something to do with this, he was positive. Was Brinkmann in on it?
They could be on to Spencer.
He yanked out his phone and punched in Spencer’s number. It went straight to voicemail, which mean Spencer had already started the mission.
Leaving a message that included only the facts was the hardest thing he’d ever had to do, but bringing his emotions into this wasn’t going to do a damned bit of good.
“Watch your six,” he finished and hung up.
With shaking hands, Liam dialed Ryan. “Whoever is behind the money racketeering may have leverage to bring down Spencer.”
“What’s going on?”
He told Ryan about the CPS showing up and taking Wesley.
“I have a bad feeling about this.”
“Does Spencer know Wesley was picked up?” Ryan asked.
“I left a message but he won’t get it in time.”
“I’ll start the process of getting Wesley back. Any idea where they took him?”
“Call Maddox. The whole thing stinks. I’m calling in a favor.”
“Okay, I’ll call you back.”
Liam hung up and stood, turning to the wide window in his office.
These guys wanted to play hardball?
Fine. They weren’t going to fucking win.
They really didn’t know just how much power he had at his disposal.
That was their mistake, but they’d learn very quickly.
Liam lifted the phone and dialed a number he only used as a last resort.
“Rhine residence.”
“Yes, I need to speak with General Rhine.”
“May I tell him who’s calling?”
“Colonel Liam Cobalt.”
“Please hold.”
“Liam? What’s the matter?” Luke asked.
“I have a problem,” he rasped, bypassing the use of the man’s title.
“What do you need?” Luke growled.
Spencer
“Thanks, Doc.” He hung up the phone. It seemed that his mother’s boyfriend was going to be okay. While Spencer didn’t like the guy, he didn’t wish him dead.
He drummed his fingers on the wheel. Wesley was taking their mother’s death rather well. He had caught his brother just before he left Liam’s house.
“You going to be okay?”
“Yeah, Spencer. I have you. That’s all I’ve ever really wanted,” Wesley had said and Spencer had pulled the boy into his arms. It was a good god damned thing he’d listed Liam as an emergency contact last month. If, and that was a big if, anything ever happened to him, then he knew without a doubt that Liam would take care of Wesley.
He pulled a hand down his face. What the fuck was he afraid of? Being happy? He sighed and dropped his hand just as a car pulled down the alley toward him. The headlights burned brightly into his face.
Snatching up the bag in the passenger seat, he stepped out of his car.
Mayer parked and got out with two other men.
“Here’s the money you requested.” He handed the bag to Mayer.
The two men with Mayer were carrying, but at least the weapons were in their holsters.
Mayer sneered and opened the bag, his eyes gleaming at the amount of cash.
“I’ll be in touch,” Mayer said and turned toward his car.
Spencer stayed where he was. When Mayer realized he wasn’t going to move his car, Mayer shoved his own car in reverse and backed up down the alley.
Mayer reached the end of the alley before Zane pulled up and blocked Mayer’s exit with a large black SUV.
Isaac and Zane jumped out wearing black clothing and masks. Zane broke the glass on the driver side just as shots rang out.
Spencer sprang into action and ran toward them.
“Hey! Stop!” he yelled as planned. The idea was to stop the robbery in progress. He pulled his weapon as he drew near.
Mayer was out of the car swinging at Isaac. One perp got out and went for Zane.
The last of the three men darted out of the car with the money bag.
Zane knocked out the perp he was fighting just as Mayer pulled a gun on Isaac. Before Spencer could reach them, Isaac disarmed Mayer.
But the fucker pulled a knife and jabbed it into Isaac’s side. Isaac gasped and fell back, Mayer advanced. The crazy motherfucker grabbed Isaac by the hair and aimed the knife at Isaac’s throat.
“Fuck!” he shouted.
Zane spun and put a bullet in Mayer. The man toppled backwards, dead, to the ground.
Shit!
Spencer shot his weapon up in the air and just as planned, Zane ducked.
Spencer reached the side of the car and found Zane sitting on the asphalt near the car’s rear tires holding Isaac’s limp body in his arms.
“No, fucking no,” Zane begged Isaac to wake up. Pressing his hands into Isaac’s side, blood seeped through his fingers.
Spencer couldn’t think for a split second, but then Zane gazed up at