Page 80 of Creed

“No. Any news on your end?”

There’s a pause, and then Vito says, “Massimo’s talking with Ash, and he said the trackers show them two miles from you. They should be there soon.”

I scrub my hand over my face. “Why did you need to get a hold of me?”

“I got in touch with my Garcia contact.”

There’s a simple yet sophisticated and ingenious way of contacting the man. Vito calls a small library and asks if they have a copy of ‘Jesús ha resucitado’—Jesus Has Risen—which lets the librarian know that one of the man’s contacts is trying to reach him. The librarian would ask which edition number because that tells the man—whose name isactuallyJesús—which contact is trying to reach him. Of course, Vito is edition one, because he and Jesús are the ones who designed the call system.

“And?” I ask.

“Ortez isn’t in San Diego on cartel business.”

“Meaning he’s trespassing, not only into Santoro territory but into Lopez Cartel territory.”

“Meaning Ortez’s days are numbered,” Vito says.

“Why would he risk that?” I frown. “If Morales isn’t working with the cartel, and this isn’t sanctioned, then why would Ortez risk his life for a daughter he’s had no contact with?”

“We’re trying to figure that out. I wanted to let you know the cartel isn’t chasing your ass, but that doesn’t mean you let your guard down.”

“I’m not a fucking idiot.”

“I know that,” Vito shoots back. “Just make sure you get your asses back here as soon as Triple S arrives.”

“That Triple S is really going to stick, isn’t it?”

“Damn right.” Vito laughs, which makes me relax. The fact that he’s joking and laughing when it comes to Sophie, without even having met her, tells me he’s already accepted her; already accepted that she is mine, that she is family.

“I’ll let you know when we’re wheels up, brother,” I reply hoarsely.

“Stay safe, baby brother.”

I hang up, and Andro looks out the window. “They’re here.”

I go to exit the plane, but Andro, Greer, and Benny all stop me. “Get the fuck out of my way.”

“You can have your reunion in here,” Andro grits. “Being outside only gives time for a possible sniper to pick you off. We don’t know who else is involved with Morales and Ortez or how deep their resources are.”

Before I can say anything to counter that rationale, I hear Bane yell from outside, “Wait for Christ’s sakes, sugar.”

There’s the sound of feet running up the metal stairs, then Sophie bursts onto the plane. Andro, Greer, and Benny step aside as I rush forward, and she jumps at me, wrapping her legs around my waist and burrowing her face into my neck. I crush her against me as her body feels like it’s melting and merging with mine. She’s never felt so good, so fucking right, in my arms.

“I’m never letting you go, angel,” I promise her again and smile as she shivers.

“I don’t want you to. But I don’t know how this…” She shakes her head into my neck. “How it’s supposed to work.”

“We’ll figure it out. I promise.”

Two imposing figures with leather cuts come onto the plane, and I lower Sophie so she can stand but keep her tucked into my side. Extending my hand to Bane and the other biker named Army, I shake each of their tight grips. “I’m in your debt.”

“The Havoc Guardians repaid a favor owed to your family, Creed,” Bane replies, his eyes flicking to Sophie at my side. “She’s good people. Treat her like a queen, and we’ll have no issues or make no effort to collect further payment.”

Sophie steps from me, and I don’t hold her back, even though my fingers instinctively tighten to keep her right beside me. She looks up at Bane, then at Army. In under two hours, these two have made an impression on her, and from their looks at her, she’s made one on them.

“If your cunt of a father comes at you again, Sophie…” Army glances at me. “And if you need more back-up, we’re there.”

More gratitude fills me.

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