Page 107 of Captive Vows
I shot him a stern look since everyone knew she disliked that nickname.
“Andre’s too young to understand what we’ll be discussing.” He huffed. “You look like crap.” At my scowl, he winced. “I mean, you look like you could use a break.”
She yawned, taking his critique without a bother. “I could use a week of sleep,” she replied dryly, giving up on her breakfast.
As I left the room, I stopped Allen. “You’re on baby duty for the rest of the day.”
He nodded once.
In the office, I rocked Andre with that weird swaying, bouncing stride that seemed to calm him.
“I bet he’s only relaxed when you move and don’t sit because she danced so much during her pregnancy,” Ivan said. “He’s used to the movement.”
“That’s what you wanted to talk to me about?” I asked, eager to get back to my wife and let her rest.
“No. We’ve got Miguel Lopez,” Emil answered. “He’s in a holding cell at the warehouse near the docks.”
I gave up on the plans to relax with Gabriella. A slow, wicked smile lifted my lips instead. “About fucking time.”
We made quick plans to head out as soon as possible.
It seemed like an oxymoron to express impatience to end Miguel Lopez’s life.
We’d captured him before. When I suspected he was lying or up to something, we’d set that trap and gotten him. We’d held him and tortured him until I had the idea to exact a different payment from him. Instead of taking his life, I’d taken his daughter.
His loss was my gain.
But now, it was time to return to the original idea of killing him.
Perhaps he’d paid for his sins of two-timing us. I’d taken Gabriella because he’d sold intel to the Vipers and the Riveras. For his even graver sins of trying to hurt Gabriella and have her removed from my life, he’d pay with his.
It was past time to kill him.
After handing Andre to Allen and checking in with Gabriella, I prepared to leave.
“Important business to handle?” she asked as she came out of the bathroom from showering.
“Very,” I replied. I got the impression that she wanted to ask if it was about Miguel, but at the same time, she didn’t want to know.
Sparing her the indecision about asking or not, I kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you, too. Please be safe.”
“Always.” I would always be safe for her and Andre. As the boss, I had to be careful that I came home safe and sound. Too many counted on me and relied on my guidance. But it was the love for her that propelled me to hurry back.
The ride to the warehouse was a quiet one. Emil didn’t ask me questions. Ivan didn’t comment about other business. All of us were looking forward to having this matter over with.
Ten minutes later, I strode into the nondescript building with my men. Every step that brought me closer to the cell where Gabriella’s father was held felt a march to salvation. The scales of justice had yet to be righted.
Then as I shoved my hands into my pockets and peered at the broken mess of the man who’d dared to fuck with me, I smiled.
“Mr. Lopez. We meet again.”
Bloody and shaking, he was nothing more than a lump on the floor. Gabriella was right. He truly was a waste of space.
“Fuck you. Fuck you, Dubinin!”
Emil kicked him until he sobbed.
