Page 31 of Witness Protection

“Baretti?”

Ricky shook his head.

He would have been happy trading Sophia in exchange for his cat, Rosie. Now the ante had been upped. One point five million without lifting a finger. He’d be a fucking idiot not to take the deal.

“Sorry, Ricky. I’ll pass. When this contract’s finished, I’ll give you a call.”

Ricky grabbed his shirt in a tight fist. “I don’t think you understand what’s at stake here.”

He looked down at Ricky’s chubby fist, and the other man dropped his arm.

“Time to leave.”

“This is a mistake, Cayden. Think about what you’re doing here. Nobody’s going to give you a higher price than that. She ain’t going up in value if you sit on her.”

He pointed to the staircase, but his defenses went up when he saw two sets of black boots descending the stairs.

A fucking set up.

“Come here, sweetheart,” said Ricky, motioning for Sophia to come with a curled finger. “Don’t be a hero,” he said to Cayden.

He crossed his arms over his chest. “I assume my cut is out of the question now.”

“You should have taken the deal, buddy.”

Ricky’s partners stood at the bottom of the stairs, their hands on the butts of their weapons. There was way too much tension in such a small space. He had to remind himself loyalty was a thing of the past, and everyone in his line of work worshiped the almighty dollar above all else.

Sophia walked across the room, all eyes on her. She stopped when she reached Cayden.

“Come on, now,” said Ricky, holding out his hand.

“Three mill. Dead or alive?” asked Cayden.

Ricky’s silence was his answer. She only had hours to live. He assumed it was one of Morenov’s rivals putting up the bounty.

The fat fuck walked toward Sophia, irritation lashing in his eyes. She wrapped herself around Cayden’s arm, holding tight, like a child seeking the protection of a parent.

But he’d taken that from her, hadn’t he? She had no one to protect her anymore.

When Ricky reached for her, Cayden shook his head. “No touching.”

“Don’t be stupid. Give her to me.”

Cayden didn’t comply, so Ricky turned and nodded to his goons. They came for Sophia. These types of assholes were a dime a dozen. He began to see red, whisky-tainted blood pumping through his veins.

Just give her to them. Your problem will be gone, and you can move on with your life.

The first one grabbed Sophia, dragging her away. She screamed and kicked, digging in her heals while reaching back for Cayden. Odd how she’d seek out the man who’d killed her father. Maybe she saw him as the lesser of two evils. Either way, she wasn’t his responsibility.

Once Hawk realized Ricky had her, the Barettis would refocus their attention, leaving Cayden off the radar once again.

“Nice doing business with you,” said Ricky, following his men.

Cayden hadn’t moved.

Sophia was a wildcat, squirming and flailing her body. The other man pulled back his hand to slap her. Cayden grabbed the Glock from the back of his jeans and put a bullet between his eyes before he could strike her.

His body crashed to the concrete like a falling oak.

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