Page 60 of Fight Me Daddy

I slipped into the car and stared at him. Calix was untouchable. Not even I could hurt him. I reached out, wanting to touch his face to make sure that he was alright. But Calix threw himself back as if I would do something terrible.

My blood ran cold and I turned back around. I shifted gears hard. My jaw tightened until pain shot up my face. I ignored it and drove faster. Someone was going to pay for this whirlwind of emotions that wouldn't shut the fuck up.

We pulled up outside of Calix's house and I moved quickly. I was on a mission. When I yanked him out of the passenger side, he grumbled.

"I can walk!"

"One more word," I warned him. "Just one and I'll do something I'll regret."

Calix shut up immediately. The look in his eyes held contempt and I didn't give a damn if he was angry at me right now. I would take all of his wrath if it meant that he was home, safe, and alive.

I unlocked his door and led him inside. As much as I wanted to take him upstairs, demand answers, and get him cleaned up, I had other places to be. I stood by the door as he started up the stairs. When I didn't follow, he turned and glanced back at me.

"What are you doing?"

"Going out," I said shortly. "What were you thinking, Calix? Who was that man?"

Calix frowned. "What man?"

"Don't test me," I said. "The one on the ground that I put a bullet in."

"Oh, that guy. I have no idea." He grimaced. "All I know is he's Russian."

"Why was he chasing you?"

Calix's frown deepened. "I heard something."

I blinked at Calix and waited. Talking to him was like trying to pull teeth and I was ready to drag him over my knee and spank his ass raw. He was hiding something.

"I heard a name. Andrei. The guy had that tattoo with the skull and the snake."

I froze. "How did you know about that tattoo?" I asked. "I've never told you about it."

Calix looked like he wanted to run and I narrowed my eyes daring him to. I would chase him down and tie him to the bed before I would allow him to get out of my questions. Someone had told Calix about that tattoo.

"Who told you?" I demanded. "And don't lie or even hesitate."

Calix must have seen how serious I was because he licked his lips and shuddered. "Conor Kelley."

Conor fucking Kelley. He had sent Calix into the belly of the beast to no doubt collect information. I wanted to kick his ass, but I knew the rules. We were in a state of peace with the Irish which meant killing them was off-limits. And even if it wasn't? Conor was a top dog. If we took him out, none of us would get an ounce of peace. It would be war and everyone would end up dead.

"Go to bed," I muttered as I turned around and gripped the doorknob. "Do not leave this house."

"Where are you going?"

I slammed the door behind me before I locked it. I wasn't in the mood to talk to Calix, not before I took care of what needed to be done. Afterward, I would come back and hold him until he tried to push me away, but even then I would hold him more tightly.

I tugged out my phone and made a call. "Get over here and watch his house. Two men at all times."

"Yes, boss."

I hung up. Time to find out who the hell Andrei was.

***

I walked into the warehouse and moved down to the basement. Men moved out of my way left and right. Whatever expression I wore must have been enough to warn them to stay the hell away.

Turning down a hall, I stepped into a room where the man hung suspended from the ceiling by his wrists. A box supported his feet and he swung back and forth as he tried to keep himself balanced on it. I looked him up and down before I opened up his shirt and spotted the tattoo.

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