Chapter 25

Bennett

"That fucking son of a bitch!"

Reed raised his hand, ready to chuck his phone, but I stopped him, snatching it away from his grip. "What did he say?"

My own rage simmered under the surface. I couldn't remember the last time I'd been so angry. Or terrified. Especially when Reed recapped the conversation and confirmed my darkest fear…Richie had Tori.

Reed glared straight ahead, his jaw tensing and releasing like he was chewing a stale piece of gum. "He says I have one hour to sign the contract and send it, or he'll kill Paige."

"What about Avery?"

"He said he'll keep her around for…fun."

My stomach rolled, and I drew in a sharp breath to keep myself from throwing up all over the asphalt beneath my feet.

"I'm gonna rip that motherfucker limb from limb," I gritted out. "No, actually, that's too good for a piece of shit like Richie Dalton."

As a former Navy SEAL, I lived for days like this. I knew how to make people wish for death. It was a dark side of me, one I didn't tap into often, but I'd gladly make an exception in this case.

We raced from the club to the warehouse where Richie and I made the exchange hours before. The place was a burned-out factory that had been condemned by the city a long time ago. A high fence circled the property, complete with a double layer of razor wire to keep out vandals and drug dealers.

"We're not going to let it get that far," I said, snapping back to the present. We parked as close as I dared, cutting the headlights long before we reached the security fence. We hoofed it to the far west corner and were overlooking the property, looking for any signs of activity. So far, we didn't see any.

"We'll get her back. We'll get both of them back."

"Poor Avery," Reed said, shaking his head. "She's not even a part of this, and now…"

"She'll be fine," I said through tightly gritted teeth.

There weren't any other options available.

All four of us were walking out of this. And Richie—Richie was going to be missing the back half of his fucking head by the time I was done with him.

"Can't we call in SWAT or something?"

I resisted the urge to sigh. "No. We don't have time. We don't even know where they are." I checked my cell phone. A text message from Pax had come through. I flicked it open:

On the move. Sending route.

My heart skittered to a stop. The weapons were moving. Finally! I scrubbed my palm over my chin and worked over my jaw. I didn't have time to think. I needed to act. The coordinates from Pax loaded to my phone. They were headed across town. I pinched and pulled at the screen of my phone to see what was nearby. I'd shadowed Richie long enough to know most of his haunts.

"Where are you going?"

"What is that?" Reed demanded, thumbing the screen as I studied the map.

"Richie's moving a shipment tonight. There's no way he's leaving that to his men. The girls have to be with him. And I'd be willing to bet big-time money that he's waiting for that shipment so he can personally inspect it and start the auction he's bound to hold."

"Shipment? Auction?"

I met Reed's firm stare. "I can't give you any more information. Just trust me."

His cheeks reddened like he was ready to blow a gasket, but at the last second, he swallowed it down and gave a curt nod. Smart man.

I dropped my eyes back to the map, and it hit me right between the eyes. "Jefferson Square!"

"What's that?"

"That's where he's at. There's a storage facility run by the Sandersons. They lease out the spaces to people for dirt cheap, but what people don't know is that their spaces are intermittently used as stash houses."

"If the feds know that, why can't they bust them?"

I scoffed. "It's a little more complicated than that. Come on."

A loud engine rumbled by, catching both of our attention. I crouched down, tugging Reed with me, and we hit the ground just as headlights swept the air where we'd been standing.

"Shit," I breathed. "Security sweep. He's expecting us."

The truck idled a moment longer, its driver encased behind thick glass, scanning the area back and forth. Then, after a few seconds, he drove off to search the rest of the premises. Reed waited for me to move, and we both sprang up and booked it back to the truck.

Once back behind the wheel, we raced across town, following the tracking lights on my phone to make sure my hunch paid off. It did. Minutes before we arrived at the storage facility, the trackers came to rest smack dab in the heart of the sprawling field of storage sheds and garages. Most of the units were outdoor, drive-up access, but there was also a three-story building that housed another hundred or so climate-controlled units and the leasing office.

"Shit, they could be anywhere." I leaned forward in my seat as we drove by. "This place is fucking massive."

The gate at the front was just coming down, locking into place as we passed it. There was a yellow box with a keypad to punch in the code for after-hours access. I could easily get the override code. All it would take was a text back to Pax and crew.

I turned the corner and swerved the truck into the nearest parking garage. I threw it into park and hopped out of the cab, my fingers flying over my phone as I kicked the door shut.

"What's the plan? I walk in with the contract?"

I shook my head. "No, then I'll just have to save your ass along with theirs. Trust me, Reed, you walk in there, hand over these papers, and you won't walk back out again. None of you will. See, guys like Richie and the rest of the fucking Sandersons, they're like starlings. You ever hear about them?"

"Those birds that kick other birds out of their nests?"

"Bingo. Richie's in your nest, and he doesn't give a fuck if you live or die. He's gonna boot you over the edge one way or the other. No remorse."

"So, what do you want me to do?"

"Stay here. Take this—" I pressed my phone into his hands. "If I'm not back in half an hour, dial this number." I showed him on the screen. "That's Pax. He's another agent. You tell him everything, and they'll come."

Reed looked ready to argue again but didn't. "Thank you, Eric—or Bennett—whoever the fuck you are."

I clapped him on the shoulder. "Bennett works. But don't go thanking me just yet."

With that, I turned and jogged back toward the storage facility.

Slipping through the security gate was child's play. Even getting into the main building was a piece of cake. But making my way down the brightly lit hallways without getting spotted by a security camera was a little trickier. On my way up to the hulking building, I saw lights turn on in one of the upper-floor offices.

Most of the storage spaces didn't have windows, so picking out the offices was easy. I knew in my gut that was where Richie would be, barking out orders as the shipment was unpacked and hidden. Since the Sandersons ran the storage business, they knew exactly how often people visited their stuff and which units were safe for hiding their drugs, weapons, and, hell, probably people.

On top of that, it was remote, locked down at night, and rigged to the hilt with high-tech security gear.

You know, for the safety of their customers.

It was halfway sick and halfway brilliant.

I got in a back door without tripping any kind of alarm and made my way up the three flights of stairs, moving quickly and keeping my head down. There were security cameras in each corner of the stairwell. I had no illusion that I'd make it very far without being spotted, but I had to keep moving and pray they were all wrapped up in the shipment of weapons to notice someone lurking down the halls.

It was a stretch.

But those damn hallways. White walls only amplified the fluorescent lights, and there wasn't a way around it. I could figure out how to trip the power, but this place likely had a backup generator. I wouldn't buy myself very much time, and it would be like looking for a needle in a haystack in the pitch black on a countdown timer.

No thanks.

"Damn it." I stalled in the doorway of the stairs, hanging in a blind spot for a moment. I couldn't disable every camera. I didn't even know where the control room was. I hadn't had a chance to study the building, get my hands on the blueprints, or consult with anyone to determine the best plan of action. I was fine working as a lone wolf, but fuck, I needed resources!

Sweat dripped down my neck, and I swiped it away. Tori, where are you?

Footsteps sounded from halfway down the hall. I slunk inside, letting the door close soundlessly behind me, and ducked around the corner, out of sight of whoever was headed my way.

"—knocked out cold. One of the broads got loose. Vinnie's never gonna hear the fuckin' end of it. That is…if Richie doesn't kill him first."

"He won't. That's his nephew."

I peeked around and spotted the source of the two voices. Jake—the bodyguard that was always with Richie and another guard, tall, dark, and walking with a slight stiffness. I didn't recognize him, but if Jake was on this floor, Richie was nearby.

I ducked back and waited as they passed by, taking the elevator. I watched as they rode down to the first floor. I glanced around the corner again. It was clear, so I started running. I kept light on my booted feet, not letting the heavy heels hit the glossy linoleum flooring.

On the third floor, the storage spaces were numbered and had small, residential-sized doors. Most were closed and had thick padlocks, but a few weren't locked, presumably empty.

More voices stopped me in my tracks, and I grabbed the handle of the nearest unlocked storage space and ducked inside, closing it immediately.

The cocking of a gun stopped my heart.

I slammed my hand on the light switch, throwing bright lights around the eight-by-ten room half a heartbeat before I whirled around to face the gun, reaching for my own as I spun. I raised it just as I registered that it was Tori—a gun leveled right at my chest.

"Tori!" I hissed, dropping my weapon to my side.

"Bennett!" Relief flooded her face as she realized who had entered the storage room. "Shit!" she exclaimed under her breath, realizing she'd nearly blasted me into next week. She lowered her weapon, and I took three quick steps across the room and gathered her into my arms.

Warm tears splashed down her face as I kissed her. "I'm here, Tor. I'm here."

God, she tasted good. Smelled good. Felt amazing. My fear amplified all the more, even though she was back in my arms, as though only just realizing how close I'd come to losing her forever. Again.

"What are you—what happened at the club? I thought you were—well…" Tori rambled, furiously wiping away her tears. Her eyes were rimmed with red, and the outline of a welt was rising on the side of her beautiful face. I glanced down and caught sight of her mangled wrists; deep lacerations cut into her perfect skin.

Rage rushed through me. "I'm gonna kill that motherfucker," I growled, my tone more animal than human.

"I'll let you," Tori scoffed. I raised her hands to inspect the wounds on her wrists. "He had us zip-tied to chairs. We have to get Paige. He still has her."

I nodded and kissed her broken skin as gently as I could. I had a first aid kit in the truck, and although it was entirely impractical, I wished I'd brought it with me. She wasn't in critical need, but I hated to see her wounds and bloodied wrists all the same.

"I know. Reed's across the street. I went back to the club. After everything with Richie, I had to see you. But you weren't there, and no one could find you. Paige's friends were at the bar and said she'd been gone for too long and that she'd last been seen with you. I had this sick feeling that something happened."

My words trailed off as every emotion flooded through me all over again. Tori was here and safe, but the thought of what could have happened had my knees ready to buckle right out from under me.

"I found Reed, and he told me about the voicemail from Richie."

"I was so scared, Bennett. I thought he was going to?—"

She stopped, her voice choking in her throat.

I pulled her against me, holding her as tight as she could likely stand it. "Where's Paige?"

"In a storage room like this one, three hallways down. I shouldn't have left Paige, but someone recognized me. He was going to tell Richie."

"Shit."

She nodded. "Paige told me to run, but what if?—"

I stopped her with the tip of my finger pressed against her lips. "We're going to get her. Right now. You good with your gun?"

Tori nodded. "You know it."

I gave her a half-cocked smile. "Damn it, just when I think you can't get any sexier."

Tori laughed softly.

"All right. Let's go."

Taking Tori with me was a risk. But leaving her behind felt like a bigger one. Especially if there were other Sanderson members lurking around that could identify her as putting away one of their own. I had to keep her close. That was the only way I could guarantee her safety.

We set off down the hall. Tori didn't say a word but gestured each time we made a turn, directing me where to go. We kept our weapons ready, and when we started down the hallway she tapped my shoulder, holding up her fingers. Three, then two, then three.

Unit 323.

I sucked in a quick breath and bashed the door open. A guard lunged for me, and I dropped him with a single shot. Tori entered the fray a moment after his body hit the ground, and we both trained our guns on Richie.

"Paige! Are you all right?" Tori said, keeping her place beside me.

Paige was still locked into her metal folding chair. Richie made a move for her, and I shot him in the knee. He let out a horrendous scream and collapsed back against the wall.

"You fucked with the wrong people, Dalton."

"Go to hell, Starr."

I gave him a wicked smile. "Actually, it's Agent Marshon. FBI."

Richie's eyes widened, and a thrill of satisfaction rushed through me.

"Here," I said, fishing a knife from my back pocket. I tossed it to Tori, who flipped it open as she hurried to free Paige from her bonds.

When Paige's plastic cuffs snapped off, she popped up from her chair, rubbing her own battered wrists, and the two women raced to get behind me. It wouldn't be long till Richie's backup got there.

"Go, Tori. Get Paige out of here. Take the same path we came. Shoot anyone who tries to stop you," I said, not taking my eyes off Richie's. Footsteps sounded, and I trusted she was following my instructions.

Richie moved toward his piece, and before he could get a grip on it, I squeezed off three quick shots and dropped him like a sack of potatoes. As I watched Richie crumple to the ground, I stepped over him and made my way to catch up to the girls.

Tori and Paige were pushing through the side door as I caught up to them. Outside, the sirens were getting closer, and soon, this mess would be wrapped up, and Tori and I could start our lives together again.

It was over.

Tori remainedby my side through all of the questioning and moment-by-moment replays. Richie's men were hauled away by the handful until only the fed's working the scene remained. With the number of weapons in their possession, none would see the sun for a long time.

A fact that made me deliciously happy.

Pax wandered over with two Styrofoam cups, coffees from the shop down the way that had just opened for the day. As Tori and I approached twenty-four hours without sleep, we took them gladly.

"So, guess there goes the big case, huh, Bulldog?" Pax said, slapping me on the shoulder, sloshing my coffee.

I shot him a scowl and shook the hot liquid off my hand. "Actually, Pax, I'd say it all worked out even better than expected." I gave Tori a meaningful glance. "Richie Dalton is dead, and all it's gonna take is one or two of his little pals to give into a plea deal to get the big fish we were after all along."

Pax shrugged. "Suppose so. Unfortunately, I think you're burned from working those cases."

I smiled at Tori. "You know, I've been thinking about retiring for a while anyway. Maybe it's time to travel. See the world. Live a little."

Tori's blue eyes gleamed up at me.

Pax muttered something I didn't care enough to hear, and I kissed Tori on the cheek. "What do you think, baby?"

"I'll go anywhere that you can be Bennett, and I can be Tori. And we can be together."

"Took the words right out of my mouth," I quipped before kissing her again.

The scene still crawled with men and women in FBI, LAPD, and ATF jackets. Lights flashed, radios buzzed, and orders barked across the lot as more special teams filtered in and out. The shitstorm would take days—possibly weeks—to fully clear out. The investigation would drag on for months after that.

I didn't care about any of it. The only thing I cared about was sitting right next to me in the cab of my truck, her feet on the dash and her hand on my thigh.

Without waiting, I revved the engine to life and shot Tori a sideways smile. "Let's get the hell outta here, baby."

Tori smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. "To us."

"To us."

Yay!Finally!

We met Tori and Bennett in Knight Moves. Did you know Bennett also makes a surprise cameo in Keeping Gemma? His charisma knows no bounds!

I love weaving my characters through different stories, creating a rich, interconnected world that keeps you eagerly turning the pages. Dive into these stories and see how their lives intersect in unexpected and exciting ways.