Catching Bianca: A Dark Mafia Romance (Shadows of Obsession Book 4)
Catching Bianca: Chapter 40

Carter’s mansion has become some kind of war room/sanctuary this Sunday afternoon. I took Bianca home yesterday morning and we spent the day on the couch, talking until she’d exorcised Vaughn’s death from her system.

Then, she dragged me into our bedroom, begging me to remind her who she belongs to. I obliged. Of course I obliged. Five orgasms later, she fell asleep before I could wipe my dick.

She’s better today. Still a bit sad, still coming to terms with everything that happened, but better. She woke up determined to be there for Hailey and so we’re at Carter’s.

The girls are tucked away upstairs, enjoying what Broadway’s dubbed “the world’s most overprotected spa day.”

Carter still hasn’t made his mind up about Noretto, so he’s doubled the security. Vaughn slipping past two of his men—both now with broken jaws—drove him half insane with fury.

Soldiers patrol the perimeter while Arthur and Apollo are upstairs, watching the girls get facials, massages, and whatever else Carter’s organized.

He’s doing his best to help Hailey heal, even though she’s not half as devastated as I expected. Probably a fraction of what Carter thought he’d witness.

Her eyes were pink rimmed when she hugged Bianca, but no tears fell as they all went upstairs.

Downstairs, the atmosphere is anything but indulgent. Carter’s pacing his living room like he’s walking a tightrope over an active volcano, drink in hand. Broadway’s sprawled across the couch, one arm slung over the backrest, phone balanced in his other hand. He might look relaxed, he might look composed, but his eyes tracking Carter tell another story. He’s just as anxious.

I am too. Not because my boss’s mood stirs the air inside the mansion. Not because we’re all still reeling from Vaughn’s ambush, but because Koby’s absent, his phone’s switched off.

We’ve been here an hour, and I keep trying his cell, while actively participating in this discussion about the dozen or more plans Carter’s considering.

Considering and promptly dismissing as not good enough.

I doubt anything will be good enough, given that he keeps comparing this whole situation to a chess game where every piece is soaked in gasoline.

“One wrong move will light the board on fire.”

My throat tightens every time because one of those pieces is mine. Vaughn might be dead, but there are plenty more men willing to use Bianca as a bargaining chip.

I swirl the whiskey in my glass. “You’ll wear a hole in the floor, Carter,” I say, earning a sharp glare. “What’s eating you? You’ve had your finger on the trigger for days. Why not pull it and put us all out of our misery?”

Carter pivots to face us. “Pulling the trigger on Grey requires a solid plan. We must be prepared for the fallout. He’s connected. Taking him out isn’t a hit; it’s a goddamn earthquake. And when the dust settles, we might not like what’s left standing.”

“You’ve been second-guessing yourself since day one,” Broadway says. “You don’t have to do this alone. Talk to Dante. Maybe his perspective will help. A second opinion.”

“It’s not that simple,” Carter clips, eyes on his drink.

“You trust him, don’t you?”

“I do,” Carter says after a beat. “But involving him puts him in the line of fire. If this goes south…”

“You’ll regret not having him in your corner.”

“Broadway’s got a point,” I say, my tone calm but deliberate. “Dante’s your friend. If anyone knows how to navigate this, it’s him. If we’re moving on Grey and shutting down Noretto’s business in the process, we need every advantage we can get.”

Carter exhales, plopping down on the couch, his fingers squeezing the bridge of his nose. “I’ll think about it.”

Broadway quirks a brow at me. “That’s as close to a yes as we’re getting today. How’s Hailey doing, Boss?”

Carter’s reply is silenced by the slam of the front door opening. It bounces against the wall, the sound ricocheting like a gunshot. My instincts kick in, hand darting for my gun. I flip the safety just as Carter and Broadway draw their Glocks, all aimed at the mouth of the corridor.

All lowered when Koby barrels in, his eyes wild, brimming with rage. Trailing behind him, her hand in his, is Leilani.

She’s shaking so hard it looks like her knees might give out any second. Her fingers squeeze Koby’s, one arm wrapped around herself as if for protection, wide eyes scanning the space.

“What the fuck is happening?” Carter booms.

A flurry of footsteps sounds above us. Five seconds and the girls spill down the stairs like a wave, their voices rising in a chorus of confusion. Bianca elbows past everyone in the room, a flicker of fear crossing her face.

Her gaze locks onto mine, steps quickening. “Ryder—”

I catch her hand, pulling her into me. “It’s okay, baby,” I whisper in her ear, even though nothing is okay.

Not even close.

“Explain,” Carter snaps at Koby, his shoulders squaring back. “Why is she with you?”

“I took her.” He shifts, planting himself in front of Leilani. “I need a safe house.”

Leilani shrinks further behind him, her face almost obscured by her dark, straight hair.

“You took her? You fucking kidnapped her? What the hell were you thinking? She’s Jax’s girl!”

Hailey moves, eyes flashing with anger. “Stop it!” she snaps at Carter. “Watch your tone. You’re scaring her.”

He inhales and exhales, getting his bearings before he speaks again, with a touch less menace. “I want answers. Now.”

Koby reaches back, catches Leilani’s arm, and gently pulls her forward. “It’s okay. Just… let them see.” He reaches up, brushing her hair aside to reveal her swollen cheek, the dark purple bruise like a beacon.

My grip on Bianca tightens as the girls let out a collective gasp while I heave a sharp “Fuck” in time with Broadway.

“I need a safe house,” Koby repeats, zeroing in on Carter, then adds a word I heard him use maybe once before. “Please.”

Carter looks about ready to explode. He said Leilani was his sister’s friend… I wonder whether he’s remembering better times or wondering what he’d do if this was Aalyiah here, scared, tearful, and beaten.

Bianca tugs at my hand, summoning my attention, her voice soft and quiet. “What happens now?”

I glance down at her, then at Koby, who stands like a fortress in front of Leilani.

“Now… now it gets messy.”