“You know what—” Thaddeus held up his hand. “Kill Ryker. I like to leave a witness—someo
ne that can serve as a reminder of what happens when I don’t get what I’m owed.”
“You got it, boss.” One of the men walked towards Ryker and pulled out a switchblade.
Blood pooled on the pavement. The knife went deep in Ryker’s chest. Aurora’s screams pierced the night air, but then they were silenced when one of the men put a hand over her mouth. She was dragged towards the van, and once she was inside, the man holding me took his hand off my neck. I immediately rushed towards the van, but got a fist in my jaw and a boot in my gut. I dropped to the pavement and the door slammed. The tires squealed and then there was silence. I crawled over towards Ryker. He was dying. Blood was gushing from the wound and his face was white. I tore a chunk off of my shirt and dug my cell phone out of my pocket. He was still breathing—I just needed him to hold on until the ambulance arrived. I pressed my hand on his wound and started to dial.
“Stay with me, Ryker. Please stay with me.” I looked down at him and felt tears trying to force their way out.
“Cole…” Ryker’s voice was weak, but he got enough strength to lift his arm and grab my shirt. “Get her back—don’t let those monsters hurt her.”
“I won’t.” I swallowed hard and gritted my teeth. “Just stay with me—please don’t die.”
The ambulance arrived, along with the police. They asked a lot of questions, but I didn’t tell them the truth. I figured an attempted robbery would make the most sense, and they seemed to buy it. Once the detective questioning me found out we were both former Marines, he stopped treating me like a suspect. I wanted to go to the hospital and stay with Ryker, but I had to stay focused on the task at hand. Getting Aurora back was all that mattered.
It was time for me to go to war. Thaddeus had no idea what kind of hell he had invited to his doorstep. There would be no mercy for anyone that stood between me and the woman I was going to save. I would have ran from Thaddeus if it was just about me. War had no winners. I learned that in the Marines. I didn’t need to win. I just needed to survive long enough to put a bullet in Thaddeus’ skull.
I already made one desert run red with blood when I was in Afghanistan. Time for Las Vegas to be painted the same fucking color.
Chapter Nineteen
Aurora
My mind was in turmoil. I was on my way to my room, looking forward to another incredible night with Ryker and Cole, but then everything spiraled out of control. The men that took me tied my hands behind my back and stuffed a gag in my mouth. My body bounced against the floorboard of the van as it drove away from the Bellagio parking lot. The only image in my head was Ryker, laying on the ground with blood pouring from his wound. There was no way he survived. Cole was alive, but what could he do? Thaddeus had an army. Even if he called the police, I wasn’t sure they could find me. I laid on the floorboard for what felt like an hour before it finally stopped. Two of the men in the van dragged me out and carried me into what appeared to be a warehouse. They tied me to a chair and then I saw Thaddeus’ huge, hulking figure approaching.
“What was your name? Oh yes, Aurora.” Thaddeus had a rough voice that sounded like he was gargling gravel as he spoke. “You’re very pretty—almost enough to even tempt a man like me.”
“Should we clean her up and take her to your room, boss?” One of the men chuckled and looked at me.
“No, leave us.” Thaddeus motioned with his hand.
“Yes sir.” The man nodded and walked towards the exit of the warehouse.
“I’m sorry we had to meet under these circumstances.” Thaddeus walked up and pulled the gag out of my mouth. “I’m normally not this cruel.”
“You killed Ryker!” I snarled once the gag was released.
“Yes, a necessity I’m afraid.” Thaddeus pulled a chair over and took a seat in front of me. “Have you ever wanted control?”
“Control?” I spat at him. “You’re a fucking monster.”
“Another necessity.” Thaddeus reached inside his jacket and pulled out a cigar. “For many years, I’ve wanted to own Sin City. This city is my birthright. I was born here, raised in the fire, and taught to be a leader—yet when the time came, the king didn’t want to give up his crown.”
“So, what? You’re just some wannabe Mafia asshole?” I glared and felt my lip quivering.
“The Mafia.” Thaddeus laughed and lit his cigar. “I’m sure you’ve heard all the stories, but the part they don’t tell you—the reality of Las Vegas—is that there always has to be a king. If someone doesn’t sit on the throne, it just goes to shit.”
“You don’t look like a king.” I continued to glare and blew the smoke out of my face when it drifted my way.
“Not yet.” Thaddeus shook his head back and forth. “But I’m going to wear the crown very soon. I’m going to protect Sin City and establish order. You see, there was a man named Carlos who did that for many years. He was my mentor and my friend. I wanted everything he promised, but he wanted to keep wearing the crown on his weary brow.”
“So let me guess.” I snarled angrily. “You killed him.”
“No. Maybe I should have, but I walked away. I waited for the right time, and once his sins were too many to count, he was dethroned.” Thaddeus took a drag off of his cigar. “So, now Las Vegas is mine for the taking.”
“What are you going to do with me? What do I have to do with any of this?” I struggled against the ropes, but they were too tight to budge.
“In order to establish control in a city like this, people have to fear you. It has to be real. People have to know what happens when they don’t pay their debts. Cole will be my witness. He’ll tell everyone how I killed his best friend and took the girl he was with as payment. That kind of notoriety is worth more than money. It makes people think twice about doing something that could land them in the same position. That’s control. Fear is a great motivator.” Thaddeus nodded and puffed on his cigar. “As for you? I meant what I said. You’ll make a great centerpiece when I relaunch the Sin City Auction.”