Hero: A Bad Boy Mafia Romance (19 page)

Chapter Twenty-Three

Jason

I revved the bike hard as I left the small house, needing the burst of speed to take some of the pressure off my shaken nerves and roiling emotions. If I hadn’t been used to the wrecking feelings, I would have been worried. This was no fit state to attempt what I was about to - but I was used to my reaction to the
before
. This was how I’d reacted to every briefing and every lead we’d ever had - though, admittedly, this was a hell of a lot stronger.

But I knew that as soon as I got to Valentini’s…all those hyperactive feelings would disappear - to be replaced by an intense, controlled approach.

At least that was what I was counting on. This was a hell of a lot more personal than when I was in the army - or when I was working for Valentini. This was Lottie. Her sister.

And while I darted between cars and swung around corners at reckless speeds, there was nothing else to occupy me than those hard, difficult emotions.

Was I pissed that she hadn’t told me something this important weeks ago? Oh yes.

But that couldn’t compare to the way her grief-stricken, guilt-wracked face had made me feel…not for a moment. And - part of me wondered whether she’d been right. If I’d been chasing Xero for the past couple of weeks, would we have had the time together that we needed? All the small joys and quiet peace that we’d started enjoying…without that, would all our thoughts and plans for the future have become so important?

There was no point thinking about what might have happened, or which would have been better.

I hadn’t known. I hadn’t been looking for Xero.

And now - I was.

For Lottie, instead of despite her.

My heart felt overburdened and heavy by the sight of her in so much pain. And, as much as I tried not to let it, my own sister’s laughing, smiling face kept flickering in my mind.

I was too uncomfortably familiar with how Lottie felt now. I’d spent too long lost in that wave of despair…only for Vera, it had been too late. There was nothing I could do. I wasn’t even in the damned country.

But Leah…

My stomach twisted at the thought. I couldn’t think of it that way - it was far too dangerous. But the failure to protect my own family had eaten at me for years, and somehow, even if it wasn’t the same - this felt like my chance to put that right.

It was a terrifying thought - that I might fail again - but the chance to make things right drove me harder.

I barely even set the bike in place before storming into Valentini’s unofficial base, scattering people left and right with just the look on my face. From a brief glance around, they’d already started rudimentary preparations, but what I knew now would change everything.

To my slight relief, the moment I arrived and started talking to Valentini, everything did clear for me. No more anger, or fear, or raging emotion. Just the deadly determination to see this through and get Leah back.

Valentini didn’t take any convincing to start working up a plan to deal with both Xero and Jorge together - now that we knew the scale of this deal, it was obvious that this one blow would hit them hard enough for Valentini to clean up the rest. The one point he did argue was my focus on Leah.

“From what you’ve told me, and the info I’m starting to get in, there must be dozens of these girls. Forget it, Jason - I shouldn’t have to tell you that we need to go after Xero.”

The idea of having Xero on the ground before me was as enticing an image as it always had been - but it couldn’t compete with the thought of Lottie’s innocent sister. Refusing to listen, I shook my head curtly.

“She’s Lottie’s sister. I’m getting her out, Fabio.”

Talking to him that way put us squarely on even ground, reminded me that I didn’t work for him anymore - and I could tell he didn’t like it. I continued anyway.

“I’ve given you everything you need to make this work - all I’m asking for is enough support to work out where she is, and a guy to keep watch for me while I get her back. Besides - if you’re lucky, it might distract them for a bit—”

“And Xero?”

His tone was clipped and hard. I took a deep breath.

“We’ll coordinate and if you need me, you can call me in - but you’ve got everyone you need here. They should be able to handle it.”

I saw his eyes flicker, the surprise he couldn’t entirely contain, and I understood it - it was hard enough for me to believe what I was saying. But now that we were here, discussing it, I was suddenly more sure than I had been about anything. He held my gaze for a moment - giving me a few beats to change my mind - before grunting reluctantly.

I knew he’d come through - reaching out to me earlier had shown that well enough, and after the information Lottie had given us…he could spare me this.

“Okay. I’ll get you some guys - tell them what you need.”

Cha
pter Twenty-Four

Lottie

I lasted until deep into the night. Then I couldn’t stand it anymore.

Sitting alone, waiting, watching - checking my phone, then again…and again, even though I knew I would have heard if I’d had a message. Switching the radio on to have something to distract me from the relentless thoughts. Switching it off again in case someone came home, or my phone vibrated, and I didn’t notice. And also because - deep down - I couldn’t handle
not
focusing on those endless emotions. It didn’t seem right to do anything else.

Exhausted and wrecked from being unable to sleep and thinking about all the things I could and should be doing to help, I finally rolled out of bed. I might not be able to help Jason, but I couldn’t stay here alone any longer.

I’d been trapped in this house for far too long already, and it wasn’t like I should be worrying about that anymore - Jorge’s attention would be wrapped up in whatever they were planning for the next day.

I just needed company, and I needed to help
somehow.
I thought of my parents sitting alone at home, worried sick and with even less to trust and believe in than I had.

I hadn’t seen them in too long, and damn it - they needed someone now. Maybe even more than I did. They’d respected my request not to contact me, but realizing that I hadn’t told them
anything
beyond a vague reassurance that it would be alright had me feeling terrible. At the same time, I’d started thinking about all the information I’d pulled together about Jorge and his gang, that was hidden under my mattress at home. If tomorrow went as we hoped, then maybe that could be the last thing Valentini would need to end this for good. My heart sped up at the idea that maybe all that work
could
be used somehow.

That decided me. I couldn’t leave my parents - or that book - alone any longer.

I pulled on one of the hoodies Jason had found me, along with my old combat pants, before heading down the narrow stairway to the door. I felt a little guilty about leaving when Jason had asked me not to, but I was only going to my parents - and that shouldn’t be more dangerous than being here. I left a quick note in case he came back here without messaging me first, and then slipped out the door.

I hadn’t quite anticipated how long that quiet walk would be, and the dead of night spooked me a little, but finally getting out and doing something was its own reassurance. The night air felt cloying and close, but it wasn’t as bad as the house had been, and the thought of seeing my parents again was already lifting my spirits.

It would be alright. We’d get Leah back. I had to trust Jason on that - and I needed to give my parents the same hope.

I dropped them a quick message that I was coming, and wasn’t surprised by the instantaneous response - they’d had as much chance of sleeping tonight as I did, it seemed.

The walk was uneventful, reassuring me even more about my decision to leave, and by the time I arrived I could see the lights of the house were on and my mother already had a cup of chamomile tea waiting. It was her go-to for any stressful situation, and just the scent of it relaxed me a little. I was home.

They looked as worn as I felt, and I was grateful that they didn’t badger me with questions as we sat down in the kitchen. Instead, my father just squeezed my shoulder, and I hurt to see the frustration in his eyes. He was a military man and his life had always been about action - not being able to do anything was as difficult for him as it was for me.

“It’s good to see you again, Lottie. We’ve missed you.”

I nodded, not feeling able to smile, but welcoming the quick embrace they’d both given me as I tried to get my head together.

I sipped my tea in silence for a few minutes as I tried to work out what to say, but my father spoke first.

“Lottie…we’ve always let you keep your secrets. And I have a good idea why you didn’t want to discuss it, but now—we have to know if there’s anything you could tell us that could help Leah. Anything that we could do.”

My hands covered his - and then my mother’s - in an instant, as I met the eyes that reflected my own deep-seated fear. I shook my head.

“There’s no reason not to tell you anymore. I wanted to-to protect you, but…fuck.”

For once, my mother didn’t even bat an eye at my language, and I tried to clear my head, breathing deeply.

“I’ll tell you. Everything.”

And so I did. I meant what I’d said - I’d kept things hidden to protect them, to make sure there was nothing they knew that others might want. But if tomorrow worked out how we wanted it to, we didn’t need to worry about that anymore. I was always going to tell them after that.

So for the first time, I told them everything. It all came out - Jorge, Alfonso, the 55th Streeters, Jason and Valentini. Jason. I couldn’t deny the way I felt about him, and the truth is I didn’t even want to. I’d wanted to tell them about him and share how happy he made me for so long, and even with the news about Leah hanging over us, I could see how pleased they were for me - despite their initial caution over what he did and how we’d met. I didn’t mind that, either - they’d always let me make my own choices, and they respected how I felt about him. And when I finally mentioned his efforts now to find Leah, that initial wariness shifted into the hints of relief and hope that had sustained me this far.

“If you know where and when, I can join them.”

My Dad’s expression was fierce and I knew how much he wanted to get Leah back - but whatever it might do to his pride, I couldn’t let him. He was in no condition to be fighting in the streets - no more than I was, and with that leg…

He saw the answer on my face and cursed, expression twisting with frustration.

“It will be alright, Vince. Better not to disrupt whatever they have planned. We just have to trust…that it will be alright.”

My parents - who’d always been so positive - were struggling now, I could tell. And it ate at me. The guilt that I’d fought so hard with was still a shadow at the edges of my mind, and seeing my parents broke me again.

“I’m sorry. Oh, god, I’m so sorry. If I’d have known…”

My father interrupted me, with a strength that echoed Jason’s hours before.

“It’s not your fault, Lottie. None of this is down to you. Just the misbegotten bastards that think they own these streets. I hope to god that after tomorrow, if what you say is right…”

I nodded and clung to that. If Jason and Valentini finished it tonight, then after tomorrow everything would change. We would have our home back, and so many people would stop living in fear. It would give meaning to everything I’d done.

I sighed deeply as we settled back to wait, sipping tea quietly. It was hard to say much when our minds lingered with thoughts of Leah, of Jason and everything that would soon be happening, but it was obvious the company helped anyway.

The kitchen door opened a while later and I burst up, heart looking for Jason even as I wondered how on earth he knew to find me here, and so soon—

Instead I came face to face with Alfonso’s cold, sinister expression. His mouth turned up in a malevolent smile.

“Welcome home, Lottie.”

Chapter Twenty-Five

Jason

Morning broke, but adrenaline kept my body and mind awake and aware, and I had barely noticed the long night passing as we went over plans again and again. Despite his initial reluctance, Valentini had seized on a way of working my search for Leah into his overall approach.

We’d narrowed down the likely places to a few options, and with Valentini’s men out looking for more information, we were hashing out details while waiting on that. Every moment longer had me worried for what might be happening to her, but I had to believe they were focused on transporting them the hell out of here first. Unless Jorge knew who she was…

I didn’t let myself think that way.

“Got it, boss.”

One of Valentini’s guys rushed in, looking between us as he finally gave me the words I’d waited to hear.

“They’re being held close to the place you gave us for the drop - Whiskey Island - there’s a maze of connected buildings and warehouses that got burnt out in a fire a while back, with a lot of the exterior still intact. I’ve got good info they’re in there - and my source even managed to narrow down your girl to a specific room. We’re in luck too - it’s the back of the block, with a locked off entrance that you can probably slip into and easy access down the corridor to the outside.”

Relief swept through me. I couldn’t have asked for a much better set-up. It was hard to believe he’d managed to find so much information.

“You’re sure?”

“Yep, my guy managed to overhear a couple of them talking about where they were keeping your girl Lottie—”

“Leah”

I interrupted, frowning at the slip.

“What?”

“Leah. Her name’s Leah. She’s Lottie’s sister.”

My previous relief soured in my stomach as I watched his face change, hesitate.

“Um, no. Sorry. I thought we were looking for a girl called Lottie?”

I had no idea how he’d managed to get that wrong - maybe some miscommunication over calling her
Lottie’s sister
too much - but my focus tilted as I tried to process this, replaying everything he’d just said.

“I’m sorry, boss - I’ll go back and ask again, but at least we have the place and layout—”

I stepped forward.

“Lottie’s there?”

My voice was deadly quiet, and I could feel Valentini tensing behind me. The man in front shifted, suddenly uneasy.

“Um, yes. There’s a girl called Lottie held exactly where I said, anyway.”

Maybe it’s someone else. Maybe…

“The guys there were talking about her? Why?”

He shrugged, still watching me warily.

“I don’t know - apparently they seemed to know her.”

The last hope I had plummeted. They would know my Lottie.

Fuck. What the hell did you do, Lottie?! I told you to stay safe at home!

But the questions vanished in the intense focus that came over me again. I swung to face Valentini.

“I’m going now.”

His expression was twisted up in annoyance and he shook his head sharply.

“Wait - we have to know where Xero and Jorge are first. This doesn’t work if we can’t hit at the same time, I’ve told you that, and they’re not likely to show until the deal tonight.”

I ground my teeth - we’d had this conversation already. I’d told him I was going as soon as I got the intel, and now that it was Lottie as well…nothing was going to stop me.

“I’ll try not to do anything to alert them.”

It was a piss-poor concession, I knew that, and Valentini’s eyes flared with irritation.

“Ah, boss - they’re there too. My source said they were coming down to…erm…inspect the…well, you know.”

The guy was obviously awkward as he interrupted our argument, but I could have hugged him. The fact that Valentini’s guys were so uncomfortable with what Jorge was doing made me feel better too. They might be bastards in some ways, but if I’d ever got wind of this kind of thing while I was working for him, I would have been out of there faster than I could blink - whatever support in finding Xero they might have offered.

“Okay, problem solved.”

I nodded at Valentini and grabbed up my leather jacket, checking I had everything I needed before heading for the door. He intercepted me there and with the need to get to Lottie driving me forward, I could have shoved him out of my way - but instead he clapped my back, the silent support overriding his earlier harsh words.

“Take Jackson. We’ll hit as soon as we know you’re out, or see you in trouble.”

I looked back at the man who’d come running in, realizing for the first time that I hadn’t even asked his name.

Nodding in appreciation, I gestured for him to follow me and walked out - I had what I needed now, and there was no more time for talking.