24. Picasso #2
When no one spoke up, we gave our goodbyes—meaning we all kissed the fucking hell out of our woman and bro-hugged it out between the guys.
None of us wanted to be sappy shits, but on the other hand, we were too aware of what was about to go down.
Our lives were lived on the edge of a knife and you never knew when the wrong step would land you on the blade.
The four of us climbed into our blacked-out SUV and headed off to the meet point where we would connect with Tommaso’s men.
One of his lieutenants we’d met at his house, David, was going to be there ensuring the men followed orders.
We would be heading up this operation since it was our family we were going after but having David there to make sure shit got done eased some of the worries.
Void leaned his head back and looked as if he was just going to nap for the twenty minutes it would take us to get where we needed to go.
There were times I thought the man was unhinged, but right now, I envied that he wasn’t worried at all about tonight.
If he had a gun and a body to shoot, he was a happy camper.
My biggest worry was if Elena had truly turned against us and we couldn’t save her.
Had they done too much damage for us to fix? Would we ever get the sweet, brilliant woman back who wanted to write the stories of those who never got a voice? Fuck, I hope we weren’t too late.
Glancing at my watch as we pulled into the parking garage, it was 6:50 p.m. This location was five blocks away from their apartment building, so we'd be close when we needed to roll out. Dante had worked his magic and gotten us far more than just the vests, his connection even had lights for us to put in the vehicle so when we came speeding down the road, we wouldn’t be stopped or yelled at for parking in the street.
People stayed out of SWAT’s way, knowing if they got called in, it was a big deal.
“Any updates?” Daniel asked when we got out of the SUV.
Eagle shook his head. “Nope, we’ve got the vests for everyone in the back of the car and everything else for that part of it. Your men strapped and ready to go?”
“Fuck yeah, we’ve been waiting for the day we finally get to make our move against Diego,” Daniel said, then gestured for us to follow.
“I’ve got twenty men who are going to infiltrate with us and another fifteen or so who can be waiting as backup if we need them.
If we had everyone swarming the building, it would draw too much attention.
This way, when they arrive, people will assume we called for backup. ”
“Wise approach,” Sprocket commented as he looked over at the men standing and chatting with each other.
“They understand the plan is to keep everyone alive, right? Bodyguards, if they have any, can be taken out, but we need Axel and Elena alive. Especially Elena. She’s our family and none of us will take kindly to her being roughed up. ”
“I’ll make sure to remind them, but does the same care need to be applied to the boy?” Daniel asked. “That might be hard to enforce. Axel is known for being an entitled little shit who will do just about anything to get Daddy’s approval.”
“Nah,” I answered. “As long as he’s still breathing and you can tell it’s him, we’re fine. Just let them know if he dies, it’s Two Tricks they're going to have to answer to.”
Daniel’s eyes went wide at that. “Pretty sure that threat alone is all they’re going to need to keep the bastard alive.”
Tommaso’s men snapped to attention when they saw us approaching.
Eagle went over the plan again with them, Daniel adding in his two cents here and there to back him up.
He seemed like a good guy and determined to make sure this went without a hitch.
I think it helped that this was the first time any of Tommaso’s men were going to prove how loyal they were to their new leader.
Once that was all settled, we passed out gear and got the lights hooked up to the SUV and truck we’d be taking.
By the time we’d arranged all that, we were minutes away from putting this all into action.
Trying to take a page out of Void’s book, I leaned against the SUV and closed my eyes, taking deep breaths.
My adrenaline was already coursing through my body, but I needed to use it in the right way, helping me zero in on what was important.
“You good, Picasso?” Sprocket asked.
Cracking open an eye, I found him standing in front of me arms crossed with a smirk on his face. “Peachy.”
“Looking a little pale, need me to get you a paper bag to breathe into?” he asked, knowing it would piss me off.
“Fuck off, Sprocket,” I shot back. “I’ll be just fine once we get this show on the road. It’s all this waiting that’s got me all wound up.”
He slapped me on the arm. “Hell, man, let’s do this like our little rebel would.
Hit them hard and fast, kicking them right where it’s gonna fucking hurt.
The powers that be need to know not to fuck with our family.
If they do, we'll hit back ten times harder, and it wouldn’t be worth it in the long run. ”
I grinned back at him and shoved off the car. “Wait till she hears you said that after the shit fit you had over her stunts with the Mad Dogs.”
“This is different,” he grumbled. “We all know the plan and can work together.”
“Sure it is,” I commented as I pulled open the passenger side door. “Because she’s the type to see the difference and be reasonable.”
Sprocket flipped me the bird and climbed into the SUV, making me laugh. I shoved up so I was standing on the doorsill and looked over the top of the vehicle. Raising my fingers to my lips, I let out a loud shrill whistle. “Load up. Let’s get this show on the road.”
Everything was set in motion with that announcement.
Men grabbed their rifles and helmets and finished strapping on their vests before climbing into vehicles.
Our SUV was the lead, and we would signal when to turn on the lights.
Eagle slid behind the wheel and banged a hand on the side of the SUV, then whirled a finger, signaling for us to head out.
Tires squealed as we flew out of the parking garage, shooting out onto the street. Once all of us were out in the open, Eagle flipped the switch, blaring the siren and lights as we roared down the road.
Traffic darted out of our way as we moved just as we hoped they would, believing we were indeed law enforcement.
Arriving at the apartment building, we drove up onto the sidewalk, stopping right at the entrance, and flung open the doors.
The building was six floors and had a buzzer system to let you inside but not much else security-wise.
One of Daniel's men had an auto lock picker and jammed it into the keyhole, then twisted, allowing us entrance.
The sound of boots storming up the stairs to the sixth floor echoed in the open center space of the building.
A woman on the third floor opened her door carrying a trash bag, saw us, gasped, and slammed the door closed.
It would make our lives easier if everyone reacted the same way.
As we rounded the stairs to the sixth floor, I drew my gun and flattened to the side of the wall next to the door.
Void charged up to the door marked 6-C and slammed his boot into it, busting it open.
Screams could be heard inside that were definitely more than two people.
Diving in after Void, we found ourselves in the living room where it seemed Axel and friends were watching a movie and eating pizza. “NYPD, everyone, put your hands up,” I bellowed, keeping my voice low so Elena wouldn’t recognize it right away.
“Oh my God, oh my God, my parents are going to kill me for getting arrested again,” a girl wailed as she dropped to her knees on the floor, hands behind her head. Clearly, she’d been arrested more than once.
I grabbed her, zip-tied her hands behind her back, and passed her off to one of Tommaso's men. Shaking my head, I mouthed ‘not her’ then turned back to the scene. Everyone was now on their knees, getting zip-cuffed.
“Why are you doing this?” Elena whimpered. “We haven’t done anything wrong?”
“Shut the fuck up, El,” a male voice snapped. “They have no idea who they’re messing with. My dad will get us out of this, no problem. Just keep your damn mouth shut until I get my phone call.”
Eagle looked at me as he raised one eyebrow since he was the one holding Axel in his grip. Boy had no idea what was coming of him. Sprocket had Elena, but she was so upset she didn’t even notice who he was.
“We’ve got who we came for, let's move out,” Daniel announced as he shoved one of the other guys ahead of him.
Just as they stepped outside the room, shots went off. I couldn’t tell if they shot at us first or if one of the men in the hall made the first move. All I knew was Sprocket and I shoved Elena to the floor as Eagle slammed the kid into the wall covering him.
One of the girls screamed, and I saw the guy Daniel had, flinch and sag to the ground as more shots went off.
Looking around the room, I noticed a fire escape outside their window.
Tapping Sprocket on the shoulder, I pointed.
“Get her the fuck out of here. I don’t care if you have to drive off. Make sure she’s safe.”
He looked like he wanted to argue but then looked down at Elena and nodded. I grabbed her face so she looked me right in the face. Wiping away her tears, I used as gentle of a voice as I could while still being heard. “Ellie, look at me.”
She did as I asked then her eyes went wide. “Uncle Picasso? What are you doing here? They told me you were dead.”
“They lied, I’ve come to take you home, baby girl.
Your mom is on her way to meet you in Jersey, but we need to get you there first. Sprocket’s going to take you out the back and get you somewhere you’ll be safe,” I explained, holding up a hand.
“Don’t argue, Ellie. Now is not the time or the place. ”