Man of the House: A Dark Bad Boy Romance(120)

“We can do that too if you want,” he said, smiling. “Come on, Kaley, help your family. How many men work for the Italians?”

“I don’t know.”

“Where is their security weakest?”

“I don’t know. Go to hell.”

My father sighed, shaking his head. “Kaley, please. Don’t make me hurt you more than I have to.”

“Listen to me,” I said. “You are a vile piece of garbage, and I genuinely hope you die a violent, horrific death. Do you understand that?”

He nodded, frowning. “It’s okay. You’ll come around.” He stood up straight and headed toward the door.

“Wait,” I said. “Please. Alexei.”

He smiled back at me. “Tell me what their weaknesses are, and I’ll let you see the boy.”

“He’s here?” I asked softly.

“He’s here. How many men are in the compound at any given time? When are they most vulnerable?”

I stared at him, my mind running circles. Alexei was safe and sound as far as I could tell.

But if I talked, told him what I thought was right, Vince might get hurt.

I didn’t want to betray Vince, didn’t want to hurt him.

And maybe I could do both. Maybe if I kept my father happy for long enough, I could figure out a way to escape. All I needed to do was tell him plausible lies. I just needed a few days to think.

“Noon,” I lied. “They change guards at noon. I think there are less around then.”

He looked at me and nodded. “Good. That’s good. How many men are on the compound normally?”

“A lot,” I said. “I don’t know. Hundreds I think.”

He frowned. “Can’t be hundreds.”

“I never counted,” I said.

“Don’t lie to me, girl.” He took a step toward me. “Lying will be worse.”

“I really don’t know,” I said. “Please, let me see Alexei.”

He looked at me in silence for a moment and then shook his head. “No. Maybe next time. Think of something good to give me. I’ll be back tomorrow.”

“No!” I screamed, but he was already walking away.

“Open up,” he called out.

“No!” I screamed again, getting up. My whole body hurt, but I hurled myself at him anyway. “Let me see my son!”

He whirled and punched me in the jaw, knocking me to the ground. I sprawled out, my head buzzing with stars.

“Think of something good, Kaley,” he said, and then he was gone.

The door shut and locked behind him.

I curled into a ball, dizzy and aching, my whole body in pain. I tried not to cry, couldn’t let them get to me, but I couldn’t help it. I cried as quietly as I could, but I was crying for Alexei.

My own father. He was beating me, interrogating me, using his grandson against me. It was disgusting, shocking, vile. I couldn’t believe I was there, that this was happening. I couldn’t believe Sophie would let this happen to me.

I wanted to die. I wanted to give up and kill myself, but I couldn’t do that to Alexei. I had to stay strong for him, for my son.

I had to find a way out of this hellhole and save my son.





36





Vince





We waited until just after midnight.

Rafa and I sat down in the garage, sitting in the black truck we would be driving out into the city, sharing a cigar.

Earlier, Louisa had texted me an address and said that was Kaley’s house. I couldn’t be sure that they were holding her there, but I could at least grab her father and force him to tell us where she was.

Lucas had come through nicely on the gear: upgraded vests, decent rifles, and even some grenades. Not the explosive kind, but flashbangs, the type that make a loud noise and a bright light that stuns people temporarily.

Rafa and I sat there, puffing away on the cigar, seriously deadly gear strapped to our chests. I grinned at him.

“You ever think we’d end up like this?”

He laughed. “What, strapped up with weapons and ready to kill some Russians? Yeah, I did.”

I grinned. “No. I mean going against the wishes of our people.”

He shrugged. “Frankly, boss, I never know with you.”

I laughed, taking a nice puff. “After this, if we both f*cking survive, consider yourself promoted.”

“I’m not sure you can do that, boss.”

“I’ll make it happen.”

He shrugged. “Whatever you say.”

I laughed again and handed him the cigar. I started the engine. “You ready?”

“Always.”

I drove us out into the night, heading toward violence and death.

And I felt damn good about it.

That incredible, calm excitement overtook my body as I drove into the city, Rafa sitting next to me, placidly puffing on the cigar.

I had no clue what we were walking into. Normally we’d watch a place for weeks before attacking it like this, but we didn’t have weeks. The Russians wanted to get rid of my son.

Worse, I had no clue if Kaley really needed saving. Maybe they were keeping her safe and letting her take care of Alexei like normal. But I couldn’t take that chance. If she was okay, I’d walk out of there. Maybe I’d have to shoot my way out, but I’d leave her alone if that was what she wanted.