I scrub a hand over my face and try to figure out what the hell is going on.
“Do you think these guys know they’re all brothers?” Cash asks me.
I think back to the times I’ve interacted with any of them and pause.
“Is it possible they all individually know that Zodiac is their father, but don’t know they are not the lone child?” I think about how they all look at Zodiac reverently, not hesitating to do his bidding.
“I can see that. Especially if he told them to keep it hush-hush so it didn’t show favoritism. It would make them feel special and somehow safer from Zodiac’s ministrations to find out they were blood-related,” Will adds from behind me.
“They clearly don’t know Zodiac well if they think family means anything to him.”
The tablet beeps, making me stop as Baker pulls in a sharp breath.
“There was one more hit.”
He spins it around, showing a picture of Reid. I swallow around a knot in my throat as I stare at the picture, wondering why my brain didn’t make the connection straight away. It would explain why Kai’s so fucking loyal to him.
“Fuck, is that Aries?” Cash snaps.
“No, that’s not Kai.” I run my finger over his smiling face and feel my heart crack at the handsome man decked out in a full police uniform.
“That’s his brother, Jude.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Viddy, we have a huge fucking problem,” Will says when I answer my phone.
“Tell me.” I stand up and grab my jacket from the back of my chair. We’ve been working flat out to get all our ducks in a row, and with Saturday only four days away, time is fast running out.
“My guys just intercepted a cargo ship coming into the dock space you lease me. It’s full of people, and that’s not all. There is a guy here asking to see you, won’t give me his name, but he’s adamant you’ll want to see him.”
“I’m on my way, thanks, Will.” I hang up and head for the door finding Thomas outside.
“Hey, Thomas, I have to go out. Can you call Danny and Baker and get them to meet me at the docks? Ben’s downstairs, but I can’t wait as something urgent has popped up.”
“Want me to come with you, ma’am?”
“I need you to stay here and guard Echo’s. This could just be some kind of ploy to get me away from here. Lock shit down if you need to. I’ll leave everything up to you and Gary. If something feels off, clear everyone out, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am, and I’ll call the guys right now.”
I nod and make my way downstairs and out the fire exit where Ben is waiting. Thankfully, he decided to stay, knowing I wasn’t planning on being here long tonight.
I climb in the passenger seat beside him, which surprises him as I usually get in the back, but I want to be extra vigilant.
“Everything okay, V?”
“No. Will called so we need to head to the docks now. He intercepted a cargo ship coming in filled with people. Now I know it could very well be one of Kristoff’s deliveries getting waylaid and turned around or the prick thinks he can sneak in under the radar using Will’s dock space. He might know Will and I have some kind of deal, but he would have no idea we’re actually friends.”
“Okay, I’ll get us there. Where is your team?”
“Danny and Baker have guys spread out everywhere trying to get what they need. I was supposed to stay at Echo’s with Thomas, but this takes precedence, and I need him to watch over the place.”
He whistles. “Those boys will be pissed.” He’s not wrong, they take my safety very seriously, especially since what went down with Zodiac.
“I know, but my hands were tied. I’m going to call Cash in and see if he’ll come help out.”
He nods, knowing I trust the guy.
I dial his number and wait for him to pick up. “Hey gorgeous, I’m just in the middle of something.”
“Shit, never mind.”
“Wait, what’s wrong?”
“I need back up until my boys can get to me, but it’s fine. Don’t worry, I’ll figure something else out.”
“What? Hold on.” He mutters something to whoever he’s with before I hear movement, and he’s back. “Where are you?”
“Heading to the docks.”
“I’ll be there in twenty,” he replies, hanging up.