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I want to tell her no.

Want to promise we'll find Mercado alive and that the bastard was just trying to scare her.

But I've spent too much of my life watching what happens when men believe what they want instead of what's in front of them.

"Don't know yet, darlin'."

She nods slowly.

"He was a good man, Vex. He just wanted justice for his brother."

"I know."

"He trusted me."

"You did your job."

"I couldn't save him."

I tighten my hold on her.

"That's not on you."

She presses her face against my chest.

I let her cry.

By the time Razor finishes checking us over, Grim's got the attackers secured and the cops on their way.

Kierra has a few scrapes from the broken glass. Nothing serious.

I'm not hurt beyond my knuckles and a bruise along my ribs.

Could've been a hell of a lot worse.

Grim catches me outside while Kierra sits on the porch steps with Ash nearby.

"Mel called," he says.

My jaw locks.

"Figured."

"He told me about the tracker. Said men were heading for your place."

"Little fucking late."

"Late would've been after they killed you."

I look toward the driveway.

Two brothers stand guard over the captured attackers.

"Where is he?"

"Clubhouse."

"Good."