54. Astor
CHAPTER FIFTY-FOUR
ASTOR
S he looks like a force to be reckoned with. She’s sitting quietly, turning her new knife around and round in her hand while she stares out of the window. She’s been quiet since we got in the car to go to the meeting location. I know she’s going over what she’ll do in her head. Tonight will be the first time I see her lose herself in revenge in six years. I didn’t get to see her lose her shit on Anna in person, and from what I saw on the video, Javi is in a world of fucking shit—Regardless of who reaches him first. I rest my hand on her thigh, giving her a tight squeeze to bring her out of her daze.
“I’m ok,” she says before I can speak. I nod at her and turn my gaze back to the road. “Do we know where he’s hiding?”
“His bedroom is the top floor, double doors. I’m sure the fucker thinks he’s safe tonight.”
“Yeah, well, I’m pretty sure I thought I was safe in my own house, too. But I wasn’t,” she whispers. I run my hands through her hair.
“I’ve got you.”
“I know. How much further?”
“Five minutes. Load my guns for me?” She reaches for the gun and magazine that’s laying in my lap. She caresses my cock as she does and I growl at her. “Better stop, we don’t have the time.”
“Hmm, I guess you’re right. I need a gun, by the way.”
I nod towards the glove department and she reaches in to grab the gun. She pulls back, checking the chamber. The amount of pride that surges through me is insane. This woman is my wife. This woman who wreaks havoc on anyone that threatens her family or crosses her. I haven’t seen this side of this woman in too fucking long. I just hope that when shit hits the fan, I still have the ability to reign her back in when I need to.
When we pull into one of the warehouses my family owns, Mikhail, Jay, Teagan, and Justin arrive right behind us. Alessia’s father and mine were supposed to be here, but I’m guessing the reunion between them two at my father’s wasn’t the reunion he was expecting. She’s still pissed with him, or she’s not, which is even worse, because it means she’s done with him. I wish I could be on his side, but right now the only side I want to be on is Alessia’s.
Jay knocks on the window and I roll it down.
“Ready?” he asks, handing me two earpieces. I pass one to Alessia and she sticks it inside her tiny ears. Her face is like stone and I know she’s ready to cause destruction. I know she’s ready to get the justice she deserves.
She starts fidgeting with her fingers when we get out of the car and head towards the SUV the guys are in. I entwin our fingers together and bring them to my lips.
“Cause hell, baby.” She smirks at me and climbs in the SUV.
We drive in almost complete silence until Justin breaks it.
“Bet $100 that he’ll piss himself when he sees us,” he says.
Mikhail sighs and shrugs his shoulders. “$200 says he’ll faint before Ast even gets to him,” Mikhail says, making me chuckle.
“$500 says that he’ll run when he sees Lessia,” Teagan says, peeking over his shoulder and glancing at her.
“We’re about to find out….we’re here. House is three floors; everyone take a floor. Find him. He’s here somewhere. Thermal shows there’s five moving bodies in the house, which means four should be dead when we leave. His bedroom is the top floor, but remember he could be anywhere in the house,” I say, stuffing a gun in the back of my waist band. I take the gun out of Alessia’s hand and stash it in the strap that’s around her thigh.
“Stay behind me, ok?” I tell her as the SUV slows. “We’re going to go through the forest, you ok with walking?”
“Ast, I’m fine. If I need you to carry me,” she leans closer to me and kisses my cheek before gently biting it, “I’ll let you know.”
I shake my head as we all climb out to find all of the guys checking their weapons. Mikhail cracks his neck and Jay laughs.
“Big fucker,” he says, as we start our half a mile walk to the house Javi is staying at.
“Tiny man syndrome,” Mikhail says back to him. Teagan is behind Alessia while I’m in front of her. She’s quiet and her head is on a swivel. I haven’t seen her so focused before. She’s ready for this, and as morbid as it sounds, I can’t wait to see her ruin this fucker’s entire life.
The walk is quick and everyone seems to know their job, which makes me feel like Alessia is safer, more protected. I put my hand on the door, knowing that it’s unlocked because he’s too na?ve to think anyone would come after him. He thinks he’s irrelevant. As expected, the door opens right up and we all go to split up. Alessia heads for the stairs and I grab her hand. She stops and looks down at my hand and smiles.
“I love that you’re a caring husband, but I’m ok. If I need you, I’ll...I don’t know, scream.” I smirk at her and let her hand go. I stop on the second floor and watch her tip toe to the third. I know she’s strong enough for this. I know she needs to trust that she’s got this, so I force myself not to follow her.
I fully expected her to head straight for his bedroom. I clear my mind and focus on clearing this floor.
“Remember there are five other guards here,” I say into the ear piece as a reminder.
“Why does he have guards? He’s not important,” Jay says. I open my mouth to respond when Justin beats me to it.
“They aren’t guarding him…they’re Miles’ guards.”
“Ooo, maybe I’ll get a two for one. I see one of the guards. Time to have some fun, boys,” Alessia says, whispering into her ear piece. I freeze when I hear a thump above my head and a grunt. I will my body to stay still, to let her handle herself.
You know she can.
Moments go by and finally I hear her breathing through my ears.
“One down,” she says to us.
“Two, I just got one,” Justin says. “First floor is clear.”
“Three down, basement clear,” Jay says as I spot one standing the end of the hall. I bend down, walking slowly. He doesn’t see me until it’s too late, but he reaches for his gun, anyway. I ram my foot into the back of his leg, making him fall to the floor. I grab his wrist and twist it until I hear the sound of the gun hit the ground. Then I wrap my arms around his neck and squeeze, crushing his air supply. Everyone in this fucking house is dying tonight, messages need to be sent. And they need to be clear.
We’re coming for you.
He fights me, grappling at my hands, but I tighten my hold around him until he finally lets go. I gently lay him to the ground and step over him.
“Four down. Alessia, I’m on my way to you, he must be in that room. All of the other floors are clear.”
She doesn’t respond. The others must notice, too, because I see them all behind me, taking the stairs two at a time.
My movements are quick. Why the fuck isn’t she answering me?
Then I see the blood and my fucking heart drops.
Why is there so much goddamn blood?