Chapter 11

Tanner has a death wish. He managed to redeem himself from spot number three in my basement with the assist earlier, but he's earned himself an upgrade to number one.

I generally save that for my most vile guests.

Laken lies with her head on his chest, and they look quite cozy. Perhaps I should allow him to enjoy his last night of freedom.

My phone notified me of seven calls placed from our room to various numbers.

During our conversation prior to him bringing her back to the hotel, I informed him how imperative it was that she not have any communication with the outside world.

I can understand she would want to reach out to her sister, but Lyra is safely tucked away at a drug rehabilitation center in Florida. They removed her phone from her possession upon entry.

I know because the entire endeavor is on my dime.

It was my attempt to repay their unfortunate involvement in this mess. Lyra was not in good shape when I saw her in Virginia.

I value loyalty above all else.

If Sparrow hadn't made a very vocal case for why Lyra's double-cross should be forgiven, I would have placed her in spot number four.

It's the one Kane occupied during his time in my basement.

Grady was in number three.

Most consider me a monster, with very few redeeming qualities, but I didn't kill either of them.

Although, it was closer to a possibility with Grady than Kane.

I was even generous enough to place them next to each other, so they could keep one another company. There was also a hope that they would come to an agreement to work together to find Sparrow, only Grady's true colors shined through in that endeavor.

My head aches.

The crew dispatched to the original location of the swap had no luck finding the two missing members of Andretti's team who we also couldn't locate. There's no chance they'll go to the authorities. Not with the dirty business they took part in, but I do believe there's a high probability they'll turn to Lucien's closest ally.

The Barrett family from New York has always been in my peripheral vision. They're on par with the Andrettis, and according to information I learned recently, there was some sort of alliance between them.

They both actively participate in human trafficking of omegas.

For many years, I worried that Sparrow's fate was something of that nature.

Luckily, she suffered nothing so grim, but families lose their sons and daughters every day so that rich families can become even richer.

It's concerning when I have more morals than someone.

My family's feud with the Andrettis began when my parents canceled Sparrow's betrothal to Lucien, Ezrah, and Marco Andretti, and the rest is history.

My mother and fathers knew the kind of lives they lived. They chose their lifestyle, and their outcome at the hands of the Andretti family did not come as a surprise to me.

However, Sparrow made it clear she wanted no such life. When the Andrettis made a move on her, they forced my hand. The intriguing part is, I didn't kill a single one of the brothers.

Sparrow and her pack were responsible for ending all three. And yet, her choices snowballed into involving Lyra and Laken Spencer in our family feud.

I huff, dropping the two duffel bags as quietly as possible.

Now I have an omega who has done nothing wrong, and yet, with two of Andretti's men still missing…

She's not completely safe.

If they turn to the Barretts for protection, as I expect, then they'll be keen to track her down for information on who was powerful enough to take out their Boston ally.

There's also the small matter that she saw me personally execute three men. If she's feeling vengeful over her life being turned upside down, she could implicate not only me, but Sparrow and her pack.

It's a mess my brain has been working on since she and Tanner drove away.

Sighing heavily, I begin to unclip my holsters and pile my weapons on the table.

A hot shower is calling my name.