Page 70 of Three Ties to Bind

“Is he a liability?” Peyton asked.

“No. He just has no sense of self-preservation.”

“Let’s hope he waits then,” Greer said.

The four of us got out of the SUV, closing the doors as quietly as we could so Peyton could lock it. There was still one gun left inside and it didn’t belong on the street because it was lifted. Just because the street was clean didn’t mean crime was nonexistent.

There were multiple row homes we passed to get to JJ’s shop. There was a lot to the left side with a fence around it, green plastic woven through it to give it a sense of privacy, I guess. I had no clue. Either way, it was locked. If we moved it, it would certainly make noise.

JJ peeled back a section of fencing and slipped quietly inside, the rest of us following him. The gun was heavy in my hand, an imposing weight I couldn’t wait until I could shed. From there on, JJ moved like a fucking ghost, weaving in and out of the cars he had tucked in the lot.

We found Val standing by the back door. He was in a heavy black sweatshirt with his hood up over his head. I couldn’t see much of him, but he wasn’t nearly as intimidating as the three other men with us were.

“Someone’s talking in there,” Val whispered. “But the security must be off, or they would have seen me out here.”

“Whoever it is hacked into it,” JJ replied.

“If we had more time, I could have worked around it, but we needed to get here,” Greer offered. I had no doubt he could have, given how smart he was.

“We go in here and spread out,” JJ said, pointing at the door. “There are a few back rooms. One hallway leads to the garage bays. Ready?” We nodded.

As quiet as could be, JJ unlocked the door, not surprised when the alarm didn’t chirp a warning. Why would it when someone had already broken into the place?

Peyton got in my face before we went inside. “Stay behind me. Don’t go anywhere else. Got it?”

“Yes.” He didn’t have to tell me twice. I wanted Dominic safe, but I knew I was no fucking hero. I worried I was more of a liability. If I had to shoot, I would. I’d do anything for Dominic and Peyton.

Peyton pulled the slide back on his gun to put a bullet in the chamber. I swallowed thickly at the sight.

One by one, we went up the hallway toward the garage bays, staying hidden behind tall workbenches and machinery. JJ followed behind us. I thought we were being slick, slipping inside like we did. But we weren’t.

“I know you’re there,” a voice called out.

Off to my right, I saw JJ stand up fast, his body tense. “Rob?” Wait, he knew who was in here?

Peyton crept forward before me then stopped short, his chin lifting to look upward. I followed his gaze to find Dominic hanging from a goddamn hook, his head lolled forward, obviously unconscious. Motherfucker. What was that I said about not being a hero? I was going to murder whoever did this to him, then I was going to kill my cousin for allowing this psycho in here.

“All of you, come out. JJ, I see you. Perry, Peyton, and Greer too. I’m no fool. I knew you three would come for Ocean.” He was referring to Dominic as his stage name?

Where the hell had Val gotten to? At least this person hadn’t realized he was here too.

Peyton stayed in front of me as we emerged into the bays. There was only one car inside, the other three were empty. There was a gun trained on the man I… Fuck, I loved him. What a shitastic time for that revelation.

“What are you doing, Rob?” JJ growled low, his body tight like he was ready to pounce.

“That’s not my name. Three of you know what my real name is though. Greer? Care to hazard a guess?”

“I don’t know who you are, but you sure as fuck are about to die if you don’t let Dominic go.”

“Picture me a hundred pounds heavier with red hair and a bigger nose?” He stood from the metal chair he was in. I still had no clue who he was. It was clear by the way he walked in a prowl-like manner that he was a dancer too. That was how he knew who Dominic was.

It wasn’t Greer who put it together though, it was me. In that moment, I knew exactly who this man was. It was in his eyes. The way the light shone down on him; I saw the bright green of them. I remembered the first time I saw him; I didn’t think the color was natural.

“Alan?” I asked.

He beamed. Smiled big, clapped his hands together, still holding the gun. “Yes! You do remember me!”

“Your name is Alan?” JJ asked.

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