I straightened my shoulders and held my head high.

I rescued my own damned self.

VINCENT HUNG UP THE PHONE and looked at Dom. “He’s going to call back when she’s awake. She’s sleeping right now. It’s still early.”

Dom tilted his head, suspicion clear in his gaze. “I don’t fucking care what time it is. You call him right now and tell him to bring her to the brownstone. We’ll all have a little come-to-Jesus meeting.”

Vincent bristled. “You need to get on this fucking plane, Dom, or the Feds are going to be all over your ass.”

I expected the crime boss to reconsider and act to save himself, but instead, he shook his head.

“Not getting on any fucking plane until I know my daughter is safe. If any of what these gentlemen say is true, I’ve put way too much trust in your family, and it’s time to clean house. After all, wouldn’t that be why the Feds are gonna come down on my ass?”

Vincent looked from me to Dom. “You’re gonna believe some kid who wants you dead over me?”

“He’s got no other motive. You have plenty.” Dom called to the bodyguards. “We’re going back to the city. Keep the jet on standby.” He nodded at me. “You’re coming with us. Your crew can follow, but if they take one shot, you’re dead.”

“Fine.”

“We’re right behind you, Bish,” Titan said.

I gave him a chin jerk and climbed in the SUV with Dom Casso.

Something wasn’t right. The last time I was on this block, there were SUVs parked along the curb with armed men inside and a man posted at the door. Today, there were empty parking spots and no one else in sight. There had to be more to it than just the early-morning hours. Mobsters didn’t exactly work nine to five.

“Where the fuck is everyone?” Casso asked Vincent as we circled the block.

“Why would I know?”

“Because you’re in charge of security.”

“Boss, I think we should keep driving,” the bodyguard in the passenger seat said as we pulled up across the street from the front of the building.

“Park here and keep it running. We’re not leaving until Angelo shows up with my daughter.”

Vincent lifted his phone. “He said he’s on his way.”

We’d only heard Vincent’s side of the conversation, but I had a hard time believing anything that came out of that slick fucker’s mouth. Another SUV parked behind us, and I spotted Lord in the driver’s seat.

Now, we waited.

Or at least, that was the plan until a taxi pulled up alongside us and Eden jumped out of the backseat.

I threw open the door, and Vincent’s gun pressed against the back of my head. “Don’t you fucking move.”

Dom saw Eden right after I did. “There she is. Where the fuck is your kid?”

Eden raced toward the building, only to be grabbed by a guy who darted out between two cars.

“He’s right there.”

A man in a leather jacket, who I had to assume was Angelo, held a gun to her head, and Dom twisted in his seat to raise his pistol at Vincent’s head.

Vincent laughed. “This right here is a predicament. You can’t shoot me without killing her. I’m definitely going to kill this guy because he just fucking pisses me off. You ready for all that, Dom?”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Vin? Drop your fucking gun or I’ll rip your goddamned throat out with my bare hands. And Angelo better drop his, or he’s gonna choke on his own fucking cock while he bleeds out.”

“I don’t think so. You’re gonna be in handcuffs in a matter of minutes, and I’ll be taking over the family. If you want your daughter to outlive you, you’re gonna go quietly.”

While he spoke, Angelo dragged Eden toward the car.

“Did you hear that, Eden? Your dad gets to decide whether you die or whether he goes to jail. What do you think he’s going to choose?” Angelo’s words were a taunt. “You’ve never mattered to him like you matter to me. And every time you run, I’m going to find you.”

Eden’s face fell . . . until she saw me and froze. “Bishop,” she whispered. “Oh my God. You’re here.”

Dom spoke next. “You shouldn’t have come here, Eden.”

His words might as well have crushed her. “I’m sorry.”

“This life was always too dangerous for you. You deserved better. I was selfish, though, wanting to keep you close instead of sending you farther away. Forgive me.”

Everything stilled for a moment, and I took advantage of the lull. Reaching behind my head, I grabbed the barrel of Vincent’s gun and jammed it up into the ceiling of the car. He pulled the trigger instinctively, and bullets ripped through the roof.

Chaos ensued.

I swung my elbow hard enough to break Vincent’s nose and dived out of the car. One of the bodyguards turned and fired.

I ran toward Eden but Angelo raised his gun, aiming it at my head. I didn’t slow, didn’t stop. The heat of bullets ripping through my body never came because Angelo’s body jerked as he fell.

I didn’t hear the report of the rifle until after he hit the ground. I lunged for Eden, catching her around the waist and throwing us both to the ground and using my body to cushion us. Bullets flew as I rolled us under a car for protection, happy to hear the steady beat of her heart.

I kept her head covered until the shots died and sirens wailed in the distance. Pulling her face away from my chest, I looked down at her.

“You okay, cupcake?”

“You came for me.”

“You saved yourself.”

Eden’s eyes filled with tears. “My dad? Is he—”

“Come on, man. Let’s get you both out from under there.”

I recognized Con’s tattooed wrist, and let him pull Eden out from under the car. I followed right behind her. “Casso? Is he—”

The black SUV disappeared down the street, squealing around a corner. Vincent’s body lay unmoving on the sidewalk, as did Angelo’s.

Eden lifted a hand to cover her mouth. “He left me. He left me.” The words were mumbled from beneath her fingers.

“Let’s get the fuck out of here,” Con said as he and Titan hustled us into the other SUV, and Lord roared down the street.