Page 126 of The Silencer

“Fine. Please help us find him. I’ll be in your debt. Again.”

Sebastian nods and then pulls out his laptop and gets to work, his fingers flying across the screen. Along with all the other shady shit he does, no one can hack a system like Sebastian LeClerc.

I try to just sit there and wait, but I can’t fucking stand it. Patience is not my virtue at the moment.

“Luca,” I bite out and nod toward the door. He follows me outside, and I flick my wrist out. “Cigarette.”

He pulls out his pack and hands me one, pulling out his electric lighter and igniting the end.

I take a drag and feel the smoke enter my lungs.

“You may need something stronger, Boss,” he says, and I shake my head.

“I want to be clear-headed when I find out where they are. I’m going to murder them all and then burn their bodies to ash.”

Luca nods and then stares out across the gardens.

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, you’ll stay here. If something does happen to me, you need to take over.”

He hesitates and then lights up his own cigarette. “Fuck. That’s depressing as hell.”

“It’s the reality of what we do.”

“Yeah, but I don’t want this, Anthony. I never have. I’ve only stayed to be close to you. To the boys. To Laura.”

“And she’s gone. Just like Tatum.” My voice cracks, and I take another inhale.

“He’s not gone. We will find him and then we’ll kill them all.”

“He’s hurt. He’s alone…” my voice trails off, my eyes starting to sting. Luca doesn’t acknowledge it, just stares out into the distance and blows smoke from his mouth.

“We’ll find him.”

“We have to.”

“We will.”

We finish our cigarettes, and I take a deep breath, my mind no longer wandering and lost, but focused once more. Finding Tatum.

I will find him.

Sebastian suddenly appears from the shadows and he runs his tongue along the front of his teeth, looking a bit smug. I straighten and face him, hope bubbling in my gut.

“It’s done. I just messaged you the coordinates. Would you like me to come? Matty wanted to do Disneyland fireworks tonight, but I wouldn’t mind a little murder beforehand. Really gets the blood flowing. He won’t mind waiting here for me. Anyway, he’ll be upset if Tatum dies, and I don’t like anything upsetting my sunshine.”

“Yes.” I turn to Luca. “I need twelve men, armed heavily. I’ll be ready to leave in five. And text Bane. Tell him he’s been located.”

And then Sebastian and I are striding toward the SUV, my eyes laser focused.

I’m going to bring him home and nothing will ever harm him again.

22

TATUM

My entire arm is on fire, snot and tears crusted to my cheeks as I set my shaky hand on my thigh. I can’t look.

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