Page 58 of Matched into the Mob

Dane chuckled, though it was more of a gurgle. Ewww. It reminded me of a death rattle. Not that I’d witnessed one, only fake ones performed by actors.

“True, but I’m happy to discuss someone else’s family.”

Huh? He must be referring to the wider La Luna Noir family.

“Cut the crap, Dane. Let’s get this over with. You and the weather are both pissing me off.” Ranger’s voice was all steel.

Dane gazed around at the destroyed garden, the driveway that resembled a cratered airfield during wartime, and the gates once standing tall, now bowed or washed away.

“Shame. It must have been quite beautiful. Maybe I’ll buy it from you.”

Ranger snorted and muttered something I didn’t catch.

Dane’s nostrils flared. “I heard he’s your mate.”

Gods no. He would understand how much Ranger cared about me.

“And that’s why I came with a backup plan.”

I tensed, waiting for him to pull out the gun. Despite the drizzle and gaps in the clouds, muddy water was flowing over what was left of the driveway, and Ranger was ankle-deep in sludge.

“We’re here to hand over the files and for you to get the fuck out of here.”

“You forget, I said I wanted two things.”

While I couldn’t see the rest of the La Luna shifters, I was sure they were camouflaged in amongst the muck, rubble, and slime.

“I was talking about Matt's family,” Dane shouted.

If blood could run cold, mine did. It turned to ice, the slivers slicing my veins, and I froze, unable to move. My family consisted of Josh.

The Obsidian guy who’d been standing over the one who fell, dragged my brother up and flung him against what remained of the metal fence. Josh was wearing PJs, now drowning in mud, with teddy bears stamped on the fabric. I’d given them to him at Christmas. His hair was stuck to his scalp, but it was the anguish etched on his face that struck horror in me.

“Matt!” he sobbed.

This wasn’t my existence where a mobster kidnapped my brother who’d never so much as jaywalked. This was Ranger’s life. He’d brought Josh into this mess.

“A swap. I give you the brother and you hand over your mate.” Dane looked pleased with himself despite being covered in slime. “And if you don’t agree, the brother goes bye-bye.”

There was the gun, but instead of being pointed at me, Dane was aiming it at Josh. I burst out of the house, and Rudy lungedtoward me, tripping me so I fell over the stairs and landed face first in the mud.

“Matt, no!” Ranger grabbed me, but adrenaline fueled my strength and I tore away from him.

“Josh.”

“Awww, brotherly love. How sweet.” Dane slapped Josh in the head, and he groaned and crumbled, but the guy with him heaved him up. “Now let’s swap and we’ll be out of your way.” He sniggered. “You’re a fool, Ranger. I’m getting everything I want, and you’ll be left with… nothing except a guy who works at a non-profit.”

He laughed, a sound of pure evil.

I’d assumed any guilt I’d feel would be if Ranger’s family was hurt or worse. But I’d never considered Dane abducting Josh. I couldn’t walk the earth if Dane killed my brother.

Ranger took hold of my arm and said he’d take care of it.

“What would you do if this was one of your family?” I snapped, my tears mingling with the rain. “You’d give your life for them, right?”

“Yes, but you can’t do this,” he said under his breath. He and his shifters might’ve had a plan, but I had to save my brother. Me. The one who fucked up. And if it meant sacrificing myself, I’d do it.

“Let me go, Ranger.” Saying goodbye to the man who had my heart, who I’d met two days ago, would be an impossible task in any other situation. What were those three questions I’d asked myself? I could live without him but I’d cry every day.

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