Page 61 of Barrett

“He should have called the police!” I yelled that time as panic clawed at my throat.

Jordan smiled evilly. “I’m better than the fucking cops.”

Albert took a corner hard, causing me to look forward. Streetlights drifted by. They reminded me of shooting stars with how fast we traveled. One look at his face told me he was relaxed, yet there was tension where he held the steering wheel.

The Maserati ground to a halt in front of Barrett’s building. I jumped out but opened the door for Jordan, remembering when I was on his detail, he always came first.

Jordan knew what door was Barrett’s after we were buzzed in. The door swung open as we walked to it, and Barrett stood on the other side.

“You couldn’t have gotten here faster?” he yelled.

Jordan clenched his hand into a fist. “I’m letting that slide since you’re upset.”

He noted the gesture but said nothing.

“Bear,” I said, drawing his attention as we stepped inside, closing the door behind us. “What happened?”

“Mars was invited out by some people he knew from the art scene. They were going to a club. It’s not his thing, due to the lights and loud music. He wanted to go out though. I told him it was a bad idea, but he reminded me he could take care of himself.” He paused to scrub a hand over his face before continuing, “He texted me to say he was on his way home, but he never showed. I tried tracking him. The phone showed he was out front of our building. I found his phone on the sidewalk.” He held it between his fingers as a tear slid down his cheek. “That piece of shit took my brother.”

Barrett barely held himself together. Had it been me whose brother was gone, I would have torn through the city and made apologies later. As it was, I wanted to do that for Marshall. He’d never hurt anyone. He didn’t deserve this. None of the men who were taken did.

“Aren’t there cameras outside the building or on others nearby?” Jordan asked.

“I already hacked into them and didn't find anything.”

Jordan’s gaze snapped to Barrett.

“Don’t look at me like that. You know I don’t follow the law.”

“You're never going to live this down,” I told him, trying but failing to distract him.

His brother was gone and there was no way to know where he was without the one device that could track him. I could feel Barrett’s worry from where I stood. The way his face was crumpled and his eyes welled had me wanting to go to him. I didn’t because I had to keep my focus. I had to stay where I was and let the anger lick through me, let it feed the hatred I had for whoever was doing this.

Jordan put his phone to his ear and started barking orders. If I had to guess, he’d called Barry.

I couldn’t resist the pull any longer and went to Barrett, only putting my hand on his arm. “We’ll find him.” There wasn’t a lot I knew for certain, but we would locate Marshall and get him home alive.

Barrett’s phone rang. He rushed over to it and then scowled. “Everyone quiet.”

Jordan raised his eyebrow but said nothing, done with his call.

“North,” Barrett answered.

We only heard his side of the conversation.

“Uh huh.”

“No, I had no idea.”

“I’m home watching TV.”

“No, I didn’t hear anything.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll look.”

He hung up and slammed his phone onto the counter. “For fuck’s sake. The chief knows you’re here, Jordan. I don't know if someone in the building tipped him off, or if he has someone following me.”

Jordan watched Barrett for a few moments before he spoke. “Soon, I’m not sure when, you’re going to need to make a choice. Being with Reghan means you’ll be linked to me. You two will be found out. When that day comes, you’ll have to decide if you want to stay with him or keep your job, because the deeper you go, the more you lean my way in matters.” Barrett opened his mouth to reply, but Jordan held up his hand. “We have more pressing things to worry about. I have my men on the streets looking. You could have told that motherfucker you work for that your brother was missing, but you didn’t. We'll find him.”

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