We brought our best team with us, which means that our compound is now secured by our new young soldiers, and Carter is the only one still there with them. He stayed behind, locking himself in the office, looking at computer files, needing the quiet to piece together the data that might help us find this asshole if we don’t on our own.

We reach the bar and lean on it, and I look briefly at the women who are in different states of undress dancing on the stage. Cheap sequin outfits, high heels and tassels abound, and I notice my ex-wife is not here. At least that is one thing I don’t need to worry about today. Her calls are now incessant, so much so, I no longer answer her, especially after Leo hearing me yell at her. Something I still feel guilty about.

We stand at the bar, surveying the room, both feeling uneasy. I look at the barman who is currently polishing glasses down at the other end. He is an older guy who has been around for years, never causes trouble, and is always neutral in our activities. He nods to me as he comes closer. I turn to face him, leaning my arms on the sticky bar as he stands in front of me.

“I have a message for you,” he states, and I nod for him to continue as Sebastian tenses next to me, his anger permeating from his body. The barman moves his hand, and Sebastian and I immediately do the same, our fingers itching to grab our guns, but instead of pulling a gun, the barman pulls out a note and slides it across the bar. Nodding again, he walks back down to the other end of the bar and continues polishing the glasses.

I grab the folded piece of paper he passed to me, wondering what the fuck is going on. As I look down at the words written, the scrawling handwriting just as messy as this fucking bar, my face drops, my scowl now all but gone and my body rigid as I read it.

“The boy belongs with his momma, and the redhead, I will keep just for fun.”

29

Annie

I stifle a yawn as I mix the Bolognese on the stovetop. Leo is sitting at the kitchen bench, content with his Lego pieces, trying to skillfully make a small rocket, another one to add to his collection, while keeping me company. I’m tired. More so than usual. I don’t know if my health is starting to fail me, or if it is all the extra physical activity I have been doing with Dante. A smile appears on my face at the thought of him as butterflies dance in my tummy.