Chapter 17
Billy
When Kiersten was little, there were nights when she’d have trouble sleeping.
Instead of calling out to her mother or me, she’d slip out of her bed and creep into our bedroom.
With her teddy bear clutched to her chest, she’d stand at the edge of the bed and stare at us, silently pleading that one of us would wake up.
Amazingly enough, Grace would sense that she was there and would rise with a start. “Oh, sweetheart. What’s wrong?”
“I can’t sweep,” Kiersten would mumble in her sweetest little girl voice.
“Did you have a bad dream?”
By this time, I’d be wide awake and would watch silently as the two navigated through their little ritual. Kiersten would clutch her teddy bear even tighter, then nod with a pout. “Um-hmm. ‘Dares som’thin in my claw-set.”
“I’m sure there’s nothing in your closet, sweetheart. It’s just your imagination.”
“Uh-uhh.” She’d shake her head. “It was a big, sc’wary mons-stir.”
“Do you want me to go check and see?”
“Uh-uhh.” Her eyes would immediately dart over to me. “I want Daddy to go.”
Knowing I had work in the morning, Grace would turn and look at me with apologetic eyes.
While it was a bit of an inconvenience, I didn’t mind going.
In fact, I rather enjoyed being my daughter’s hero for a brief moment in time, so I didn’t complain as I eased the covers back and pulled myself out of bed.
I’d walk over and take my daughter’s hand in mine, and then, together, we’d set out to rid her closet of the big, scary monster.
Before walking into her room, I’d look down at Kiersten and ask, “Do I need to get the poker?”
She’d nod, then watch as I’d rush over and get the fire poker from the living room. Once I had it in hand, I’d tiptoe over to her closet, then open the door ever-so-slowly as I pointed the poker into the dark shadows. I’d make a few dramatic jabs, then flick on the light with a loud, “Gotcha!”
Kiersten would rush over and peer into the closet, checking to see if her imaginary monster was truly gone, and then she’d sigh with relief. “You got ‘em, Daddy.”
“I sure did.” I’d close her closet door, then motion over to her bed and say, “Now it’s time for my girl to get some sleep.”
“But Daddy...”
“No buts, little miss.” I’d ease the covers back and wait for her to crawl inside, then I’d tuck her in. “How’s that?”
“Can you weave the ‘ight on?”
“Yeah, I can leave it on.” I’d brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, then leaned down and kissed her softly on the forehead. “Sweet dreams, kiddo.”
“Night, daddy.”
I’d leave her room feeling like I could conquer the world.
I would’ve given anything to have that feeling again, especially now when Kiersten’s life truly was in danger.
It had been almost an hour since we’d left the warehouse, and I was still feeling the jitters from the adrenaline pulsing through my veins.
I’d been in some pretty tight spots in my time, but none like I experienced in that warehouse.
It was pretty intense, but we’d managed to make it through unscathed.
I just hoped the same would hold true for phase two of our plan.
Viper was concerned that one of the guards from the warehouse might’ve tipped DeLuca off, so he demanded that Menace check the security feed one last time before we made our approach. We were trying to be patient, but tensions were running high.
We were all eager to get inside and find Kiersten, especially me and Country. It had been long enough. We were both ready to get her home safe and sound. Before that could happen, we’d have to not only find her, but we’d also have to contend with Antonio and his men.
As much as we’d all love to storm into his home with guns blazing, we had his neighbors to consider.
Even though his home was resting on a three-acre lot surrounded by a ten-foot brick wall and trees, it wouldn’t take much to draw the attention of a nosy neighbor with an ax to grind, and if they decided to call the cops, we’d all go down.
But I didn’t care.
For my daughter, I was willing to take any risk to get her back.
We all were, but that didn’t mean that we didn’t take precautions.
Because we did. We took every one possible, including using silencers and having Menace cut the power to the entire block. He’d even put up a transmitter to block all outgoing calls, making it impossible for anyone in the area to make a call while we were there.
As soon as Menace was done going over everything, he called us over and said, “Still no eyes on the inside, but we can see the two guards at the front door and another at the back.”
“Any sign of Kiersten?”
“Sorry, Country. I don’t see her.” Menace answered. “But my gut says she’s inside that house.”
“I sure as hell hope you’re right, because I’m gonna lose my shit if she isn’t.”
“We’re not gonna find her out here.”
“Billy’s right.” Viper motioned his head to the front gate. “Let’s get in there and find our girl.”
I glanced over at Country, and for just a brief moment, time seemed to stand still. He and I both knew what we were all putting on the line, and we were ready for it. We finished up our final precautionary checks, then proceeded to our assigned locations.
Like before, I was with Hawk, Shotgun, Widow, and Davies.
Since we were chosen to enter through the back of the house, Shotgun led us down the backside of Antonio’s property, and once we were in position, we worked together to scale the wall, which was no easy feat.
The damn thing was a fucking monster, and even with Shotgun and Widow’s help, I struggled.
By the time I finally made it over, I was scratched from head to toe.
Once he’d made sure that we’d all cleared the wall, Shotgun charged forward and announced, “Time to see about that guard.”
Hawk nodded, then we all followed as Shotgun led us towards the house.
While the sun was setting, there was still some light outside, but we were able to use the trees and heavy shrubbery as cover as we approached the back door.
As soon as we were close enough, Shotgun stepped out of the shadows and caught the guard's attention.
The guard tried to reach for his weapon, but it was too late.
Shotgun had already taken his shot and sent a bullet piercing through the guy’s head. As soon as his lifeless body hit the ground, Shotgun gave us the signal that the guard was down. Hawk quickly glanced back at us and whispered, “Looks like it’s time to move, boys. Let’s do this thing.”
Widow, Davies, and I followed Hawk through the trees and thick shrubbery, then up to the back porch. Shotgun waited a moment, giving us each a second to mentally prepare; then he eased the door open and we stepped inside.
We’d barely had a chance to see that we were in the service kitchen area when two large men in suits came charging toward us.
While they had their weapons drawn, they looked surprised to find us there.
I used that moment of shock to my advantage and started shooting, taking out the biggest of the two with the first shot and wounding the second.
As soon as they were down, Hawk charged over and knelt down next to the guy I’d shot in the chest. He placed the barrel of his gun at his head as he growled, “Where’s the girl?”
“You made a mistake coming here,” the guy barked. “You’re as good as dead.”
“Answer the fucking question!” Hawk demanded.
When he refused to comply, Hawk pulled the trigger, killing the guy instantly. We were checking to see if anyone else was coming when there was a loud uproar coming from the front of the house. Concerned by what Viper and the others might be facing, Widow turned and started out of the room.
As he disappeared through the doorway, he shouted, “You guys head upstairs without me. I’ll join you when I can.”
Hawk nodded, then followed Shotgun over to the base of the stairs.
The stairs curved upward, making it difficult to see what was up ahead.
We’d almost reached the top when a shot was fired, and I felt a familiar searing pain flash across my bicep.
I glanced down at my arm, and even though it was just a simple graze, I was pissed I’d actually been hit. “Goddamn it!”
I looked behind me and spotted a heavy-set guard trudging up the stairs with a winded pant.
When I realized he was the one who’d shot me, I aimed my gun directly at his head and squeezed the trigger.
Seconds later, he collapsed, and his lifeless body rolled down to the foot of the stairs.
Clearly amused by what had transpired, Hawk glanced down at me with a smirk and asked, “You all right down there?”
“Better now.” I motioned my hand to the bottom of the stairs as I said, “Can’t say the same for him.”
“No, that asshole has seen better days.”
Without any further interruptions, we continued our trek upstairs.
When we reached the second floor, I wasn’t surprised to find that the place was decorated to the hilt.
There were lavish chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and expensive artwork on every wall.
When we went into the first bedroom, it was just as extravagant as the rest of the house—oversized with large windows, pretentious furniture, and obnoxiously expensive bedding.
The whole room was over the top, but I expected nothing less from a man like Antonio.
We quickly scanned the room, and when we didn’t see anyone, we moved on to the next.
As soon as we entered the second room, I was immediately put off kilter by both the odd smell and the furnishings.
There was a bed in the corner with nothing but a thin set of sheets covered in stains, and the wood flooring was scratched and in dire need of repair.