Page 157 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“See you in a minute,” I said.

The streets were more deserted than before. The people of North Crest weren’t stupid. They knew something was going down. They’d probably seen my team taking down members of Kyle’s crew and would have called and texted people they knew. Folks had been told to take cover and pray for the best. An entire town of innocent people had been turned into cowering rabbits, waiting for the wolves to come and take what wasn’t theirs—and my brother had helped make that happen. I quickened my pace.

Langston was already there when I arrived. “He’s still inside,” he said, nodding toward the bank.

“Good,” I grunted. Then, with a sardonic smile, I gestured at the town around us. “You know, this plan you and Trent came up with is working better than I’d anticipated. I’ve gotta give you props for that. Thanks.”

Langston shrugged and chuckled to himself. “I’d do anything to help Avery and Ashton.”

His words didn’t ring with the emotional impact that would make me jealous. No, this was a guy who truly saw Avery as a friend or sister and Ashton as family. It made me even more ashamed of how I’d acted before.

“Listen,” I said, “I know this isn’t really the time or place, but I really am sorry about before. You’ve proven yourself over and over, and you’ve shown that I can trust you with the life of my mate and son. I wanted you to know that. You know, before we go in here and do this.”

Langston eyed me, then nodded for a few seconds before slowly nodding. “All in the past. We have something to take care of now, though. I’ll let you take the lead. He’s your fuck-up of a brother, after all.”

A sigh hissed from my nose as I turned to the bank. “He sure as hell is.”

Langston’s phone buzzed, and he grinned as he read the text. “Porter says they’ve rounded up the last of the crew working through town.”

“Good,” I said. “Means no backup for little brother.”

As if summoned by my words, the door of the bank swung open, and Dallas strolled out, head down, phone pressed to his ear as he stuffed a thick envelope into a satchel hanging from his side. Langston and I paused mid-step to listen to his one-sided conversation.

“I got the payment from the bank… yeah, he bitched and moaned about it, but he paid up. The others are grabbing the smallerstuff, and I’m about to head to the police station. That’ll be the last payment… yeah… okay… okay, bye.”

He tucked the phone away and finally looked up. He nearly tripped over his own feet when he saw Langston and me.

“What the fuck are you doing here, Cole?” he hissed.

I growled and took a step forward. “You have the audacity to ask me that? I should be asking you the same question, Dallas.”

My brother shook his head, glancing around as though he was talking to an idiot. “Are you serious, Cole? What does it look like? I’m working.”

“Was that what you called it when you took my son? When your fucking boss murdered one of my people?”

“If you know what’s good for you, then you’ll get the hell out of here,” Dallas said.

“Enough,” I snarled. “Langston?”

Langston leapt into action. Dallas’s eyes went wide with surprise—honestly, mine did, too. The guy moved like a panther. Before I could blink, he was on Dallas, grabbing his wrist, twisting it behind him into a joint lock. Dallas winced and cried out in pain. His shout snapped me into action, and I rushed forward, grabbing his free arm.

“Let go of me.” He yanked back, trying to free his arm from my grasp. Langston increased the pressure on his wrist. Dallas let out another cry of agony and stopped struggling.

“You’re coming with us,” I said.

“You two are making a huge mistake,” Dallas said through a grunt of pain.

As we marched him down the steps, I shook my head sadly. “No, Dallas, you made the mistake. You fucked up the moment you chose that asshole over your own family.” I lowered my face until my lips were almost touching his face. “Ashton is your fucking nephew, goddamn it. Doesn’t that mean shit to you?”

“Whatever,” Dallas said.

The flippant way he shrugged off that statement sent a bolt of rage through me. It was so powerful, I could barely control myself. I dug my fingers into his skin until he winced and hissed in pain. It was better than beating him to death right there on the sidewalk.

“You aren’t my brother anymore,” I growled. “The instant you took my son, you became my enemy. Just like Kyle.”

“You fucking dumbass!” Dallas yelled. “You have no fucking idea what you’re up against. Kyle is smarter than you. He’s smarter than everyone.”

“Doesn’t look so smart now,” I said, glancing around at the empty town. “All your buddies are gone. Didn’t expect that, did you?”

---