He wanted to take her body and then steal her soul. Make her think of no one else but him. Make her forget about fucking Xavier O’Brien and become his once and for all.
Crouched low, he circled Xavier’s house. That’s when he saw her bodyguard, bleeding out near the bushes. He cursed, going to his knees in the dirt so he could check the man’s pulse. It was weak, but it was there.
Leaving the man temporarily, he rose and pulled out his forty-five. Checking that it was ready to go, he continued along the house to where he was able to conceal himself behind a bush. Leaning to the left, he peeked into the window that looked into the family room next to the kitchen. What he saw made his fingers itch to pull the trigger.
Aurora sat on the edge of the couch clutching her side as a man that Marx recognized from The Den stood over her with a gun pointed at her head.
What the fuck?
Stepping closer to the glass, he carefully took in the rest of the room. He felt the muscle in his jaw tick when he saw Spinelli sitting in a chair watching Aurora like she was some kind of weird science experiment.
Moving back to lean against the house so they wouldn’t see him, he took his phone out and keyed in Xavier’s number.
“What?” the answering male barked at him. “I’ve got shit going down and I can’t deal with you right now.”
“Your man is down and Spinelli has Aurora inside your house,” Marx stated, choosing to ignore Xavier’s crassness.
“Fuck,” was roared so loudly that Marx considered pulling the phone away from his ear. “That was his fucking plan all along.”
The outburst was very uncharacteristic for Xavier O’Brien. Marx decided to keep him focused.
“Not sure Luke is going to make it if we don’t get him some assistance. How do you want me to play this?” It went against all his instincts to let another person call the shots. Marx was a leader by nature and it killed him to admit it, but Aurora wasn’t his. Xavier needed to make this decision.
“Where are they?”
“Family room. Big J is with him.” He left out the fact that he was armed and looking trigger happy.
“I knew I should have killed that fucker when I had the chance.”
“Lost opportunity,” Marx muttered. It would seem Xavier had more liabilities than he realized.
“I won’t make that mistake again.”
No. He probably wouldn’t.
Marx waited while Xavier barked out orders on his end of the line.
“We’ll be there in ten. I hate to fucking say this, but Lucien is unpredictable so hang back and see what he does. If you think you need to go in, do it. And do it hot. You hear me?” Xavier’s voice was controlled and measured, having successfully reined in his temper. But there was still a lethalness to it that came with the determination and knowledge that only men like them knew in their soul.
“I hear you,” Marx replied just as darkly.
Chapter Thirteen
Aurora
“I said do it.” Lucien’s voice was strained. It didn’t take a degree to realize he wasn’t used to people disobeying him; still, there was no way in hell I was going along with this.
“No.” I was proud of myself when my voice didn’t shake, but I lost some of my bluster when Big J shoved me down to the ground. On my hands and knees, my hair in my face, I stared at the floor panting as I tried to figure out a way to get the upper hand here.
“That wasn’t so hard was it?” I raised my head and glared at Lucien, wishing looks could kill. “Now speak into the camera. I want to hear you beg for your life.” His eyes lit when he said the word beg. He was proving to be even more demented than I imagined him to be.
Instead of doing as I was told, I continued to glare at him. With a subtle nod from Lucien, Big J took the opportunity to kick me in my stomach, forcing the wind out of my lungs. My arms collapsed beneath me and I huddled in a ball.
“I suppose this will have to do,” Lucien murmured disappointedly and a few seconds later there were two more blows delivered to my side. I couldn’t help it this time, I screamed as pain lanced through my body. Swallowing down the bile that started rising up my throat, I willed the tears that ran down my face to stop.
I was not weak.
I would not let them break me.
“Your girl is very uncooperative, Xavier. You should have trained her better.” Lucien’s words made my head shoot up. I gave him a look of pure rage and wished death on him right before he cut the video, pressing a few buttons on his phone. “There.”
Big J chuckled then and gripped my hair, forcing my face to his. His eyes were on me, but his words were directed at Lucien. “Think I could test the goods, boss? Always wanted to know what this bitch’s mouth felt like.”
“Might as well.” Lucien waved a hand dismissively in our direction, not at all bothered by the request.
Sick fuck.
Big J smirked as he set his gun down on the table next to the couch. His hands worked at his belt deftly.
My anger was renewed. I would bite his dick off before I’d allow myself to be forced to pleasure him.
I chanced a glance at Lucien and he was watching us with a lecherous grin of his own while his hand gripped the bulge in his pants. I fought throwing up again as I scurried away from the two men, my back hitting the wall.
Big J’s hand went into his pants where he gripped himself. He started to pull his dick out when a gun went off and the back door exploded in shards of glass. I screamed and covered my head instinctively.
Lucien stood abruptly and turned toward the sound at the same time Big J lunged for his gun. Seeing my opening, I used my low position and kicked him as hard as I could in the balls. The gun dropped to the floor when he hit the ground like a sack of potatoes.
Ignoring the jolt of pain in my ribs, I quickly scrambled to my feet and snagged the gun. Training it on Big J, who was still writhing and moaning on the floor, I finally looked to see who it was that shot in the backdoor.
I was only slightly disappointed when I saw it wasn’t Xavier because it was the next best thing.
Marx stood in the entryway between the kitchen and the family room with his gun aimed at Lucien’s head. I took a brief moment to say a silent thank you that he didn’t leave when I had told him to. It was the briefest of moments though, when I realized Lucien had his own gun pointed at Marx.
This situation was far from over.
“Drop your gun,” Marx demanded.
“Fuck you,” Lucien returned, not lowering his weapon.
“You aren’t very smart, keeping her here. You’re losing it in your old age.” Marx taunted him, which I found absurd since the man was crazy and was, in fact, pointing a gun at him.
“Think you’re so smart for barging in here to save the day? I heard you were soft on her, but didn’t think you were stupid,” Lucien returned.
Marx growled and cocked his gun. “You aren’t going to make it out of this one, Lucien. I always win. You should cut your losses now.”
“Want to be her hero, do you?” He laughed maniacally at the thought. “Not going to happen, Marx. If I go down, you’re going with me.”
“This is your last chance,” Marx tried again.
It all happened so fast then.
Big J must have had a gun hidden on him. Without me knowing, he drew it and aimed at me. Marx didn’t miss it, though. His arm moved to the right, his gun going off and the bullet hitting Big J, at the same time that Lucien pulled the trigger of his gun.
I watched in horror as Marx’s body jerked back, his face twisting in pain as he fell to the floor. I wanted to scream his name and run to him, but Lucien was turning toward me with a sick and demented smile. He reminded me of a rabid dog who had tasted blood and wanted more.
“Alone at last. Any final words, Miss James?” His grin was unnerving as I struggled with my composure, trying to decide what to do next.
There was no way in hell I was going to let this maniac win. I stopped pointing
my gun at Big J, and instead aimed it right at Lucien’s heart.
My daughter needed me. Just thinking about her sweet face and fierce hugs choked a sob from me. I was all she had and I wouldn’t leave her all alone in this world.
Xavier needed me as well. After what had happened to his sister and mother, I wasn’t so sure he’d recover from losing me, too. The darkness that surrounded him would win and once again dictate his life.
Both of them would be devastated if I didn’t fight—for me, for us.
I couldn’t let that happen.
That’s when I opened my mouth and calmly spoke what would be my final words.
Chapter Fourteen
Xavier
Xavier O’Brien parked in a small clearing down the road. He and Ghost silently took off through the woods toward his house. On the other side of his property, Jake and four other men were in similar positions. All of them with the command to shoot first and ask questions later.
His fury spiked when he found Spinelli’s Cadillac hidden in the trees along his neighbor’s property. Pulling out the knife from his ankle sheath, he spared a few precious moments to jab it into each tire, ensuring there would be no easy escape by his enemy.
With a nod of his head to Ghost, he continued moving covertly across the lawn and to his house. Thanks to Marx, they already knew Luke needed medical assistance, but Aurora’s status was still unknown due to the feed from the cameras in his house being cut.
When word came earlier that day that Lucien was planning on infiltrating the Den; his goal being mayhem, destruction and the addition of a new batch of girls to his stable, Xavier had put all his men on The Den. Their intel had been so good—every last detail checking out—that he never once thought Luke and Aurora would be in harm’s way. If he had, then none of this would be happening.
“Fuck,” he whispered heatedly. He was a fucking idiot for not considering Lucien was trying to throw them off his scent. If something happened to Aurora…
No, he thought. Nothing is going to happen to her. Even if it’s the last thing I do, she will pull through this.
Aurora’s pained and defiant face during Lucien’s vile video flashed in his mind. As it did every time he thought of it, a shiver of dread worked its way up his spine. Watching his worst enemy harm his beautiful, sweet Féileacán practically brought him to his knees.
The thought that she was scared and hurt was what fueled his steady and methodic movements. It would do no good to lose his composure. A poker face was necessary when dealing with the scum he encountered. Even though he was dying inside knowing Aurora was being subjected to a demented maniac, he would never show it.
No, he’d stay calm not and then take his fear and anger out on Lucien once he knew Aurora was no longer in the line of fire.
He only hoped Marx still had his pulse on the situation in the house. Xavier might hate Marx for wanting Aurora the way he did, but right then he was grateful the man’s feelings meant he would lay down his life for her. It could be the deciding factor on whether or not she walked out alive.
She will walk out alive, he told himself.
When they hit his property, Ghost motioned with his hand that he was taking the front of the house. Xavier nodded and went around the back.
Time was as slow as molasses as he worked to control his innate need to race to where Aurora was. The hand gripping his gun held a slight tremor the closer he got to the backdoor. He cursed himself and took a steadying breath, reminding himself to keep a cool head and think logically. One wrong decision on his part could mean Aurora’s life. The weight of that burden was like a lead elephant sitting on his chest.
“Shit,” he cursed lowly when he saw Luke on the ground. The man was unconscious, his breaths shallow and his pulse weak.
Xavier dug his phone out of his pocket and shot off a text to Jake who was on standby to transport Luke. The doctor Xavier kept on retainer had a low-key clinic for just these purposes. Bringing injured people to the emergency room wouldn’t do. The last thing anyone in his line of work wanted or needed was for law enforcement to get involved.
“You did good,” he whispered to Luke, though he wasn’t sure the man could actually hear him. “Hang on. We’ll get you taken care of.”
Knowing time was wasting, Xavier took the gun out of the waistband of his jeans. Squatting low, he moved stealthily toward the backdoor. He tried to remain composed, but terror surged through his body at the very idea they might be too late, for even from sixty feet away, he could see the glass shards littering the back porch.
It meant one thing.
Marx had gone in hot.
The thought had him moving faster, his legs eating up the distance between him and Aurora, as he was driven by fear unlike any he’d ever known before.
His pulse frantic and his skin clammy, he sent a silent prayer up to a God he wasn’t sure he believed existed.
Please let Aurora be okay.
“This is for Xavier’s sister.” Aurora’s voice was unmistakable as he neared the backdoor. He didn’t have time to think about what she was saying as a gunshot followed her words.
His only mission right then was finding her. Adrenaline surged through his veins as he sprinted up the back steps and into the house. His eyes were wild as he searched for the only person that mattered. When he found her huddled on the ground next to Marx’s prone body, he could barely contain his sigh of relief.
She’s alive.
It was the only thought on repeat in his brain as he took the rest of the room in quickly, trying to ascertain any remaining threats. His eyes touched upon both Lucien and Big J laid out with bullet wounds before going back to Aurora. It was only after once again reassuring himself that she was alive that he allowed himself to relax.
Aurora was mumbling something to Marx as she checked for a pulse, so intent on her task that she didn’t sense him approach. So overcome with relief, Xavier was barely able to stand as he neared her.
Lowering to his knees on the floor, he gently nudged her to the side and said, “Let me.”
“Oh, Xavier,” she breathed—a mixture of shock, relief and sadness in her voice. Tears were flowing down her face in earnest.
“It’s alright, sweetheart,” he verbally consoled her while he checked Marx over. There was no way he would let the fucker die after he helped save Aurora’s life.
Unlike Luke, Marx had a strong pulse. His eyes flicked open when Xavier used a towel Aurora got him to put pressure on his wound.
Marx’s eyes shot from Xavier’s to Aurora’s and he grumbled, “You owe me.”
“I know,” Xavier assented. “Looks like the bullet hit below your shoulder. There’s an exit wound from what I can tell. You should be fine.”
“Good to know.” Marx hissed out a breath as he propped himself up and began taking stock of his injuries.
His hand took over the task of holding the towel until Aurora cried out in relief and launched herself at him. Marx caught her with one arm and let her put her head on his good shoulder. He whispered in her ear and Aurora’s body bucked with a sob. Any other time, Xavier’s jealousy would have eaten at him. Not knowing exactly what went down in that room, he’d let them have their moment before he claimed his girl. As it was, he had a few things to tend to.
“I laid out Lucien’s lapdog, Vitali when I found him. The guys took out three more on the north side of the house. Jake’s got Luke and Doc Monroe is at his clinic waiting.” Ghost reported when he joined them. “Want me to get the guys on clean up?”
“Yeah,” he replied absently. His eyes still on Aurora.
Ghost turned to leave and Xavier stopped him. “Get everyone mobilized. I want every single remaining person who is loyal to Spinelli gone. Tonight. No excuses. Then I want the message sent out far and wide about what happened today so that no one thinks to mess with her again.”
“You got it, boss.”
With Ghost gone and things now in motion, Xavier lost his patience. He pulled Aurora u
p and into his arms. She winced in pain, but came willingly, burying her head in his neck and holding on to him for dear life.
“It’s over,” he whispered as her body was wracked with sobs. He ran his hands soothingly up and down her back and then pulled her tightly against him. He needed the contact and reassurance as much as she did. He’d kill Spinelli again if he could.
“I know,” she stuttered.
When her tears slowed, his hands cupped her face and pulled her head back so he could look at her. Using his thumbs, he wiped the tears from her cheeks before his lips descended on hers in a sweet and gentle kiss that seemed to last forever.
“Think I could get a ride to Doc’s?” Marx asked, breaking the moment.
Xavier pulled back reluctantly with one last pass of his lips across hers. He was so damn grateful that she was alive, he couldn’t even bring himself to be pissed they were interrupted.
“He’s still bleeding pretty hard,” Aurora noted when she insisted on taking better stock of Marx’s wound. “I could take him the hospital. I’d rather not stay here while we’re waiting on clean up.”
“There is no way in hell I’m letting you out of my sight.” He hooked her around her neck and drew her into his body, being careful not to hurt her again.
Marx murmured he’d meet them outside. Once his footsteps faded, Xavier studied her face.
“I want you to see the doctor too.”
“That’s a good idea.” She gingerly pressed on her ribs and grimaced. He pulled her shirt up and saw huge boot prints bruising her skin. It was all he could do to keep his emotions in check and not go out and kill someone just for the sake of it.
Keeping his focus on her was the only thing stopping him from doing something he might regret later on. “Are you okay?”
Aurora had made it through the last attack and seemed to come out stronger, but there was only so much a person could take. His mother taking her own life was a reminder of that fact. Xavier refused to let Aurora succumb to that fate. He was a selfish bastard that way.
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