Page 98 of Before Broken Vows

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Other knee.

"Three."

"Stop! Jesus, it wasn't supposed to go like this."

"Two."

He sobs. More blood pools beneath him.

"Two rooms down, under the desk."

I stop counting.

I turn to some of my men that have gathered. "Go check."

"I can give you names!" Milo says.

"Who?"

His face is turning pale. He better talk soon.

"I know him only as The Hawk. He did the whole thing."

Well, he's dead now so that's not helpful.

"Why?"

"I don't know. They threatened to kill my family if I didn't. They took them. Shit," he stops and winces, "shit went south. They said if I told you 'the sons will follow the father,' they'd let my family live."

The message that Ares found on our dad right after he was murdered. The same words that are casting a shadow over all of us.

"FUCK!" I yell and stand.

That means this is all connected. My father's murder. The people harassing Stassi. The ones who knew about Xander. The ones who took him.

It's all connected.

"Please, Theo. I didn't mean to. Help me. Get me to a hospital."

I look down at him and laugh.

"He's here, sir. Alive!" one of my men yells.

I feel my body relax. The weight of the world lifts off my shoulders. My boy is safe.

With that comfort, knowing he's alright, I snap.

I grab Milo by the collar, yank him up to his knees. He's crying. Begging.

I don't care.

"You touched what's mine," I say firmly. "You don't deserve to die with a bullet."

I slam the butt of my gun into his face. He slumps, but I'm not done. Not even close

I hit him again.

And again.

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