Page 101 of Witness Protection

Chapter Twenty

“Baby, down the stairs. Now,” said Hawk.

Sophia did as told, walking backwards and using the railing as she slowly descended.

He turned to Cayden. “A heads-up would have been nice.”

Hawk had woken up to an empty hotel suite. He had a strong feeling Sophia was with Cayden, but he had to know for sure. Just like Cayden had traced his car, he’d returned the favor and put a tracker on his Harley. It brought him here, to the old apartment where they staked out together.

The black Mercedes had been out of place in the rundown neighborhood, so he’d shifted gears and moved in on foot to investigate.

“I never planned to come here. It just kind of happened,” said Cayden. “Nice to see you, by the way.”

“You know this place is hot.”

“Like I said, unplanned. And stupid.” Cayden focused on the last man standing. “Why are you still pointing that shit at me? Toss the gun, then get your buddy down the stairs.”

Once they were back in Cayden’s apartment, the body in the bathtub, he tied the other man to a chair in the kitchen. Sophia was in the bedroom, the door closed, because interrogations were never pretty.

They roughed him up a bit. His name was Renzo, and he worked for Antonio Jr., which was no big surprise. Sophia had told them that Antonio Sr. didn’t know about the kidnapping. Apparently, the old man thought the wedding was planned, and he looked forward to uniting the two powerhouses of Morenov and Baretti.

Antonio Jr. was a fucking little prick with no self-respect.

“Where’s he staying? Last chance to speak up,” Cayden said, pacing back and forth in front of the man.

Blood ran from his nose. “I told you I don’t know. He only comes to the house once in a while. He only saw Sophia a few times, and then he’d leave.”

“Someone knows,” said Hawk.

The bedroom door opened, and Sophia came into the kitchen. He recognized the look on her face. It was the mask, the one she wore when nothing fazed her, when she had no choice but to be strong. She was a Morenov, after all.

“Back in the bedroom, Sophia.” Cayden pointed to the door.

She shook her head. “I’m tired of this. All of it. Ever since my father was killed, I’ve been on the run, hiding, and wondering if we’ll all survive from one day to the next. I’ve found out things that will give me nightmares for the rest of my life. I’m done.”

“Sophia…” Hawk stepped toward her, but she put her hand up to stop him.

“Give me that,” she said, reaching for his 9mm. He handed it to her, looking to Cayden with apprehension. Sophia pointed it at Renzo, her eyes welling up with tears, but she angrily wiped them away with the back of her free hand. “Where’s Antonio Sr. staying? He’s the only one who can end all this bullshit. I’m tired of hiding. Tired of being everyone’s pawn.”

When the man didn’t answer, she shot him in the fucking foot, squealed, then dropped the gun on the ground and jumped back into Cayden’s waiting arms. Renzo cried out, rocking in the chair as his foot bled all over the cheap laminate floor.

Hawk bent over and picked up the gun. “She asked you a fucking question.”

“He hasn’t gone anywhere. The boss lives in his mansion. You’ll never get to him.”

Sophia was broken and crying as Cayden held her close. This world was killing her. He didn’t want her to lose her unique innocence. One good thing about Vasily was his drive to shelter her from the dark life they lived.

The louder Renzo screamed, the more Sophia retreated into herself. He ended it with a head shot. Silence settling down on them.

Hawk pulled out his phone, getting someone to handle the mess. They wouldn’t be coming back here again.

Sophia was right, of course. Antonio Sr. was the way to end it all. Once he realized what his son was up to, he’d put a stop to it. The so-called devout Catholic would never hear of a fake wedding, one where his son planned to kill his bride for power. It was sleazy, and the old-school gangster would never approve. Certain lines were not to be crossed. Vasily Morenov was gone, off the map, so there was no threat or opportunity left to exploit.

Sophia was going to disappear.

They’d keep her safe and get out of this city for good.

“Take her in the car. I’ll follow on my bike,” said Cayden.

---