Page 17 of Suspicious

Wes bends down, picking up Ricco’s severed head by his hair. “Got it. I’ll guard it with my life.”

I have no fucking clue what the hell Alpha is up to now, but I do know that we have just managed to take down the fucking Rojas Cartel compound—something we have been trying to do for years.

I never thought this day would come.

Alpha turns to me with a genuine smile finally lighting his face. All signs of the ghosts haunting him have vanished. “Did we actually just pull this off?”

Chuckling, I grip his shoulder, glancing around to see our brothers unharmed and surrounding us.

The compound continues to smolder and burn, with soldier bodies scattered everywhere in various states of disarray.

This couldn’t have gone any better.

A win like this is almost impossible.

“I don’t know how, but the Trojan Horse idea may have actually been our greatest one yet. They practically killed themselves, which is the best part,” I state.

A slow smile crosses Alpha’s face. “When we get back, I need you in the Chapel with Haven and Livvy… but tonight, we’re celebrating!”

I haven’t had a second to truly let this sink in—until right now.

My chest thumps hard with the reality of this moment.

We have taken down the Rojas Cartel.

Our biggest adversaries.

Damn straight, we’re going to be celebrating tonight!

“Then let’s get the hell back to the clubhouse,” I chime.

Alpha nods. “We will. First, we need to do our due diligence. Brothers, we have to sweep this facility from head to toe. Make sureno oneis left behind. We have two vehicles. If there is anything left inside the remaining buildings that is of use to us, we take it. What was theirs now belongs to Defiance. If we can’t get it in the vehicles now, we send men back for it later. Everyone understand?” he instructs. We all nod in agreement, smiles lining our faces. “Okay, Defiance, let’s do this. Then, we move out!”

Adrenaline surges through me, and as a brotherhood, we unite. We have a job to do. A duty to carry out. We have to see this through and make sure we have crossed all the t’s. Then, and only then, can we go home and take a much-needed breath and a well-deserved drink. But for now, I need to get moving and ensure everything is taken care of, especially as the tech guy and the VP. I’m going to double-check absolutely every damn nook and cranny of this place, wipe every hard drive myself and clean every fucking surface to guarantee there’s no trace of us here.

It’s my job to protect Alpha.

It’s my duty to keep those under me safe.

And I’m going to damn well do that now I know Ricco and his men aren’t going to come back swinging.

Defiance is on top in LA now.

We have absolutely nothing to lose and everything to gain.

And it’s about fucking time!

***

We’ve been back at the clubhouse for a little while, gatheringour thoughts after what the fuck just happened at the cartel compound. The brothers have already started drinking for the afternoon, but Haven, Alpha, and I are in the Chapel waiting for the arrival of Alpha’s ex-wife, Livvy.

As I sit back, my eyes fixated on the black box sitting in the middle of the Chapel table, I can’t help but wonder how this is all going to play out.

Haven continues to pace the floor while Alpha sits back in his chair, his arms folded across his chest. “Will you sit down, woman,” Alpha grunts out.

Haven snorts out a laugh, shaking her head. “You went into Cartel territory, took out these assholes, anddidn’t fucking fill me in?I’m your Old Lady, Alpha. Not only that, I’m a fucking trained assassin.I could have helped!”

Alpha slumps into his seat, shifting his gaze to Haven. “I couldn’t have concentrated if you were there. I would’ve been worried ’bout your safety—”

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