As she came down the steps, she noticed how quiet the house was. Everyone was standing or sitting with their phones out, eyes locked on screens, jaws tight. Some faces she recognized. Others she didn’t. No one spoke. No one looked up.
Whatever was happening, it was already in motion.
Her chest tightened as she took it in, realizing this was the plan, the one she hadn’t been included in. And for the first time since all of this began, she stopped fighting that fact.
She let go of the control, the second-guessing, and the need to know every detail. She placed her full trust in Kane and the people around him.
The worry was still there, sharp and relentless, and fear clung to her like a second skin. But beneath it all was something steadier. Something she’d realized she always had with Kane. Faith. She’d just been too afraid to lean into it.
And as the seconds ticked by in that silent room, Monica realized there was no turning back now. Whatever was happening was already underway.
CHAPTER 34
Kane had driven to a point, then switched positions with Ken. Now they were pulling up to a huge building. The warehouse sat at the edge of town like a rot that everyone had agreed to ignore. Dead street, no lights, no cars, no signs of life...vacant on purpose.
Ken slowed the car as they pulled up, his hands shaking so badly that Kane could hear the faint rattle of the steering wheel. Kane sat in the passenger seat, wrists cuffed in front of him, a thick chain threaded between the cuffs just long enough to wrap around someone’s throat. His idea of a weapon.
“Look at me,” Kane said calmly.
Ken flinched and did as he was told.
“If you even think about doing something stupid,” Kane continued, his voice low and even, “I will kill you. Not fast or clean.
Ken swallowed hard. “I told you—I just want my daughter back.”
“So do I,” Kane replied. “That’s the only reason you’re still breathing. And don’t forget you are the reason she is here, you piece of shit.”
“I didn’t mean for any of this to happen,” Ken’s voice shook with emotion. “It wasn’t supposed to happen this way.”
“Well, it did, and it’s all on you,” Kane growled. “Any man who would use his wife or child to get out of a mess of his own doing is a worthless piece of shit.”
Kane didn’t have a soft spot for many things. He had seen too much evil in this world, but kids, the elderly, and women were off fucking limits. You fuck with them while he was anywhere near, and you would pay dearly.
Ken pulled to a stop near a loading bay. The warehouse windows were blacked out, and steel plates were welded over some of them. The air smelled like oil and old rain. Kane scanned everything automatically—angles, shadows, exits, and one thing caught his attention. There were stacks upon stacks of shipping containers across the parking lot, looking really out of place. Big red flag.
Ken got out of the SUV and walked around to open Kane’s door. There were cameras, but Ken didn’t know if they were working. Kane would bet his ass they definitely were working. All he needed was to get inside. That was it, get him inside with all the players, and then it was Kane’s turn to take the lead.
Ken led the way to the warehouse door that loomed ahead, which was half-lit by a flickering security light.
“Remember,” Kane said quietly behind him, the chain between his cuffs rattled. “You lie wrong, hesitate, or try to run, this ends with you bleeding out on that concrete.”
Ken nodded without turning around; his voice shook as if he were about to cry. “I know.”
Reaching the door, Ken knocked three times, and the door creaked open. One man stood just inside. Kane assessed the situation immediately. The man was big and armed with nothing more than a huge hunting knife clipped to his belt. Kane’s eyes moved beyond them to the open space. No one was in sight, and he knew there were no cameras. They were all outside because this fucker Farrar was arrogant enough not to think someone could breach his area.
He looked Kane over and frowned. “Where’s the bitch?”
Ken swallowed. “I, ah, she got away, but I got him. I figured Farrar would be happy to have one of them.”
“You’re a dead man,” He laughed, shaking his head. “That wasn’t the deal. The bitch for the kid.”
“But he said he would forgive my debt if I brought him in.” Ken started shaking in fear, and Kane realized Ken wasn’t going to be much help.
“You really are a piece of shit. Not even asking about your daughter.” The man said, disgusted, and Kane had to agree with the asshole. The man looked down at Kane’s cuffs. “Those cuffs silver?”
“Yeah,” Ken answered with a nod. “Where is my daughter?”
“Shut the fuck up. Farrar is waiting for you in the office.” The man said, eyeing Kane. “I thought you Warriors were supposed to be badass.” He reached for the chain, which was a big mistake.