23. Layla

Kadence's time was up three days ago. Neither of us had brought it up yet, but I knew she was just as aware of that fact as I was. The issue? We still hadn't figured out where the fuck Anton was hiding. With all of the resources I had at my disposal, I didn't understand how that was possible. The man did not just vanish into thin air.

"Someone had better fucking find him, or I'm going to start thinking that I made the wrong men, Capos," I yelled. My loves were sitting around the conference table in my office, and we had my other four Capos on speakerphone.

"We are trying, Boss," Stephan replied. "But we'll try harder," he quickly continued when I didn't respond.

"You had better," I growled. I signaled to end the call, and Tyler leaned forward and hit the speaker button.

"It's not their fault they can't find him, Layla," Drew said. "You know they're trying."

"Obviously, they aren't trying hard enough, or I'd know where he was by now," I replied. "And why the hell haven't we found Vinny or Tony yet?"

"From what I can tell, Vinny may have left the city like you told him to," Tyler said. "His house has been vacant. Neighbors said that moving trucks showed up one day, and they were gone. That was shortly after we dealt with the lawyer."

I sighed. If Vinny left the city, I couldn't touch him. I wouldn't go back on my word and hunt him down, no matter how much I'd like to. "And Tony?" I asked.

"His family is still in the city, but it's been a couple of months since he's been home," Colton said. "We have men sitting on the house and following his wife, but she hasn't led us to him yet."

So, for all we knew, he had also followed my orders, but his family refused to go on the run with him. "Are we sure he isn't just holed up in his house?"

"I'm sure," Colton replied.

"What about Triple Skulls?" I asked. "Have they heard anything about Anton or Tony?"

"I talked to Bear yesterday," Sean said, "and they haven't heard a peep about either of them."

"What about Kadence?" Zach asked. "Do you think she knows where Anton might be but hasn't said anything?"

"No," I replied. "Thanks to the stunt Anton pulled bombing the shelter, a warrant has been issued for his arrest. He'd be in custody if she knew where he was."

"So how do we find him?" Drew asked.

"Maybe we're thinking about this the wrong way," I said. "Maybe we should be looking at his customers and their movements within the city. I can't imagine that he's completely abandoned his trafficking business. It's too lucrative, and if he stops supplying, his customers will shop elsewhere."

Tyler looked thoughtful as he considered what I said. "We do have the list that Kadence provided. I could start looking into some of them and see if there are any similarities."

"How long would it take?" I asked.

"Four hands would be better than two," he replied. "Molly, do you have that list?"

"I sure do. I'll make a copy," she replied.

"You guys print out their financials and whatever else, and we'll go through the files to look for similarities," Colton suggested.

"Teamwork!" Zach exclaimed. "We'll find him, LG, don't you worry."

Hours later, Tyler and I were halfway through our lists when Drew announced he found something.

"This peach of a man stops at the same tavern every two weeks like clockwork," he said. "Anyone else have visits to Vino's Tavern?" Sean, Colt, and Drew shuffled through the papers in front of them while Tyler and I skimmed our screens for the people we were currently pulling info for.

"I do," Colton announced. "Every two weeks, just like you said." He closed the file and grabbed another one to look through.

"This guy hasn't been there from what I can tell," Zach said, tossing a file to the side.

"My guy has," Sean confirmed before sliding another folder in front of him.

"Mine too," I said, my excitement growing that we were on to something.

"Maybe they don't all hang out," Tyler said. "We should start checking the dates of the tavern visits against the other files and see if we can find other locations they regularly visit on those same days."

We would have gotten here sooner if we hadn't lost track of Anton's trafficking ring shortly after we raided it. He had gotten smart and changed his inbound shipments, and without them to follow, we had no way to track them to their final destination and learn his new schedule.

I pulled up the next guy on my list and checked his purchases on those days. "This guy stops at the same gas station on Third Street," I said.

"King's E-Z-Stop?" Drew asked.

"The very one," I replied.

"I've got King's on this guy, too," Colton said.

"That's two points," Zach said excitedly. "One more, and we'll have a good idea of an area to search, right?"

"Something like that," Tyler replied. He tapped on his keyboard and then pointed to the new TV we installed on the wall after Colton destroyed the last one. The TV had a map of Atlantic City on it, zooming in on the two locations we had identified. The two places were only a few miles from each other, but that was still a lot of ground to cover. "If I eliminate houses," Tyler said as red blocks started appearing on the screen, "it reduces the area we need to search, but not by much. A good-sized industrial property within the search zone is littered with warehouses."

"But it's a smaller area than searching the entire city," I said. "Colt, can you call the others and have them redirect their searches to this area? We can keep narrowing it down, but this is a start!"

Colton nodded and left the office to make the call. By the minute, I felt more sure we were on the right track, and each commonality between Anton's customers made me feel that much closer to finding him. By the end of the evening, we had gone through all the customers and found a handful of locations frequently visited by our list of Hell's future inhabitants. I went to bed that night confident that we'd have his location by the next day.

We didn't have him by the next day or the day after. On the third day, I woke up in a bear of a mood. If we didn't find him today, someone's head would roll. I stomped down to the kitchen for breakfast. Everyone I passed on the way was quick to get out of my way.

"There's our girl," Zach announced when I entered the room. "Keeper of our hearts. The sun in our sky. Our reason for existing in an otherwise gloomy world."

"She doesn't look very sunny today," Drew commented.

"That's because she isn't," I replied, pouring myself a cup of coffee.

"But you still look cute as a button," Zach said. He pulled me into his lap when I brought my coffee to the table. "I've always loved how adorable you are when you're grumpy."

"We'll see how adorable I am when I start decapitating people," I grumbled.

"That would make you sexy as fuck," he replied, "not adorable."

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn't fight the tiny smile that appeared on my face.

"That's more like it," Colton said. "Now that your mood is improving, I can tell you that Stephan called and said he thinks they've figured out where Anton is hiding."

"What?!" I screeched, jumping out of Zach's lap. "Where? Why didn't you wake me?"

Zach pulled me back into his lap and locked his arms around my waist to keep me in place. "Easy, killer."

"We didn't wake you because it's still unconfirmed," Sean replied. "He's still looking into it, and as soon as he knows for sure, he will call."

"Now you need to make a decision," Tyler said.

"What decision?" I asked, begrudgingly taking a bite of the donut Drew handed me.

"Are you going to let Kadence know so she can handle it, or will you handle it yourself?" Tyler asked.

I opened my mouth to say I'd handle it myself but then shut it again. I had wanted to do this the legal way, and that was still an option. "Fuck," I groaned. I wanted to tear Anton apart limb from limb, but if we went the legal route, I could always do that later as planned. He was never going to escape my knife, but I wanted the added embarrassment of being arrested and tried for his transgressions first. I wanted him to see that in this city, he is nothing. That he isn't untouchable.

"The decision is yours, Layla," Drew said. "We'll do whatever you want."

"What if I no longer know what that is?" I asked, sagging against Zach's chest.

"Then we'll help you figure it out," Sean said. "We don't have to act on it today."

"No, we do," I replied. "I may not know which direction I want to take, but I know it must happen today. As soon as we confirm that he is there, I want to move in on him. I won't allow Anton the opportunity to disappear and go into hiding again."

"Then we need to figure this out soon so that Kadence has what she needs in place to do so," Colton replied.

"What's got you unsure, LG?" Zach asked.

"I want his life. Now. But I also want to make him suffer in more ways than physically," I replied. "I want him to live with the knowledge that I won."

"You can always have his life," Drew said. "But this might be your only chance for the other."

I nodded absentmindedly as I thought through my options. I didn't feel like I would be missing out on taking Anton's life if I let Kadence arrest him, but I did feel like capturing and torturing him was too easy. I still had Tommy to look forward to, and maybe I'd take my time with him while Anton gets his day in court.

"And she's made a decision," Colton said with a soft smile.

"I'll call Kadence and let her know we might have a lead on Anton," I said. "Thanks, guys. I'd be lost without you."

"We're not just here to give you orgasms," Zach quipped.

Icalled Kadence to give her a heads-up, and while talking to her, Stephan called Colton to let us know that they had eyes on Anton, and he was definitely at that location. "Did you get that, Kadence?" I asked.

"I sure did. Tell them to pull back but to keep an eye on him. If he leaves for any reason, we need to know about it," Kadence replied. "I need to get my task force briefed and mobilized. It will take me a couple of hours to get everything ready."

"Is there anything else that you need from us?" I asked.

"Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that," she replied. "I know how badly you wanted to take Anton down yourself after Tyler almost died. How would you like to help me take him down instead?"

"How so?" I asked.

"Well, if you move on him, he won't see us coming," she replied.

"So, a good old-fashioned bait and switch," I replied.

"Exactly. Just don't kill him. I'll write it up to show that you were assisting the department in apprehending him. Any deaths to do so are collateral damage. It's an easy enough story to sell as long as you don't kill Anton in the process."

"I think we can handle that," I laughed. "As long as Tommy comes home with us."

"You have yourself a deal," Kadence replied. "I'll let you know when I'm ready on my end for you to move in on him." She hung up the phone without saying goodbye. Kadence was in the zone now.

"What's going on?" Tyler asked.

"We're going to help Kadence take Anton down," I replied. "We can't kill him, but we won't get in trouble if we end up killing anyone else, and we get to bring Tommy home with us when it's all over."

"Those are parameters I can work with," Colton replied.

"I am so excited that we're finally going to have a guest in the interrogation room," Zach said. "It feels like it's been forever."

"It has been a long time," I agreed. "Set up a perimeter. We want our guys ready to move in when we signal if necessary, but still far enough away not to get caught in ACPD's net. I'd get them out, but I'd much rather not have to at all."

"Do you think we'll need backup with the police coming in right behind us?" Drew asked.

"Probably not, but I'd rather be safe than sorry," I replied.

"Agreed," Colton replied. "Just because the cops are supposed to be our backup doesn't mean we should blindly rely on them to be effective; no offense to Kadence, but she isn't the only one involved here."

"You're not wrong," I agreed. "This could all go to shit quickly."

We spent the next couple of hours prepping and handing down orders. We might not intend to battle it out with Anton to the death, but we would be armed for it. Once I knew everything was handled downstairs, I went upstairs to change. As much as I wanted to wear my stiletto boots for the sexy-as-shit kickass aesthetic, I went with flat boots. It would be easier without a heel if I needed to run for any reason. I paired the boots with jeans and a black ribbed tank top. Perhaps not the sexiest or most fashionable mob boss attire, but dammit, I was fucking comfortable, and that's all I cared about right now. Anton didn't deserve to see me dressed to the nines.

I stepped out of the closet and jumped when I saw Zach leaning against the wall, waiting for me. "Jesus, Zach. Have you been practicing your ninja skills?"

"Maybe," he grinned. "It's beneficial for me not to be noticed. Especially when I leave everyone downstairs so that I can have a quickie with my girlfriend before we kick some ass. I might be super excited that we're bringing Tommy to the basement later."

"Oh, no," I said, skipping out of the way before he could grab me. "We don't have time."

"Come on, baby, there's always time for some loving," Zach crooned as he followed me. He pushed me against the door just as I twisted the door handle. He plunged his hand down the front of my jeans and cupped my pussy. "No panties? You basically dressed for this, LG."

"I didn't intentionally go without underwear so that you could fuck me easier," I replied. I bit my lip to keep myself from moaning as Zach stroked my clit.

"Maybe not, but it is a happy coincidence," he replied. "Tell me you don't want this, and I'll stop."

Fuck. He knew me better than that, and while I appreciated the out, he knew I wouldn't take it. "You better be fast, and I had better come first," I growled as I pushed my ass out against his cock.

"I'm a giver, not a taker, baby. You know that," he replied, deftly undoing my jeans and shoving them to the tops of my calf-length boots. "Fucking boots are going to make it difficult to do this how I want to against the door." Zach carried me to the dresser and set me down in front of it. He placed my hands on the edge of the dresser and said, "Don't let go."

I gripped the dresser tightly as he walked me backward until I was bent over.

"This will work better," he said.

"Tik, tok, Zach," I replied, meeting his eyes in the mirror over the dresser.

"Yeah, yeah, keep your pants on," he snickered as he ran his fingers through my lips. "Fuck I love how wet you get for me." I felt the head of his cock push against my entrance tentatively, using my arousal to lubricate it. Once he had himself lined up, he grabbed my hips firmly and plowed into me so hard that my arms nearly buckled and sent me head-first into the dresser.

"Fuck, Zach! Now is not the time for a concussion," I scolded, bracing myself better as he set a hard and fast pace.

"You said to be quick," he replied.

"Yes, quick, not destructive."

"I'll show you destructive," Zach grunted as his pace quickened. "I'm gonna destroy this pussy."

Did he really just fucking say that? I had half a mind to evict him from my vagina on principle when his hand slid around my front to my clit. He bent his knees slightly to adjust his angle as his fingers rubbed my clit. Between those fucking fingers and his dick now hitting my g-spot, my orgasm slammed into me so hard and so fast that my knees gave out. Zach wrapped an arm around my waist and squeezed me hard enough to keep me in place on his dick, and he continued rubbing my clit through my orgasm.

"Too sensitive," I gasped.

"Can you stand yet?" he asked. I nodded shakily. My legs felt like jelly, but I could support my weight. "Good. Hands back on the dresser, baby. Now it's my turn." As soon as my hands touched the dresser, he resumed his effort to, well, destroy my pussy. And it didn't take him long until he slammed into me one final time and flooded my pussy with his cum. I watched him in the mirror as he did and watched as his face contorted briefly before relaxing into the picture of pure bliss as he orgasmed. "Fuck, I love you so God damned much, Layla."

"I bet you say that to all the girls," I teased.

His eyes popped open and met mine in the mirror. "That better be a fucking joke," he said seriously. "There are no other girls. You're the only woman I want. The only one I will ever want. Tell me you know that."

"Hey, relax," I said softly. "I was just teasing you. Believe me, I know you'd never so much as look at another girl, let alone sleep with one."

"You fucking better," he replied as his body relaxed. "That wasn't funny."

"Oh, come on, it was at least as funny as your destroying my pussy joke," I laughed.

"That wasn't a joke," he deadpanned. "And I know you can't say I didn't accomplish my mission." He pulled out of me quickly, causing a rush of our combined cum to follow like a damn waterfall.

"Zach!" I yelled as I cupped my vagina to try and catch it before I had to change again.

"See? Destroyed." He looked entirely too proud of himself, and if I had a free hand, I would have punched the cocky look off of his face.

"You're an asshole," I growled as I hobbled to the bathroom. I must have looked as ridiculous as I felt walking across the room with my jeans around my calves and holding handfuls of cum against my leaking vagina because his laughter followed me. I made it to the toilet and reached for the towel on the towel bar to wipe the cum from my hands as I peed and let gravity pull out whatever cum was left inside of me. After wiping for what felt like an eternity, I was satisfied that I had gotten most of it and inspected my jeans.

Miraculously, I hadn't gotten a single drop on them, so I wouldn't have to change. Once I finished, I pulled them back up and washed my hands. Zach was lounging on the bed, waiting for me, when I emerged. "Aren't you going to clean yourself up?" I asked, noting he had already tucked himself back into his jeans.

"Nah," he replied, "I like my junk smelling like you."

I rolled my eyes and left the bedroom with him on my heels. "You know, sometimes you say things, and I wonder how the hell I fell for you in the first place."

"Years and years of persistence," he replied.

"There you are," Tyler said when we reached the foyer. "I was ready to go looking for you."

"Did we miss anything?" I asked.

"No. You were just taking your sweet ass time. We're ready to leave as soon as we get the call from Kadence," he replied.

"Zach delayed me," I explained as I strapped myself into my plethora of holsters.

"Yeah, I did," Zach laughed.

I rolled my eyes and headed to the kitchen for a drink of water. Halfway through drinking the glass, my phone rang. "Talk to me," I said when I saw it was Kadence and answered it.

"We're a go," Kadence replied. "You guys can move out. We shouldn't be more than five minutes behind you."

"Sounds good. I'll see you there," I replied. I finished my water and put my glass in the sink, then went to tell everyone the good news.

"It's go time!" I announced.

"Ok, everyone has their orders," Colton said. "Load up."

"Are we bringing the wolves?" Zach asked.

"No. As much as I would like to, I don't want to risk them catching a stray bullet," I replied. "Once this is over, we'll take them to the cabin for about a week."

"That sounds like a fucking fantastic idea," Sean said. "We need a vacation."

"We really do," I agreed. We got into our car, and two other SUVs loaded up with us. One would accompany us to the warehouse door and watch our backs from outside to make sure that nobody else but the cops followed us in. The other would hang back near the entrance to the lot. We had men staged a couple blocks from the warehouse, ready to flood the building if we needed them to. It would take them less than a minute to get there. Keith and Ryan would stay outside as well. Keith was in charge of getting the call out to our men. If his phone rang, he would call in the troops.

There wasn't any sign of life as we pulled into the warehouse parking lot.

"Are we sure he's here?" Drew asked.

"Stephan was positive, and last I checked with him, nobody had left. They're here somewhere," Colton replied.

"Something feels off," Sean said as we exited the car. "Everyone stay alert and watch your backs."

I had to agree with him. There was an odd feeling in the air, and I almost called it off, but I knew Kadence was counting on us, so I pushed past the feeling.

"You know what to do," I said to Keith. "Keep your guard up."

"You can count on me, Boss," he replied.

"Should we knock?" Zach asked as we approached the door.

"Something tells me Anton already knows we're here," I replied. "Let's get this over with. Kadence and the cavalry shouldn't be far behind us."

We pulled out our guns, and Colton nodded to Zach. He swung the door open and ducked inside. "Clear," he called.

The rest of us followed behind him, and as the sound of the warehouse door slamming shut echoed through the building, I couldn't help but compare it to the door of a prison cell closing behind us.