When it Raynes: Chapter 42

I pace the boundary of our territory. I can see Aces from where I’m wearing a path into the asphalt, men covering every entrance and patrolling the streets.

Without walking straight into rapid fire, I have no idea what the fuck we’re going to do, but we have to do something soon. I can’t stand being away from Emerson, not when I know how much danger she’s in. Her fear is potent in the air, making each breath harder to drag in than the last.

I would have gone in alone if Tommy and Storm didn’t hold me back when I tried. It would be like walking into a war zone on my own. I was no good to Emerson dead, and ever since I’ve been pacing back and forth.

“All the streets around Aces are crawling with Russo men,” Everett tells me.

I close my eyes and breathe through the blinding rage settling over me. “If you tell me we can’t get her out—”

“That’s not what I’m telling you. I’m just giving you the facts. He’s got the place locked up tight, so our options are limited.”

I nod. “Please tell me you’re telling me this because you have a way in.” I rub my hand over my face. It’s been too long. Russo has had her for way longer than I’m comfortable with. We watched as they dragged her in kicking and screaming like the fighter she is. But since then, everything’s been quiet.

“Of course I have a way in.” His cocky grin only makes me want to punch him, but if he has a way to get my girl back, I can deal with him being a bit of a dick. “We’re going in the front door.”

The three of us stare at him like he’s sprouting a second head. “That seems like a one-way trip to meet the devil himself,” Tommy groans. Coming from the crazy fuck he is has to tell us how bad an idea this is.

“They expect us to sneak in. We could go through the sewers but I would put money on them having men down there expecting that move. We could take the roof, but how do you propose we get Emerson out if she’s hurt? They also have men on every rooftop. I had Steve fly the drone over to check the options. The only way they aren’t expecting is the front door, and that’s the way I propose we do it.”

Storm sighs. “And how exactly do you propose we make it to the front door?”

“As we speak, we have men going in the back of all these buildings.” He motions to the building on either side of the road. “And taking them out. At that point, we will have snipers on all the rooftops around the club and can pick anyone off who takes aim as we walk in the front door.”

If I thought we could run our businesses without him, I would probably kill him on the spot, but alas, he is probably more integral than even Storm or me. “And when we get into the building?”

Tommy steps forward, his favorite knife in hand has he runs the tip of the blade along his bare arms. When I first met him, I thought it was weird as fuck, but I now see it for what it is. A coping mechanism. “I have a man on the inside. I got him in when we first figured out where they were taking Emerson, and he’s been hiding out. From the last update I got from him, he’s taken out three of Russo’s guys already. So we’ll have an extra man when we go in.”

I look at Storm. “Everyone gets a raise after this shit.”

He chuckles. “Agreed.”

“You should stay out here. If everything goes pear shaped we need someone to run the company, and you know there’s no way in hell I’m not going in for my woman.”

“No way.” Storm shakes his head. “There’s no way I’m sitting on my hands out here while you fuckers get to have all the fun. Plus, we have a succession plan for a reason. The moment my heart stops, Wynter takes over. She’s more than capable of running the legitimate side of things, and she knows who to contact to help with the other side.”

The sound of our sister’s name makes Everett’s entire body stiffen and if I had more time, I would remind him of all the reasons he walked away. But I don’t have more time. I have no time at all because my woman, my sweet girl, is in there with the fucking wolves and I have to get her out before they tear her apart.