Page 104 of Love Triggered

No one touches my girl like that.

“Let’s go,” I growl, not able to control my anger. I need to get to her. I turn and head for the door. If that feed is thirty minutes behind, there’s no telling what’s going on between them now.

“Wait!” my mom yells out. “He has stacked security there. I’ve heard this place has so many more men. You won’t be able to do it with just the five of you.” Worry crosses her face.

I push past her. “I’ll take my chances.”

“I have an idea,” Zep says, reaching out a hand, stopping me in my tracks.

“What?”

His hand falls and clenches by his side. I can tell he’s fighting with himself whether he should even suggest this.

“The Snakes.”

Two simple words that have everyone in the room holding their breath.

Lya gasps. “No. Zep, no,” she cries out, shaking her head.

“The Snakes? As in the West Side Snakes?” I ask, eyebrow raised. If you’re from Craibridge, you’re either from the East Side or the West Side. The West Side is the poor side with all the gang activity. In particular, the West Side Snakes.

The Snakes are ruthless and deadly. You’d have to be an idiot to ever get involved with them. I guess I must be an idiot since clearly I’m desperate enough to do it.

Zep grits his teeth. “My uncle Viper. I can ask him to help us out as a favor.”

I recoil in surprise. I kind of knew Zep had connections to them, but I didn’t realize how close they were.

Lya’s now standing between me and Zep, placing her hands on his chest. “The Snakes don’t do favors, even if your uncle is a leader, Zep. Not without a heavy price… One that I won’t let you pay.”

“What other choice do we have? We’ve tried and failed, and Lainey’s running out of time. This is a last resort option that we need.” Zep lets out a deep sigh. “Viper owes me one, gorgeous. Don’t worry about it.” He gives her a soft smile before kissing her quickly on the lips. His reassurance doesn’t ease her worry, but she nods and bites her lip.

“You can really get the Snakes to help us take care of Sutton?” I ask warily.

“Yes. I’ll call my uncle, then we can head out and get to Lainey.” Zep lifts his phone to his ear and walks out of the room, out of earshot. He seems confident that they’ll go for it, and I’m too hopeless to stop him from asking.

I turn to face my mom who continues to look nervous. “Stay here with the girls.” I’m still not sure how to feel about my mom being here, but I don’t want anything to happen to her. This place isn’t safe either, but at least Sutton won’t be here. “I promise you, I won’t let anything happen to you. We’ll get you and the girls out of here once we deal with Sutton. If any of his men come back here, act like you know nothing. Tell them I took out the two in the living room and left, after threatening you all.”

She still looks scared and skeptical, but she nods in agreement. “Okay. Be safe, Greyson. I love you, son.”

Her words bring a strange warmth to my heart. It’s been fifteen years since I’ve heard her say that. The look in her eyes tells me that she truly means it. Hearing her side of the story has softened my hatred for her. I can’t let it go yet, but maybe one day.

Zep rejoins our little group. “Alright, they’ll meet us there. They’re bringing weapons and ammo. One of their enforcers, Manek, will be leading them. If shit goes wrong, they follow his orders, not ours. So let’s not mess this up.”

I don’t like Zep, but I could fucking kiss him right now.

Lya shakes her head, frowning. “I still don’t like the idea of involving them, but I’m ready to get my sister back, right fucking now.”

I look around, meeting Lya and the guys’ eyes. “Let’s go get our girl.”

What the fuck? Did I just say our girl? What’s happening to me?I don’t have time to think too deeply into that; I need to go get my girl away from that scum.

I’m coming for you, angel. All hell is about to break loose to get you back where you belong.

Ifreeze in the doorway, refusing to move, so Harvey forcefully shoves me. I stumble forward, my knees landing hard on the concrete floor. I can feel my jeans tear slightly where I hit the ground.

“Get up,” he demands, but I sit there a moment longer, trying to gather my thoughts. Clearly, I’m taking too long because Harvey rushes behind me, grabbing my ponytail and yanks me up. It’s his go-to move to make me feel weak and useless.

“Sit in the fucking chair and don’t move.”

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