We descend to the basement as we discuss our plan of attack. There’s a locker down there, with weapons and other things stocked in the cold space. We’re all tense as we prepare, our minds on the task ahead. We aren’t stupid. We know what we might face when we go. We know the resistance we’ll meet.
“Call in Jamie,” Lachlan says, tightening his belt and the holster at his hip. “We’ll need him.”
He’s not wrong.
As much as I don’t want to involve more people, we could use Jamie. I dial his number without looking and stand in front of a polished black metal cabinet, waiting.
I can see myself in the metal. My reflection is dull but there, a tall, rigid figure. I look ready. I feel ready.
I may have never expected this to happen, but I knew it was a possibility. It always is. The world I’ve lived in has never been safe, never been easy. I’ve been taught to embrace violence when necessary since the day I was born.
We might be facing the end of everything, but if we don’t stand for our family, then our empire is worthless anyway.
Jamie answers after the second ring. “Aiden.”
“Jamie. I have something to ask of you. I cannot tell you to do this. It’s a choice.”
There’s a moment of silence before he asks, “What is it?”
“Dmitri’s taken Rose. We’re going to get her back.”
“He took her?” Jamie’s voice is low, shaking almost imperceptibly. “That fucking bastard, that spineless piece of shit threatened your wife? No. We go now. I’ll meet you there.”
“I appreciate it, Jamie. I’ll see you soon.”
I know what he must be thinking about. He lost his wife too. The thought of this must make him livid. He knows what the loss feels like. He knows how underhanded, how weak it is to attack a woman purely as a power play. It’s the most cowardly thing Dmitri could have done.
He could have faced us with dignity, with strength. Instead, he chose to kidnap my wife.
He’ll pay for it.
I’m going to bring Rose back, and I’m going to fucking kill Dmitri.
“You’re closer,” Connor says.
I come back to reality and realize he’s standing next to me, adjusting the holster he’s wearing across his torso.
“What?”
“You and Rose. You’re closer now.”
“What do you mean?” I pull the cabinet before me open, the doors swinging open wildly before I grab them and stop them, then begin rooting around inside for more ammo.
“We all knew how you felt about her in high school,” Connor clarifies. “But when she came back… at first, it was all about Antonio.”
“Of course it was. We thought he was our father’s killer then.”
“Nah. This change between you happened before you knew the truth.”
“Did it?”
“Don’t be obtuse,” Connor says, shaking his head. Then his expression turns serious. “You love her, don’t you?”
I shut my eyes for a moment. I think back to this morning, when everything was better—not fine by any stretch of the word, but good. Rose was safe. She was in my bed, sleeping, perfect.
“Yes. Fuck, yes, I love her.”
“Good.” Connor crosses his arms and leans against a table pushed up to the wall. “If you hadn’t realized it by now, we would have needed to have a longer talk before we went off like this.”
