Page 79 of Tico

The Shadow leans forward so that he’s right by Rocco’s ear. “No, you’re going to pay for trying to harm my daughter.”

I freeze, staring at The Shadow in shock.

What the fuck?

What did he just say?

The Shadow looks over at me and nods. I look closer at him and my eyes widen when I take in details I hadn’t noticed before.

The same strong jaw and cheekbones.

The similar build, though neither Pyper nor I got his height.

The same emerald-green eyes.

And if you changed his hair from black to red, we’d damn near be twins with the only differences being the obvious masculine/feminine ones.

“Holy shit,” I curse under my breath as my mind reels with memories from when he’d visit in the past. But then the ground shakes again.

Rocco reaches into his cut and I quickly step forward, catching his wrist.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” I purr and reach in, taking his gun in hand and aiming it at him. “Now, like he said, unlock my door.”

With shaky hands and a glare that promises pain, Rocco unlocks it and I keep the gun trained on him. When my door isunlocked, I snag the keyrings from him and toss them through the bars towards Lena.

“Open your door, Lena.”

Rocco grits his teeth as she does as I ask. The Shadow pulls something out of his pocket as Lena steps out of her cell and he hands it to her.

“Zip tie his wrists,” he tells her and then the corner of his lips twitch. “And feel free to make them as tight as you want.”

Lena quickly does as he asks and she damn near smiles when Rocco hisses in pain as the zip ties bite into his skin. The Shadow brings the butt of his gun down on Rocco, striking him along the temple and knocking him out. Then, he tosses me more zip ties as he pockets his gun.

“We need to secure them to the bars. My team will be here soon to take them in.”

I frown. “Team?”

The Shadow zip ties Scooter’s wrists together, ignoring his cries of pain and promises of retribution.

“I’ll explain later,” he huffs out as he maneuvers Scooter closer to the bars and secures his wrists to the bars.

My lips press thin in irritation, but I know he’s right. We need to get out of here.

We make quick work of securing the other men to the bars. Before leaving, I search their pockets, taking their guns, emptying their clips and tossing them in different cells and out of reach.

I pause when I get to the last gun and turn to Lena. “Have you ever shot a gun before?”

She nods shakily and takes it from me. “My dad taught me how to shoot but it’s been years.”

I pat her shoulder. “That’s okay, it’s like riding a bike. Just point and shoot if someone attacks you. Aim for the largest target, their chest, and remember to keep moving.”

I turn toward The Shadow. He said team, but I don’t know who that is. Or if they really are on my side. He must see the hesitation in me because he places a hand gently on my shoulder, guiding me out into the hallway.

“I’m an undercover Fed,” he says quietly as we jog through the corridors. “I’m not a good man, but I have turned. Tico and the club are here. They’re working with us.”

I exhale heavily in relief, but just as I’m about to ask something, he suddenly grabs my shoulders and pulls me back just as a bullet wizzes by my head.

“Fucking hell,” I grit out as he leans around the corner, taking a shot.