Page 6 of Unfettered

“You sure it’s the Council?”

“Who the fuck else would it be? Especially that location.”

“You’re right, Boss. I’ve sent a team over already. Hopefully, they will have an update soon. I will redistribute our forces—maybe we’ll get lucky and catch them before they hit somewhere else.”

I curse again as realization dawns on me. “I need you to meet me at the main supply warehouse.”

“Sir?”

“It’s fucking distribution night. If they’re targeting us…this would be the perfect night to do it. We need to move as much product”—and get rid of some damning evidence—“as we can.”

“I’ll take care of it, sir. You don’t need to come down.”

Fuck that. Too much has gone wrong because I’ve left things up to chance and trusted the wrong people. No. There will be no more fuckups. Not now. “I will meet you in an hour,” I tell him before hanging up, so I don’t have to hear any useless arguments.

Letting out a deep sigh, I work on getting myself under control as I slide my phone into my pocket.

Plastering my smile back on, I return to my table to make my excuses so I can go deal with more important things than who is fucking their secretaries and aides, and how that blackmail can be used in the future. No, I deal with the real-world shit my colleagues only fantasize about but will never really do. Part of me is getting tired of the games, but in order to have it all, needs must.

Which is, of course, why I need to deal with the warehouse situation in-person, lest we lose valuable product and information. Fucking Council. Don’t they know their clock is ticking? It’d be so much easier if they just rolled over for their betters… Ah well, they will learn. And I will enjoy every minute of it.

Ifocus on taking deep breaths, trying my best not to draw attention to myself as I work to calm my nerves. I may have trained to lead my entire life, and have been doing it for months now, but my best friend and father have always been by my side. Now, I’m in charge of an entire team to take down what is the most dangerous target.

This should be Tennant’s job. I try to fight against the voice in my head, but…it’s not entirely wrong. Ten has years more experience than I do, and can handle anything thrown his way. But, as a Council member, I understand why it has to be me. I can’t afford to hide behind my co-leaders or my lover. No matter how badly I want to.

Waiting on word from not only Lio’s team but the overwatch team back home, I fidget a little. My clothes feel wrong, despite being tailored for me. Wearing pants once again after so long makes me feel confined in a way I didn’t expect or understand before. But it’s not like I can wear a skirt while walking into what is about to become a warzone.

“You’ve got this, Roman,” Cristian says as we climb into the van we’re using. “You’re an amazing leader, and I believe in you.”

His words have me letting out a shaky breath as emotions I don’t want to feel crash into my chest. Fuck. Does he do this shit on purpose? Now isn’t the time to deal with all the confusing things my father makes me feel.

Thankfully, Keegan manages to claim the seat next to me, so I don’t have to worry about being so close to Cristian, even if being in the same vehicle with him is still difficult. Especially given the way he simultaneously glares at Keegan while looking at me with…regret?

“Security has been diverted to the other house,” Marcus says through our comms. “Don’t let your guard down, though. Leandro says the house to the left was used to hold round the clock staff, so that could be an issue.”

“Got it,” I reply, happy to have someone as talented as War watching over us. Ignacio and Carter both tried to argue, but were shot down because, strategically, it makes sense to have Marcus as overwatch for the biggest target.

Not only that, but I’m pretty sure Marcus’s parental instincts are driving him to protect me as much as possible. I’d normally be irritated with that, but I not only respect Marcus, I appreciate how he and Keegan are both trying to make it known I’m important to them. It’s not just about Carter for them, and that means more than words can say.

About a block away from our destination, we stop to pick up Antonio. The Ghost literally seems to appear from the shadows, as the street was empty one second, and then he’s climbing into our van the next.

“Slight problem,” he says without any preamble. “Yes, men were sent to the other house, but just a few minutes ago, new ones showed up. It appears they’re taking our threat seriously.” He frowns. “Is it too much to hope he’s actually been holed up in his house this entire time and this could be our lucky day, and we’ll be able to nab the bastard?”

I snort. “We’re never that lucky.”

Antonio lets out a long sigh. “Yeah, I know. Anyway, the new arrivals don’t even make up for half of the guards that were here before. I don’t know if they’re private security or part of his so-called Family, but it’ll make for some fun before we turn that pretentious hell into a bonfire.”

I let out a little laugh, even as Marcus groans and curses down the other end of the line at his best friend’s words. I’m very happy I get to work with Antonio on this. He’s as batshit as Lio and I, and the perfect person to keep Jude on his toes.

“Let’s go give them something to do, then,” I say cheerfully. My nerves are being pushed aside as adrenaline begins to fill me.

Unlike Lio’s team, we’re going for more stealth here, especially with the news that backup has arrived to secure the place.

“Police lines in the area have been diverted to go through us,” Marcus says. “That doesn’t mean you have time to waste, though. He has far more friends on the force than we do, so be quick and efficient.”

My team splits up. Antonio and Cristian go with one group, while Keegan sticks with me as we sneak up on the house of a sitting Senator. I can imagine the field day the press is going to have with this story, and I’m almost looking forward to it. His perfect veneer as a politician will mean he has to play the game carefully, and his ego will have him pushing back, making him blind to the mistakes we’re banking on him making.

The Senator’s days are numbered. He just doesn’t know it yet.