24. Priest

Rock lostsight of the van, but we do know it wasn't heading to Carlo's compound. The good thing about most hackers is they generally have a Plan B up their sleeves. The great thing about Jett and Rock is they always have a backup plan that supersedes Plan A. I don't ever doubt them, and this is why.

Don't ask me how, but Rock honed in on a signal in the van that inadvertently gave him access to what we think is the tracking device on Bella's ring. Rock surmises it's probably on Leo's cell phone, confirming everything we already knew that Leo has her and she's still alive. I'm looking at the dot right now. She's on the move.

"We know Leo wanted us to storm the compound," Cash says, his eyes darting around from the unmarked van we're sitting in two blocks away from where the signals coming from. "His men are swarming the neighborhood. A nice, bloody end to all his troubles. He gets to keep runnin' the mob as their new Don, and Bella will probably be sold to a trafficking ring as punishment for her betrayal."

I ball my hands into fists. "That asshole won't see the light of day again."

"He could go underground," Tag warns. "He's smart thus far. And if he has the following of Carlo's men already, then they'll protect him."

I know Tag's right, but I just want to see this motherfucker dead and my girl alive and in my arms again. I can't even imagine what she's going through right now.

"We need to move," I say. "Can't this damn van go any faster?"

Riot turns to look at me over his shoulder. "Keep your hair on, brother. We get too close, they get suspicious. We can't fuck this up at the eleventh hour. Plus, Carlo isn't even home, conveniently."

"If he's not home, then why did Leo plan on havin' us raid the property and gun Carlo down?" I say.

Clearly I'm not thinking straight when Ryder chimes in. "Because even someone like Leo can't predict the mob boss's movements all the time. If they're headed to the warehouse, Leo will likely gun Carlo down himself and make it look like it was the MC. Either way, we're fucked."

"The fact we haven't raided the compound will be settin' him on an uneasy slope," Cash agrees. "Which is why we'll just blow the place up, that way none of my men are affected and the ones that are deserve to be blown to smithereens."

"I'm glad you have all of this worked out," I mumble, unable to concentrate on a damn thing. "I just want Bella back in one piece."

"Hang tight," Harlem tells me. "We'll get her back. She's still alive, and the fact Leo hasn't killed her says a lot. He'll want to hang onto her as long as he can until this mess is over, which is a good thing for us. We'll swoop in and get her back and it'll all be over."

"Since when have you become the voice of reason?" Riot turns to look at Harlem.

He frowns. "I'm always the voice of reason, asshole."

Some of the guys snicker but I can't even summon a smile. I don't want this. I can't… I need to get to her…

"Will you two shut up?" Tag complains. "I'm tryin' to think."

"Yeah, we can hear," Riot snickers.

I press my fingers to my temples. I can't deal with this. I know that I'm usually the one giving advice. The one the club relies on to make things right again. The man who they can confide in and talk to when they need it, but now I'm just a mess.

I have no reason to be here if Bella isn't with me. Just to know she's okay. That he hasn't laid a finger on her.

"Sit tight." Cash pats me on the back as we cut through traffic. "I think I know where they're headed."

The address to the warehouse is in a part of town that's unsuspecting and also dangerous. Still. There couldn't be anything more dangerous right now than a man like me with a debt to settle. I'm cashing in, and if Leo thinks he's smarter than we are, he has another thing coming.

He didn't plan on Carlo not being at the compound. Leo didn't plan on a lot of things. Even though we're a step ahead of him, I wouldn't put it past the slippery little fucker to try and get away. We can't let that happen. He has to pay for what he did.

And he will. I'll make sure of it.

Now, we're crouched around the outskirts of the meeting point at the mob warehouse, men are already lying down in pools of their own blood no thanks to Leo and his army.

Suddenly, a hand grips my shoulder. I turn to see… my dad?

My mouth opens as he slides down next to me. "Dad? What are you doin' here?"

Dad side eyes me. "You think I'm gonna let my kid get into another gun-slingin' match without me?" he snorts in a whisper. "Not happenin'."

"How did–"

"Cash." He lines up his gun and I stare at him.

"You know how to shoot one of those things?"

He doesn't spare me a glance this time. "I've been shootin' since before you were born."

I shake my head. "For fuck's sake, don't get shot or it'll be on my conscience."

"Maybe you could read us all a benediction?" Nevada whispers.

I turn to look at him surprised he even knows what that means.

He's probably right. I make a cross sign and kiss my middle and pointer finger. "May God have mercy on our souls for what we're about to do."

I feel my dad's eyes on me. "You love her?" His voice is low.

I meet his eye. "Yeah, I do."

He nods once. "Then let's get her back, sooner that happens, the sooner you can make me a Grandfather."

"Jesus," I mutter.

I quieten as movement alerts our attention.

Being here got me to thinking about why Leo brought Bella here. But then it all starts to make sense…

Leo stands behind Bella as she holds a gun to Carlo's head. "Tell him, my little liar. Tell him about what you've been doing," Leo's sinister voice echoes off the walls.

My heart races in my chest a million miles when I see how close he is to her and how her eyes are downcast in that way I can't stand.

Carlo is both baffled and shocked; the look on his face with his eyes wide and lips parted says it all. His men are dead and he's holding his hand in the air, hoping for some miracle. Leo is supposed to be his right-hand man. Tonight, they met here to discuss the shipment of trafficked women and children they have coming in without the fear of phone taps, video evidence or feds lurking nearby.And then there's the small fact that his ‘dead' niece is standing in front of him.

"Bella?" Carlo says the words slowly. "What— You're… you're alive?"

Her hand shakes as Leo steadies it with his own. It won't matter either way, there are several more guns pointed at Carlo' head. "No thanks to you."

"What in the world? How–"

"Your brother took her along the night of the shoot out," Leo informs him. "She faked her own death, which is pretty neat when you think about it. Smart too. She didn't count on the fact that I put a tracker in that ring of hers, mainly because I didn't trust her, and it only proves I was right."

"And now you're taking out my army?" Carlo directs his words to Leo, not Bella. "For what purpose? Haven't I given you everything?"

"You would think so, but sadly, it's not," Leo goes on. "Caruso"s time in power has come to an end, my friend. You taught me everything you know, and for that I'm grateful. I truly am. But your men don't respect you. Eventually, they'll turn against you like they've already done without you even realizing."

"You won't get away with this," he hisses.

"Oh, that's where you're wrong. I have it all set up, even this execution. The MC will take care of the rest, which is what happens when you deal with complete, incompetent assholes. They'll take the fall, the men will turn to me and I'll take on your legacy. Of course, I'll mourn your death and vow that I'll make our enemies pay."

"You motherfucking asshole!" Carlo has nowhere left to run and he knows it.

I have to hand it to Leo; to get this far, he's played a good hand. Even if his days are numbered, his plan worked up until this point.

I can't wait to see his face when he sees us. But we can't risk Bella's life. I have no doubt he'll turn that gun on her the second he's out of options.

She's a pawn to him, just like everybody else in his lineup.

She looks terrified; her eyes are wide and I'm sure she's shaking.

I want to take it all away. Tell her that I'm here, that I love her. That I'll die protecting her if that's what it takes.

Leo looks pleased with himself. "Take a long look around. The legacy you built, it won't stand long. Everything you worked hard for will now be mine."

"My family won"t let you get away with this," he spits. "They'll see right through it."

Leo laughs. "Not when I turn up at your funeral distraught, vowing to avenge your murder to anyone who dares speak against the Caruso name." He kisses Bella on the side of the cheek and that gesture alone has me seeing red. I want to rip his tongue out of his goddamn throat.

"Please, Leo," she begs. "I don't want to do this."

"You'll have to be patient with her," he goes on. "She's never killed in cold blood before. By the time I'm done reprogramming her, she'll be the good little whore-wife I've trained her to be. I might even lend her out to some of your old cronies who will inevitably back me in all my decision making, being that you once again, chose me to be your predecessor."

"You won't get a block," Carlo replies. "They won't believe a single word you say. You just wait and see. They'll paint this town red with your blood."

My finger closes around the shaft of the gun I'm holding and I want to charge at him. But not when there are several guns pointed that could easily turn our way just as easily. The way Leo is shielded, and holding Bella at close range makes it hard to take a shot and not endanger Bella's life.

"Don't make me do this." Her tone is more anger than anything else, and pride swells in my chest with how brave she's being. "Please."

This is the perfect scenario for Leo; he thinks we're over guns blazing at the compound, doing all the dirty work for him.

"It's easy," Leo chimes. "You just aim, and then pull the trigger."

"Now," Cash mutters into the walkie.

Shots go off and I aim at Leo. Unable to get a good shot, I lurch forward out of the shadows and race toward them. He pulls Bella with him and bullets start spraying everywhere. I don't know who's hitting who, and I don't care — I just need to get to my girl.

"Be careful son," I hear my dad's voice. "I'll flank you."

I don't even get to thank him.

"I've got your other side," Nevada says. "Go!"

I dodge and dive, firing at one of the soldiers who aims at me. Bullets fly by and Nevada takes men out on either side. I never realized what a good shot he was, but I'm glad for it right at this moment. Carlo Caruso goes down like a sack of spuds.

"Bella!" She wrestles with Leo. He's trying to get the gun out of her hand, but she's hanging on with both hands and it's pointing every which way.

Without being able to get a clear shot I run into his side, knocking him — and ultimately Bella — over. I hold my arm out to catch her but she falls down, grazing her knees. Then I'm on top of Leo as he pushes me off and we wrestle as we both hit punches to the body.

I can't turn to check on Bella; I need to deal with this asshole first but when we finally get to our feet, I hear Bella say in a steady voice. "Don't move." She's pointing the gun at Leo. "Don't you fucking move, you asshole!"

"What are you gonna do, Isabella? Shoot me?"

"Yes." She doesn't hesitate. She shoots him in the chest and he doubles back, trying to escape. But there's nowhere to go except over the side of the dock and into the Mississippi River. I try to catch him, but he's already fallen over the side. I pull the gun from Bella's hands and fold her into my arms. Chaos is all around us and I pull her with me to safety, in my arms where she belongs.

"Priest?" She touches my face when we're out of sight. "You're… you're really here?"

I sweep the hair back off her face. "Of course I'm here, I told you I'd keep you safe. I had no idea what Leo was planning or I would've been more diligent in?—"

She puts a finger over my lips. "Don't ever say that," she whispers. Tears leak down her face and I brush them away. "I thought you were dead… He told me…"

I shake my head. "I'm here, little dove. I'm always going to be here." I pull her close, covering her body with my own. "I'll never let you go again."

I glance over to the side. I can't see him in the dark, but I hope to God that bullet was enough to actually kill him. What we don't need is him resurfacing again. Not that he has anyone left in the mob to back him. They're all pretty much dead. The Carusos are finished.

"Need to get you out of here," I mutter. She clings to me like a koala. "Keep holdin' on, princess."

"I love you, Priest." Tears stream down her face. "When I thought you were dead, I didn't care about anything anymore. I just wanted Leo dead. I wanted him to pay."

"And he has. He's gone now."

"I don't know if I killed him, what if…"

I tip her chin up. "It's unlikely he'd survive a bullet wound to the chest, and the Mississippi River. Regardless, the mob is done. He's done. He'll wash up sooner or later." I kiss her on the forehead. "You're free now."

She shakes her head, trying to look over my shoulder. "My uncle?"

I tilt her chin back to me. "You don't need to see that, but he's dead. So are his men. And we're gettin' out of here."

I turn, Nevada and Harlem are practically on top of us. along with my dad. Thank God he's okay. "Get movin'," Nevada says. "Holdin' off, but more men are arrivin'."

"What about Rowan and his men?"

"They took the compound, half his men are waitin' to ambush the rest of the soldiers headed this way."

I nod. "Let's move, Bella." I lift her into my arms and I run.

We approach Nevada's truck and he opens the door, my dad on the other side with his gun raised, guarding us. I shove Bella inside, climbing in after her. Harlem turns. "Gonna stay behind, get her out of here. She needs to see a doctor and so do you." Harlem's eyes dip and I stare down at the blood leaking from my shirt.

"Oh my God!" Bella shrieks. "You've been shot!"

"Fuck," I hear my dad whisper-shout as he climbs into the front passenger seat.

I feel the wet patch above my shoulder. It's a graze. I didn't even feel it. "I'm fine," I tell her as Harlem slams the door and Nevada starts the engine. "It's a graze. Oh, Bella, this is my dad, West." This is the second time I've been shot at and lived to tell the tale, but I can't forget my manners.

Dad turns around, holding out his hand. "Pleased to meet you, Bella."

She looks at his outstretched hand and to my surprise, she takes it. "I wish we were meeting under better circumstances Mr…."

"West," he says. "You'll make me sound like an old man callin' me by my last name."

Bella smiles softly. She's covered in blood and dirt. I want to get her home to where she feels safe.

"Casey will be at the clubhouse," Nevada tells us. "I've also named your dad, bro. After tonight, he deserves a biker name."

"What"s wrong with West?" Bella questions. "That's a nice name."

Dad chuckles. "Thank you, Bella."

"Nah, it sounds too made up," Nevada continues. Why the fuck they got him to drive, I'll never know. He never shuts up.

I pull Bella closer to me, hardly daring to believe we made it out of there. We're making small talk after all of that? I guess it's better than her being a mess in my arms. I kiss the top of her head. "Do we want to know?"

"Hustler," they say together. Then he and my dad laugh at the same time. Seems like they've been doing some bonding of late.

I smirk. "Sounds about right."

"I know it's kinda early days, but my mom's single," he says to my dad as the van begins to move. "You know, if you're interested."

"Oh, yeah, she hot?" Dad snickers.

"She produced me." Nevada shrugs. "And I get a lot of pussy because of my face and my?—"

My dad reaches out and slaps him upside the head before he can finish. "That's no way to talk in front of a lady." He thumbs behind him toward the backseat. "I hope you don't talk to your mother with that filthy mouth."

"Nah, she washed it out with soap when I was a kid. She gave up when I was a teenager." He seems proud of that fact.

"Guys, do you mind?" I swallow hard. "More importantly; did we lose anyone?"

Nevada shakes his head. "Element of surprise and a lethal shot, courtesy of Bronco. Nice to know he's good for somethin'. Though, I don't mind the Irish. They fight dirty."

"Gotta respect that," Dad puts in.

I chuckle. It's all I can do. Bella straddles across my lap, trying to pull at my shirt to check my wound. My hands rest on her hips.

"I fuckin' love you," I whisper.

Her eyes meet mine. "If you ever leave me again…" She shakes her head. "I can't do this without you. I don't want to?—"

I press my lips against hers. "I don't want to either."

"For fucks sake, get a room already." Nevada snickers, earning another slap around the back of his head.

I press my forehead against hers. "Nothin' is ever gonna tear me away from you. I'm sorry this happened?—"

"It's okay."

I shake my head. "It's not okay, Bella. This is all my doing…"

Then she gasps. "Oh, God. Are Jinx and Dexter okay?"

I nod. "They're okay. Thank fuck for hard case pet carriers and that whole nine lives thing."

"Jesus, those poor babies."

"They'll be okay. Riot took them to my room at the clubhouse."

"I don't know how much more mayhem I can cope with," she whispers. "Please tell me it's finally over."

I stroke her ass with my palms. "It's finally over, little one. It's well and truly over. Nothin' can hurt you anymore."

"What about all the destruction?"

I press my mouth to her ear. "Can you keep a secret?" She nods. "Callaghan's gonna get a nice big bonus for weedin' out the biggest human trafficking organization this state has ever seen, not that he did jack shit. He'll be promoted and honored. Cash and the club will be pardoned for anythin' they've done, in exchange for handing over Caruso and any men that remain."

Her face looks ashen as her mouth forms an ‘O'. "Holy shit."

I stroke her cheek. "The feds may hate us, but they hate human traffickers more. Callaghan has had these assholes on his radar ever since they came back to New Orleans. Leo will get blamed for the attack on the compound, and turnin' against his own people. The club and the Irish will be exonerated."

"Wow, you can do all of that?"

I chuckle. "Not me specifically, but Cash is very persuasive. Let's just say he and Callaghan have a history, and though they hate one another, they have one clear objective; to get the bad guys."

She sighs, cupping my face as I run my hands up her arms. "I think I need a vacation."

I laugh. "I think we need a vacation." I kiss her again.

"I can bring the bags," Nevada offers. "Where we talkin'? I've never been to Hawaii if that helps."

"Shut the fuck up and drive."

There is only this moment. That's all we have.

Me and her.

And I'm not going to spend a single second wasting it.

Living my life from this day forward includes her.

Now and forever.

That's what I know.