The Deliverance of Dilan (The Syndicate #4) by Kathy Coopmans

her, keeping her away from this shit. She may not like it, but it looks like Anna Drexler will be stuck with me again.
    “I should beat your ass for bringing that bitch here.” Roan takes a seat next to me at the corner end of the bar. “I’d like to see you try,” I tell him jokingly. I take a long sip of my beer, never taking my gaze away from him.
    “I wanted to, until Dad told me the reason behind why you did it. We all knew Royal set you up. Hell, you and I talked about it more times than I can count. I never expected the Carlos family had shit to do with it. That fucker was more disloyal than I thought.” I look for signs of betrayal on Roan’s behavior, with Royal being his brother. I find none.
    “Yeah, he was.” I put emphasis on the word was. I know my uncle well enough that he hasn’t mentioned anything about the other issue at hand. I leave it be. This is his wedding night. I’ve fucked it up already. No way am I throwing a match and watch the entire night go up in flames.
    “I’m sorry, man. The last thing I wanted was to ruin this night for you. Congrats by the way,” I tell him sincerely.
    “You didn’t ruin shit. Alina’s fine. Everyone’s good.” He takes a sip of his expensive shit. How in the hell my friends can drink that crap is beyond me. Give me a damn beer over that nasty ass whiskey any goddamn day.
    “Well, for what it’s worth, I’ll apologize to her.” My gaze leaves him. I haven’t seen Anna since I’ve been back in here. I’ve spoken to John, who was back in no time. My uncle caught me the minute he saw me. He’s already set up a meeting for the day after tomorrow. Just like I knew he would, he’ll have a plan in motion by the time we all arrive.
    “I’ll be gone ten days. Once I’m back, I’m with you on this, Dilan. We will bring them down.”
    Guilt suffocates me more, while pride hits me. I’m a damn lucky man to have these men by my side. This shit will get ugly. More blood will be shed than anyone of us have seen before. I keep that shit tucked away too. Roan is a smart man. Hell, they all are. He knows this without me having to define it.
    “I better not hear from you for ten days, fucker. You enjoy yourself.” He scoffs then turns around and finds his wife.
    “Have you taken a look at my wife? There isn’t a damn thing that will make me want to call your ass.” I throw my head back and laugh. “I sure the hell hope not.”
    “You and I will talk when I get back. Keep your shit about you until I return.” I pull him in for a hug, this hug taking on things that have no business being said here. He knows things will get out of hand while he’s gone. Especially when Jazmin doesn’t show up anywhere. They’ll never find her. The tracking device I’m sure she has on her phone is in my pocket. I’ll destroy the fucker the minute I step out of this room.
    Everyone else will be on high alert. Laying low. It won’t take those fuckers long to pin her back to me. “Go get your wife.” I lift my chin in her direction. “I intend to. Take it easy, man. It’s good to have you back.” I watch him until he snakes his arm around Alina, who’s dancing with a few of her sister-in-laws. Lucky bastard.
    I study the entire room. The reception is still packed. People are dancing, drinking, and socializing. Anna is nowhere to be found. Fuck.
    “She went to her room.” Deidre strolls up alongside of me, rubbing her pregnant stomach. She’s cute. I couldn’t be happier for her.
    “That obvious, huh?” I tip back the last of my beer.
    “You hurt her, Dilan. I’ll cut your dick off if you do it again. She’s in room 821.” That’s all she says to me. Fucking hell, I love my family. Protective. Loyal to the god damn hub of our existence. We all have different blood flowing through our veins, were raised differently. Some were brought up with scruples, such as Calla, while others pretty much raised themselves. Like Cain and Aidan. Roan and Alina know this