Page 7 of Vengeful Union

I’m going to take everything away from him, just as he did with me.

Starting with his organization, and then his life.

James Carter’s days are numbered.

With that in mind, I rise to my feet and reach for my cell, then call the one person I trust.

Drake.

It’s time to go back into the lion’s den.

3

Finn

One Month later

Gunfire sounds, and my finger on the trigger, tightens.

But it’s too late.

Something slams into my gut,and red-hot, fiery pain pierces through me. I shudder as the gunfire continues, and my body jerks as I'm struck once again by a bullet. I sway, unable to stay upright, and fall to the floor with a thud. My head ricochets off the ground, making my vision blur. The bullets continue to fly around me, but I catch sight of a lifeless body sprawled on the driveway, blood coating the back of his head. The pain from the bullets is nothing compared to seeing my da lying dead in front of me.

I hiss as yetanother bullet hits me. The pain is unbearable, but I must stay awake. I must protect my family.

But it's too late.

The darkness takes me,and it's sweet fucking misery.

I gasp awake, my body soaked in sweat and my heartbeat erratic. Sitting up in bed, I blink at the sunlight streaming into my room. I grit my teeth. It's been four months. Four fucking months and I'm still having these nightmares. Every time I close my eyes, I see Da's dead body sprawled on the ground, blood soaking the back of his head.

My cell ringing pulls the nightmare further from my mind. Answering it, I realize it's the prison calling. The only person I know currently incarcerated is Jade, my cousin. She was awaiting trial for manslaughter—something she didn’t do—when the order was put out for the entire family to be in New York. We had a lot of shit going down with the Russians and the motherfucking Carter’s. During the shootout that killed my father, Jade and I were also shot, and Jade was arrested for leaving the state. Now, she’s currently serving a five-year term.

"Jade, what's wrong?"

I hear her heavy sigh. "Still an asshole, I see," she comments.

I know she's been in contact with the family. My sister is concerned about me. She believes I've changed, and I have. Waking up in a hospital bed and finding out my da was dead and already buried, gutted me. Then to find out my cousin was banged up for leaving the state, it just added fuel to the fire.

"Jade—"

"I need to see you. I have some information," she says cagily, and I know that whatever it is, it must be big if she's not telling me over the phone.

"I'm on the first flight out," I say, wondering just what the hell she's found.

"See you tomorrow, Finny," she whispers, and I grit my teeth as the tightening in my chest increases. I fucking hate that she’s inside. The women in my family mean the most to me. I’ll do anything I can to protect them. But having Jade incarcerated, I can’t do that. "Be safe," she tells me, and ends the call.

I should be the one cautioning her about being safe. She's in prison. She's alone, with no backup. It would be easy for our enemies to take her out. Putting a bounty on her head is simple. There are always people who need money, who need something done for them on the outside. She has to watch her back twenty-four-seven.

I dial Jacob and he answers right away. "Boss."

"I need to see Jade, and I want you to come with me. She has some information for me."

"What sort of info?" he queries with eagerness. Jacob is bloodthirsty. He's always looking to see what trouble he can get into.

"She didn't say, that's why I'm headed to her. I need you to organize visitation for me."

"On it," he replies instantly, and I know it'll be done.

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