Page 11 of Outplayed

“Barely.”

“Good.” He uncrossed his arms from his chest and gripped the back of the chair in front of him. “Know your history. Know who you were to my sister. Don’t think, since seein’ her tonight, that history will repeat itself.”

“Now, Talon—”

“Don’t fuck with me and mine, Travis. If you heed my warnin’, then there won’t be a problem.”

I nodded once. Knowing it wasn’t the time to fight for what I wanted with his sister yet, not until I won her over. Maybe even Zara, since she could put a good word in for me with her man. It could just save my life.

Talon said no more. Instead, he turned and moved out of the room with his men following. After pulling out my chair, I sat down and moved the mouse enough to bring my sleeping computer to life. The screen showed what I already wanted.

My daughter sleeping peacefully in her room two stories above me. I touched the screen, over her cheek. Izzy was such a sweet, innocent girl. Still so unaware of how life could tear you to pieces. I could only hope life for her, when she grew, would be gentle. She was like how I was when I was a child. Eyes closed to the world until my parents died in a train accident and my life changed into something cruel.

Imade my life better because I didn’t want anyone I loved to suffer like I had.

So I would try my best to make sure my daughter had a life where she didn’t need to feel fear of anything. As long as she stayed away from her poisonous mother.

When my phone rang, I scowled down at it. It was after midnight. All my employees knew not to disturb me this late unless it was important, which was why I picked it up without glancing to the caller ID.

“Yeah?”

“Devin here. Just intercepted a call Violet Marcus got and thought you should know. Zara Alexander, her secretary, was kidnapped—”

“I know, that was—”

“No. Heard about that from Link, this just happened. A guy named Julian rang Violet on the way to the compound to inform Talon about what went down with Zara. Her ex, David Goodwill, got to her.”

“Fuck.” I stood, pulling out a gun from my drawer, holstering it under my jacket. “Keep me posted,” I ordered and strode to the door, pocketing my phone. If they thought it was weird I was turning up in the middle of a crisis, I would come clean about how I knew. Until then, since Zara meant something to Violet, I would offer my assistance in any way.

I wouldn’t be too far behind Talon. Link had arrived at the house to watch Izzy, just as I was getting to the front door.

The drive took me less time than I thought it would. As I pulled into the Hawks compound car park, it was just behind Violet. The man, Warden, got out of her car. She must have picked him up in case she needed more help before heading straight to her brother. Then I saw her glowering at me as she climbed out. I parked, got out, and strode her way.

“I heard what happened. I’ve come to offer my help.”

She studied me for a moment, then nodded, and all three of us ran into the compound.

“What’s going on?” Violet asked, stopping beside her brother.

“In short, I was betrayed by two of my brothers. Zara and the kids have been taken to David.”

“Fuck,” Warden whispered.

“Christ, no,” Vi uttered.

“What can we do?” I asked. Talon’s upper lip raised at me. He didn’t want me there, but he would suck it up and do anything for his family. It would be what I would do.

When Talon didn’t say anything, his expression dropped to nothing but the pain he was feeling inside, his second in command came forward and ordered, “Violet, you stay here with Deanna and man the phones. Travis, see if you can find out where David is situated right now through your sources. Warden, you’ll go with Blue. Once I call him into the hospital, you’ll need to talk to Pick. Talon….”

Talon grinned. It wasn’t a fucking nice one. “We’re going to talk to Rocko.”

I moved to the side and called Link. “Yeah?” he answered.

“Need everything on David Goodwill. Put all men onto it. He’s in Victoria somewhere, and we have to find the fucker.”

“On it,” Link responded before hanging up.

I pocketed my phone and pulled Violet aside. She stared up at me, waiting. I didn’t have a fucking clue what I wanted to say, but I’d overheard she, along with Deanna, argued to go with Talon instead of being left back. It could lead to dangerous situations.

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