Page 97 of Stay Little Fighter

It wasn’t that long ago that I was the one on the other side. I was the one going up against anyone who dared to cross the Lombardis. It was all a part of my transition into becoming the boss and there was nothing I wouldn’t do to take that role from my father.

But it’s funny how quickly everything changes.

“Chloe and the guys are in the air. Once they land, they’ll head here to meet us,” Kingston says into the earpiece, and my entire body relaxes from just a few words.

A more muffled voice comes through, and my chest tightens. “I’m safe and sound, D. Now make sure you come back to me the same way. I love you.”

I’m starting to think that repressing my feelings for Chloe all those years has made my love for her so much more intense, but then again, she’s the only person I’ve ever allowed myself to love so maybe this is normal.

“I love you too, Duchess. You get your ass back to Jacksonville.” The words are too loud for the quiet warehouse, but I don’t give a fuck. If this goes sideways, I want to make sure I didn’t leave anything unsaid.

The earpiece goes silent, and I drag in a steady breath at the sound of car doors slamming.

I’ve got this.

I’m not alone.

And when it’s done, I have the most beautiful woman in the world waiting for me to start our life together.

The doors in front of me swing open, and three of my father’s men fan out, their weapons settling on me as soon as they see I’m standing here.

Dad steps over the threshold next, and I curse Kingston for not letting me blow this place up.

At least Ryker liked my explosives idea…maybe there is some merit to their theory that the reason we butt heads so much is because we’re so alike.

Not that I’m ever going to admit that out loud.

“Ah, if it isn’t the prodigal son.”

“Salvatore,” I greet, keeping my shoulders relaxed and my hands wedged in my pockets.

“Where’s your good-for-nothing brother?”

“Probably with that whore that he could never get over,” Ricky sneers.

My mask slips ever so slightly, the insult on his lips making me want to give him the painful death he deserves.

“Don’t engage,” Kingston reminds me. “They’re trying to get a rise out of you. Mikayla is on the move. She’ll be here in a few.”

“He’s safe.”

“But she’s not, is she?” Salvatore smirks. “Last I heard she was being chased through the streets of Miami.”

I huff out a laugh. “Looks like your information is as old as you are.”

His cheeks turn the same shade of red they always did before he lost his temper, but this time he has nothing that can hurt me. Not when Chloe is safe in the air.

Maybe that is the safest place for her right now, even if I fucking hated the idea of her being anywhere other than nearby while this goes down.

“Oh, did your team not tell you they failed to apprehend her? I guess they probably didn’t mention that she has the contents of Neil’s lockbox.”

“Careful.” Kingston’s voice fills my ear. “You’re doing great, but don’t push him too far just yet.”

“He had nothing,” he spits as his grip on his gun tightens.

“If he had nothing, why have you spent so many years trying to get into that box? Why did you lie to me about why you wanted Chloe returned alive so badly?”

“Because it was none of your fucking business,” he snaps.