Page 79 of A Game of Secrets

Once I step inside, Marcello, Dario and Quinton are already seated, waiting for my instructions. I called ahead and told them to close the club and pay the girls for tonight even though no work would be done. This takes priority now. Out of respect they all stand as I walk forward.

"Boss, the club's locked down for the night. What do you want us to do?" Marcello asks.

I nod to him as I rake a hand through my hair. "Please sit, we have much to discuss. I need every ear to the ground and every eye in the sky. I need to know what the Costellos are doing. I need eyes looking for a boy, Teddy, aged five blonde hair and blue eyes. Search every corner of this city for a boy of that description, even if you think it’s not him, I want it double checked. Also spread the word that I want Max Costello found and brought to me alive.” My men nod. "Quinton, I want you to stay and guard Lucille, anything happens to her and I'll personally hold you responsible."

"I'll keep her safe, Boss," he nods.

"You’re all dismissed. I need to contact Lincoln and Cole. I expect updates every hour and I'll inform you of information as it comes in."

As they leave the room, Marcello is last to go. A look of assurance in his eyes. "We will find them Boss, the boy and Costello. We won't let you down." With that he leaves the room.

I lean back in my chair, looking at the ceiling, thinking where the fuck Vinny could have taken Teddy. He's mine as much as Lucille's now and I'll burn the fucking city to the ground to find him.

Interrupting my thoughts, Cole and Linc come barrelling into my office. Cole is covered in blood, Linc too but it looks as though he has at least attempted to wipe some of the remains from his face. I raise an eyebrow before saying, "I missed out on the fun I see, did you make him sing before pulling the trigger at least?"

"He sang like a baby black bird squawking for his mama to feed him," Cole says dryly.

"So where are Teddy and Costello? Are the Costellos in with Vinny?" I slam my fist on the table, regretting it as I do. This can't have been an easy thing for Linc to have gone through with, sentencing your own father to death is one thing but executing the final blow yourself is a hard task to do. Taking a deep breath, I apologize. "Sorry Linc, I know this must have been difficult for you. What information did you get?"

Linc looks to Cole before replying. "Putting a bullet through that fuckers head wasn't the difficult part of today my friend. Hearing that piece of shit confess that he was responsible for kidnapping our brother all those years ago, and now he's done it again with Teddy! That was the tough part. He got what he deserved. He all but admitted that he's given Teddy up to the Costellos. We find them and we will find our boy."

The words out of Linc's mouth flaw me. I'm shocked and angered by this revelation. I look at Cole, his eyes look dark and more void than usual, he’s barely holding it together. Before I get a chance to reply, Quinton barges through the door "Boss, I'm sorry. I got to the room and knocked on the door. She didn't answer so I tried to open the door but it was locked. By the time I broke it down, I saw the window was open and she was long gone. I found this note." he babbles, holding it out to me with a shaking hand. Rage is bubbling inside me. It's not Quintons fault, she was probably gone before he had any chance to stop her. Looking down at the note it reads;

Silas, Vinny has Teddy, he said he'll release him if I go to him. I have to do this, please understand. I love all of you so much but I can't leave my boy in his hands.

Lucille.

Clenching the note in my hands trembling from head to foot with anger, I watch Linc and Cole rush out the room. Quinton is still standing by the door, panic racing through his eyes with his breathing coming out heavy and fast. I swing my fist into his face, knocking him to the floor, leaving his blood coating my fist. "Clean yourself up Quinton then fucking find her. Next time you'll get more than a fucking bloody nose."

I run to where I left Lucille and find Cole leaning up on the wall staring vacantly at the empty space. Linc is looking for any clues as to where she might have gone, tossing furniture around like a mad man. "She's gone to sacrifice herself for Teddy, I can't say I blame her but I wish she'd have come to us first." I tell them.

Cole smirks. "Little mouse wants a chase, and a chase she will get." Linc stops searching the room, turning to look at Cole, and we both frown at him. Maybe hearing Theo's confession has sent him over the edge. He's got his phone out now, refusing to look either of us in the eye. "Don't look at me like I'm deranged, brothers. I told our little mouse once upon a time, she could run but never hide from me."

Linc interrupts snapping at Cole. "For fucks sake Cole! What are you on about? She's run right in to that sick fucks hands. We don't have time for this bullshit!"

"Oh but Lincoln, it's not bullshit. I might have put a tracker on her, not that she has ever been aware of it. She wouldn’t have been pleased with me, that’s for sure." He turns his phone to show us, there is a little dot moving on the screen. It's her! I look at my brother and I'm smiling because this fucker has some serious issues but I've never been so glad of them until this moment. I could kiss him.

Linc is shaking his head, "Forgive me brother, I was panicking. When we get our love back, we’ll make sure to tie her to the bed until she does as she's told." he smirks, the relief he feels is palpable.

Cole grunts. "I’ll tie her to the bed even if she does what she’s told. Now, shall we go and catch our little mouse?"

"Let's go, Linc you can drive." I bark, exiting the room.

By the time we’re ready to leave, we have suited up with enough ammo and guns to start a war. We check Cole’s phone and see that Lucille has arrived at Vinnie's last known location. It's a warehouse on the Costellos side of the city.

"Looks like we will be entering enemy territory." Linc grins. Cole smirks and I let out a laugh. This might be more fun than we anticipated. We always like a bit of a fight, we wouldn't be who we are without enjoying the violence.

As we arrive at the warehouse, Cole turns to us. "She's inside, but I think we should split up, in case the Costellos are here and Teddy isn't with Vinny. I'll go look around while you both go get our girl and Teddy back."

I agree with him. "Good idea brother, I'll bring you a souvenir back from Vinny." I wink.

Cole smiles psychotically. "You always bring me the best presents."

As we move, Cole disappears into the darkness and we head towards the warehouse where Lucille is. As we near the door, we hear a scream, not just any scream, Lucille’s piercing scream. Without hesitation, both me and Linc are through the door. The sight we walk into has my blood boiling and I am unable to be the calm, well versed leader I usually am. I explode with rage, rushing for the cunt that has dared to touch what does not belong to him.

Lucille is on the floor, her clothes are ripped and her lip is oozing blood. He's was about to rape her. That thought alone has me murderous. As I move to tackle Vinny to the floor, wanting to drive my fists into his face until his body has stilled beneath my own, he notices our intrusion. Quickly, he brings a knife to her throat, making me stop in my tracks. I shake with rage. "Get your filthy fucking hands off her, you piece of shit," the venom thick in my voice.

He laughs, grabbing my angel by the hair and dragging her to stand. She whimpers and he spits. "I see Lucille has been opening her legs for common thugs now. I'll teach you my girl, you won't be making this mistake again. Not after Ronan and his son have dealt with them all," he gloats at me and then continues looking between me and Linc with a sick smug smile on his lips. Did he just say Ronan? "I tell you what boys, I'll let you watch me fuck her raw. Then I’ll let his men have a turn before they put a bullet through your heads. How does that sound?"

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