Chapter 19
Sinclair
Anger.
The dark emotion was nothing new. I’d experienced it more often than momentary joy or utter happiness.
I’d clung to the happy celebrations in my life for a few hours, maybe a day, but had always held onto the overwhelming knowledge that pretending to be ecstatic while ignoring all other aspects of my life was reckless at best.
Because every single time I’d forgotten who I was or the family I’d been born into, a near tragedy had occurred.
Tonight was no different; the attack, while not unexpected, had sparked the darkest emotion I could feel.
Blinding rage.
Yet even though my muscles ached from the intensity, I was focused.
On discovering who in the hell had dared cross me by sharing my itinerary with the person responsible for the kidnapping attempt.
When I shoved Tommy against the side of the SUV, his eyes bore the surprise, but he didn’t attempt to fight back or even defend himself.
Enzo was right by my side, glaring from one of the three men who’d been with us to another.
While I’d enjoy interrogating each and every one for hours, I didn’t have the time. A counter strike was necessary while the bodies were still warm.
The only way of keeping Santos and his clan from making further advances into the city was by hitting them hard.
“Which one of you talked?” I asked, keeping my voice low and as calm as possible.
The three men looked amongst themselves.
“You know better than to mention the boss’ itinerary to anyone, including family. You swore an oath of loyalty and secrecy.” Enzo’s words were ones instilled into everyone who came to work for us, especially in the ones promoted through the ranks.
“I didn’t say anything,” Ryker insisted, now shifting his gaze to the aggregate out of respect.
“Not me, boss,” Tommy added.
When Darius was slow to say anything, I moved directly in front of him. “And you?”
“No, boss. Never. As soon as I got the call, I came right over. That’s it. I swear.”
I could tell he wasn’t lying. Maybe instead of a person, I needed to concentrate on a breach in our computer systems.
Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the house.
“We’re headed out in a few minutes.” When I turned, Enzo caught my arm.
“What about Ms. Samuels? Do you want me to call for backup while we’re gone?”
“I already made arrangements with Jaxon to provide security.” I continued to head for the door. At this point, I could only trust a few people until we discovered the leak, the mole, or the hack.
His sigh was heavy. “You really think one of them talked?”
“There’s no other logical way that anyone knew the location of where we were going. A hack would be difficult.”
“But not impossible and you decided on the actions after they arrived. They went in blind.”
I glanced at him just before heading inside. “That doesn’t mean one of them wasn’t followed after opening his fucking mouth. That mole? He will be found by the morning. Do you understand?”
“Yes, sir. So you’re aware, I’m checking on some information about a possible breach in our city.”
“Meaning?”
“Word on the street is that the Las Riveras have moved some product into our territory.”
Another wave of anger. However, if he was correct, it was a perfect opportunity for retaliation. “Find out.”
“Will do.”
Hissing, I headed back inside, finding Josette on the couch in the living room, her head in her hands. She had blood on her face and hands, more on her clothes. I didn’t hesitate, scooping her into my arms.
“What are you doing?” Her eyes were red as if she’d been crying. My strong and rebellious guest was suddenly cracking under the horror of my life. Something else to be infuriated about.
“I need to check you for injuries.”
“I’m fine.”
“And I’m not taking no for an answer.” She didn’t fight me as I headed for the kitchen, the pensive look on her face pulling at something I hadn’t known existed.
Guilt.
Josette had a faraway look in her eyes even as I placed her on the counter. She winced as soon as I turned on the overhead light, hiding her eyes from me almost instantly.
I move closer, gently pushing her legs open so I could move between them. When she continued to look down, which wasn’t like her in the least, I pinched her jaw between my fingers, lifting her head. Her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes skimming across her cheeks.
Noticing the single tear slipping past, trickling down her face took my breath away for several reasons.
One was her breathtaking beauty. Another moment passed, a reminder of how protective I felt about her.
And yet another was the roar of guilt for putting her in such a precarious position.
She darted the tip of her tongue across her bottom lip. It was slightly swollen both from my rough kisses and the tiny cut she’d received during the confrontation. The sight of splatters of blood on her face and neck brought another wave of anger.
Thank God, it wasn’t her blood, or the three men who’d still been alive after the attack would have endured hours of torture.
Indiana remained close, relaxing on the floor after his ordeal. While he didn’t appear injured, I already had plans on contacting the vet she’d visited. Only this time the man would make a house call.
My orders.
Her sigh was heavy and she tried to pull her face away, only I wouldn’t allow her. “Relax. Nothing will happen to you inside this house.”
“You don’t know that. It doesn’t seem as if anywhere is safe.” She looked down as she’d done before. “Why was that man trying to kidnap me?”
“To use you against me.” A classic tale of power and control.
Blinking, she gripped the counter. “Maybe you’re right and I was the target. Why?”
Even as she whispered the question, there was a change in the lilt of her voice. Very slight. Just enough for me to catch. As if she knew exactly why there might be a reason she’d be the target.
My chest suddenly felt tight. “That’s likely something only you can answer or at least provide some clues to. But not tonight.” I yanked a towel from the holder, leaning over and turning on the faucet. When the cloth was wet, I dabbed it against her face.
She managed to pull away, even wrapping her fingers around my wrist. “I’m fine. Really.”
“Yes, you are, but I’m still going to do this.”
She tried to smile, allowing it to fade almost instantly. “You almost died. I can’t believe you lived after… what happened.”
“But I didn’t die and don’t plan on it.” With tender strokes, I caressed her face with the cloth, my rage increasing the entire time. If the fucker had taken her with him, there was a strong chance I wouldn’t have been able to locate or save her.
While she allowed me to finish, I could tell she was deep in thought. Right now wasn’t the time to grill her about anything. She was in too fragile a state. Indiana knew it as well.
Besides, I had business to conclude for the evening.
When the blood had been removed from her skin, I tossed the towel and planted my hands on either side of her.
“I’m not going to break,” she said quietly. “I told you that already.”
I chuckled and rubbed my palm down her arm. Thank God she didn’t flinch. “I’m beginning to believe you. Now, I need to handle some business, but I’ll be back. My brother and a couple of his men will be here with you.”
With her eyes narrowed, she gave me a hard look. “You’re going after them. Aren’t you?”
“What if I am?”
“When will it stop? You’ll hunt a few of them down and kill them. They’ll retaliate. You’ll return the favor. Who are these people and why are they doing this?”
“They are a Mexican Cartel who settled in Texas but aren’t happy remaining there.
They’re more inclined to the festive atmosphere of New Orleans.
You know me well enough to realize I can’t allow that to happen.
Neither will any of my family members.” Thoughts continued to swim in my mind about a possible connection with Santos and Marcus Jeffries.
But there were other players I’d need to consider such as my old buddy Greg and even Mark Zuckerman, who could have been a plant inside the restaurant, a lookout.
The possibilities were endless.
“So you’re going to hunt them down.” At least the defiance in her voice had returned.
The way she was searching my eyes was direct, her question uncomplicated. She deserved an honest answer. “Yes, I am. Until it’s done.”
“When will it ever end for you?”
“That’s the issue. It never will unless we make it happen.”
“No wonder you’re so lonely and can’t live any kind of normal life.” With her fingers caressing my chest through my shirt, the same sense of strong desire replaced the earlier tension.
But this wasn’t the time or place.
Her fingers trailed to the tattoo on my arm of my German Shepherd. “Who was she?”
“How do you know she was a girl?”
She laughed. “Because I’m starting to get to know you whether you deem it acceptable or not.”
“Her name was Sadie. I had her for only a couple years. She was always with me. Never left my side.”
“She’s beautiful. What happened to her?”
I took her hand into mine, bringing her fingertips to my mouth. I couldn’t remember the last time anyone had asked me about her. “She was killed.”
Josette sighed. “During something like what just happened?”
When I didn’t answer right away, she changed the hold I had on her hand to hers grasping mine, mimicking my actions by rolling my knuckles across her lips.
“Yes, Josette. She was with me during another attack and when Sadie tried to protect me, one of the bastards shot her.”
“I’m so sorry. That’s just so… horrible.”
I could read her mind. And so much like the life I couldn’t walk away from.
“You thought I didn’t understand pain. I understand it better than you think.
Am I lonely? At times, but now you can see why it’s necessary for me to remain that way.
I want this over as strongly as you do and when it is, I’ll uphold my promise to release you.
Until then, maybe now you can understand my concern and the reason you must follow my rules. ”