Page 38 of Trigger's Temptation

He turns to three Prospects. “Prospects, this is an important job tonight. Seth, Knight, and Jax, you three will follow us in the van. Keep all eyes off us the best you can. You complete this without issues, and you are closer to earning your rockers.”

Trigger straightens beside me. “Zach, Tiny, Aerianna, and I will take the lead at Georgia’s house.”

Capone nods. “Blayze, Torch, and Derange, secure the back. Pretty Playboy and Jax, you’re on one side. Seth and Knight, you’re on the other. Keep the van ready. The second we have Elise, we’re out.”

The air in the room tightens.

Capone’s voice lowers. “No fuck-ups tonight.” His tone is lethal. “We end these motherfuckers quietly and efficiently. We get Elise home.”

He takes a step forward, his eyes deadly serious. “Are you ready?” A chorus of “Aye” rings out. My pulse pounds in my ears. This isn’t just a mission. This is a rescue. This is a war.

Capone lifts two fingers. “Let’s roll.”

We arrive in Georgia’s neighborhood and park the bikes along with Zach’s SUV two streets over. Instead of me riding with Trigger, I opted to ride with Zach. Trigger doesn’t need my distraction when we’re heading into a bloodbath.

The dead of night blankets the neighborhood, not a soul in sight. Capone leads the way across the empty street, avoiding the street lamps. The way these guys move is efficient and methodical, like they’ve done this a thousand times.

The area we’re in isn’t known for being the best neighborhood. This isn’t the best part of town. Cars sit on cinder blocks in driveways, weeds choke out wilted grass, and garbage litters the sidewalks. Boarded-up houses display gang symbols in bold, defiant colors. We’re definitely not in Kansas anymore.

Trigger’s hand encloses around mine, offering me support and comfort. I squeeze his hand in return, welcoming the warm embrace.

And then it hits me. An epiphany that shakes me to my core. If things work out between Trigger and me, Iwantthis. I want to be by his side, hunting down the monsters who sell women and children into the Black Market Railroad.

Fuck the badge in my pocket. If it means keeping Trigger with me, I’d give it up in a heartbeat.

Zach steps up beside me, an unanswered question hanging between us. He knows what I will do and how far I’d go to keep Trigger in my life. Sadness etches in his blue-green eyes, but he understands. There was a time when he left it all behind, too, to try and save his daughter, Kensi. Only he was too late. Kensi was already taken and exposed to the trauma of the Black MarketRailroad. Luckily for her, The Royal Bastards saved her from being sold, and Zach will forever be in their debt for it.

Zach squeezes my shoulder in silent support and understanding. He steps back and allows us to get into our spots.

Bass booms from inside the house, drowning out our words. The lights are on, but no movement flickers behind the curtains. Doesn’t mean no one’s inside.

My nerves are on edge.

Bones approaches Capone with a tablet in hand. “Prez, Elise is in there, and you’re not going to believe who else.”

He turns the tablet around so we can watch a video of Jonas and another man I don’t recognize dragging Elise into the house in the middle of the night. A woman with long brown hair piled on top of her head is in front of them and opens the door, that must be Georgia. She’s very attractive in a slutty way. I can see why the single guys kept her around the Clubhouse.

Capone clenches his fists. “Motherfucker. I want that rapist alive.”

“Who is it?” I ask.

Trigger’s voice is as hard as steel. “Lattimer. The bastard who beat the shit out of Aftermath’s mom, Silver Grace, stabbed Kensi and left her for dead, and kidnapped Nadia to sell to the Black Market Railroad.”

My stomach drops. “Wait, I thought Josiah Mercer was in charge of the Black Market Railroad.”

Trigger shakes his head. “Josiah was Lattimer’s henchman.”

Everything I thought I knew shifts. Have I been looking at this all wrong? Chasing the wrong man all this time? Was it Lattimer who killed Allison?

Zach sees the storm in my eyes. “We’ll get answers, Aerianna. I promise.”

I turn to Capone. “Can I speak to you privately?” He nods his head, and we step away from the others. “I want a crack at this Lattimer guy before you guys do what you do with him.”

Capone lights up a cigarette and inhales the smoke. “Why?”

“I have my reasons. Ones that I will tell you once this is over.” I promise. I need answers about Allison’s death, and this is the best way to get them.

He exhales smoke, considering my request. “Fine.” Capone agrees, taking another drag, and points two fingers at me. “But you will tell me the entire truth, Aerianna, and not hold anything back.”

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