“Her apartment. That was where she was going earlier today. She needed to check her mail and make sure she was not behind on the rent.”
Tristan and Drew came running back along with Stefan and a couple of members of the Law Castle Bad Boys.
“I thought she was moving in with you?” Noah said.
“We were going to ask her tonight.”
Brent threw his tools across the shop. Connor saw the anger in his eyes.
“What happened?” Tristan asked.
Connor saw red and flew at him. “What happened? Your fucking meddling has got Zoe caught up in this shit. You’re supposed to look after the people in this town.” Connor pushed Tristan up against the wall. Vicki pulled up outside of the mechanic shop.
Tristan grabbed Connor’s arm and twisted it behind his back. “Don’t ever think of
doing that again. Do you understand me?” Tristan said.
“Yes,” Connor said.
“I’ve been looking into Bill and stopping his supplies. I wanted to know where this shit came from. It would seem he made the first move before we did. Vicki, what are you doing here?”
“A couple of guys walked into The Dugout. They shot Steve in the leg, and I saw them carry Zoe inside. She looked asleep. I ran out of the back when I saw them.”
“At least we know where she is,” Tristan said. “Stefan, I think you need to control some of your boys.”
“I’m not controlling anyone, Tristan. This is not a gang. We’re friends, and I think all three of them have a right to know where their woman is, don’t you?”
“I do not want a blood-bath.”
“There won’t be one. We’ll get inside, order a drink, and settle this peacefully,” Stefan said.
“You’re going to go inside? Are you insane? They have a gun,” Vicki said.
“Vicki, go home,” Tristan said.
“No, Zoe is my friend.”
The older guy turned on her. “I wasn’t giving you permission to argue. Go home, now.”
Connor saw the tension. Vicki glared at the older man then walked toward her car.
“Let’s go and have a party,” Tristan said.
****
Brent felt on edge. Up until this moment he’d had so many doubts about the way he felt about Zoe. No more. He fucking loved her.
When he got her in his arms, he was going to shout it from the rooftops. There were a couple of cars in the parking lot, but other than that the parking lot was deserted.
“Fucking bitch,” Tristan yelled.
He followed the other man’s gaze. Vicki’s car was in the parking lot with no sign of the woman.
Brent watched as Tristan pulled out his gun, loaded it, and walked toward the front door. Stefan stopped the other man from walking into his own death scene.
“We don’t have any idea who is inside.”
Brent followed his two friends toward the other men.
“I don’t give a fuck. They’ve got Vicki, and I don’t care. They’re all fucking dead men.” Tristan pulled out of the guy’s hold.
Seeing no end in sight, Brent whistled. “Hey, Bill. You’ve got what you want. We’re here to talk.” Brent shouted every word. He knew the man inside would be able to hear him.
“That’s right. I’ve got two crying women inside. I’m wondering which one to pop first.”
Tristan charged for the front door. Noah, Drew, and Stefan held him back. Fuck, that guy was strong.
“You’re going to hide behind women like a coward?” Brent asked.
“I’m not a coward.”
There was his weakness. Bill may have been king within an area where they were down on luck. In The Dugout, he was a weak man intent on causing harm.
“Fuck this,” Tristan yelled. He fired his gun. Two shots splintered the wood. Tristan ran toward the door, firing his weapon. The older man was yelling as he ran. Jake and Connor followed behind him, and Brent charged forward as well. Shouting was coming from all sides and wasn’t stopping. Nothing seemed right to Brent. Law Castle was a peaceful town. No one fired guns or sold drugs. What had happened to this small town? Brent ran toward the door. Tristan fired his weapon as the other followed.
This was the hardest day of Brent’s life.
When he got through the door, two men were dead on the floor. Vicki was holding her stomach, blood gushing out of the wound. She looked pale as she was propped against the wall.
“Don’t fucking move,” Bill said. He had Zoe in front of him like a protective shield. Blood was dripping from her head. Brent saw bruises down one side of her face, and judging by the way she winced, some of her ribs were either bruised or broken.
Brent was terrified. She could die if they weren’t careful. Bill held a gun to her temple, and his hand was shaking.