since college. He knew Lukus needed to keep a tight control right now to keep himself from losing it by thinking about the horrible things that could happen to the people he loved.
Within a few seconds, Aiden's voice came on the joint call. "Hey, what's up?"
Lukus answered. "Shit went down out here and we raided the warehouse with the authorities. They are shut down, but... the fucker got away. He's out there, and he's coming for the girls. I know it."
Aiden was a hothead, so his calm response surprised Markus. "We don't know that. He's on the run, yes, but if he's smart, his priority is getting out of the country right now."
Lukus countered, "This is personal with Davenport. Trust me. He wants to get even with Markus and me. He wants to hurt our women. It's time to make this official. I want the CPD on alert. I want you guys staking out the loft. I want—"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You want. I get it," Aiden said.
"Don't be an asshole. I didn't have to call you, you know. I have other contacts at the CPD."
Aiden chuckled. "Yeah, so I've heard. Word has gotten around that my sister is engaged to you. I've had cops congratulating me all fucking week at having you 'in the family'—assholes."
Lukus chuckled, lightening the heavy mood. "See. I told you I was a good guy."
"Whatever. The only thing I care about is that you take good care of my sister and make her happy."
"I'm trying, but until I get back in town, I need your help keeping Tiff safe. Think you're up for it?"
"Listen, I've been keeping Tiff safe her whole life."
As usual, the two alpha men were devolving into a crude competition about who loved Tiffany more. Markus pulled them back to reality. "Can you two stop the pissing contest long enough to keep your eyes on what's really important here?"
He heard both men clearing their throats at the other end of the line. They got the message.
Aiden's cold response was all business. "Consider the CPD on the case. I'll call my boss now. I'll be on stakeout myself overnight. Let's talk in the morning."
Lukus replied with a simple, "Got it," just before Aiden dropped from the call. His best friend then continued on with the plan. "I'm gonna fly back tomorrow with Dylan and Hannah as soon as she's released. In the meantime, Markus..." Lukus hesitated slightly before continuing, "I need you to go the closet in my bedroom."
"It's late. Tiff and Rach are already asleep in there."
"Just go there, will ya? It's important." Impatience seeped through Lukus's tone.
"Fine." They remained silent while Markus let himself into the dark bedroom. He smiled as he noticed the women were snuggled close together, sound asleep. They'd left on a small lamp in the corner as if they might have been afraid of the dark. With Davenport on the loose, he couldn't blame them.
"Okay, I'm in your walk-in. What next?" Markus prompted his best friend.
"Go to the far right. There's a row of small cubby shelves right next to my suits. On the top shelf is a black case. Get it down."
Markus found it easily. It was heavy. He suspected what he would find when he set the case down on the nearby island in the center of the mammoth closet, now more full of Tiffany's belongings than Lukus's.
As expected, a Glock .45 caliber handgun greeted Markus when he opened the case. Boxes of ammunition were tucked in the case with the weapon.
Lukus's voice sounded far away as he let unwelcome memories invade. "You think you'll be able to use this if the occasion called for it?"
Markus picked up the gun and wrapped his palm around the unexpectedly light-feeling grip. A fierce need for vengeance coursed through his veins as he forced himself to relive listening to Jake Davenport fucking Brianna. Of the other man belting her to an orgasm; taking care of her sexual needs when he himself had been too clueless to recognize his wife's craving for submission and pain.
"Hell, yeah. I'll be able to use it when the time comes."
"Good. Get some sleep. I'll be there sometime late tomorrow to help. Until then, stay safe," Lukus said.
"Will do. You too." The call dropped.
Markus spent the next few minutes loading the weapon, making sure he felt comfortable with putting the safety on and off. He finally tucked it into the waist of his jeans at the back, pulling his black tee shirt over it to