Page 43 of Lawless

Yamamoto nodded in understanding. "Glad to see someone's arranged marriage is going well," he said bitterly.

Pharrell laughed loudly. "It helps that we both like dick, and I had no plans of fucking her. No offense, Stasia."

She kissed his cheek. "None taken, sweetheart. It's been the most beneficial thing to have knowing I don't have to keep you pleased that way."

Preacher clapped his hands just as I caught the shocked expression on Ricardo's face. Clearly, he was shocked to hear the other man speak so boldly of his preference.

The sound of Preacher's clap echoed around the warehouse, drawing all attention his way. "Before this gets too off task, let's get down to business. We all have one goal in mind, correct?" Everyone in the room nodded along. "Then let's figure out strategically how to accomplish the goal so everyone on this side of the fight makes it back home."

He waved his hand to me so I could speak. I stood up, then motioned for Ricardo to come over. "This is Ricardo. He's been my... babysitter if you will. My father had him watching me for years, though it only took a few months for us to become friends. He's going to be the point of contact to help us navigate through the house. Memphis Braxton is going to hack the cameras at the compound to give us access to every angle possible. The goal is to get in and kill my father. His men are of no concern. They are loyal only to him and they will shoot to kill you the second they get wind that something is wrong."

"Which is why you will all have silencers on smaller weapons to start," Preacher adds. "Pharrell was kind enough to bring a large supply with him. Once we clear the perimeter using stealth, we'll assess if it will be guns blazingor creepingthroughas our tactic."

I chuckled at the choice of words. "Yes. As Preacher said, we'll have to assess as we go. Leaders of teams will have communication devices linked back to Memphis and Ricardo. Everyone is to follow orders to ensure no one gets hurt. Shoot. Kill. Move to the next. Does everyone understand?"

"Yes," went up around the room.

"Great. The kill will be handled by Yamamoto himself given the situation. I'm not picky about the person who gets the shot. I only need proof that the bastard is truly dead. I don't need him to come back to life and haunt my ass later."

"Not happening. I plan to tear him apart inch by inch. You'll need to rip up the floors as they'll be stained with his blood." The venom in Yamamoto's voice couldn't be misread. He was ready to exact revenge.

"Very good. Everyone will meet here again tomorrow with full teams. We'll divide and conquer from there. The compound isn't far off, so once we get started, it will be an in and out for the majority of the men. We'll have police blocked from gaining property access. And if we're lucky, Memphis can rig some type of distraction, so they don't get the call at all," I said to the group.

Yamamoto approached me, then gave a slight bow. I repeated the move, as did Preacher before he left. I loved that people addressed us both. It meant he was my partner through this. He'd be right there at my side, headed straight into the first to fight with me. To fight for me.

Just like he fought to find me.

Pharrell and Stasia were next to leave. The couple said their goodbyes, then took their men as quickly as they arrived. I know they'll keep a low profile overnight until we're ready to move in the morning.

Then that only left Ricardo, Preacher, and me. The quiet was interrupted by Ricardo's laugh.

"You know, I always wondered how your dynamic worked. From the second your father insinuated there was more between you two all those years ago, I questioned how it could be possible. Preacher was like your own personal bodyguard, not your boyfriend. But I think I get it now. He was that for you and more. He's your Daddy."

I bit my lip as I looked between the two men. My head bobbed as I confirmed the truth. "He has been for a long time. Distance never changed that."

"I can see it between you two. It works, and I'm happy you found your way back together." With that bit of support, my friend left out into the night.

Preacher turned to face me; his brow raised in question. "That was a bit different. Went better than I expected though. I think the fact that Yamamoto is so focused on his wife's transgressions helped."

"I think you're right." My mind kept looping back to my earlier thoughts about Preacher fighting alongside me. "Hey Daddy?"

"Yeah, baby?"

"You know you're going to be my second-in-command, right? Or maybe, like my co-captain? I don't know what the hell to call it," I said as I threw my hands up.

He laughed at me, then wrapped me in his arms. "Are you trying to say you want me by your side when you take over?"

"That's exactly what I'm trying to say."

"If that's what you want, then that's where I'll be. You're my husband. Where you go, I go," he told me, his expression dead serious.

I looked at my hand on his shoulder. More specifically, the ring finger of said hand.

The band glowed brightly in the light of the warehouse, it's location unmistakable to anyone who saw it. I wasn't drawing attention to our union, but I sure as fuck wouldn't hide it.

"Daddy and Dante, sitting in a tree..."

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G." He pressed his lips to mine after finishing the rhyme. It was a reminder of the easier days of our youth. It was our past and our present.