man.”
“They’d be guessing who took him, nothing more. Gio. We left nothing behind to identify us. You know better than anyone it’s not money I want. It is time to avenge my son’s death.”
Disgusted, Gio turned away. His gut roiled, and he never bet against his instincts. They were about to embark on a road from which they couldn’t return.
Ricca couldn’t see another way through his pain and need for revenge. Gio had to find a way to break through his cousin’s blind rage before he killed an innocent.
Ricca’s blank stare didn’t conceal his manic need for retribution. Over the years, Gio had thought his cousin had found a way to deal with the grief of losing his son by exacting an exorbitant amount out of the Dark Disciples. When the negotiations continued for years, he’d given up, deciding the death of someone Zeus cared about would remove the torment.
They’d agreed Benito had been a loose cannon, causing the deaths of many over slight offenses. He’d killed for the sake of killing, not to advance the goals of the Mob. For Gio and others in the family, Benito’s death had brought peace and an odd sense of closure.
“You can exact revenge by doing the only thing that will cut the MC off at its knees.”
Ricca’s brow raised, showing enough interest for Gio to continue.
“We destroy them from the inside. The club’s downfall will provide years of retribution instead of short satisfaction from the quick death of his son.”
“What you propose could take years.”
“It’s already been six years, Sal. What will a few more matter if we destroy your enemy?”
Shifting, Ricca looked at Brady, seeing the bruised and battered body, admiring the boy’s grit in the face of certain death. He hadn’t screamed or raged the way Benito had when life didn’t go his way. Brady had born his suffering as a grown man. Ricca had to respect such a person.
“Perhaps you are right, Gio. My mind is clouded. The boy’s death will accomplish little, while destroying Zeus and his MC will provide a great deal of satisfaction.”
Gio hid his immense relief, knowing his cousin hated any form of gloating. “Then we must move quickly. We will discuss details later. For now, we gather anything that could tie us to the crash and kidnapping. Brady will be left here. Once we are far away, his mother and sister will receive instructions to find him. I will destroy the pictures. No one will be able to place us with Brady.”
“I told him my name.”
“You threaten him with harm to his family if he discloses your identify. If he does tell, it will be his word against yours. I will back you up, and so will your men.”
Long moments passed, Ricca debating the right move before giving his cousin an affirmative nod. “We will do it your way, Gio. Taking down Zeus and the Dark Disciples will be my great pleasure.”
Ghost led one team, Rock the other as they watched the nondescript stucco home east of Liberty Lake. Wrath hadn’t notified Ethan or Geoff of the existence of several trackers, deciding his men could move in faster and with more stealth than the deputies or officers. He’d deal with their anger later.
Gunner and Chaos had wanted to join them. Wrath had cut off those thoughts, deciding their presence with the family could provide comfort to Teri and Katrina if the Brethren didn’t find Brady. Or worse, discovered a body.
Wrath sat in a van a block away, Raider by his side, adjusting his earpiece before talking. “Any activity?”
“Negative, Prez.” Ghost motioned to his three-man unit to be ready.
“Negative on my side,” Rock responded, glancing at the men positioned with him.
“No cars, no movement,” Ghost reported. “We know the house doesn’t have a basement. From where we are, there’s no sign of life.”
Rock continued to watch through binoculars. “Affirmative from my position. No activity. Raider, is it possible they discovered the tracking devices and moved him?”
“Possible. Not probable. Two are still showing active inside the house.”
“Time to do this. On my go, gentlemen. Three…two…one. Go! Go! Go!”
Both units moved in, rushing to the sides of the house, entering without resistance. The men checked each room before Ghost’s voice came through the comms.
“Clear and secure, Prez. Brady is inside. I repeat. Target is inside and alive.”
“Any sign of Ricca?”
“Negative. The place has been cleared. How are you outside?” Ghost asked, wanting to know if they could bring Brady outside without being seen.
“The road is clear,” Raider