Under His Protection

Chapter 61: Strategies and Shadows

In the dimly lit back room of a local bar near Arrowhead Stadium, Travis, Patrick, and Isiah huddled around a table covered with maps, documents, and hastily scrawled notes. The air was heavy with tension as they finalized the details of their next move.

Patrick leaned back in his chair, rubbing a hand over his face. "Santino's got eyes everywhere in the States, but he's convinced the family is still here. That buys us some time, but not much."

Isiah crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "We need to keep him thinking that way. As far as he knows, Taylor, Brittany, and the kids never left Kansas City."

Travis tapped the map with his finger, his jaw tight. "The problem is, the longer we're here, the more likely it is he'll figure out we're playing him. We need to move on this fast."

Isiah nodded. "I've got a buddy in law enforcement keeping tabs on his known associates. We've narrowed down a few locations he's been using to meet with his crew. If we hit one of those spots, we might be able to flush him out."

Patrick frowned. "That's risky. If we make a move too soon, he could retaliate before we're ready."

Travis's expression darkened. "We don't have a choice. The sooner we take him out of play, the safer they'll be. I'm not letting him get anywhere near Taylor or the kids."

Patrick clapped a hand on Travis's shoulder. "We've got your back, man. We'll do this right."

Santino sat in his penthouse suite overlooking the Kansas City skyline, a cigar smoldering between his fingers. His right-hand man, Marco, stood nearby, flipping through a dossier filled with surveillance photos and reports.

"They're here," Santino said, his voice low and confident. "They've got to be. Everything points to Kansas City."

Marco nodded, placing a photo of Travis exiting a local grocery store on the table. "Kelce's movements line up. He's been spotted at familiar locations-his house, the stadium. He's even been meeting with some of his old friends."

Santino's lips curled into a sinister smile. "He thinks he's clever, doesn't he? Staying in his comfort zone, acting like nothing's wrong. But he's slipped up."

Marco raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Look closer at these pictures," Santino said, tapping the dossier. "There's no sign of her. No sign of the kids. You know what that means?"

Marco hesitated. "You think they're hiding?"

Santino nodded. "Exactly. He's drawing the attention to himself to protect them. But they're here, Marco. I can feel it. All we have to do is smoke them out."

Later that night, Travis, Patrick, and Isiah parked a black SUV outside a dilapidated warehouse on the outskirts of town. This was one of the locations Isiah's contact had flagged as a potential meeting spot for Santino's men.

"You sure about this place?" Patrick asked, glancing at Isiah as they exited the vehicle.

Isiah nodded. "Yeah. My guy says Santino's crew has been using it for drop-offs and meetings. If we're going to get any intel, it'll be here."

Travis adjusted the baseball cap on his head, his expression grim. "Let's make it quick. I don't like being out in the open like this."

They approached the warehouse cautiously, each man on high alert. Inside, the building was dark and musty, the faint scent of oil and rust lingering in the air.

"Spread out," Travis whispered, signaling for Patrick and Isiah to flank the room while he moved toward the center.

The sound of footsteps echoed faintly as they searched the space. After several minutes, Patrick called out softly, "Got something."

The group converged on a small desk littered with papers, a laptop, and a burner phone. Isiah immediately went to work, scanning the documents.

"These look like shipping manifests," he muttered. "Could be a front for moving weapons or cash."

Travis picked up the phone, scrolling through the call history. "These numbers... they match some of the ones we've been tracking."

Patrick glanced at the laptop screen, which displayed a series of emails. "Looks like someone's been making deals. Any mention of Santino?"

Isiah shook his head. "Not directly, but this confirms his crew is still active here. If we keep the pressure on, we might force him to show his hand."

Travis's phone buzzed in his pocket, and he quickly pulled it out, seeing Ross's name on the screen.

"How's everyone?" Travis asked, stepping away from the group.

"Everyone's fine," Ross replied. "Taylor's holding up, and the kids are good. Bronze is glued to her as usual, and Brittany's got the twins under control."

Travis exhaled, relief washing over him. "Good. Keep them close, Ross. We're making progress here, but it's going to take a little longer."

Ross's voice softened. "You've got this, man. Just stay safe."

Back in his penthouse, Santino studied a map of Kansas City, his fingers tracing the routes his men had been monitoring.

"Marco," he said, his voice sharp.

"Yes, boss?"

"I want every asset we have focused on Kelce. He's the key. If we find him, we find them."

Marco hesitated. "What if they're not in Kansas City? What if this is all a diversion?"

Santino's eyes narrowed. "Then we'll make him crack. Everyone has a breaking point. Even Travis Kelce."