Chapter 24 Connor
Connor
The helicopter’s blades slow to a low thrum as we touch down on the rooftop of West Quay’s most luxurious hotel, the Golden Mirage, its glass spire glinting under the city’s neon glow.
The air’s thick with the scent of jet fuel and the distant hum of traffic below, but my focus is razor-sharp, my gun tucked under my jacket, my hand on Luke’s arm as we step out…
“Damn, it feels good to be all together,” I say, casting my eyes towards Cole and Henry as they follow me.
“Hell fuckin’ yeah, brother,” Henry laughs. “You know I can’t resist a group mission.”
“Same,” Cole chuckles.
I look over toward Luke to make sure my darling boy is okay. He was quiet and contemplative on the helicopter ride over—and it was more than the fact that the chopper was loud enough to make even an elephant sound like a mouse.
I don’t blame Luke for feeling the heat, not in the slightest. The boy’s been through so much.
And while he might be brave and full of sass, that doesn’t change the fact that he’s experienced more in the last couple of days than ninety-nine percent of people will even come close to facing in a lifetime.
Luke’s clutching his backpack, looking around him in all directions.
Cole and Henry soon flank us, their tactical gear a stark contrast to the rooftop’s polished marble, their eyes scanning for threats.
My Daddy side’s screaming to shield Luke, to pull him close and keep him safe, but my Guard side is in control, calculating angles, exits, risks.
But soon enough, my fears ease just a little.
A figure steps out from the rooftop’s glassed-in lounge, his silhouette sharp against the city lights…
Robert Treach, Luke’s boss, my old team leader.
He’s older now, his hair grayer, but the steel in his eyes is the same, that unyielding sense of justice that made him a legend in the Guard. He’s no longer one of us, but the way he moves—confident, alert—tells me he hasn’t lost his edge.
Robert strides toward us, his trench coat flapping in the chopper’s dying wind, and I feel a surge of respect, mixed with the weight of our history. Robert trained me, saved my ass more times than I can count, and now he’s here, ready to help Luke finish what he started.
“Robert, sir,” I say, giving him a nod as we meet, my hand still on Luke’s arm. “Good to see you.”
“Connor,” Robert says, his voice gruff but warm, his eyes flicking to Luke with a mix of pride and worry. “Luke, you’ve done one hell of a job. That flash drive—you’ve got enough to bury Haynes. It’s an open and shut case now, and it’s all down to your work.”
Luke’s eyes light up, his journalist side surging despite the danger.
“You’ve seen it?” Luke asks, his voice a mix of excitement and nerves. “What can we do with it?”
Robert gestures toward the rooftop exit door, and we follow, Cole and Henry taking up positions by the door, their eyes never stopping.
The penthouse lounge is all plush leather and floor-to-ceiling windows, West Quay’s skyline sprawling below, but it feels like a fortress, a temporary shield against the cartel.
Robert pulls a tablet from his coat, tapping the screen to pull up a secure file.
“I’ve got a contact in the DOJ,” he says, his voice steady, commanding. “A prosecutor who’s clean, hungry, and ready to take Haynes down. The flash drive’s evidence is airtight. We get it to my contact, Haynes’s done. Arrested, indicted, locked away.”
Luke nods, but I see the fear flicker in his eyes.
“What about the cartel?” Luke asks, his voice quieter now, his fingers tightening on Swift. “Haynes’s just one piece. They’re still coming for me, aren’t they?”
Robert’s eyes darken, and he glances at me, a silent acknowledgment of the truth.
“He’s right,” Robert says, his voice grim. “Haynes’s the face, but the cartel—Mallen especially—won’t stop. That flash drive threatens their whole operation. They’ll keep coming until they’re sure it’s destroyed, and you with it.”
My gut twists, my Daddy side roaring to protect my darling boy, to take him far away from this, but my Guard side knows there’s no running. Not now.
“He’s on their hit list, priority one,” I say, my voice low, steady, meeting Robert’s gaze. “They tracked us to the last motel, sent a shooter. We barely got out. You’re still switched on, Robert. What’s the play?”
My old commander nods, respect flashing in his eyes, and I see the team leader in him, the one who taught me to think three steps ahead.
“We take the fight to them,” Robert says, his voice hard.
“Neutralize the threat before they neutralize you. Cole’s got intel—Mallen’s number two, Raphael Garcia, is in West Quay, overseeing the docks shipment.
He’s the key. Take him out, and the cartel’s chain of command fractures.
These guys hate losing, but if you hit that chain of command high up, they’ll walk away from the beef out of neccessity. ”
Cole steps forward, his voice low, clipped.
“Garcia is at a safehouse in the warehouse district, low security, thinks he’s untouchable,” Cole says. “I’ve got eyes on him—two guards, minimal tech. Window’s tight, maybe twelve hours before he moves.”
Luke’s eyes widen, and he steps forward, his voice sharp with that journalist fire…
“I can lure him out,” Luke says, his words fast, determined. “Use myself as bait. Post something on my socials, make it look like I’m alone, vulnerable. He’ll come for me, and you guys can take him down.”
My heart lurches, and I spin to face him, my hand tightening on his arm.
“No damn way, Luke,” I say, my voice sharp, my Daddy side taking over. “It’s too dangerous. You’re on their hit list, and Garcia isn’t some low-level thug. He’s a killer. You’re not putting yourself out there like that.”
But my boy pulls free, his eyes blazing, all fire and defiance.
“I know the risks, Connor,” Luke says, his voice steady despite the fear I can see trembling beneath it. “But this is the only way to get them off my back. I’m not running anymore. I’m done being scared.”
He’s got a point.
I know he’s right.
But… I can’t bear the thought of my boy being in danger.
I stare at him, my chest tight, torn between admiration and terror. He’s so damn brave, his journalist side shining through, but my Daddy side’s screaming to lock him down, to keep him safe.
I glance at Robert, hoping for backup, but he’s watching Luke with a mix of pride and caution, like he sees the same fire I do.
“He’s got a point,” Robert says, his voice measured. “It’s risky, but it’s the best option. We control the location, set the trap, and take Garcia out clean. You in, Connor?”
I clench my jaw, my eyes locked on Luke’s, seeing the determination there, the trust he’s placing in me.
My Guard side’s running scenarios—ambush points, sight lines, backup plans—but my Daddy side’s making a vow, silent and fierce: if it comes to it, I’ll take a bullet for him, kill Garcia myself, anything to keep the baby boy alive.
“Fine,” I say, my voice rough but resolute. “But it’s my rules, Luke. You do exactly what I say, no arguments. I’m not losing you.”
My darling boy nods, his lips curving into a small, brave smile.
“Deal, Mr. Bossy,” he says, his voice teasing but soft, and I feel that spark between us, the one that tells me this could be forever.
Robert steps forward, his tablet still in hand.
“Let’s put this plan into action,” Robert says, his voice all business, but I see the old Guard in him, the strategist who never lost a client.
“Luke, you’ll post something vague, enough to draw Garcia out but not give away our position.
Connor, you and Cole scout the warehouse district, pick a spot for the trap.
Henry and I will coordinate with the DOJ contact, get the flash drive ready to hand off once Garcia is down. ”
I nod, my hand brushing Luke’s back, a protective instinct I can’t shake.
“Got it,” I say. “We move tonight. Luke, you stay with me until we’re ready to set the bait. No wandering, no solo moves.”
Luke rolls his eyes, but there’s a softness in his smile, a hint of his Little side peeking through.
“Yes, sir,” Luke says, and I can’t help but smirk, even with the weight of the plan pressing down.
Cole and Henry head back up to the rooftop and to the chopper to grab gear, while Robert pulls me aside, his eyes sharp.
“You sure about this, Connor?” Robert asks, his voice low, just for me. “I know you’re tight with him. Don’t let it cloud your judgment. You can sit this one out if you think it’s too personal.”
I clench my jaw, remembering my lie to Mr. G, the way Luke overheard it.
“I’ve got it under control,” I say, my voice steady, but I know it’s half a lie.
My feelings for Luke are anything but controlled—they’re a fire, burning hotter with every glance, every touch.
But I’m a Guard, and I’ll do my job, no matter what.
Robert nods, clapping my shoulder, and I see the trust in his eyes, the same trust he gave me when I was a rookie under his command.
“Good,” Robert says. “Let’s end this.”
I turn back to Luke, who’s watching me, his eyes full of fire and fear and something deeper, something that mirrors what I’m feeling.
“You ready, Little Scoop?” I ask, my voice low, Daddy and Guard blending into one.
“Ready,” Luke replies, his voice firm, his hand brushing mine, and I feel that bond, stronger than ever.
The cartel’s coming, and this plan—luring Garcia, taking him out—is our shot to break their hold on Luke once and for all.
But it’s a gamble, and I know it.
My vow’s still there, burning in my chest: I’ll protect my boy, kill Garcia, give my life if I have to. Because Luke’s not just my client—he’s my Little, my everything, and I’m not letting him go.
We head to the lounge’s glass doors, the city sprawling below, a glittering trap waiting to snap shut. Cole and Henry are back, gear in hand, and Robert’s already on his phone, coordinating with his DOJ contact.
Luke pulls out his spare phone, the one he uses for his personal socials, his fingers flying as he crafts a post—something vague, a selfie with a West Quay street sign, hinting he’s alone, vulnerable, just enough to draw Garcia out.
I watch my brave, brilliant boy, my heart pounding, pride and fear warring inside me.
“Let’s do this,” I say, my voice rough, my hand on his back as we move toward the elevator, Cole and Henry flanking us.
The plan’s in motion, and the cartel’s waiting with its guns locked and loaded and ready to kill.
But with Luke by my side, his fire, his trust, his heart—I’ll do anything to make sure we come out on top…