Page 28 of Vicious Chaos

Jade gives her a small smile, it’s not one I usually see on her anymore. Like she isn’t entirely sure about the situation she’s found herself in. “Not at all,” she answers. “But I’ve realized I have a family already. I trust you guys will catch me if I fall. It’s time to figure out if she's friend or foe.”

I nod my approval and encouragement. Her eyes light up as she sees everyone around the room doing the same thing. She’s a hell of a lot tougher than any of us had given her credit for.

Luca’s phone rings and it’s only moments after he answers that a thunderous expression overtakes his face.

Ah fuck. Here we go.

It had been far too quiet. We all had been on edge waiting for something to happen, for Romano to make his next move. Especially after we took out Taylor. We had Mikey and Ronan leave her as a little present at one of Romano’s warehouses for him to find.

A nice touch was the way they broke into the house and left her in one of the bedrooms, letting themselves be caught on camera after dismantling his security. An intentional fuck you that neither his spies nor he himself was safe from us. It’s only a matter of time before we track him down.

I guess we are finally hearing back from him. Based on the way Luca is seething, it must have been a big move. Not that we hadn’t expected it.

Scar curses, realizing the same thing that I am. She jumps off the couch and grabs one of her laptops. She has several, always scattered all over the house so there’s typically one close to her at any given moment.

Her fingers start flying over the keyboard as windows start flashing across the screen. Luca hangs up the phone and moves over to her. They both hunch over the laptop as she points at something and a video starts playing on the screen. He nods, confirming whatever they are watching is what his phone call was about.

I don’t wait to find out the details. I head and grab several of our basic go bags and bring them back to the living room. The news is now on the tv and I stop for a moment as I watch a familiar building being engulfed in flames.

The bastard burned down The Black Rose.

I toss a bag to Scar and she catches it deftly in one hand even as she hangs up the phone with her other hand. She starts strapping knives and guns to every inch of her body. Concealing them so effortlessly, she makes it look like an art.

She catches my eye and gives me a subtle shake of her head. Noted. She wants me staying back on this one. Someone has to stay with Jade and I’m guessing she has a reason for wanting Ian to go with them. He’s still in training and could use the experience.

They may have finished their first mission on their own successfully, but we need to cram as much prep for all of them as we can whenever we can. I have more experience working with Scar than anyone, even Luca, since he doesn’t normally do runs with her.

It makes me the best suited to stay behind. I don’t mind.

I kick back and watch my girl get suited up. She looks good enough to eat. I catch her winking at Jade and watch the younger woman blushing as she tucks her chin into her chest.

Scar moves on to get the other guys in order and ready to go, double checking their bags and their weapons. I take the moment to drop down on the couch next to Jade. “Keep making eyes at my wife and I’m gonna make Scar’s training look like child’s play,” I tease her.

She rolls her eyes, but her blush intensifies. Not that it keeps her from snarking back, “She’s not your wife.”

I smirk back at her. “Not yet, she isn’t.” We haven’t given it any real consideration or any at all, but I’m confident it’s something in our future.

This familiar sassy ass Jade doesn’t let my smug attitude deter her though. She makes a point to look at each of Scar’s men before looking back at me. “She can’t legally marry all of you.”

I mimic her, looking around. “Take another look, J,” I taunt before pulling a knife from my side. I toss it up by the tip of the blade and catch it at the hilt, grinning the whole time. “We’re criminals. Since when does legally apply to us?”

The Black Rosewas the last place I thought Romano would attack.

It’s not one of our most prominent businesses in any way shape or form. It’s one of the ones we are the most hands off with. It’s in the nicer part of St Graves, on the outskirts of town, making it a little more isolated. Is that why he attacked here?

The Black Rose is a restaurant club combination. The second level is used often for events like parties and showers because of the gorgeous view it has of the bay. It’s a popular brunch spot while maintaining the integrity of a good dinner date.

The lower level has a patio that leads directly out to the sand, making for a great cool down spot when people get overheated from dancing in the club inside. It’s more exclusive than Steel Roses and caters to a slightly older and wealthier clientele, a more straight laced crowd than Thorns.

It’s profitable, but it’s not a huge financial hit to us either.

The rage that burns in my veins is for the innocent people that Romano dragged into this war. I always knew he was a spineless fuck that disregarded human life, but this is just…

I don’t even have words for the needless destruction and devastation he’s caused with this stunt.

We will have to clean this shit up too. A gas leak should be a believable enough coverup. At least most everyone was able to escape the flames with only sustainable injuries. So far, we’ve only had three confirmed deaths. All employees of the kitchen.

Their families will receive money, but that’s not nearly enough to make up for their loss. I wish we could do more. But it’s not like I can give them back their loved ones. As much as I wish I could.

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