My heart pounded. Was I brave enough to sneak out and go on my own? Brave enough or stupid enough? I was sure Lucien would say it was the latter.
But I had to take any chance I could to save him. That’s what he would do for me, and if he hadn’t needed to come looking for me, he wouldn’t be Damian’s prisoner right now. This was my chance to prove I wasn’t a fucking coward.
“I’ll be there.”
“I swear to you,” Jimmy said, “I’m telling the truth this time. I know you don’t have any reason to trust me. Lucien gave me a chance, and I blew it. He could’ve roughed me up or killed me. He could’ve done anything he wanted to me, but he gave me a chance to work off my debt. I should’ve taken it.”
“Yeah, you should have.” Except then, I would never have met Lucien and never fallen in love with him. My life might’ve been easier in some ways, but I wouldn’t change what had happened, even knowing who Lucien was and how dangerous it would be to be with him.
“These men don’t care about anything or anyone. No matter what they say, they’re not going to let Lucien or anyone close to him live. I know you don’t trust me, but don’t trust them either.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
That night, I dressed in dark clothing and got ready to go meet Jimmy. I waffled back-and-forth several times on whether I should try to slip out on my own or tell someone. Who would it be? Sabrina? Angelo? Devil? If I went alone and it was a trap, they’d have me and Lucien. But if it wasn’t and whoever I told denied me the right to go, Lucien might die because I didn’t take action, just like my parents. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself then.
From the first day I’d met Lucien, I’d told him I wasn’t brave enough to be with him, but when I saw that man carrying him away and realized he was unconscious and unable to fight, I’d known right then that no matter what Lucien did or who he was, I loved him, and I wanted to be with him. That meant I was going to have to be brave enough to save him. Lucien thought it had taken courage to warn him to be careful when I’d nearly been kidnapped, but I hadn’t had to take any action. This time, I had to make the choice to walk into danger, and I was going to do it.
I considered trying to find a way down directly from Lucien’s room, but I knew there were guards outside who would likely find such movement far more suspicious than my leaving by a side door. I also doubted I could manage the climb without injuring myself. I would just have to pray I didn’t run into anyone. As far as I knew, Angelo and Devil were away from home, coordinating the search for Lucien.
Lucien’s father went to bed early, but I wasn’t sure if he was able to sleep any better than I had been. I was most likely to run into Sabrina. Hopefully she was in her room.
I slipped from Lucien’s room and hurried down the hall. I paused before reaching the stairs and listened. I didn’t hear anyone moving around, so I went down the stairs quickly, thankful for the thick carpeting that muffled my steps. When I reached the ground floor, I paused again. I still didn’t hear anyone. Instead of using the front door, I headed toward the side entrance by the kitchen. I’d be closest to the garage there. I’d pocketed Lucien’s keys since walking to catch the T would be suspicious.
I made it almost to the garage before a hand clamped down on my shoulder. I jumped and turned to see Angelo scowling at me.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
Did I lie or tell the truth? The chance that Angelo would let me go out on my own was slim no matter what I said. I was going to have to convince him it was worth finding out what Jimmy knew and whether he actually had a key that could free Lucien.
“I got a call from Jimmy. He says the man he was working for was planning to kill him, but he escaped. He claims to know where Lucien is and to have a key that would free him. He asked me to meet him tonight at ten. I know he may be lying, but I have to find out, and—” Tears threatened to come, and my words became too choked for Angelo to understand.
“Why the fuck didn’t you tell me about this as soon as you found out?”
“He told me to come alone, but I was also afraid you wouldn’t believe me, and if you didn’t let me go, we’d never find Lucien, and he would die. I don’t trust Jimmy, and I swear I’ve never been working with him. I love your brother, and I would do anything to save him, no matter how dangerous.” I squeezed my eyes shut. I didn’t want to cry and didn’t want to have to beg, but I would do anything it took to find Lucien and free him.
“You’re right that I don’t want you to go, but if there’s even the slightest chance he’s telling the truth, we need that key. Tell me where to meet him.”
I shook my head. “I’m coming with you. Jimmy’s not going to trust you, and if this is real, I’m the only one he’ll talk to.”
Angelo growled. “He sure as fuck will talk to me, and he’ll give me anything he has.”
He was not going without me. “I want to help you save your brother.”
“If you get hurt and Lucien finds out it’s because I put you in danger by letting you come, my life will be the one that’s forfeit.”
“Aren’t I already in danger? Damian’s men have already come to the house, and they took Lucien. I know there are guards, and I know everyone’s trying to keep me safe, but I can’t stand this. I have to do something.”
Angelo stared at me for a few more seconds, then nodded. “Fine. But I’m driving.”
I didn’t have any problem with that. I told him where Jimmy had told me to meet him. He called Devil on the way but told him to stay put, and we’d check in soon. When we arrived, Angelo refused to make any pretense about me being there alone. He drove around the block, then checked the perimeter of the building before allowing me to get out of the car. He went in first, gun in hand, making sure we weren’t about to be ambushed every step of the way.
When he kicked open the door of the back room, Jimmy flinched and nearly fell from the chair where it looked as if he’d been sleeping. He looked even worse than I’d expected. He had a black eye and other bruising on his face. He was cradling one of his arms like it might be broken, and his breath was as wheezy as it had been on the phone. He truly was in bad shape. “You need a doctor, Jimmy.”
He shook his head. “If I go to the hospital, they’ll find me and finish me off.”
Angelo didn’t seem to have the same concerns I did. “Tell us what you know right fucking now, or I’m going to finish you off.”
“I told you to come alone, Peter.”
“I was going to, but Angelo caught me. Now tell us where Lucien is.”
Jimmy took a long, rattly breath. For a moment, I thought he might pass out before he gave us the information we needed, but in a barely audible voice, he said. “He’s in Damian’s basement. He’s got fucking cells down there. He’s a sick son of a bitch. I think he kept his wife in one for a while.”
Angelo stared at him, looking as though he didn’t believe him. “You’re saying he keeps prisoners at his house in town? Where his family lives?”
One thing I’d learned was that for most people in Lucien’s world, their family home was sacred ground. That’s where they kept those they loved under guard, and they didn’t bring their business there.
“Not in town. His… big estate.”
Angelo glanced at me. “It’s not too far from our Weston house.”
Jimmy winced as he stuffed his hand into his pocket. Angelo raised his gun, but all Jimmy pulled out was a small key. He held it out to us, and I snatched it before Angelo had the chance.
“What does it open?” Angelo demanded.
“The cell where they’re keeping Lucien. I stole it from the man who did this to me. He had it in his pocket.”
“Tell me everything else you know about who’s guarding my brother, and what their plans are.”
Jimmy’s eyes fluttered closed, and Angelo shook him. “Wake up. Goddammit.” He didn’t move.
“Is he…”
Angelo pressed his fingers to the side of Jimmy�
�s neck. “He’s still got a pulse for now.” He rose and turned toward the door. “Come on. Let’s go.”
“We’re just going to leave him?”
“He betrayed our family, and he played some part in the attack on DiGiulio’s. So yeah.”
“But he was telling the truth tonight, and he is my cousin.”
Angelo sighed and pulled out his phone as he hustled me toward the car. I heard him tell Ralph to come pick up Jimmy, take him to the ER, and make sure nobody offed him before he had a chance to recover.
“Thank you.”
“If his information is real, and we find Lucien, then he deserves that much from us.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Then he won’t need to worry about the men who already want him dead. I’ll come for him myself.”
30
Lucien
I passed out at some point while Stefan beat me. I’d tried to fight back at first, and then I just tried not to die. Apparently, I succeeded in that objective. I opened my eyes slowly. Every part of my body ached, but I seemed to be alone in my cell. I needed to get out of there quickly.
I tested the ropes again. Stefan had been too keen on hurting me to bother checking them after he was finished. My struggles had loosened them, not enough to get my hands free but close. If I could fray the rope just a little against the cinder block wall, I would be able to pull them apart enough to free myself. I’d have to find something to pick the lock or summon the strength to overpower whoever brought me food and water, assuming they were going to bother feeding me since they thought I’d be dead soon.
It seemed to take ages for me to scoot across the floor and back myself up to the wall. Every movement was agonizing, but I had to get out of there. I had to get back to my family, to Peter. I needed to make sure they were all safe. They depended on me, and I would not let them down. By the time I wore through enough rope to free myself, my hands were torn and bloody, but I ignored the pain and focused on untying the ropes around my ankles. I stood slowly, pressing my hands against the cold, rough wall as the room spun around me.
Get it together, Lucien. You can do this. I took a step away from the wall. My knees wobbled, but I managed to stay on my feet. Each step seemed a little easier. I was nearly at the door when I heard footsteps. Someone slid a key into the lock. Fuck. I was in no condition to fight, but I didn’t have a choice.
I picked up the chair Damian had sat in. It was the only thing I had to use as a weapon. Somehow, I found the strength to lift it.
The lock turned.
The door opened slowly.
I tensed, ready to strike.
A man stepped into the room.
I started to swing, then I realized who it was. I almost dropped the chair, but somehow I managed to set it down quietly so it wouldn’t alert anyone.
“Peter?”
He closed the door softly behind him. “Oh my God, Lucien. What did they do to you?”
I shook my head. “It doesn’t matter. I have to get you out of here. If they find you—”
“Angelo and Devil are here with others. They’re going to tear this place apart, but we need to get you to safety. Can you walk?”
“Stefan. He’s working for Ricci.”
“I know. I saw him take you, and then Jimmy—”
How did he see me? “You were there.” Before he could answer, I processed the rest of what he’d said. “Jimmy?”
“It’s a long story. We need to go.”
Focus. I had to focus. “I can walk, but I don’t have a weapon.”
Peter held out a gun. “Angelo sent this for you.”
“Did he give you one too?”
“Yes, but I don’t know how—”
“Point it and shoot. Aim for center mass. You just need to incapacitate someone long enough for one of the rest of us to take them out.”
I reached for the doorknob, but the room began to spin again. I’d moved too fast.
“Lucien, are you sure you’re all right?”
“I don’t have a choice, so I will be. I’ll protect you.”
“I should be protecting you. You’re hurt, and it’s my fault. I forgot my phone, and you had to look for me and—”
“When we’re all safe, I’ll beat your ass for leaving without telling me, but no matter what you did to defy me, this isn’t your fault. I was careless. Were there any guards down here when you came to the door?”
He shook his head. “Angelo staged an attack so they’d be distracted.”
“Then we need to move quickly before someone catches on.” I ignored the fact that my left ankle hurt like fuck. It was nothing compared to the pain in my side. As long as I didn’t breathe too deeply, I thought I could make it up the stairs. I had to stop once. For Peter’s sake, I pretended I was listening for anyone who might be at the top of the stairs, but my field of vision had begun to narrow. I wasn’t sure I could finish the climb without passing out. I reminded myself Peter was counting on me and pushed on. One step at a time.
When we reached the top of the stairs, I motioned for Peter to stay behind me. I had my gun ready, and I prayed I could manage to hit a target. When I opened the door, I was ready to shoot anyone I didn’t know.
There was no one there. The house was eerily quiet, but before I could determine the best way to get Peter out of there, I heard my brother shout.
Adrenaline shot through me. I grabbed Peter’s wrist, and we ran to where we could take cover and see what was happening outside.
I told Peter to stay put and inched along toward the back of the house where the voices were coming from. A few seconds later, Peter laid a hand on my back as if trying to steady me. He’d completely ignored me about staying put. I needed him to let me handle this. I needed him safe, but I didn’t have time to argue. When we got out of there, I was going to make sure he understood that when I told him not to follow me, I meant it.
I heard Damian’s voice as we got closer. “Pledge allegiance to me, and you can see your brother again.”
Fuck. He was talking to Angelo.
“Bring him to me right now, and we’ll sit down and have a talk,” Angelo said.
“This isn’t a negotiation. My men and I can kill you all now, or you can work for me.”
Anger burned through me. How dare that bastard speak to my brother like that. How dare he think he could take all we’d worked for?
“These men aren’t loyal to you,” Angelo said. “If I take you out, they’re not going to give a fuck about your family. They’re only in this to advance themselves. Bring me my fucking brother.”
They were in a large sunroom. I moved a little closer to the door and leaned out just enough to see how the men were positioned.
Damian had his back to me, and Angelo was facing him. For a second, I thought Angelo might have seen me, but I couldn’t be sure. Devil was with him along with Marco. Stefan was standing next to Damian. At least my family knew he was the traitor now. Damian’s son was missing, and so was Vinnie. Maybe Vinnie was tracking Mario down.
Angelo was right about the rest of the men I could identify. All they gave a fuck about was themselves. Their allegiance went to any person they thought most likely to win a war. We were going to show them the Marchesis were always winners, then teach them a lesson about doubting us.
It was time for Damian to die. Angelo seemed to be stalling. Was he trying to hold out until Peter freed me because he knew this was my kill? If so, I was damn glad because it would feel good to put him down.
I raised my gun. Peter gasped when I stepped out into the open, but I didn’t hesitate. I sent a bullet into the back of Damian’s head, and he dropped to the ground.
For a moment, everyone but Angelo, Devil, and Marco seemed stunned. They all stared at each other, trying to figure out what had just happened.
Stefan turned, gun ready. Before I could react, a shot exploded and red bloomed across Stefan’s chest. He fell down beside Damian. I turn to see Peter, still holding up his gu
n with shaky hands. He glanced at me. “I told you I wanted to take care of you.”
When no one else moved against us, I laid my hand over his, encouraging him to lower his gun. “You did, baby. That was perfect.”
“Th-thank you.” All the color had drained from his face. He didn’t look any more steady on his feet than I was.
I took his arm and pulled him to stand next to me. A few of Damian’s men still had their weapons out, but I didn’t think they were a serious threat now.
“This is your one chance to ask forgiveness. After tonight, consider yourself my enemy.” I gestured towards Damian and Stefan with my weapon. “You see what happens to my enemies.” One by one, the men gave in to the inevitable, kneeling and begging me to forgive them. They would be punished, but they would live.
If I hadn’t had Peter by my side, I’m not sure I could’ve stayed on my feet long enough to hear their pleas. Between the adrenaline coursing through me and the incredible strength of the man I loved, I stood there through it all, being the leader my family needed.
When everyone but my true allies had been dismissed, all I wanted to do was take Peter home, wrap myself around him, and give him the comfort I knew he needed. He’d never shot a gun before, and he sure as hell had never killed a man. I’d grown up in this life, but this wasn’t who Peter was, yet he’d done what he had to for me.
I couldn’t go home with him, though. I had to clean up this mess. We needed a story for the police, and I’d have to call my contact in homicide so things could get taken care of quickly. I was also sure Angelo and Devil wanted to know what had happened while I was Damian’s prisoner, and we needed to make sure Mario was rounded up along with anyone else who might still be following Damian’s agenda.
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