girls?” Arrow asks, perking up. “What girls?”
“All those girls that went missing in Briar Cove were on the island. I recognized the one I read about in the paper that morning after…”
Arrow smirks. “After we chased you through the woods and fucked you. Oh! And then you stabbed me. Still gives me a boner, Kitten.” He winks at me, shoving more food into his mouth. I blush at his words and clear my throat. Arrow dangles a piece of food over his lips like what was said suddenly hits him. “You’re telling me that bastard stole women from our club for what?” His face immediately changes from lighthearted to deadly. I swear he can do that at the drop of a hat.
“Ransom,” I answer quickly. “He told me all about it. He expects the parents to pay for their return. Even then, he doesn’t return them. Just keeps using them. Drugs them.” I shudder. Evil fucking prick. “They walked around his stupid fighting pit with drinks...” I trail off, not wanting to get into the groping hands of those poor girls.
“Tell me what Grace’s end goal is?” Jericho rasps, flexing his fingers.
“Take everything from the man that took everything from her,” he says, taking another step back. Maybe he’s not dumb after all. He knows when someone dangerous is in the room, and he’s about to escape before he’s mauled to death.
“But that’s all I’ve been permitted to say. Talk to Olivia. I’m sure she’ll be cleared to recount more. Maybe.” Darrell shrugs. Then he’s gone as quickly as he came, hightailing it out of there like his ass is on fire.
I mean, it could be. Jericho looks more murderous than I’ve ever seen him.
I swallow hard. Jericho still hasn’t moved. He’s stuck in one spot, staring aimlessly at the pictures shaking in his fingers.
“Should we… touch him?” I question, cocking my head to observe him. I lift a finger to poke his shoulder. Maybe it’ll reset him like control, alt, delete, but a large hand stops my movement, gently squeezing. Shepp shakes his head, pulling me back to rest between him and Arrow. “I think he’s broken,” I whisper sadly.
“Give him just a sec to reboot, Kitten. He’s brooding and plotting the demise of the people who gave him life,” Arrow says, putting the empty sleeve of crackers on the counter and licking his fingers. “Yeah, yeah. I know, Sheppy Boy.”
Shepp glares at him with a huff, moving his fingers rapidly and signing something to him again with determination. Arrow waves him off with a chuckle. Shepp shakes his head, running a hand down his face.
“I’m going to town,” Jericho declares with rigid movements. “Alone.”
We eye each other as he collects keys to a vehicle and slowly walks through the living room without looking back. Every muscle strains through his clothes, and his steps remain unhurried and staggered.
“You sure you’re good, Daddy Jer? You look...” Arrow tilts his head, examining Jericho with inspecting eyes.
I have to agree. He looks…. Drunk. Upset. Completely tilted off his axis. Yeah, I don’t think he should be driving right now. He’s bound to kill a family of five because of his distracted state.
“I’m fucking fine,” he snarls with jerky movements.
Yeah, okay. I’m not touching that with a ten-foot pole. He can drive to his heart's delight; hopefully, it’ll help him come to terms with what we learned.
Arrow holds his hands up. “If you say so. I don’t believe you right now.” He narrows his eyes. “If you crash and die in a fiery blaze, I’ll marry my Kitten to keep on the family name.” He grins, causing Jericho to storm out the front door, slamming it behind him. “If you’re going to town, bring me back some more pickles! Oh! And some orange juice while you’re at it! Murder is afoot, Daddy Jer!”
A second later, a vehicle comes to life, a garage door opens, and tires peel out of the driveway.
“I don’t think he heard you,” I say, shaking my head.
“Rude,” Arrow huffs, pulling out his phone. “I’ll just text him my demands. Anything for you, Kitten? Tampons? Chocolates?” He wiggles his brows after firing off a text and slips his phone back into his pocket.
“Uh, no. It’s not time yet.” I shake my head.
At least, I don’t think it is. Shit. When was the last time I had my period? You know what? I’m blaming the stress of starving and fighting and everything else. Yup. That’s it. It’s not the fact they removed my IUD without my permission before I got kidnapped. Not that. It's time for a subject change before I castrate each of them.
“That’s strange, though, right? He rarely walks away.” Or backs down from something difficult, except right now. Not when he’s faced with the fact his mom walked away from him and started her own gang for revenge.
Shepp signs to Arrow and drops his hands.
“Yeah. What he said,” Arrow quips, earning a smack to the back of the head. “Ouch, dickbag. You’d think you’d be nice to me since we’ve been separated. I’ve missed you, Sheppy. Haven’t you missed me?” Arrow bats his eyelashes playfully until Shepp flips him off. “Well, I feel the love now.”
“You think he’ll be okay?” I mutter, staring out the window.
“He’ll be fine, Kitten. He’s just going to blow off steam at the store. Fucker better not forget my snacks. No matter. I know how we can pass the time.” Arrow moves so quickly that I squeak when he pulls me close. “Your tits bigger, Kitten?” His fingers grope at my breasts, and he grins. “I gotta call Jer for this!”
I scrunch my nose when he skips away and out the door, pulling his phone out again and bringing it to his ear. He paces the porch, talking animatedly with his hands.
“What the hell?” I murmur. Shepp shrugs. “This is all so weird, right?” Shepp nods. “I need a goddamn nap.
Or a drink. Maybe all of it.