CHAPTER SEVEN #2
I don’t feel the need to entertain that statement.
He smirks at my silence. “Fine. We’ll move on.”
Ryker takes that as his cue. “What’s the update on Mercy? Location? Adjustment?”
Mercy is Ryker’s childhood friend, who found herself and her infant son in an abusive, life-threatening situation. We erased them both last Christmas.
“You know we can’t provide details such as location,” I say, sipping my whiskey.
This is another area our work can become messy when personal relationships are involved. Special treatment is expected, and we won’t risk it.
Ty’s dealt a lot with Mercy, so he interjects a smidgen of hope. “All things considered, she’s doing well. She’s a survivor. And Jett is thriving.”
“And have you found the bastard?” Ryker asks, referring to Dalton Montgomery, son of Governor Monroe Montgomery .
“Yes,” I confirm. “We have tabs on Dalton and Mercy at all times.”
Ryker growls, fisting his hands. “But he’s still breathing.”
“That’s what Mercy wants,” Ty says, subtly reminding him that she is the client. “As much as we agree the asshole needs extinguished, it’s important that she have control over some decisions. She doesn’t—”
“I don’t give a fuck what she wants,” Ryker barks, downing the entirety of his glass.
Axel places his hand on the back of Ryker’s neck in a warning to calm down. “Our thought is that if he’s taken care of, she can return. We’ll handle her anger.”
I sigh. “It isn’t that simple.”
We don’t contract kill. That’s a whole different racket. Our kills are only done when the completion of the mission requires it or if the client’s safety demands it.
Ryker kicks his chair back and paces. “You’ve killed for lesser offenses. We all have. Drag him back here, or tell me where he is, and I’ll take care of him. He beat her within an inch of her goddamn life!”
He’s not wrong. We have killed for lesser crimes. But that tends to add an extra layer of mess, and with the number of erased clients we’re still monitoring, messy is the last thing we need.
Ty has a knack for pacifying others, his tone satiny and controlled, unfazed by Ryker’s anger.
“Mercy is adamant that we find another way to take him down. It’s the father of her child, and while she despises him, she can’t bear the thought of having to tell her son she had anything to do with his father’s death. ”
Axel scoffs, swigging his drink with a grimace. “I have to agree with Ryker on this. It’s bullshit. Jett will be better off.”
I swish the amber liquid around my glass, toying with how I want to handle this.
“I’m not opposed to killing him even if she doesn’t agree with it.
But we don’t yet know if he’s paid anyone else to take her out.
He knows you’re after him, so it’s doubtful he’s working alone.
But he’s been smart with his communication so far.
We’ve discussed paying him a visit, giving him incentive to give anyone else up, and killing him, but the Montgomery name has a far reach.
His father is well connected, as you know, and oddly, other than his involvement here—which we don’t want to use—he’s squeaky clean.
” I hesitate, lifting my glass. “But there is another girl.”
“Hailey Holden,” Axel offers before Ryker adds, “His last victim.”
“Yes,” I confirm. “Missing for nearly three years, after filing a domestic suit against him.”
“Mercy would prefer us to use our resources to find her,” Ty explains. “So far, no leads.”
Axel gestures for Ryker to sit while he turns back to us. “What exactly does that solve?”
“Maybe nothing,” I say honestly. “The girl could be dead, and finding a body is unlikely. But we have a compromise.”
Ryker exhales. “We’re listening.”
“Give us until February first. If we haven’t uncovered all we need to ensure her safe return, we’ll take him out or haul him back to you for the honor of doing so.
” That is the best I’m willing to offer at the present time.
Ivy is our critical focus now. I added the delivery because the Noire brothers are untouchable here, but outside these walls, they don’t hold the same anonymity pass we do.
“Why February first?” Axel glances at Ivy with that question.
“Yes. Highest priority right now, and Mercy is safe.” I won’t apologize for taking care of my own affairs first. “On the other side of this, we will make Montgomery our top concern.”
Axel rises. “Fair enough. We appreciate all you’ve done for her.” He nudges Ryker, who unclenches his jaw as we all stand.
“He’s right. We do,” Ryker concedes. “Being separated from Mercy has been more hellish than expected. I don’t know what she means to you”—he jerks his head toward Ivy—“but maybe you can imagine the agony of not being there for her worst moments.”
Ty and I trade a knowing look. We’ve had Ivy in our daily sights for nearly five years.
Even from afar, she’s been a constant. Regardless of our mission, a certain level of comfort and attachment accompanies that for us all.
The loss alone would be devastating. Add in the trauma Mercy has endured, and Ryker’s reaction is well controlled.
My shoulders relax with a commiserating sigh. “I’m sure this has been excruciating. The fact that you haven’t set him and every person he’s ever spoken to on fire is impressive. Can’t say I’d be capable of the same.”
Ty and Axel both chuckle at that.
“He wanted to,” Axel remarks, swiping a few ash-brown strands from his forehead. “And if I hadn’t repeatedly insisted it would push Mercy away completely, all of New Orleans would be ablaze, consequences be damned.”
“I assure you, Ryker,” Ty adds, “we’d have the same response.”
Ready to wrap things up and move on to the lighter part of the evening, I button my jacket and edge myself in the direction of Ivy. “The James Bond 60 th Anniversary Macallan in the suite was very much appreciated.”
Axel chuckles, squeezing my shoulder. “Thought you’d like that. Consider it a wedding present.”
Ty buttons his suit jacket as well, motioning to Liam so he knows we’re leaving, before turning back to Axel to share thanks for the other personalized gifts in our suite—a favorite alcohol for each of the guys.
“The Ron Bacardi Vintage, Pappy Van Winkle, and Clase Azul were nice additions since the three of us are merely guests. We’re all excited for the weekend. ”
Once Liam and Gage join us, we exchange a few more words of appreciation and some humorous side notes before I palm Ivy’s head.
She glances up at me, plucking out her earbuds and hiding them and her book inside her purse.
I clutch her hand in mine, leading her to the door, where everyone has gathered.
Her eyes scan over the group. Maybe it’s intimidating, standing amongst nine men—all of whom have done things she can’t fathom—but she doesn’t let on if that’s the case. “It was a pleasure meeting all of you,” she says .
“You too, Ivy.” Axel lifts her hand, kissing the back of it while eyeing me to see if I mind.
He can taunt as well as Liam if given an inch.
When I don’t convey the reaction he anticipated, he grins and lets her go.
“Everything is set for your dinner tonight at L’ange Noire.
And my sister, Rena, is hoping you’ll allow her to be part of the wedding prep tomorrow. She could use some girl time.”
“I’d love that.” She smiles, genuinely pleased with the idea. “I am in desperate need of some girl time myself.” Giggling, she peers at Ty, Liam, Gage, and me, as though we’ve been exhausting her.
Right back at ya, Little Storm.
Dinner last night at L’ange Noire was a welcome break.
The five of us relaxed for both the meal and a couple of hours of casino time with the expected banter, but no bickering.
It was exactly what I needed. Tomorrow, Ivy and I will be officially wed, which will secure one huge hurdle and lead us toward the final steps.
The relief, knowing the end is in sight, along with the peaceful rhythm the five of us have achieved, has me feeling much lighter.
Walking out to the suite’s dining room, I notice Ty and Liam are trained on their computer screens. And more importantly, Ivy is missing. “Where’s the Little Storm?”
Ty glances up. “Tanning poolside.” My jaw clenches as I prepare to chastise, but he continues, “Gage is with her. We wouldn’t have let her go unattended.”
Gage playing bodyguard by the pool brings a chuckle out of me.
“Fine. Before I forget, Ty, you’ll be with her and Rena all afternoon and tomorrow, prior to the ceremony.
I’ve informed the stylist she can pick whatever dress, jewelry, and other accessories she likes.
She and Rena are booked at the spa tomorrow, so that should cover most of it.
But find out if there’s anything else she wants. ”
Ty and Liam both smirk at me.
“So detailed,” Liam taunts.
“What?” I spout, rebuffing their misguided assumptions.
“It’s the least we can do since we’re upending her whole future.
Women care about their wedding day regardless of why it came about.
She won’t even have her parents or best friend here.
And,” I add for good measure, “the happier she is, the better she’ll cooperate. ”
“That’s a very well-thought-out argument,” Ty quips.
“Want me to take some of the load off of Ty, help Ivy try on dresses or get … waxed ?” Liam asks, which Ty finds far funnier than I appreciate.
I ignore them both, shrugging my blazer on. “Let’s go. We’ll have a pre-wedding-day lunch before she needs to be at the dress shop.”
Liam snickers, plucking his cigarettes and Zippo from the table and stuffing them in his gray dress slacks. “You sound almost giddy, Chief. Looking forward to finally fucking that bride of yours, huh?”