It’s Sunday, and Sophie is increasingly agitated that I’ve forbidden her from contacting her family or Ollie. I won’t compromise if it risks her safety; we still don’t know what we’re up against.
I know Sophie’s logic is sound: her explanation to Ollie was that she was going away for the weekend. So, if there’s no word from her, Ollie will freak out and involve her family and the police. The only solution I’m willing to give on is Crispin recording Sophie as if she were leaving a voicemail for Ollie and her abuela, and he’ll push it to their phones.
Sophie gave in to that idea, but not until we had our first argument that included the necessary anger-fucking and me edging her, and then the make-up sex where I made her sob from so many orgasms.
Papá’s cough wrenches my attention back to the dire situation we’re facing right now. He, Massimo, Vito, and I are in his office, along with Ash, Bane, and Army, who just arrived.
Mamma brings in a tray of biscotti, torcetti, and an orange ricotta cake roll that she and Sophie made.
I loop an arm around Sophie’s waist and wipe some flour off her chin, trying to ignore the phlegmy rattle sound in my father’s chest as he coughs again. She bites her lip, looking worried, both for Papá and for the presence of the three bikers in the office. She knows Bane and Army, but she’s wary that they’re here now with the MC’s prez.
Bane steps up to us and dips his chin. He, Ash, and the rest of the Havoc Guardians’ Council have always respected me, even though I choose not to operate in their world. He smiles at Sophie. “Sugar.”
A low growl of warning rumbles from me, and Bane chuckles. Papá coughs again, and Bane’s smile fades.
“A bad day for your father, Creed?” he asks quietly.
I nod, my mouth hard. The Havoc Guardians are our closest allies out of all the ones in the Chamber. Ash, along with all his council, knows about my father’s health concern, even though we’ve been able to keep it quiet from the others so far.
Mamma leans in and kisses Papá softly on his cheek before she heads for the door. I kiss Sophie and nudge her to follow.
Sophie glances at my mother, then back at me, and the others gathered in the room, her brow pulling tight. “You’re going to be talking about me and my situation. Don’t you think I deserve to stay?”
That is a hard no.
“I’ll update you about everything you need to know—”
Her eyes flare. “I’m not some passive, little obedient woman who’s going to sit in the corner and let all the decisions be made for her.”
“I’ll let you handle this one, Creed.” Bane rocks back on his heels before leaving us.
My jaw works, and I flex my hand on Sophie’s waist, turning her to me, but she pulls away.
“Creed.”
“Please, angel. There might be discussion about things I’d rather not bring up around you.”
The anger in her eases as she connects the dots.
Crossing over the line, even though I haven’t done anything criminal yet, is weighing on me. However, I will absolutely cross the line if needed. But I don’t need or want her to be any part of that. And the fact remains that the highest-ranking members of two powerful criminal factions are coming together, and there’s a chance criminal-world-related things will be discussed. If this didn’t have to do with Sophie, I wouldn’t be present for the discussion. But since this is about Sophie, there’s no fucking way I’m not going to be involved.
“Please, Soph.” I frame her face with my hands, tilting her head further back. “I promise you no decisions will be carried out without your knowledge.”
She stiffens. “But not with my approval?”
“We’re dealing with your father, who’s always been in the criminal walk of life.” I feel like an asshole as she blanches, and I keep my hands on her face, so she’ll keep looking at me. “We’re still figuring out what we’re dealing with and their intent. But, angel…” My eyes don’t waver from hers because she needs to understand the absolute certainty of my intent. “This isn’t about going to the police and letting them deal with this; this is about keeping you safe and removing the threat against you.”
Her eyes dart between mine. “This isn’t your world… You made a choice, Creed.”
“I know. But nothing will be allowed to stand as a threat to you. Do you understand?” She tries to look away, and I turn her face back to mine. “Sophie, I need you to tell me you understand.”
Anyone who poses a threat to her in whatever this is will be dealt with our way.
Her breathing is heavier, and her eyes have the thinnest sheen of tears, but she finally nods.
“I need you to say the words, angel.”
She rakes her teeth over her bottom lip, looking worried. “I understand, Creed.”
I lean my forehead against hers. “Good girl.”
She sags into me, wrapping her arms around my waist, and lays her head over my thudding heart.
“Go help Mamma?”
Pulling back to look up at me, she grouses, “I’m not some Suzy Homemaker for the mob, you know.”
Vito bursts out laughing, then covers his mouth with his fist. He comes closer and one-arm hugs her, pulling her away from me. “Triple S, I fucking love you already. You know that?”
She fights a smile and rolls her eyes at Vito. Then she gives me one last long look and leaves the room, closing the door behind her.
Ash leans against the wall by Papá’s desk. His hair is mussed, stubble on his face, and multiple fingers have chunky silver rings. Like Army and Bane, he wears his leather cut, jeans, and boots. You’d never suspect he’s a cunning businessman and among the city’s wealthiest men.
“I don’t know if I’m insulted, Creed,” Ash says in his gravelly voice. “You chased your sweet little thing out before I got a chance to get more than a brief introduction.”
Bane rubs his stubbled jaw, glancing at the door. “Sophie is a sweet little thing, innocent. Reminds me of Leeva.”
Army’s usually cool, aloof face darkens, and his top lip pulls back.
Bane holds up his hands. “Shit, brother. I didn’t mean to pour salt into that wound.”
I don’t know the history here. Papá shakes his head, warning that I shouldn’t press for an answer, which I’m fine with because I’m only here to talk about my woman.
I walk over to the beverage cart. Massimo joins me, side-eying me. “A bit early in the day for you.”
I pour myself a bourbon and toss it back before I refill my glass. He pours himself a vodka, then, as the gracious host, he offers the Havoc Guardians a drink. After Ash and Bane have a Jack Daniels, and Army has a scotch, I take Vito a bourbon and then stand by my father, who sits behind his desk.
“Do you need anything, Papá?”
He coughs a painful phlegmy sound and shakes his head.
“After this, you’ll go rest, yeah?” I hike my brow at him.
He gives me a hard look. Even sitting down and looking wan today, he still exudes power and demands respect. “I will rest when I deem it time to rest, mio figlio.” His face softens. “That girl’s safety comes first.”
I nod because talking isn’t possible right now. The fact that my family, especially my father, has so quickly and readily accepted Sophie as one of our own means the world to me.
Vito sits in the chair before the desk, his long legs extended out in front of him. “Jesús got me pictures of some of the Garcia Cartel members so we can get names of who we’re dealing with,” he shares this update with our allies. “Sophie ID’d two—Federico Perez who’s a sicario and he was one of the men who chased her on the campus. The other one she ID’s is Pastor Salome; a lieutenant that her father wanted her ‘to meet’ after her mother died. We’re assuming Salome is with Ortez and Perez, which is bad fucking news, because he’s ass-deep into human trafficking.”
“Paco Garcia allows that?” Ash asks about the head of the Garcia Cartel. “The skin trade isn’t something he’s gotten involved in. I actually heard he’s dead set against it.”
Vito drums his fingers on his glass. “Jesús said it’s an on-the-very-down-low side gig for Salome. Garcia isn’t aware.”
From what Vito said, Jesús is an info collector who uses the intel when it suits him. This explains how he knows about Salome’s no-no extracurricular activities but hasn’t ratted him out to the cartel boss. That type of man isn’t someone I’d like to get my hands dirty dealing with, but I’m grateful for his intel and willingness to share it with Vito in this case.
“The fact that Salome is getting involved in something his boss would boil him in oil over is telling,” Vito continues. “He has to be getting one helluva perk for being involved in the trafficking, plus he must have a rock-solid, escape plan if Garcia gets wind.”
“Sounds like he could be well connected with higher-ups in the human trafficking ring,” Ash surmises. “And they might be offering protection.”
“That’s my read,” Vito agrees.
“Assuming Ortez, Salome, and Perez are all in San Diego, do we know if this has something to do with human trafficking?” Bane asks with a frown. “Were they trying to grab Sophie for that purpose?”
“Christ, her father wins cunt of the year.” Army tosses back his scotch, and his fingers are white as he grips the glass.
“Their intention for Sophie is still unclear,” Massimo says.
“I shared with Jesús we have confirmed sightings of Ortez and Perez here; he said Salome is MIA as well and agrees he’s likely with them.“ Vito smirks. “He also shared with Paco Garcia that they’re here, in Lopez territory, and they’re marked them for death.”
None of this is news to me because I’ve been there for every step of Vito’s search for this information, but I rake a hand through my hair, wondering for the hundredth time why Ortez and the others would risk coming into Lopez territory. All we know is that the gain is worth more than the risk to them and they likely have protection in case Garcia comes for them. But having only some of the puzzle pieces is driving me insane.
Ash spins the silver ring on his thumb. “What’s the link with Manuel Morales?”
“We’re still digging into that,” Massimo says.
Papá turns to Ash. “I appreciate your interest and support in helping with Sophie. However, I feel there’s more to the MC’s presence here. Care to enlighten us?”
Ash pushes away from the wall and sits in the other chair opposite the desk. “Could never pull a fast one on you, Tommaso.” My father grunts, and Ash turns to Army. “Maybe you should explain.”
Vito, Massimo, and I exchange a quick look, then turn to Army.
He sighs, rubbing his jaw. “We could have a problem.”
Vito hikes his brow. “Making problems go away is my specialty. Just point me in the direction I need to go.”
Army’s jaw clenches. “This problem we can’t make disappear. She’s CIA—”
“Retired CIA,” Bane interrupts.
“And a friend,” Army adds. “I met Len when I was deployed years ago, and we exchange favors to help each other out.”
Massimo frowns, crossing his arms. “So, what’s the problem?”
“She called to ask me point-blank if we were involved in taking Sophie in San Diego.”
I stiffen. “Why would a retired CIA agent be asking that?”
“She wasn’t exactly forthcoming—not that Len ever is.” Army sighs roughly. “Len knows about Digits’ program—the one that blocks or deletes images of the MC’s Council from CCTV systems we have backdoor access to. Since we have the sister chapter in San Diego, Len correctly deduced that’s one of the systems we’re tapped into. I’m guessing she accessed the footage and noticed the subtle signs that indicated something had been blocked or deleted. But why she’d be looking into Sophie’s disappearance in the first place? I have no fucking idea.”
“Is she in San Diego?” Vito asks, snapping his right hand and making his wrist crack.
“Digits tried to track where she was, but that was useless. From my conversation with her last week, she was somewhere in Asia, but I don’t know if she’s still there.”
“She could access the campus and CCTV feeds on her own, or would she need help from someone?” Massimo asks.
“Accessing them herself would be child’s play for Len,” Army says.
We’re silent as we contemplate this development and its meaning. Why is Len getting involved? That’s the biggest question. I think back to the revelation that Pastor Salome is ass-deep into human trafficking.
“Was Len involved in human trafficking ring takedowns with the CIA?” I ask Army, my stomach clenching and roiling, thinking that this might be what we saved Sophie from.
“Len was involved in all sorts of shit. I don’t know the details, but I’ve deduced some things over the years. Political stabilizing, political destabilizing, finding out intel; she was a deadly hitwoman as well. But, yeah, anything to do with sexual exploitation seemed personal to her.”
“You said she was retired, but does anyone really get to retire from the CIA?” Massimo asks. “Could her inquiry to you be CIA-directed?”
That’s worrying on multiple levels.
“No. She’s done with them,” Army insists. “She worked her ass off in the takedown and putting away those two US senators who were involved and led that human trafficking ring and behavior-controlling drug development that happened in Boston about seven months ago. After that, Len told her CIA director to get fucked and walked out, never looking back. I suspect she has leverage over someone high-ranking if they let one of their best agents walk.”
“So, she’s maybe doing contract work?” Vito asks. “Putting her skills up for sale, and someone hired her for this?”
“It’s a possibility,” Army says. ‘But Len would be fighting for the good side. She has the biggest conscience of anyone I know, which makes her being a CIA agent one of the world’s biggest contradictions, in my opinion. But she’s ruthless and steadfast, trying to protect innocents.”
“Which, we all can agree, Sophie is as innocent as they fucking come,” Bane rumbles.
“Which leads us back to why the hell a retired CIA agent is looking into Sophie when the authorities haven’t even gotten involved yet to consider her a missing person?” Vito drums his fingers on his thigh.
“Does Ollie have any connection with Len?” I ask. “Maybe something tipped her off, and she’s worried about Sophie and involved her.”
“I can get Daniele on it,” Massimo says.
“We may have identified the possible connection already.” Ash glances at me. “Through the trafficking and drug ring takedown that happened in Boston seven months ago.”
Army holds up his hand to me as I go rigid as a fucking board at the implication that the threat against Sophie could be connected to that heinous ring.
“Explain, Army,” Papá rasps.
Army relaxes when he sees I’m not about to go nuclear. “Sophie’s cousin Antonio. He’s friends with May Antel, who is the daughter of one of the US senators involved in that trafficking ring.”
Vito frowns. “I’m struggling to connect the dots here. Is Len a known associate of Antonio’s?”
“Not that we’ve been able to find,” Bane pipes in. “The only connection here is that Len was involved in the CIA assisting the authorities that took down that ring, and Antonio knows one of the involved senator’s daughters.”
“You could just point-blank ask Len,” Massimo suggests.
Army shakes his head. “I’d have to give her something if I wanted to her to answer that, because with Len, it’s give and take. But even if I gave her something vague, it would give her threads to pull on, which is her specialty. And having Len pull on threads you don’t want touched or even looked at is dangerous.”
“So, unless you’re ready for that, I’d say that’s a dead end for now,” Ash says.
Papá looks at me. “It’s your call, Creed.”
I pace as I consider, then shake my head. “Not yet. We keep everything under wraps for now.”
Ash stands. “If it looks like there’s blowback coming our way with this, we’ll have to reassess. I can’t have the MC in the crosshairs.”
“I understand.”
I know how this world works; it isn’t so different from the non-criminal one. You have your ally’s back; however, your organization is always your primary concern to protect. Our family will be the same, so I can’t fault Ash. “If it comes to that, though, I trust you’ll give us a heads up.”
“Of course,” he says, leaning across the desk to shake Papá’s hand. “Reach out if there’s anything else you need. We’ll be in touch if we find out anything further.”
We’re silent as Ash, Army, and Bane leave Papá’s office. Tension makes the air feel heavy. A different person may feel guilty that I’m dragging my family into this, but I don’t. My father isn’t the only one who has accepted Sophie as a part of the family; Massimo and Vito aren’t batting an eye about this. And this is what our family does; we protect our own.
“Let’s put aside the revelation about Len right now and cover what we know.” Papá steeples his fingers under his chin. “Manuel Morales, a businessman and one of Creed’s competitors, is involved. Geraldo Ortez is Sophie’s father, and is a sicario in the Garcia Cartel; he seems to have had designs on giving Sophie to a cartel lieutenant, who is knee-deep in human trafficking.”
Vito pulls his long legs in and leans forward, setting his empty glass on the desk. He looks up at me. “Ortez seemed to have that idea with Salome before Sophie even came to San Diego for school and met you, baby brother.”
It relieves me slightly that Sophie isn’t being targeted because of me, or at least that she hadn’t initially.
“If that’s the case, this is an amazing situation of two people’s paths crossing by happenstance, including them falling in love,” Massimo says.
Papá smiles. “There are many fated things in the world, mio filgio.”
From the look on Massimo’s face, he disagrees but keeps silent out of respect for our father. Of course, you don’t rely on fate and happenstance when leading a criminal empire, not that our father ever did.
Thinking about the risks to Sophie and our chance meeting makes my head swim. This threat feels like the thread that solidifies everything—that it’s fate, destiny, or whatever you want to call it—Sophie was meant to come into my life and become my everything. And now that I’m in her life, along with who and what my family is, Sophie has the deck stacked in her favor, whereas if we’d never met, she wouldn’t have stood a chance.
“We still haven’t been able to nail down the exact link between Morales and Ortez. Or where they’re hiding,” Massimo says, and I know that is frustrating the shit out of a bloodhound like Daniele.
“I’m not sure if nailing down the exact link between them matters,” I say. “They’re connected either way, and Daniele spotted them together in San Diego. They came to the campus for Sophie. The priority is finding them.”
I pace, clenching and unclenching my hands. I need to move because of the frustration of not being able to figure this puzzling threat out, and because of the anger I feel whenever I think about my rival, Morales, with Sophie’s cunt of a father.
“When did Morales’s sabotage efforts for your project start?” Vito’s brows pull together over his blue-green eyes as he watches me pace.
“Almost immediately after I won the real estate development deal.”
“So, too soon for it to be directly connected or because of Sophie.” Massimo goes to refresh his drink. He holds the bourbon decanter to me, raising a brow, but I shake my head.
“There’s more to this.” Papá frowns. “A missing piece.”
Vito leans back in his chair. “There’s lots of missing pieces, Babbo.”
“Another unknown third party?” Massimo frowns as he considers.
“That plays.” Vito nods. “And could feed into who’s protecting them if Garcia comes after Ortez, Perez, and Salome.”
“Plus, someone is providing them with resources,” I add. ‘To seamlessly hack and replace the university security feed.’
Massimo’s frown deepens. “And they’ve been able to stay off the grid since then.”
“That takes expertise and sophisticated talent,” our father agrees. “Something three cartel soldiers and a corrupt businessman wouldn’t typically have at their disposal.”
“So, they’re working with someone with power and resources, or at least connections for a hacker of this caliber,” I surmise.
Crispin reviewed the campus’s security footage, but it shows nothing of what actually happened. He swears there’s no sign the feed was tampered with, but we know it has been—because what we know happened isn’t there. That means someone with exceptional hacking skills replaced the footage.
Morales doesn’t have that skill set, and neither does Ortez; he thrives off hurting people, not sitting behind a computer.
I’ve seen pictures of him, and the man’s eyes are dead and soulless. I’ve also seen pictures of two kills he’s rumored to have made—whole families slaughtered, children included. In both cases, Ortez’s target was tied to a chair and mutilated, with his family on the floor in front of him. I imagine Ortez tortured his targets physically, but also mentally, as he killed the loved ones in front of them.
It’s unfathomable that Sophie came from that fucking bastard. I want to make a national day of honor to celebrate her mother for keeping her away from that sack of shit and to give her grandparents whatever they’ll ever need in life for their role in that as well.
Vito turns to me, his face hard and tight, a knowing darkness is in his eyes. “Ortez won’t stop coming for Sophie.”
A potent darkness rises within me. “He’ll never succeed.”
Massimo eyes me levelly. “How far are you willing to go, baby brother?”
“As far, deep, and dark as I need to. She’ll be my wife soon.”
Joy fills Papá’s eyes. “Lei è la tua anima.”
“She is my soul,” I confirm his words.
Vito rises and claps me on the back. “Let’s hunt, baby brother.”
