67

Carter’s P. O. V.
I had left Eva in the interrogation room. It was late and I was angry. I knew that if I stayed in that room any longer, I wouldn’t be able to control myself with her. I knew that we had people on the ground where Lea was last reported being seen and Lynx had been in contact with us twice since his initial call. Miller was stable, the bullet had missed his heart, but clipped his lung. The surgeon at the New York house had been able to repair the damages and stop Miller from bleeding out.
I made my way to my office and slammed the door, my head pounding from the stress of everything that had taken place over the last several hours. I pulled out the Napoleon Cognac and put the bottle to my lips, taking a long sip as I made my way to the window. I looked out over the gardens as Eva’s words played through my mind, They’re going to kill you both.
The door opened and I listened as multiple sets of footsteps cautiously entered the office.
Carter, Darrell’s broken voice sounded from behind me. I knew that whatever he had to say wasn’t something I was going to want to hear.
No, I whispered as the bottle dropped from my hand, the expensive liquor spilling out onto the floor.
I turned slowly and met the faces of the men that had been closest to Lea. My chest tightened as I took in their solemn faces. They were hiding their pain, trying to remain strong in light of whatever news they had just learned, the news that Darrell was about to deliver to me.
Emilio just called. He paused and waited for me to nod before he continued, Victoria and three of Miguel’s men are dead. From what he says, Miguel double crossed her.
I didn’t flinch at the news of my mother’s death. It was actually something I had expected, something that deep down I had wished for since the night she executed my father.
Xian has been transported to the New York house. Miguel shot out the back tire of the motorcycle he and Lea were on. He kept his voice low, the fight to keep it steady evident as he paused to draw in slow, deep breaths. He absorbed the impact of the wreck and is being treated for multiple broken bones and internal bleeding.
Darrell shifted uncomfortably as he continued, Miguel never suspected that Emilio was one of ours so he was able to get close enough to take him out.
I knew he was stalling. I wanted to yell at him that I didn’t care about Victoria, Miguel, or Xian for that matter. I just needed him to tell me how Lea was.
But I couldn’t speak, the tightness in my chest was suffocating me. I watched as Lewis, Leon, Paul, Samuel, and Darrien all moved anxiously about the room, waiting for Darrell to answer my unasked question.
Darrell’s hands clenched at his sides. Lea, his whispered voice broke as his glistening eyes met mine. You need to let her go Carter.
I leaned against the desk, letting out a low growl. The pain ripping through my soul was almost more than I could bare. My knuckles turned white as I gripped the edge of the desk, hanging my head as I fought to steady my breath.
What happened ? I couldn’t look at the men, their broken faces were more than I could handle.
She was shot in the thigh. The bullet nicked the artery there and she lost a lot of blood.
I sunk into the desk chair, my legs no longer able to support my weight. I ran a hand down my face, fighting back the urge to scream.
Leave, I looked around the room. All of you.
Carter, Darrell started to walk closer.
I SAID TO LEAVE.
Darrell nodded to the group of men and I watched through bleary eyes as each one reluctantly exited my office. Each one except Darrell.
I said to leave, I whispered defeatedly.
No. Darrell ignored my deathly glare as he stood his ground. What do you want done with Eva ?
Let her go.
Carter, we can’t just let her go. Darrell reached the edge of my desk and looked down at me, his tone turning cold and hard. She is why Lea is gone.
I leaned back in my chair and looked up at my second in command. I can’t do this any more Darrell.
Darrell was silent a moment as he studied me. When he finally spoke, his question was slow and knowing, Do what Carter ?
I threw my hand around my office, This, any of this. My voice cracked as I continued, Look at who we all have lost ; my father, Trish, Lea. And Miller and Xian are fighting for their lives. How many of our members have lost someone close to them ? How many more of their children will be assaulted, paralyzed, or killed ?
Darrell looked me over carefully. I could tell he was just as weary and tired as I was. What are you saying Carter ? That we just quite, give it all up ?
I shook my head. Not all of it. I opened a desk drawer and pulled out the book that held the information on our black market arms’ deals. Just these.
Darrell slid the book toward him and flipped it open. The Asian partners will not like this Carter.
They will if the offer is right. They will get to take full control of the markets in Hong Kong, China, and Japan.
I took a deep breath. Let Eva go, but make it very clear to her that if she ever steps foot into one of our houses or clubs, or she speaks to anyone about our activities, then she pays with her life.
Why are you letting her go ? Darrell’s voice was dripping with anger. She betrayed all of us Carter. She is the reason why Miller and Xian are fighting for their lives. She betrayed Trish’s memory and she betrayed Lea.
I stood and slammed my already bruised fist onto the desk, ignoring the sound of cracking wood. Don’t you think I don’t fucking know that ? This is killing me Darrell. I feel like I’m fucking dying inside. Don’t you think I wan’t to rip her fucking throat out with my bare hands ? I do, God help me I do.
I drew in a deep breath, But then I hear her voice here, I put two fingers to my temple, and I feel her here, I brought a clenched fist to my chest, and all I want is her here, in my arms. I want to tell her what I should have told her this morning. I should have told her I loved her before I allowed her to walk away, before I allowed her to get on that damn plane.
What happened is not your fault Carter.
Not my fault ? I narrowed my eyes on Darrell. I knew how sadistic Victoria was. I knew that she was going to use Lea. I knew Darrell and I didn’t do a fucking thing to stop her from walking out that door.
You and I both know that if you would have tried to stop Victoria, Lea would not have made it to that plane, not to mention, we would have lost the lives of a lot of good people, Carter. People who are, despite everything, still going to be looking to you and I for guidance and assurance that their loved ones are safe. People who are willing to do what ever they need to do to ensure that our lives and business are protected.
What if I fail them like I failed Lea ? my voice was barely audible.
You won’t Carter. You take what Lea has shown you, the feelings that she has awoken in you, and you use them to continue to be a better person. You don’t let all that has happen be in vain. Darrell was silent for a moment, I’ll go deal with Eva. I’ve given Lea’s guards the next couple of days off. Jason and Micah will be nearby if you need anything.
I watched as Darrell turned and reached for the door handle. Darrell ?
Yea ? I could see the weight of the last twenty four hours weighing heavily on my best friend.
Is it suppose to hurt like this ?
Darrell was silent for a moment. He didn’t turn around as his soft answer reached my ears, Yes.
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