Page 71 of Filthiest Of Them All

“We’re unarmed,” I grit out.

“You don’t need it, your men and the Vatel family have the cops and all the De Santis men barricaded in the main courtroom. You won, Butcher,” no horns says.

“I didn’t win shit,” I snarl. I feel my strength waning and know I’m minutes away from passing out from blood loss.

“Let’s get you three to the hospital,” right horn says.

“You make sure Nexus and Desire are alive?—”

Two horns cuts me off before I can finish. “You have my word, they will both be waiting for you when you are released from the hospital and so will their men. A favor asked is a debt owed, Butcher. Our debt to you for saving my sister is now repaid.”

* * *

Seven days…

That’s how long I have been sitting by her bed, holding her hand, praying that she’ll wake up and focus those big blue eyes on me. Seven fucking days of being in this room listening to the constant beeping of machines. Car, Pope, Vat, Omen and Halo have been here with me since I got out of surgery. The doctors tried to force me to stay in a separate room, but quickly changed their minds when I strangled the fucker. Vivian managed to smooth things over with them so they didn’t kick me out after I threatened to kill them if they didn’t take me to my girl.

Viv, Nova and their guys have been here every day as well. I loathe to admit it, but I’m in those masked fuckers debt for saving us. They were right when they said our guys and the Vatel family had cornered Desire’s crew. Lives were lost on both sides but in the end, the Vatel family came out the winners.

It doesn’t feel like a win. I lost that day.

I’m pulled from my thoughts when a nurse enters the room. The five guys all stand straight and wait for any news, I know there won’t be any.

“How you feeling today, sweetie?” the nurse asks Tate. None of the staff speak to me or the guys, it’s clear they think we’re nothing but trouble and they’re probably right, but I don’t give a fuck. As soon as she’s better, we’ll be out of here. The nurse checks her machines and looks Tate over. I wait for her to leave but to my surprise she stops at the end of the bed and turns back to face me. I meet her judgmental glare with one of my own. “That girl is lucky to be alive. An inch closer and that blade would have nicked her artery and killed her. She deserves better.” My face slackens. “If you ask me, the best thing you could do for her is to stay away but what would I know.” I say nothing as she stalks out of the room.

Everything she just said is shit I’ve been mulling over for days. I know she’s in this bed fighting for her life because I couldn’t stay away. I never thought I would fall in love with the girl I was stalking for months but here I am. I still haven’t met with CJ Vatel or even dealt with Desire and Nexus. I know they are being held at one of CJ's warehouses, but I haven’t had the heart to leave her bedside. She’s in here because of me.

“I warned her,” I grit out. “I knew if I claimed her it would kill her.”

“Butch, you didn’t do this—” I snap my head to the side to glare at Omen.

“Don’t give me that shit,” I growl. “We all know that this life we have chosen takes everything from us. I was a fucking idiot to think otherwise.” My hold on her hand tightens as I stand and lean forward to place a kiss on her forehead. I draw back and rest my head on hers, closing my eyes and breathing her in for the last time. “Loving you gave me the freedom I never thought I would ever get. I love you so much. I never thought I would ever feel this way about anyone, but with you, I never had a choice. Loving you was the easiest thing I have ever done in my life. Thank you for saving me, Bambi,” I whisper. I pull back and release her hand, then face my guys. All five of them stare at me with varying looks. I ignore all of them because no matter what they say, I won’t change my mind. I know she is better off without me. Loving my sister is what got her killed and me loving Tate, that’s what nearly got her killed too.

I won’t lose someone else I love.

“Let’s go. I have a meeting to attend, her brother to kill and your sister to destroy.”

* * *

Sitting across the table from Carlito Vatel Jr. three days after leaving Tatum is not something I thought I would be doing in this lifetime. I had nothing to do with his father's death and he knows that. What I am curious about though is why he wanted to meet with me. I had nothing to do with him being involved in this shit with Desire, yet he thinks he can sit there and tell me I have no choice but to meet with him first before he hands over those blood bags I plan to drain, while I relish in their screams as I tear them apart for trying to take my girl from me.

I look around the small coffee shop he chose on the outskirts of town and fight not to roll my eyes. He has his men disguised as customers occupying tables, trying to act normal but they’re failing miserably. Rather than draw this bullshit meeting out I break the silence.

“How about we cut the bullshit and you either send your men away or tell them to stop their bullshit conversations so we don’t have to raise our voices.” Laughter erupts from CJ. I don’t need to see my brother's faces to know the five of them are rolling their eyes behind me. Falcon–CJ’s second whistles and soon after the cafe falls silent, even the staff give up the act and head into the back.

“What gave them away?” CJ asks with genuine curiosity in his tone.

I release an annoyed sigh. “They’re stiff, the bulge of their guns. They keep darting their eyes around the place, the combat boots, should I go on or do you get the picture?” CJ stares at me like I’ve just answered the most complex question.

“You’re so much more than the rumors led me to believe, Alex.”

I scoff. “We’re not friends, let’s not sit here and act like we are because we’ll never be. Where the fuck are you holding those cunts?” My tone is filled with malice. The guy seated to my left shifts, but doesn’t even get to move more than an inch before Omen has his gun drawn and aimed at his head.

“Try it, motherfucker, and I’ll blow your fucking brains out,” Omen snarls.

Falcon spears the bastard with a look that promises reprimand. “Get the fuck out, you don’t make a move unless I say.” The guy stands and that’s when I realize he can’t be much older than Tate. He stalks out of the cafe and slams the door closed behind himself. “I apologize for my son, he’s young and too fucking eager.” I nod because I have nothing to say, son or not if he tries anything I’ll kill him before he can bust a nut.

“I was told that I would be dealing with Miss Lawson.” CJ mentioning Tate has my blood boiling and my fists clenching beneath the table. I take a deep breath and force myself to relax. I've only ever had one trigger and I learned to master control of that, but now it seems Tatum is another and I’ll have to learn how to control my urge to murder any motherfucker that mentions her name.

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