Page 57 of Fragile Union

“I’m driving,” Stefan announces, “We’re taking the escalade, we need to be inconspicuous.”

I nod, whatever, I need to be leaving now.

My breathing starts to shallow as I slide into the vehicle. My thoughts run wild with the things that Ortega could be doing to my wife. I know who he is, I’ve heard the rumors. That he rapes and murders women who disobey him. He hurts the women who talk back, who want more than being either trafficked or becoming a prostitute for him.

Dante sits beside me, as always, he’s sat up straight, facing forward, “We’re going to make sure the Ortega men bleed out on the streets.” It’s a vow and I know my brother, he’d do whatever he can to make sure my wife is protected, and I have men at my back willing to do the same.

I take a steadying breath. I’m going to get my wife back and I’m going to give her the vengeance she needs, that's all the Gallagher's need.

We’re going into enemy territory and I’m bringing them a motherfucking war.

Twenty-One

ROMERO

There are seven cars in this convoy. Each of them holding at least four men. There’s already three at the location Georgina disclosed as to where Jose is holding Holly. Not to mention two more on the way with the weapons we’ll be needing.

“We’ll be going in hot,” Dante announces, his tone clear and concise, he’s on a conference call right now with the other men, each of them ready in case there’s an ambush.

The Ortega men must know we’re coming. Surely, they’d realize I’d do whatever it took to get my wife back. That I’d hunt, maim, and kill anyone who was involved in her abduction.

“Boss, there’s seven guards outside the house, there’s also two vehicles doing checks around the block. Then there’s two men sitting in the opposite house keeping a lookout.” Lewis informs us, he’s one of Makenna’s men, he’s Finn’s right hand man and is pissed his friend is lying in hospital due to these fuckers.

My gut clenches with anticipation. We’re definitely on the way to the right house. There’s no way they’d have that much manpower if they weren’t hiding her.

“Christian, I want you, Danilo, and Alfonso, to take out the cars. I don’t care how you do it. I want them to stop circling the block,” Dante instructs, “Alex,” My body tenses at that motherfucker’s name. I haven’t seen him since he made a pass at Holly, he’s lucky he’s still breathing. “I want you and Lorenzo to take out those guards across the street.”

“On it, boss,” Alex replies, no doubt sucking up, the fucking ass.

“Lewis, can you and your men get rid of the seven-foot guards?” Dante inquires and I’m getting antsy; it’s been hours since Holly’s been taken and as we draw closer, the pain of losing her pierces my chest like a fucking needle.

“Yes, and we’ll do it silently. No one will suspect we’re coming.” I can hear the glee in his voice. This is what the men are waiting for, to unleash the anger that’s running through them.

The Irish lost two good men today, one, their boss, the other a soldier. They also feel deeply that an Underboss as well as a fucking princess are fighting for their lives in the hospital. And the Italian's are joining them in the rage because my wife has been taken and the Irish because the granddaughter and niece of the bosses has been shot and kidnapped.

“We’re seven minutes out,” Stefan declares and a calm washes over me. This is what I do, what I live for. I’m the man that doesn’t allow emotion to lead him. Right now, I push aside the rage that’s taken a hold of me since I found out that not only was my wife fucking kidnapped but also shot.

“You good?” Dante asks, his gaze searching my face.

I sense what he means is,“if you’re not good, you’re staying back.”They can’t afford a liability and if I let my emotions get the best of me, that’s what I’ll be. If he thought I wasn’t good, he’d lock me down and make sure I wasn’t anywhere near the action.

“I’m good,” I assure him.

He stares at me for a beat and then nods. “Good, we’re almost there. You’re to go in and go to Holly,” he instructs.

I bite back the urge to lash out. “With all due respect, Dante, that isn’t going to happen. You know it and I know it. Denis’ main concern will be Holly, mine is too, but I also need to make sure Ortega doesn’t hurt her again. Don’t fucking ask me to be something I’m not.”

The urge to kill the motherfucker is riding me hard. I’ve never been a man to hide from confrontation and I’ve always been fiercely protective of my family. Whatever the fuck Dante got into his head, he needs to get it out. I’ll be getting my revenge. No one takes my wife. Hell, no one fucking hurts my wife and lives to tell the tale.

Dante’s eyes harden but he nods stiffly. If the tables were turned, there’d be no way in hell anyone would be able to hold him back. He’d be the first one into the fucking house, gutting everyone who stands between him and Ortega.

The car slowly creeps up to the house, the convoy right behind us. “Let’s go,” Dante says and within seconds everyone is exiting their vehicles. The men are there handing out weapons and pushing us toward the house.

Dante’s to my right, Ales to my left, with Danny, Denis, and Liam bringing up my rear. Cian and Patrick are breaching from the rear with their man at their backs. There’s almost fifty of us entering this house and none of us could give a fuck who’s caught in the crossfire. This is what happens when you fuck with us.

Shots are fired before I even enter the house, the rapid gunfire echoes into the night. I follow the sound of the footsteps, hearing the men shout clear as they move through each room. “Found her,” I hear yelled, unsure who it’s coming from.

I break into a sprint, pushing past everyone who stands in my way. The fury I have burns through my lungs as I move toward the room which holds my wife. As soon as I enter the room, I take in every single piece of it in a sweeping glance. The blood that’s scattered along the floor, the men who are hanging their heads in shame, all of them having guns pointed at them. I breathe in the metallic scent of blood. I know instantly that it belongs to Holly.

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