Marcos and Jason both jerked their heads toward me. “What?”
“Her guard was killed and she’s been kidnapped. Leo thinks it’s Hillcrest. We need to move now.” We quickly finished gearing up and then grab the duffels of weapons we had stored at the bottom. I glanced back at Maya sleeping peacefully, before we walk out the door.
We met with the captain before we left and he assured us that he and the staff would guard Maya and Luke with their lives. “The boat is ready for you,” Captain Taverish said.
Five minutes later our captain for the small speed boat was hauling ass toward the northwest shore of Lake White Buffalo. Halfway toward the shore, the sound of a helicopter alerted us to Leo coming up from the south. As he passed us, a bright spotlight briefly illuminated our boat before they sped towards the rendezvous point.
Our boat slowed, the air heavy as we approached the shore. The small fishing boat was soon secured to a private dock and we climbed off quickly. We jogged toward the waiting chopper, still running. Leo opened the hatch as ran up and we quickly jumped inside. He barely had the door closed again, before he was instructing the pilot to take off.
It took the three of us a few minutes to get strapped in and headsets on. Once we were able to talk, Leo filled us in on his sister. “Her guard was supposed to check in at ten. When he didn’t check in, I reached out to my men in the city. They went to her dorm and found the guard dead and Alessia gone. We don’t know the timeline. My guys are pulling the security footage now. Last check in was at noon.”
“Fucking hell,” I swore. “That’s a big ass window.”
“Like I said, my guys are pulling security footage on the dorm now. We should know something soon. In the meantime, my guys are in position and ready to roll.”
“Good. My guys are with the Irish at a warehouse on the west side. We’re going to meet them there. You have issues working with The Irish Outfit?” Marcos asked.
Leo shook his head. “They’re buying my coke, aren’t they?” he deadpanned.
Marcos grunted.
Marcos
Thirty minutes later, the helicopter landed on top of a high-rise right on Michigan Avenue. I assumed it was Leo’s building. We climbed out of the chopper and onto the roof. I ignored the height and the wind, following Seratelli toward the metal door. One of his guys in a suit held it open for us while we all stomped inside.
The noise difference inside was jarring as we rushed down a set of concrete stairs. Leo threw open a heavy metal door, and I followed, leading my brothers through a marble tiled hall as Leo lead the way through what I assume was his penthouse.
I didn’t look around much at the modern space as we beelined for an elevator in the foyer of his open-concept living space.
Leo glanced over his shoulder as if to check that we were still there, then pushed the button on the elevator, which opened immediately. Down to the underground garage we went. “Give my driver the address for the Irish,” Leo ordered as we climbed into the waiting black suburban.
I pulled out my phone and rattled off the address as my brothers climbed in besides me. Nico tossed our duffle in the back of the vehicle and we were off, tires pealing as the driver hastily drove away.
I texted the Psychos’ group chat.
Marcos:
10 min out
The driver made it to the west side warehouse in six minutes. I quickly climbed out of the vehicle and headed for the entrance of the warehouse. Leo was ahead of me, just as in a hurry.
Near the door, Leo hung back and let me take the lead. I was walking into a room filled with my men and The Irish Outfit. Leo and Ronan hadn’t been introduced yet; I would have to do that quickly.
Axel was on the door with Kierney when we walked up. “Pres.” Axel nodded.
I nodded back and glanced at Kierney. “We’re ready,” he said.
“Good.”
Kierney turned and led the way into the warehouse.
Inside, both crews were waiting. Ronan Tiernan looked up from where he was packing ammo at a table in the middle of the room. “Marcos, welcome,” he greeted, his brogue thick.
“Ronan, this is Leonardo Seratelli, he’s here to help.” I keep all information about his sister being missing to myself. Leo could share that if he wanted to. “Leo, Ronan Tiernan.”
Both men shook hands.
“Thanks for the coke.” Ronan grinned.
