Page 48 of Naughty Santa Daddy

“Where?” I’m good to go. Now. Fuck everything else.

“They sent a pin. Looks like a warehouse on the docks. Off the Gulf Coast.”

I know the area. “It’s not far. Let’s move.” I take a step before he halts me.

Miller holds up a hand. “We’re not going without backup.”

I hate it when he’s right. “Fine. Drake, Cowboy, JD, and Jonas. That enough?”

Miller nods. “Should be. Round ’em up, VP.”

In less than two minutes, I’m on my Harley and heading to the warehouse. It’s an odd meeting place, but I don’t worry about it. Nothing is gonna drag my focus away from Wash and Rabbit. Their betrayal hurt the club, my woman, and innocents. They have to answer for that shit the same as Dawg. By the time this night is over, they’ll all be buried six feet in the ground.

Only now do I let my thoughts drift to Alex and the holiday dinner I’m missing. I have to make it up to her, and I will. Family is important to my woman, and I want her to know it’s the same for me. We might be blending two different worlds, but it’s the same concept.

With Miller and the club, I found a brotherhood. With Alex, I’m finding ahome.

For a man who spent his last seven years thinking he lost everything, I sure as fuck hit the jackpot. I’m planning on spending the rest of my days proving to my sexy little elf this is all worth it.

We arrive at the location in record time. Low traffic and years on these roads make it easy. I’ve been riding on these highways since I was a teen. The street is barren leading up to the warehouse as we park our bikes. There’s no reason to hide. Washand Rabbit know we’re comin’. None of us walk into this blind. We’re aware of the risks.

I palm my SIG as I approach the building. Alert, I tick my chin at Miller. There’s movement inside. I can hear feet scuffing the ground on the other side of the open door as we press against the outer wall.

Nothing prepares me for what I hear next as chills douse my spine.

There’s a scream first, and it’s oddly familiar. Then I hear a shout that’s also a warning.

“Goliath! Carlo is here!”

Fuck.My enemies have Alex.

Chapter 17

Roux Cantrell

Roux Cantrell

Alessandra (Alex)

The place is buzzing with activity. This explains why they had chosen the time—busy enough to muffle any sounds of gunfire and screams. Hell, the Allegrini family employs half the workers. The saying, ‘see no evil, hear no evil’applies to everyone who works on the docks. You rat, you ended up swimming with the fishes.

Large cranes are whirling and whizzing as they pick up and move containers to ships, creating loud noises. I think about the rows and rows of stacked containers standing watch like silent soldiers keeping secrets of the dead.

Dock workers shout over the loud machinery, making me hyperaware of the choice I’ve made. Subconsciously, I run my free hand over the non-existent bulge in my stomach. If I live through this, soon my stomach will be large and in charge. I’ll be able to rub my hands over my belly. Movement within me will flutter across my palms, reassuring me of the life growing. The thought’s enough to center me. There’s more at risk here than just me.

“Alessandra.”

Turning to look at Papá, I immediately notice his concern. “Don’t worry.”

He simply nods as we head into the building. The old wooden door resists as we pull it open. Glancing at the men we’ve brought with us, along with Dante and Enzo, I feel confident of a positive outcome.

The door closing behind us with finality sends a shiver through me. Our team fans out, moving through the stacks of wooden crates and barrels that are piled high. It’s a maze of sorts with noclear path.Gunfire raining throughout, along with various men shouting, gets us all moving. Papá grabs my hand, making sure I stick with him. Our well-laid-out plan is going to shit already. I check over my shoulder but don’t see Dante. Rather than let me pause, Enzo signals for me to keep going, so I do.

Coming around a small stack of barrels, a shot rings out above all others. It’s close. “Oh God! No!” I shout in terror, as Papá crumples to the ground clutching his chest.

Falling to my knees, I reach for him.

“Go. You know what has to be done,” he tells me. I don’t want to leave him, but I hear his words and know what they mean.

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