2. Keegan
The images sliding across the screen turn my stomach. An SUV engulfed in flames. Unnaturally hot. Bodies burned beyond recognition, but possibly a match for Ely and the baby, given it’s her SUV. Hell, I can’t even tell what I’m looking at on the fucking screen, other than horror.
Dental records can’t do shit, so now it’s a waiting game until the DNA results come back…
if it didn’t burn too hot. If it didn’t degrade.
But it’s not a quick process to extract it, much less run it for a match.
It’ll take weeks, possibly longer. And Daniel and Javi will be waiting that entire time…
Will they hope? Or will they admit the truth? Fuck.
I don’t even know what I would do. Marcus threw up at the sight of the SUV photos, immediately left the room, and hasn’t been back since—not that I judge him for that.
He wasn’t supposed to be in this meeting anyway, but he snuck in to see our Love.
Things have been all hands on deck as we race against the clock.
Fucking Javi. Doc’s allowance of only twenty-four hours is asking for a miracle that I’m not sure we can deliver.
“Do we have anything?” Jude’s voice is gravelly, like he hasn’t slept at all—and I’m pretty sure that’s fucking accurate based on the way Antonio and the twins were hovering at breakfast.
“Not yet,” Carter responds with a sigh, massaging his head. “I’m not sure what to do. Until Tennant gets information, or Leandro finds something…”
“And we’re about five hours away from Javi going AWOL.” Lio’s grim statement sends a chill down my spine. We’re so fucked.
“There’s got to be another option… Something that will keep him contained.” I get up and start to pace, unable to sit any longer.
Jude tilts back in his chair, stretching his muscles. It doesn’t escape me the way he massages his leg. Righting himself, he says, “What if I offer him another kitten? Hell, at this point, I’ll go get him the entire animal shelter if he stays.”
Before I can respond—and hell if I know which answer I’d choose—the door opens abruptly. Atticus strolls in, his suit perfectly in place as he carries a folder. His eyes roam over us with a hint of distaste before going blank.
“Is there a reason you’re interrupting a Council meeting?” I snap, my hands clenching into fists.
Yawning, he glances at his watch—which is way more expensive than I’d expect from a “therapist”. And yes, I call bullshit on that being his primary job. He merely cocks an eyebrow at me, as if I’m irrelevant.
“Yes.”
“Care to elaborate?” Lio almost laughs, even though there’s nothing fucking funny about this. With an exaggerated pout, he adds, “And where is Fury?”
“She’s fine. Monroe stole her. He seems to have a magic way with animals.
” He waves away Lio’s concern easily. Considering Atticus’s attachment to that bunny, it’s saying something that Monroe connected so deeply that he trusts the other man.
“As to why I interrupted…I gathered some information that may be useful.”
“Really? What did you find that our best computer genius and our…hmm…information extractors couldn’t?” Lio’s tone is doubtful, but I have a sinking feeling Atticus is holding back more cards than I ever want to know about. The possibilities give me a migraine.
Atticus snorts, thankfully amused instead of insulted.
With an ease of motion, he tosses the folder in front of Lio, gesturing for him to open it.
He does slowly, frowning as he reads, before passing it to Roman.
I’ll give Death credit, his face is impassive as he studies Atticus closely.
I make a note to warn him—and his Daddy and Papa Bear—that this way leads to insanity.
Roman whistles lowly as he talks urgently but quietly to Carter. Lio’s attention, however, does not move from Atticus. “That is quite the packet you’ve put together. I’m assuming you have a suggestion?”
“I do. But you’re not going to like it.” Atticus shrugs one shoulder, like he doesn’t care, but I see the glint of anticipation in his eyes, the adrenaline.
“Well, the floor is yours. Not that you gave us a choice,” Carter drawls.
With a wicked grin, Atticus retorts, “Fire. Always a favorite choice of mine. Light up the sky…and his world. It’s fitting.
And it should help with Javi, as I know that's likely what you're most concerned about. I don’t have to explain that a psychopathic serial killer on the loose, craving vengeance, is something we’d all like to avoid if it can’t be channeled. "
“I have so many questions,” Jude mutters, but Atticus merely flicks an unimpressed gaze his way.
“Until now, you’ve focused on the Senator. You’ve ignored his leadership role in the criminal organization that he seems to have taken over. With the information I just handed you, with warehouses and safe houses, you have targets.
“From my sources, the employees are fairly scattered because of the constant turnover in leadership. If you sow chaos, there may be breaks in the ranks.
“Even if you don’t manage that, which I think is unlikely, given how shaky his position is, you’ll still be hitting him where it’s most painful.
“Being a Senator is merely the shiny veneer. Go for the heart instead and set it ablaze.”
“It’s a solid idea,” Lio states. “You’re right, this is an avenue we hadn’t considered.
But…it’s dangerous. By the time we hit the first few, they’ll likely be expecting us at the next couple because, no matter what, we can only do so many in a night.
We can’t put our allies at any further risk.
Especially with Daniel taking over for Ely.
I’m sure they’re still processing shit.”
“Even if they want it?” Jude asks.
“No. This is our job.” Roman nods in agreement, and while I don’t necessarily disagree, I know we’re painting an even larger target on our own backs. We likely won’t all make it out unharmed. Fuck.
“This would give us a plan to present to Javi. And hopefully keep him from going off on his own,” Carter muses.
“I agree with it. It’ll be dangerous, and we need to discuss it further.
For now, Keegan and Jude, refine this list for us.
I’d like to present a plan to Javi in three hours, since I don’t trust him not to abscond early.
Lio, Roman, and I will discuss the risks, and who we can pull, while you’re doing that.
We’ll also reach out to Leandro and Tennant. ”
“Will you join us?” Lio asks Atticus calmly, obviously questioning how far the therapist will go when it’s not his fight.
I’m torn between relief and disappointment when Atticus shakes his head. “No, I’ll sit this part out, except for any planning assistance I can give. It’s not necessarily my fight. Not yet. And I want to observe you all first.”
“Fair enough. Thank you for this. I won’t ask how you found it, but please know, we appreciate it.” The genuine care from Carter softens something in Atticus, but he still merely waves as he leaves.
“That was not what I expected.” Lio doesn’t sound all that surprised, however.
“Yeah, well, tick-tock for Jude and me. We’ll meet you back here in two hours. We’re going to need every second.” With that, I give Carter a hard kiss before I disappear as well, because they’re asking for a damn miracle, and fuck if I won’t deliver it.