Page 120 of Coveted By Cupid

I burst through the door, finding Kenny sitting in the chair across from my desk and Oaks standing over him with his arms crossed over his barrel chest.

I stride across the room, demanding answers. “What’s happened?”

“Tell Prez what you just told me,” Oaks says, ushering Kenny to speak.

The local dealer looks at me anxiously, as if he senses the situation is serious. “I saw her, your woman. She nearly ran me over when she came barreling around the corner this morning.”

My fists tighten at my sides, furious she ran now, after I thought we had come to a mutual understanding to be together. “How do you know it was her?”

“She was wearing your property patch,” Kenny says quickly, possibly noticing my temper flaring and worried it’s directed at him.

A wave of relief washes over me for a moment. My Butterfly wouldn’t bother wearing her cut if she was leaving me.

Something else made her run. What would make her evade me and my men?

My mind immediately jumps to Boden. He’s still at large along with Riley.

Although I doubt she’d run from her ex. Vanessa’s unaware he had sold her to the Black Market Railroad, something I withheld from telling her to avoid hurting her further.

No, if Boden contacted her, Vanessa would confront him. She’s not intimidated by her ex and has no problem taking him on. In fact, if she knew Boden sent Kirill after her, she would hunt him down herself.

None of this makes sense. I rub my temples, trying to wrap my head around what’s happening.

“Where was she running?” Oaks asks the dealer.

“She ran right into the funeral home. I watched her go inside.”

Crypt’s face pales. “Romy,” he whispers.

My ears perk. If something happened to the gentle mortician and Vanessa realized it, she would definitely go to Romy. It’s in her nature to help those in need.

“Alright. We know where she is. Round up the crew,” I order my brothers.

“Wait,” Kenny says, grabbing my forearm when I turn to leave. “There’s more.”

“Spit it out,” I say tersely, eager to find my woman.

“There was someone watching your property the other night from the abandoned brewery.”

The air in my lungs stalls, suspecting I already know the answer. “Who?”

“A man and a woman. Young like your ole lady. A few of the unhoused tried to approach them, but the man showed them the piece he was carrying under his shirt. Everyone avoided them. I tried to get close to listen in on what they were saying. But every time I watched them, he would catch me. I was coming to you this morning to let you know someone was poking around when I ran into your woman. I’m not sure if it’s related or not.”

My brothers stiffen beside me, knowing damn well who Kenny is referring to.

My vision turns red. How dare that piece of shit come around my property?!

There’s not a doubt in my mind Boden’s behind whatever made Vanessa escape.

“He’s dead,” I growl. Doesn’t matter if Vanessa is holding her own—I’m going to kill him.

I’m moving towards the door, my words coming out sharp. “Tell everyone to carry—we don’t know what we’re walking into and I don’t want us getting ambushed.”

“Good work, Kenny,” I hear Oaks say behind me before he’s at my back, following me into war.

Crypt walks beside me, loading his gun as we hustle down to the ground level. I know he has my back, but I’m well aware Romy is in the forefront of his mind.

“When we get to the funeral home, you go find Romy. Keep her safe,” I tell my brother.