Heat of fire

AIDEN'S POV

"Why don't you just look closer?" Using my fingers to brush my hair out of my face, I gave them a grin. "look now, do you remember?”

“You…” He pulled out his gun. “It's the—” He was dead. One of my men had taken him out. In a blink of an eye, I was shielded by my men.

“Hand me my gun.” I told Stephan.

“Here boss.”

I grabbed my gun and walked out from behind them.

“I see you guys were being cautious. Smart, smart. But how cautious can you be after doing something as foolish as hurting an Armstrong, hurting my wife.”

“It wasn't us sir, we're innocent.” I heard the two younger guys say. Such easily frightened idiots would be useful.

“Who was it then?”

“It was our Boss.”

“You think I don't know that?” Anger made me thunder the words at them. The young ones seemed frightened but the others were waiting for an opportunity to strike.

“Stephan, did you scan the area?” I knew he did, I just wanted to see the look on their faces.

“Yes Boss. These guys here are the only ones left.”

“Good.” I smiled when I saw the look on their faces, fear, confusion. “You're out numbered, alone and about to die. You can save yourself, you just have to tell me what I want to know.” I looked at them one after the other. “Who is ready to live?”

“I'll tell you anything.”

“Me too.” It was just as I suspected, the young men were scared and ready to do anything.

They ran over to me but Green fired his gun and it caught one straight in the head. Stephan got Green, he fell to the ground the same time as the boy.

“Alejandro!” The other boy called out to the dead one and rushed to him.

I gave him a minute or maybe two and I pulled him by his shirt. “Now speak or you'll join him. I pointed to the dead Alejandro.

“I'll tell you everything.”

“Good. Carlos, tie him up and take him to the van.” I turned back to look at the other guys. “Someone shoot these idiots. Don't kill them, make them immobile, I've got plans.” Their groans and grunts gave me immense joy.

“That's enough. This place is too dark, light it up.”

“Yes Boss.” I worked out to interrogate the young man in the van.

"That can't be all you know!"

"I swear that's all I know, please don't kill me. My brother Alejandro and I joined four months ago. We—I don't know much. The Martins are quite secretive, I've never seen the Boss. I swear, everything I say is the truth.” He resumed crying.

“Here, write down all the Martins warehouse locations you know.” I handed him a pen and paper.

Minutes later, “Done sir.”

“Good.”

“Am I free now? Can I go now?”

“Of course not. If I let you go, it means I plan to kill you. I'm taking you with me until all this is over. Pray it's over quickly.”

“Thanks Boss.”

I stepped out of the van. "Boss, we've done what you instructed. The place is on fire, what do we do next?

"I'm heading back. Put a call to our men in Manhattan, send them this." I handed him the locations Green had given me. "I want these places burnt down." The Martins wouldn't know what hit them until it's too late to get back up. "Keep an eye on the boy, he remains with us."

"But boss—"

"I gave him my word."

Tomorrow, we set off at 10 pm.

I went straight to the hospital.

"Great, you're back. Your wife is a little pissed."

"She's awake? What did you do to annoy her?"

"What did I do? You should be asking yourself that question."

I didn't have time for this, I have to see Avery. When I walked in, she was lost in thought, staring at the wall and didn't notice I had entered the room.

"How are you feeling?"

"Good, thank you. Done acting as a police?"

Oh so Sydney wasn't joking. I didn't really care that she'd questioned me. I'll reprimand her later. For now, she's awake, alive and that's all that matters to me right now.

"I do a better job than the police. I think they should take lessons from me."

"You think so highly of yourself." She said with a smile. "Your cousin is really nice...too nice."

"Always excited, I know. I'm the opposite of that. I know you were going to say that."

"I was. Are you now a mind reader too? What are you, Jack of all trades? CEO, husband, police: something better than police and then a mind reader."

"Maybe I am." I stared at her as she smiled, I hadn't felt this way in a long and I hated it even though a part of me was happy about it. I hate change, I like control of everything, including my emotions. It seems my expression had changed because she stared at me and her smile disappeared. I didn't have the right words to soothe her so I just did what I do best, I gave an order.

"You should rest more, you need it. I have men out here watching over you. Let them know if you need anything. I'll be heading home to freshen up and get some rest.

She just nodded her head. I headed out.

AVERY'S POV

"Where's Aiden?"

"He's gone to freshen up and get some rest."

"I see. Did anything happen?"

"No, why?"

"It's just that your face looked like something happened that got you mad."

"I'm fine."

"You sure? Whatever it is, you can tell me, I might be able to help or if not then just let it out, that helps too."

"Is your cousin always weird or is he that way only when he's with me?"

"What do you mean by weird?"

"You know, one minute he's cool, normal and the next he's acting all bossy and weird like everything is a nuisance to him."

"Oh Avery, Aiden can be quite annoying and bossy but deep down he's a really nice guy. Life happened, he toughened up. I promise you he'll do anything in his power to keep you safe, protect you but just not from himself."

"What do you mean?"

"Nothing. It's nothing... Enough about Aiden. Let's talk about you, Avery. What do you love doing, like your hobbies?"

"Well, I love playing guitar, it reminds me of my mom. She was so good at; at least from what I remember, she was." I really love eating too. My comfort foods are burgers and tacos.

"Wow, You don't look like a foodie to me. I take water, and I have to work out to burn calories. And what's your favorite thing to cook?"

"You're funny Sydney, calories from water? You should go into comedy."

"Nah... Since you love food, do you cook? What's your favorite meal to make?"

We talked about everything and nothing until sleep took over. I was having a lovely dream when a sound woke me up. "What do you mean I can't go in?"

"Sorry ma'am but we're following bosses orders. Please step aside or we will have to move you." Kiesha? I was certain that was Kiesha's voice.

I turned to ask Sydney for help but she wasn't in the room. I couldn't reach my phone and I couldn't shout because my throat hurt. Then I remembered the button the nurse had asked me to press if I needed anything.

"Mrs. Armstrong, what is it you need?"

"Sorry, I need you to help me get their attention." I said pointing towards the guys.

"Alright."

"Thank you."

"Yes ma'am, you want to speak to me?"

"Yes. Let my friend in this instant."

"She left already."

"Then bring her back. Nevermind, help me with my phone. Next time, please inform me before kicking anyone out. I understand you're trying to protect me and I appreciate."

"Alright ma'am."

"I'll give her a call now, let her in the second she gets here."

AIDEN'S POV

"Follow the plan and everything will go smoothly."

"Boss, do you believe this kid?"

"What's the harm in trying? If he messes with us, we bloody him up. His fear won't let him." I involuntarily began cleaning the gun I had just finished cleaning. "I hope everyone remembers their part?"

"Yes sir." They all echoed in unison.

"Good."

"Boss, you've got to see this."

"What is it?"

"See for yourself, boss."

It was a video of Sydney getting into her car. There was a text saying just one bullet and she's gone. My heart stopped.

I picked up my phone and called Sydney. She wasn't picking up. "Pick up damnit!"

If anything happened to her, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

"Rudy, get the car ready. Stephan, call the private investigator this minute. Ten of you, head out and look for her, leave no stone unturned, no corner untouched."

"Yes Boss."

"Do not come back without finding her."

"Who's missing?" A female voice asked. It was Sydney. Thank God!

What games were the Martins playing?