25. Tyson

25

TYSON

M y jaw clenches tight as I look at my most trusted crew. Lars leans against the wall, arms crossed. Nash and Colt stand shoulder to shoulder, synchronized energy crackling with tension. Phoenix sits at my desk, fingers flying over my keyboard, while Gage looms in the darkest corner, that skull mask revealing nothing.

“We’re storming Jimmy Moretti’s mansion tonight,” I announce, planting my hands on the desk. “I’m getting Sofia out of there.”

“You’ve lost your fucking mind.” Lars pushes off the wall. “That’s suicide, Ty. Jimmy’s got an army.”

“He’s right,” Colt steps forward. “We’re good, but we’re not that good. Jimmy’s got eyes everywhere.”

Nash shakes his head. “The carnival’s our cover. If we blow this, everything we’ve built. Years of work, gone.”

“You think I don’t know that?” I slam my fist on the desk. “She’s trapped in there because of me. Because I couldn’t stay away.”

“Then maybe you should’ve thought about that before getting involved with a mob boss’s daughter,” Lars snaps.

I lock eyes with each of them. “I’m not asking for permission. I’m telling you what’s happening. You’re either with me or against me.”

Phoenix’s typing never falters, but his silence speaks volumes. He knows every security system and every camera angle. We’ll need him.

Gage hasn’t moved an inch, that mask hiding whatever thoughts churn behind it. But I know he’ll come. He lives for chaos like this.

“Jimmy trusts us,” Nash tries one last time. “We’ve built that relationship for years.”

“And now I’m going to destroy it.” I straighten up. “Because he locked away his daughter like she’s property. Because he’d rather see her miserable than with me.”

Lars runs a hand through his hair. “This is going to start a war.”

I let their concerns wash over me as a plan crystallizes. “Phoenix, pull up the blueprints for Jimmy’s security system.”

The screen flickers to life, showing detailed schematics. I trace the outline with my finger. “There’s something Jimmy values more than his daughter or his pride – his reputation.”

Lars raises an eyebrow. “What are you thinking?”

“We’ve got evidence of every deal he’s made with us. Every dirty transaction, everybody we’ve buried.” I tap my fingers on the desk. “Phoenix has been documenting it all.”

“Blackmail?” Nash’s lips curve into an appreciative smile.

“Better. Insurance.” I straighten up. “We leak just enough to make him nervous. Then I walk in alone, unarmed. Show him I’m not there for war.”

“He could just kill you,” Lars points out.

“He won’t. Because the moment anything happens to me, everything goes public. His empire crumbles.” I turn to Phoenix. “Set it up so if I don’t check in every hour, it drops automatically.”

“Already on it,” Phoenix’s fingers dance across the keyboard.

“Jimmy’s smart. He’ll see reason.” I roll my shoulders. “He loses his daughter but keeps his empire. Or he loses everything trying to keep her caged.”

“And our business with him?” Colt asks.

“We’ve got other clients in Dawbsury. And all over the fucking state and neighboring states. Jimmy may be big here, but we’ve got the Blackwood brothers, who are still our biggest clients..” I meet their gazes one by one. “This isn’t about business. It’s about Sofia.”

Lars nods. “No bloodshed. No war. Just leverage.”

“Exactly. Jimmy’s a businessman first. He’ll make the smart play.” I check my watch. “Phoenix, start the countdown. If I don’t make contact, I want those files ready to drop in two hours.”

“At least let us wait outside,” Nash says, his usual grace replaced with tension. “You shouldn’t go in completely alone.”

I shake my head. “The whole point is to show Jimmy I’m not there for war.”

Colt steps closer, his muscled frame blocking my path. “Having backup doesn’t mean starting a war. It means making sure you walk out alive.”

“He’s right,” Nash adds. “We can stay in the shadows. Jimmy won’t even know we’re there unless things go south.”

I run a hand through my hair, knowing they have a point. The thought of Sofia keeps me focused, but they’re not wrong about needing a safety net. “Fine. But you stay completely out of sight.”

Phoenix’s chair scrapes against the floor as he stands, reaching into a drawer. “Here.” He pulls out several small earpieces. “Latest tech. Clear sound, encrypted channel. You’ll be able to hear everything happening inside, and Ty can signal if he needs help.”

I take one of the devices, studying the sleek design. “These are new.”

“Been working on them.” Phoenix hands the others to Nash and Colt. “Range is good for about half a mile.”

I slip the earpiece in, and the fit is perfect. “Testing.”

“Crystal clear,” Nash’s voice comes through the earpiece.

“Let’s move,” I grab my keys. “Time’s ticking on those files. And Lars, you step in for me tonight for the show, got it?”

Lars nods in reply. He’s the only one with the charm to pull it off. And he’s already filled in for me countless times.

We head out to my Mustang, the muscle car gleaming under the carnival lights. Nash and Colt slide into the back while I take the wheel. I can’t help but think how different this drive might be from the return journey.

I guide my Mustang through the quiet streets of Dawsbury, the engine’s purr matching my heartbeat. The further we get from the carnival’s neon glow, the more residential mansions appear. Jimmy’s neighborhood reeks of old money and power.

“There it is,” I murmur, spotting the wrought iron gates of Jimmy’s estate. I ease the car to a stop behind a row of trees about two hundred yards from the entrance.

Nash leans forward between the seats. “Those cameras sweep the perimeter every thirty seconds.”

“Guards change rotation every two hours,” Colt adds. “Phoenix sent the schedule to our phones.”

I kill the engine and turn to face them. “Stay in the car. I mean it.”

“Let us at least check the grounds,” Colt’s jaw sets stubbornly. “Find the weak spots in case you need backup.”

Nash nods. “We can stay invisible, map out entry points and blind spots in their security. Could make the difference if things go wrong in there.”

I drum my fingers on the steering wheel, weighing the risks. Having a solid escape plan wouldn’t hurt. “ Fine. But stay out of sight. If anyone spots you, this whole thing falls apart.”

“We know how to move without being seen,” Nash’s voice carries that quiet confidence I’ve come to rely on.

“Like ghosts,” Colt adds with a dangerous smile.

“One hour,” I remind them, tapping my earpiece. “After that, Phoenix drops everything.”

They slip out of the car, immediately melting into the shadows of the tree line. I watch them disappear, knowing they’ll find every weakness in Jimmy’s fortress while I walk through the front door.

I check my phone one last time. My jaw clenches as I imagine Sofia locked away in that house.

I approach Jimmy’s gates with my hands raised, ensuring the guards can see I’m not holding anything. The security cameras swivel toward me, their red lights blinking in the darkness.

“I need to see Jimmy. It’s about business,” I call out, keeping my voice steady and professional.

Two guards emerge from the gatehouse, hands on their weapons. I recognize Marco, Jimmy’s head of security, his weathered face creased with suspicion.

“You got some balls showing up here, Tyson,” Marco growls, nodding to his partner to pat me down.

I stay still as rough hands check my jacket, pockets, and pants’ waistband. The guard’s fingers brush past my ankle, missing the thin blade strapped there. Amateur.

“I’m clean,” I say calmly. “Just want to talk business with Jimmy.”

Marco studies me for a long moment, then speaks into his radio. The gates creak open slowly .

“One wrong move,” Marco warns, grabbing my arm roughly, “and you won’t make it out of here breathing.”

They lead me up the winding driveway, gravel crunching under our feet. The mansion looms ahead, its windows dark except for Jimmy’s study on the second floor. My earpiece crackles as Colt and Nash confirm they can see me entering. But I keep my eyes forward, focused on the task ahead.