Page 52 of Dangerous Contract: Part 2

"I won't shut up," Tatum yelled, sounding panicked. "I showed up. I lied about the president's business dealings. But you didn't keep your end of the deal. You can't even control your son and nephews. How will you get my boy back?"

"Shut up!" Patrick yelled, standing up and knocking his seat over.

Tatum followed suit, rising from his chair. "I never should've agreed to side with you. I don't need money. I only wanted theconnection in name only. A marriage was all I needed to make these other businessmen fear and respect me. You swore if my daughter got Raz drunk at that New Year's Eve party, she'd be able to say she slept with him and get him to marry her. But he didn't even come to the party. You promised if my daughter said that Cas assaulted her, the don would make him marry her to cover it up. But all he did was pay me off and threaten to kill my family if I didn't let it go. Now, my son is missing, and you said if I did this, you'd get him back for me. You haven't kept any of your promises. Have you been lying to me from the very beginning?"

So, that was how all of this started. Even the bullshit that happened to Cas was their uncle's doing. Raz chanced a glance in Cas's direction and noted the pained expression on his brother's face.

It had to hurt to know that his own uncle had been behind a situation that still bothered him today.Don't worry, baby brother,Raz thought to himself.I won't let either of these bitches get away with what they've done to you.

"We're wasting time listening to these fuckers, Raz," Cas's voice broke through his murderous thoughts. "And I'm pretty sure uncle is stalling for time. What's the next move?"

Right!This did seem like a stalling tactic. They needed to make a move. Raz couldn't let this shake him. He couldn't allow his emotions to make him irrational. He shoved his fears for Monique's safety aside and focused on a plan to keep her safe.

"Cas, call Leo," Raz snapped. "See if it's too late to stop the board from leaving. Some may still be in the parking lot."

"On it." Cas pulled out his phone, his expression cold as he glared from his uncle to Tatum, who sat silently, watching the scene unfold with fear in his eyes.

"Rome," Raz continued, turning to his other brother. "I want the addresses of every man who was just in this room."

"Done," Rome confirmed, his fingers already flying across his laptop. "Their addresses, next of kin, close connections, I've already got it."

"Good. I want men stationed near all their homes. Every fucking move they make, I want to know about it."

"Consider it done," Rome answered, pulling out his phone.

Orazio couldn't stop his mind from wandering to the dark side. If Monique were hurt, if anything at all happened to her, he'd lose it. His fists clenched till his knuckles turned white. He wanted to tear out of this place to check on her. But he couldn't. Not yet. He had to calm down.

"Raz," Cas called to him, his voice cutting through Raz's dark thoughts.

Orazio's head snapped toward him. "What is it?"

"Leo said the board members raced out of here in a hurry. He said the one who was shot stopped and stared around the restaurant as if he was looking for someone. Leo believes it was the wounded one's men who'd been guarding the front of the restaurant. But the man didn't ask any questions on his way out."

So those men had been Frillman's, not Tatum's.

Frillman had nearly fooled Raz with that weak act he'd put on during the meeting. The bastard was probably the head of the board, the leader who'd convinced the others to side with Patrick. That was fine. Raz would soon sever that head and send it to Mrs. Frillman. She deserved to see her husband one last time.

"Leo also said," Cas continued. "That before they came out, he put tracking devices on the bottom of each of their cars."

Finally, some good news.

"Tell Leo to track each car's movements and report to me if any head in the direction of the hospital where Monique, her friends, and my father are," Raz ordered.

Cas relayed Raz's orders to Leo. Orazio's gaze then locked onto Bryce, who stood rigid at the front of the room, a statue of contained violence. His cousin's eyes never strayed from Patrick, who seemed too excited, considering this was probably his last day alive.

"Bryce," Orazio barked, pulling Bryce from the silent standoff with his father.

Bryce faced him. "I'm listening."

"Contact the family. Tell them we're all on high alert. Explain the situation."

Bryce nodded. "I'll take care of it. I need to call my mom also so that she can go to my place, where Tati's at. They'll be safe there."

"Will she?" Patrick's taunt slithered through the air. He smiled, an expression devoid of warmth. "Will your mother be safe there, son?"

Bryce's answering smile held no humor. "Yes, she'll be safe there. She's much safer now that you're no longer alive."

"But I'm right here, alive and well," Patrick chimed.

---