Page 136 of I Stop Somewhere Waiting For You

He stares at me in silence, my tension rising with each passing second. “My boss wanted extra reassurances that Yuri would give up intel. Especially since he typically isn’t one to detail his criminal dealings. He cut a deal with Elliot Devoreaux to ensure he’d drive the conversation in a very specific direction.”

“What does that mean?” I grit out through clenched teeth.

“It means Elliot Devoreaux is free and clear… as is Lucian.”

“No! Fuck that, Alec!” Nicky shouts, shoving a pointed finger in Kellerman’s face. “That piece of shit fucked with me, with Mav, with our family. He doesn’t walk away from this. Lucian is mine.”

“I’m sorry, Nick. It’s out of my hands. Lucian’s walking away with full immunity. He and his father are opting for WitSec. After tonight, the Devoreauxs will be issued new identities and cease to exist.” Nicky’s shaking his head, pacing back and forth in the hall as he struggles with the disappointing news he’s being delivered. After a moment, Kellerman continues. “Nicky, he’s asking for an identity to be created for Daphne as well.”

“No.” Nicky and I answer in unison, though his voice comes out several octaves higher as he spins to face him, his head adamantly shaking back and forth.

“I have to offer it to her, Nick. She can refuse it if she wants.”

“She fucking refuses!” Nicky crowds Alec’s space, peering down at him with a look that alludes to the homicidal rage building inside him at this moment.

“Nicky!” Daphne snaps, appearing in the doorway down the hall. “I can speak for myself.” She advances toward us, her presence giving Nicky pause, prompting him to dial back his aggressive stance. Daphne comes to stand amidst the center of us, addressing Alec specifically. “Agent…”

“Kellerman,” he states.

“Kellerman,” Daphne repeats with a smile. “While I thank you very much for your offer, I do, in fact, respectfully decline.”

“Of course, Ms. Burke,” Kellerman responds warmly as Nicky flinches at his use of her maiden name. “And congratulations on your recent nuptials.”

“Thank you.” She smiles. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d like to go change out of this dress.”

“I’m going to need you to hold off on that, Ms. Burke.”

My head swivels in Alec’s direction, my brow furrowing in question.

He looks to me, his expression hesitant as he turns back toward Daph to explain. “One of the individuals involved in the sting upstairs managed to evade the arresting agents. We have all the exits covered and we’re currently clearing the hotel floor by floor, but until we have him, I need you to remain here with your husband.”

“Who was it?” the question rushes from my lips. “Which one got away?”

“It’s Cabir,” Alec looks to me apologetically as a tight-lipped scowl overtakes my features, “but Maverick, he’s not getting out of the hotel. It’s surrounded.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about, Alec.” My gaze swivels to the right as I start backing down the hall. “Daph, where’s J?”

“With Shannon. Mitch ran to the bathroom.”

Fuck.

I sprint back to the ballroom, busting through the doors and breaking into a full out run when my eyes land on Shannon’s crumpled form on the floor. “Nick!” I yell, sliding in alongside her as though I’m stealing home. Pulling her into my arms, I brush back the disheveled hair from her face while I briefly assess the damage. A large bruise is already beginning to form on her forehead, evident she’s been pistol whipped.

“Mom!” Nicky shouts, just as he swoops in next to me. Nicky scoops her from my grasp, gently jostling her in his arms as he attempts to wake her. “Mom, wake up. Mom. Kellerman!” he shouts over his shoulder just as Alec comes rushing in with Daphne at his side. “Medic, now!”

Alec quickly retrieves his cell, calling for an ambulance as Mitch’s powerful voice booms within the space, signaling his return. “Nicky! What the fuck?!” He rushes over, dropping down alongside his son as he carefully shifts Shannon into his arms. “What happened?!”

“We don’t know,” a distraught Nicky forces out just as Daphne wraps her arms around him from behind. “We found her like this. J’s missing.”

J’s missing. He’s got J.

“Come on, baby,” Mitch whispers, rocking Shannon back and forth while pressing kisses to her forehead. “Come on, Shan. Let’s go, baby. I need you to wake up.” He pulls her upright, nuzzling his face in the crook of her neck. “Shannon,” he speaks with a fierce determination, “I am nowhere near strong enough to do any of this without you, baby. So, I need you to wake the fuck up right now. Right now!”

By the grace of God, Shannon’s eyelids twitch, causing us to collectively hold our breath in a moment of suspense before her lids flutter open.

Mitch gasps, pulling her tighter against him as he sobs out in relief. Nicky doubles over, grasping onto Daphne, who falls back onto her ass as she catches him. While my chest floods with relief that Shannon’s okay, I still can’t breathe with the knowledge that my girl’s in trouble. Shannon glances around, blinking several times before her sights focus on me. “Maverick, it’s Caleb.” Her words rush out in state of urgency. “He took her.”

I pull my gun in response, my inner monster roaring. “Where?”

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