Gone - Anna Brooks Page 0,71
length. “I understand you’re frustrated, but I really need to go. Let me figure this out, and then instead of us both confused and guessing, we’ll know for sure. Then you can scream and cry all you want about it, okay?”
“Fine.”
I gently push her back down in the seat. “Now, what do you want to eat?”
“I don’t know. I’ll figure it out. Just go so you can come back.”
Swooping down, I capture her mouth and taste her once more. “Love you.”
“I love you too.”
“Obviously, Brody’s staying with you until I get back.” I tuck her hair behind her ear and cup her jaw. “Soon, it shouldn’t take too long.”
“Please be careful.”
I brush my thumb across her lips. “I will be.”
“Damien… I don’t, are you sure you can’t just leave this up to the cops? I gave them my statement. That’s their job.”
“Maybe so, but my job, all of us at Royal, our job is to protect our family. You’re family in more ways than one. This shit isn’t gonna slide, and it needs to be spread far and wide that if anyone thinks to fuck with one of us, there are consequences. We may follow the rules most of the time, but when we need to, those motherfuckers are broken without question.”
She bites the inside of her cheek. “I understand, but let it be known that I’d rather have the cops deal with this.”
“Your feelings are noted, baby. They’re just not taken into consideration.”
Her jaw drops, and I press it back up with my pinky. “That’s so messed up.”
“It’s the truth. Now, I’ve gotta go. Don’t give Brody a hard time when I’m gone.” I nibble the hypersensitive skin on her neck before I blow on it, then slide my lips to her ear. “Or do. It’s been a while since I’ve spanked that ass.” She gasps as I bite the shell of her ear. “Love you, Iz.”
She pulls back, and I’m pleased to see her cheeks are flushed. “I love you too. Please be careful.”
The guys have all rallied around, not only because Izzy is Gio’s sister, but also because she’s my woman. Of course that came as a shock to everyone when they found out, but wisely, nobody gave me any shit about it, not when we’re dealing with an attempted murder.
I lift my chin at Brody on my way out, confident that he’ll protect her if need be. I’d trust any of the guys at Royal with Izzy’s life. Just as they’d trust me the same.
Since it’s on the way, I drop my car at Royal and hop into the SUV. We’ve already got a plan, so no briefing is needed. The drive to my brother’s is quick, and Gio and I hop down while the others will position outside.
“Let’s go.” Leading the way, I kick open the front door, and we walk right through.
“What in the hell…?” Jordan rushes out of the kitchen and slides in his socks on the wood floor.
Wasting no time, I rush to him and fist his polo shirt and slam him against the wall, where his back collides with a picture frame. He screams out, but I don’t budge. “I’ll ask one time, and if I find out you’re lying, I can promise you when I’m through with you, you’ll wish you were dead. But then I’ll hand you over to her brother who will finally end your pathetic life, but not before you beg for mercy. You cut the brake lines on my woman’s car?”
“What? No.”
“You sure about that?”
“I don’t even know wh-what you’re talking about.”
I press him deeper and lift him so his toes barely touch. “Yesterday, someone cut the brake line to Izzy’s car. Do you know the kind of person who would do something like that? Maybe someone who just cornered her and threatened her.”
He vigorously shakes his head. “I didn’t do it.”
“You tellin’ me she’s a liar?”
“I cornered her, yes. But I didn’t cut her brake line. I’d never do something like that.”
I believe him, but I’m enjoying the fuck out of scaring the piss out of him right now.
“Let him go, Damien. He couldn’t have done it. He was with me last night.”
I drop my brother and turn to Laila. “Why the fuck would I believe you?”
“Because we were checked into the hotel and stayed the night because of a charity dinner.”
“Yeah?”
She puts her hands on her hips. “Yeah.”
“I’m gonna confirm that. And I won’t just be looking at records. I’ll be watching the surveillance,