Page 79 of Vengeful Rotten Casualties

Teller sucks back more of his cigarette and then stamps it out against an empty porcelain bowl near his screen before dropping the remains inside. “Nothing,” he answers. “They don’t seem to treat her poorly, but neither do they seem to over indulge the girl. I did some digging and of course, a little bit of black hat hacking.” He grins again, tipping his head back with smugness. “People aren’t all that concerned about their electronics. I thought I’d have a tougher time since they’re older, but everyone’s got something in their homes nowadays with a camera.”

I frown—confused by his meaning—until his fingers fly back over his keyboard and a collection of grainy pictures pops up. They’re all in different forms. Some horizontal, some vertical, not always in the best angle, but enough to depict the inside of what looks like a small middle class home.

“This is their house,” Teller states, proving my guess correct. “I managed to get in via the smart TV someone gifted them. The rest are from their phones. The girl doesn’t appear to be mistreated, but they certainly don’t go out of their way with her. She’s fed, clothed, and they ensure she doesn’t kill herself—” he sighs and shudders. “Kids are fearless. Other than that, though, that’s about it.”

“So, they’re not exactly in a position to fight if we go pick her up, then,” Braxton says.

“They’ll probably leave her in the care of whoever pays the most,” Ace says. “I’ve seen it before. They’re only taking care of her for the income she brings.”

“I don’t care what it takes,” I say, inhaling sharply. “I want her. Micki wants her. I’ll pay them off.”

Behind me, Dean’s friend, Viks, hums deeply in the back of his throat. The sound of it makes me stiffen and I slowly turn to face him.

“You got something to add?” I inquire with narrowed eyes.

He crosses his arms over his chest and nods. “I applaud you for wanting to take the girl from her situation,” he says. “But do you really think now is the time?”

“If not now, then when?” We’ve been searching for so long it feels that now that the girl is in our grasp—right there for us to take—I want it over with. I want her somewhere safe. Somewhere away from my father’s eyes. “The longer she’s there, the more danger she’s in. He can get to her whenever he wants. Who’s to say he won’t use her as blackmail? Micki—”

Viks lifts his hand, halting me. “Now, I’m not saying she’s not in danger,” he replies. “I’m not saying you can’t go and pick her up.”

“Then what the hell are you saying?”

“I’m saying you need to think this through. Where will you take her? Who will take care of her?” His eyes land on mine, piercing right through me. I’m sure he doesn’t mean his expression to be challenging, but I can’t help the way the muscles on the backs of my shoulders bunch up and contract in anticipation.

“I’ll take care of her. So will Micki,” I snap. “We’ll hire someone—”

“Anyone outside of this group right here will mean more danger,” Viks interrupts. “And most of you are still in school. I know college might not seem as important right now, but missing too much will certainly draw unwanted attention.”

“What do you suggest?” Dean asks.

I clench my hands into fists. “This is my family,” I growl. “It’s my decision. I want her safe. I want her out of his reach.”

Viks nods. “And I’m not saying that she can’t be, but you need to be careful how you approach this.”

Dean steps up at my side and clamps a hand on my shoulder. “I understand where you’re coming from,” he says, “but Viks isn’t saying this to piss you off or warn you away from the girl. You should listen to him.”

For some reason, Dean’s hand makes me think of Avalon’s earlier words.One of us.I hadn’t really taken a second to think about it before, but she’d said it so easily. As if it was a done deal already. The acceptance I’d been searching so hard for is right here. Dean is as solid as they come and, despite our rivalry of the past, I know he’s more like me than anyone fucking else. Neither of us are particularly bad men, but we are willing to go to hell and back and bloody our hands if it means protecting what we love.

Slowly, I release my next breath on a long exhale. “Fine,” I say, easing my fists. “What do you recommend then?”

“Let someone else get her,” he says. “Marcus isn’t familiar to your father. Neither are some of the Undead. Clover comes to mind as particularly helpful.”

Braxton purses his lips, but doesn’t say anything in disagreement.

“You want me to entrust her care to them for the time being?” I guess.

“Just extracting her from the situation,” Viks clarifies. “Send Marcus and Clover with some Undead backup and have them take the girl from the Hayes’ home. If you want her nearby and under care, Haley and I can keep her with us for the time being. My house is set up for kids and the security is tight.”

Dean’s hand slips from my shoulder, but he doesn’t move away. “It’s a good plan,” he says.

I consider it. A part of me wants to discuss the particulars with Micki first, but as I glance back at the screen, I see the bits and pieces of little Marina’s life in the black and white stills. Empty of affection. Basic necessities. No love. No care. I can’t leave her there. It’s not in me.

“Do it,” I say. Micki would agree. She’d want her safe first. “I don’t care what it takes. She needs to be somewhere safe. Sooner rather than later.”

“We’ll see to it,” Braxton says, nodding to Ace. “Get your men on it.”

Ace pulls out his cell and starts typing. “Already on it.” He tips his head up and grins my way. “Might cost you a pretty penny, though—having the Undead at your beck and call.”

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