Page 57 of Unfulfilled Promises
“What’s the plan, Rhys?” Devlin asked.
“Park a few houses down and be ready for my signal. Hannah and I are going to knock on the door so he doesn’t get spooked.”
“I’ll give you five minutes, then we’re moving in.”
“Understood,” Rhys responded and hung up the phone.
James pulled up to the curb in front of a house for sale four doors down from Waylon and put the car into park. Devlin spun around and looked at us as he ordered, “Hang tight until they do recon.”
Regan nodded, and her eyes were locked on the house as Caldwell pulled the SUV into the driveway behind Waylon’s car and Rhys and Hannah stepped out. She leaned forward as theywalked to the side door and knocked. A few moments later, they looked at each other then Rhys knocked again.
He looked over his shoulder at us parked down the street while Hannah leaned closer to the door. She said something to Rhys, and he snapped his head at her and responded. I wished I could read lips or that they had coms on.
Rhys said something to Lucian and Caldwell before he raised his hand into the air, motioning for us to pull up. Regan gave me a worried look, and as we got closer to the driveway, Lucian and Caldwell took point, pulling their weapons and approaching the door. Rhys moved Hannah out of the way as we pulled up behind them.
Devlin and James jumped out immediately, and I sat in the back as Rhys moved Hannah to our car and she got into the backseat on the other side of Regan.
“What’s going on?” I asked Rhys, and he looked at the door as Lucian and Caldwell breeched the entrance and entered the house along with Devlin and James.
“Hannah heard some mumbling inside, and I don’t want them in there until we know what’s what.”
“You can go if you need to,” Regan said, but I shook my head.
“Booker and I are fine here until they need us,” I remarked as Rhys closed the door and stepped to the side of the front vehicle, using the engine as a shield until we knew who was inside. James stepped out, and Rhys quickly approached. They spoke and both men looked at our vehicle before they turned their backs to us and continued to speak.
“I’ll be right back, baby. Stay here with Hannah and Booker,” I ordered. Regan looked at me and gave a fearful nod before I slipped out of the backseat.
Walking up, I heard raised voices coming from inside, and as I approached James and Rhys, I could make out what they were saying and I became pissed. “I don’t think she needs to see him.He’s spewing off at the mouth about being double crossed, and I don’t want her being upset any more than she already is,” Rhys said.
“Who’s inside?” I asked, and they both tried to sidestep the question. Stepping closer, I asked again, “Who is inside?”
James gave me a worried look before he sighed and finally admitted, “Giovanni was tied up in the living room with a note attached to his chest.”
“What did it say?” I demanded in a harsh tone that left no room for argument.
James shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck before he responded. “It said, ‘Here’s one. Do with him what you want.’”
“Did . . . who tied him up?” I inquired.
“My guess is Waylon. We may have been right about him, but something tells me we were wrong too,” Rhys said.
“And you two think you’re keeping Regan away from Giovanni?” They looked guilty as I crossed my arms and widened my stance. “I’m taking her inside whether you like it or not.”
Rhys tried to reason, “She’s so fragile, and I don’t want him setting her recovery back.”
I turned and motioned to Booker, letting him know it was time to honor our promise to Regan. He got out of the car and started helping her exit as I turned back to James and Rhys. “Leaving her out of this is going to set back her recovery. Last night, she killed a man to save someone else’s life. She faced them and showed her strength. Don’t make her see herself as a victim when she is nothing but a survivor. Give her the chance to settle this her way.”
I heard footsteps behind me and I turned to find Booker offering his arm as Regan held on, using his to assist her. Shewas weak, scared, and injured, yet she was still willing to fight, and that said more about her recovery than anything.
“What’s going on?” Regan asked as Hannah stepped up behind her and Booker.
I took her hand and looked her in the eyes as I explained, “Waylon isn’t here, but someone else is, and I want you to tell me how you want to proceed.” She nodded, so I continued. “Giovanni Marcora is tied up inside, so it looks like you were right about Waylon.” Lifting my eyes, I met Hannah’s gaze and added, “I’m sorry.”
She shook her head and replied, “If he’s guilty, then he can rot like Kelly and Sergey Junior.”
“Regan, if you don’t want to go inside . . .” James began, but she gave him a look that frightened me. He stopped speaking as they stared at each other, and finally, he said, “I’ve got your back.”
Regan reached into the back of her pants and pulled out her gun. It was a beautiful piece that I’d watched her shoot several times over the last year, and she was accurate and sexy as fuck as she shot the weapon. Gripping it tight, she looked at me and asked, “Are you ready?”
