Page 25 of Rattlin' Bones
I might have stopped seeing Lacey, but I never went far. The last night we were together, I installed an app that allowed me to track her phone location. I’d kept tabs on her, watching her routine, and made sure she was safe. Until I came back.
In the last couple of weeks, I rarely checked the app, and now that was a fucking problem because I didn’t know about her helping the police or working at a strip club. And now my home had been invaded.
We’d been followed. Or maybe Luis Diego already knew where I lived and waited for me to bring Lacey here. It didn’t matter.
Breaking into my house was a death sentence.
The guy with the flashlight never heard me approach. I stored my gun in my belt and crept forward, wrapping my arm around his neck, and pushed on his carotid artery hard, knocking him out fast. He hit the ground, and I followed. Hoping the small thud didn’t bring the others running.
I made quick work of subduing him, hoping I could question him at the clubhouse. Manic and Creature would enjoy that. Deciding I couldn’t leave him out in the open for the others to find, I dragged him into a closet and shut the door. He was already regaining consciousness, but he wouldn’t be able to do more than struggle against the zip ties and the thick tape I placed over his mouth. I’d come back for him.
Moving through my silent house, I carefully hunted the other two intruders. They weren’t on the second floor, which meant I had to sneak downstairs. Gunfire alerted me to their location as I ran toward my office.
Lacey!
Two men opened fire on the bookcase, and I pulled out one of my guns, tapping the trigger twice in quick succession. Steady. Controlled. Perfectly aimed. Two matching bullets in two foreheads.Lights out, motherfuckers!
With no threats remaining, I opened the bookcase and swung it wide, hollering for Lacey.Fuck, please don’t let her be hurt.
“Skel!” Her frightened cry had me ducking down and rushing inside the panic room, relieved to find her on the ground and uninjured.
“You were so fucking brave, Baby. Come here.”
She launched into my arms as I held her against me, keeping my eye on the monitors in case of more trouble.
“Shhh,” I soothed. “You’re safe. I’ve got you, Lacey.”
It took twenty minutes to calm her down enough for me to make a call. I dialed Maddog’s number.
“Skel. What’s up?”
“I need a cleaner.”
“Shit. What the fuck happened?”
I explained the situation, pressing the end button after he promised to send Creature. I’d have help taking care of thebodies and cleaning up the mess. From men I trusted, which was crucial.
Lacey couldn’t stay here. My place was compromised. She wasn’t safe anywhere but the clubhouse or home with her dad. I knew she’d choose me, but she needed to fill her father in on everything happening.
I had to take her home.
The judge was in danger, and so was his daughter.
“Who were those men?” she asked, fighting back tears as I sank onto the couch, holding her in my lap.
“Diego’s men. I’m sure of it.”
“It’s been years. Why come after me now?”
“I don’t know, but you need to tell me everything, Lacey. I can’t protect you if I don’t know what the fuck is going down.”
She sighed. “I know.”
“Then speak up, Baby. Let me help you.” I didn’t tell her that I was taking her home yet.
She didn’t ask about the men who’d been firing at her, and that worried me. Her body trembled as I held her tighter.
Don’t fall apart on me now, Sweet Girl.