Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
Marco’s hunch was right: Niko and his asshole thugs weren’t anywhere around the warehouse.
He’d driven by it multiple times, keeping a close eye out for guards. But the building seemed still from a distance. So he’d parked a few blocks away and crept up on it from the back. Now, as he examined the outside more closely, he still didn’t see any signs of life.
A quick check inside would tell him more.
He didn’t have any trouble busting in the back door. A quick search told him that everyone was long gone and they’d scrubbed the place down pretty good, not leaving anything behind. In fact, it was the cleanest old abandoned warehouse he’d ever seen. Not even dust or debris on the floor.
Thankfully, it didn’t smell like cleaning chemicals, which meant they most likely hadn’t scrubbed the smell of blood or other unpleasant bodily fluids from the walls or floors.
The thought of it being his babygirl’s blood almost sent him into a fit of rage. Had there been anything to throw or punch, he probably would have done so. He was almost disappointed none of Niko’s underlings were around. Having someone to pummel might help.
Plus, maybe they’d have intel about Kelsey.
Raging wouldn’t help right now though. So it was probably best no one was around.
He was about to exit out the same back door he’d entered through when suddenly a giant man filled the threshold, blocking the path.
“Who the hell are you?” Marco demanded.
“I was just about to ask you the same thing,” the guy said, stepping closer.
Shit. This guy was huge. His chest was like a damn mountain, and his shoulders were bulging hard, jagged peaks of granite. His dark beard was thick but well-maintained. He moved like a guy who could handle himself.
He’d fucked some people up before. This was no amateur.
But then, neither was Marco.
“I’m not in the mood for bullshit. Who are you?” Marco said.
The guy didn’t say anything, but Marco could tell he was ready to strike at any moment. It was almost as if his body was primed, just holding energy until he was ready to wield it.
Even the air around them suddenly seemed charged. It was almost eerie. But Marco wasn’t the type to scare easily, and he wasn’t about to back down. He didn’t relish violence, but if this guy knew anything about his babygirl, then he’d do whatever it took.
Perhaps the direct approach was the best one right now.
He stepped closer, staying outside of the big man’s reach, but letting him know he wasn’t intimidated, either. “Where is Kelsey?”
The guy looked amused, as if he was about to enjoy whatever came next. “Man. Wrong thing to say. But thanks for letting me know you’re looking for her. Saved me the hassle of interrogating you.”
Marco was about to respond when the guy moved so fast that he didn’t even have time to comprehend what was happening.
The next thing Marco knew, he was on his ass, sliding across the smooth concrete floor with one hell of a sore jaw.
Shit! The man had thrown a punch before Marco could think about blocking.
At least he knew what he was up against now.
Scrambling to his feet, he went into a fighter’s crouch and prepared for a battle.
The big man threw another punch, but Marco was able to bob and weave away from it. He wasn’t so lucky with the next one, however. It connected to his midsection, and Marco doubled over as the air in his body swooshed out through his mouth.
This guy was good and Marco needed to pivot quickly or the fight wouldn’t last very long.
Fight? That made Marco almost laugh. It wasn’t much of one. Just a one-sided affair so far. An ass-kicking.
He needed to even the odds quickly before he lost consciousness or was killed.
With that in mind, a new surge of energy coursed through his veins. His time would come one day—and maybe sooner rather than later—but right now he had to stay alive to help Kelsey.
His opponent threw another punch straight for him, but instead of trying to dodge it, he actually moved in but raised his right arm and deflected the blow.
The attacker was clearly surprised by this, which gave Marco time to launch a punch of his own. The evasive measure and counterstrike were done so close together that they were almost one movement.
He didn’t let up from there.
Using knees and elbows, he hammered the guy in his chest and groin.
His opponent finally adjusted to the attacks and was about to go on the offensive again when a familiar, frantic voice called out, “Daddy!”
Both men stopped dead in their tracks as Kelsey ran in through the back door.
“What the hell is going on?” Marco asked.
“Ah, shit. You’re Marco. I didn’t even put it together,” his attacker said, wiping a drop of blood from his swelling lip. “Should have. Saw your damn picture in the FBI database.”
Marco tensed when he heard the law enforcement agency mentioned.
Was he about to get arrested?
First things first. “Baby! Are you okay?” He wrapped his arms around Kelsey and held her close.
“I’m fine! Oh, Daddy! You’re alive!”
Marco forgot about everything else the second his sweet Little began sobbing, her tears soaking through his shirt and dampening his chest.
At that moment, nothing else mattered.
He had Kelsey, and his sweet girl was just fine.