Ripper nodded. “Fucking right, my man.” He grabbed Trev’s shoulder. “Consider your favor answered. When this is all done, you’ll have protection. Anywhere in the country, Trev.”
Trev put his hand to Ripper’s shoulder. “Thank you, brother. A true brother. Need me to kill anyone else up here?”
Ripper grinned. “No. Not right now. Let’s let them see this mess.”
“Good,” Trev said. “We’ve got daylight to burn. I want this done before the sun goes down. I want to stare into their eyes when they die.”
“So do I,” Ripper said.
Trev managed to get Ripper out of the bathroom.
It was strangely easy to act like such a ruthless murderer.
Out at the bar, Ripper walked through without saying a word or looking at anyone. Trev kept his face stone cold and ready to kill.
He was close.
He was really fucking close.
What he need though was a minute to himself.
He needed to warn Miller that hell was about to come to Frelen.
*
“Come with me,” Ripper said.
Trev followed and they walked from the bar to the car part business. There were several garages and vehicles parked, making it all look legit. Trev knew better. Nothing about it was legit.
That was proved a few seconds later when Ripper opened the door to a building and it was filled with guns. It was like Ripper was ready to go to war at any time, without any notice.
“Holy shit,” Trev said. “This is amazing.”
“Fuck yeah it is.”
“Does anyone know about this?”
“Giovanni did,” Ripper said and grinned. “This is how we start, Trev. Let’s load up and ride.”
Again, Trev found himself in prime position to take out Ripper. But every time Trev moved, so did Ripper. The man was smart, which was on purpose or instinct. He never put his back to Trev and he never stayed without a weapon in his reach.
Ripper loaded up with four guns and plenty of ammo. Trev had two guns and ammo.
“You go to your ride,” Ripper said. “I have to make a call.”
“Everything okay?”
“Listen up,” Ripper said. He pointed at Trev. “You helped me out with Jasper and I’m not going to put a bullet in your head. We’re not friends, Trev. When I say leave the fucking room, you fucking leave. Got it?”
“I’ll go grab a smoke,” Trev said.
Trev left the building and gritted his teeth.
He knew Ripper was calling his contact person in the O’Nuall family. Maybe it would be wiser to keep Ripper away from Frelen right now. Push toward the O’Nuall family first. But all Trev could think about was Eden.
He looked around and grabbed his cell phone.
He flipped it open and called the number.
“Trev,” Miller said.
“I’m talking quick,” Trev said. “No time. He confessed to everything. He killed Giovanni. He’s working with the O’Nuall family. Big deal going down from Canada to Tijuana. I’m bringing him to Frelen to finish this. He thinks we’re coming to ambush all of you. Be ready to do this.”
“Fuck, brother,” Miller said. “Okay. Good work. Keep your ass safe.”
“I will. Remember our spots, Miller. I want to keep everything in the open. He’s dangerous and he’s very serious about this. I’ve never met someone this sick in my entire life. The only good of it is that he’s so fucked up right now, he’s believing everything I’m saying. But he has the O’Naull family on call. One slip and we’re all going to be dead.”
“That won’t happen, Trev. Not on my watch.”
“Let me hear Eden’s voice.”
“Trev…”
“Don’t fuck with me,” Trev said. “Ripper will be back any second. Do this right now for me. You have no fucking clue what’s up here. This is a disaster zone.”
Miller sighed.
A few seconds later Trev heard him say, “Here. It’s for you.”
“Trev?” Eden’s voice asked.
A calming feeling went through Trev’s body. Like a drug just hit his system.
That’s what Eden was. The most perfect and beautiful drug.
“Hey, beautiful,” he said. “Look, I can’t talk long at all here. If I hang up it’s because Ripper came looking for me. I’m here and safe. I’m coming back right now. It’s going to get really messy, okay? I need you and Jenn to listen to everything Miller and Gaige says.”
“Trev, I love you,” Eden said.
“Oh, beautiful, I love you too. Be safe, okay?”
“Of course. So I’ll get to hug you tonight?”
“More than hug me, beautiful,” Trev said.
Eden giggled. “Good.”
“Tell me something good. Anything. I just want to hear you say something to me.”
There was silence for a few seconds. “I could really blow your mind, Trev.”
“Then do it. Hurry.”
“I…” Eden laughed. “Oh, Trev.”
“What is it, beautiful?”
“I’m…”
__
twenty-nine.
“… pregnant…”
Eden said the words into the phone as her heart felt ready to jump out of her body.
“What?” Trev asked.
“I’m pregnant, Trev. I got really sick this morning and thought it was because of you being gone. Then my mother said something to Blaine and he had prospects get me a test. So, yeah, I’m pregnant.”
“You’re pregnant.”