I scowl. "Asshole was responsible for what happened to us."
"And he may have information that can help us find her," he reminds me. "Information that I can pry from him."
I open my mouth to protest and he raises his hand, "This is my specialty, Ed." He rolls his shoulders, then continues, "The guy who broke into Ava's studio—the one you shot? He would have more information on why Ava was kidnapped."
"But he's still unconscious," I point out. "Whereas the homeless guy is awake."
Baron purses his lips.
"Also, he did mention that he's involved with the Mafia." I add, "Surely, he must know something about Ava's abduction?"
The sound of a car pulling up outside reaches us. This is followed by the sound of a door slamming, then footsteps approaching from the front of the house. We exchange glances, then look at Archer.
"Did you alert the rest of the Seven?" Baron asks him.
"I did," Weston confirms.
"What the fuck?" I scowl at Weston.
"Why did you do that?" Baron growls, before turning to Archer, "Did you know about this?"
"Uh." He rubs the back of his neck, "It’s—'
"Not his fault," Weston interjects. "I threatened to go to the cops unless he agreed to let me call the others."
"The fuck?" I turn on Wes, "Why would you do that?"
"Because you guys need back up." Weston leans forward in his chair. "Something which you two are too proud to ask for. So, I took the decision out of your hands."
"Seriously?" Baron balls his fists at his sides. "It's bad enough we agreed to let you monitor this bastard in the safehouse."
"Not that you had a choice. I am his doctor and he’s my patient." He leans forward to check the vitals of the guy, who stirs.
"He doesn’t deserve an ounce of care," I growl. "Bastard’s behind our kidnapping… And chances are, the same people are behind Ava’s kidnapping."
"Ava?" Weston straightens. "The hell you talking about?"
"She ran out on us," Baron rubs the back of his neck, "and they took her."
"And both of you couldn’t do anything about it?" Weston scowls.
Baron’s face flushes. He leans forward and I slap a hand in his chest, "Easy, ol’ chap, we need to keep our cool here."
"This bastard," Baron glares at the man on the bed, "he’d better have some answers."
The sound of wheels on gravel reaches us, car doors slam, then Damian walks in, followed by Arpad, Saint, and finally, Sinner.
They take up positions around the room.
"Well?" Sinner levels his gaze at Baron," You going to question him or what?"
Baron draws in a breath. Degree by degree, he seems to force himself to relax. He unfurls his fists, rolls his shoulders. He pulls another chair up to the bed. He stares at the features of the man on the bed, then stiffens.
"Shit," he swears aloud, "now I know where I've seen him before."
"You've seen him before?" I growl, and he nods.
"I thought I recognized him when I first saw him, but couldn't place him."