Quietly, we slipped out of the car and got into formation. Lucian and I led the pack. We hit the side gate that connected the two properties, and I heard Lucian growl.
I placed a hand on his chest. “You knew they would have him out in the open.”
Lucian was silent, but he glanced my way.
“That's a trap, Lucian. They want us to go to him.”
I gave him two breaths to settle his mindset before tugging him the other direction.
“They didn't have to strip him of his clothes.”
I turned and stopped in front of him. “Yes, they did, and you know why.”
He nodded. “To strip him of his dignity.”
“He's not naked; they left his underclothes...”
I turned to the guy who had been driving. “Not helping.” Then back to Lucian, “No, they did that to infuriate you.”
“Well, it's working,” Lucian said through gritted teeth.
I placed my hand on his chest.
“Get out of your head, Lucian. That's when mistakes are made.”
When he only glared at me, “Lucian, any mistake now will cost us our lives, too. That's when Don will lose his empire. Not a moment before.”
When I saw him settle and nod his head, I motioned for us to move in. It took longer than I wanted, but three dead men and a yard later, we had finally made it into the house. The next second had me nearly on my knees. It was Lucian's grandmother. It was her blood-curdling scream that had shattered our silent descent into madness. I grabbed Lucian, making sure he didn't bolt.
“I'm fine, Reggie.”
I stayed there for a moment, feeling the rapid beating of his heart. He was coiled rage, but so was I.
“Use it to focus, Lucian. Don't let the rage control you.”
He slapped my hand away. “I know what I'm doing, Reggie; this isn't my first turf war.”
I dropped my voice. “No, but this time it's your family, not just the business at risk.”
Lucian sighed, his voice controlled. “That only makes me more determined to make them pay.”
When Lucian's grandmother wailed again, we took off.