Chapter 14 #2
Jett wore me down with so many compelling and sensible reasons why I should give in. It seems I’m in the truth-telling mode, because somewhere in the middle of me drying my hair and swiping on some mascara, I told him why there was no way I would accept help from my boss.
When it came down to it, I was embarrassed.
There.
I’m a grown woman whose father traded her off to pay a debt and lost six years of my life in a hellish luxury in captivity.
I’ve been the victim for too long. Sure, I saved myself and finally got out, but I don’t want to be the woman who killed another human.
It doesn’t matter if it was in self-defense.
The day I escaped, I promised myself I’d never be the victim again.
I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me.
That’s when Jett wore me down. Waking up in his strong arms was everything. When he pulled me to his chest and kissed me like he needed it more than his next breath, I knew I’d give in.
And that’s where I am now.
Devon’s office looks more like we’re sitting in an English castle from centuries ago rather than a modern, fully renovated five-star resort.
I shift in my seat as my boss sits back and stares at me. Jett just told him everything, while I confirmed the story through mortified nods and shrugs.
“I’m sorry,” I say.
Devon’s concerned frown deepens. “What are you sorry for?”
I wring my hands in my lap. “I’m sorry Andrei is here at the manor because of me. You were kind enough to give me a chance, and now you’ve got a money-laundering kidnapper on your doorstep looking for his gemstones. At least he’s not staying here.”
Devon shifts his gaze from me to Jett and back to me. “That’s something we’re going to rectify today.”
My eyes widen. “Not you too with the whole keep your enemies closer bit. Jett said the same thing. I don’t want to be anywhere near Andrei.”
“The breach of my security system aside, I have the capability to keep track of anyone on this property. Not in the rooms of course, but everywhere else. I can watch, listen, and surveil. We need him closer.”
Jett agrees. “I told her the same thing. It’s time to turn on her cell and reach out to him.”
I’m about to argue again, but Devon agrees. “Let’s do that right after this meeting. Give me the number he texted you from. I’ll get a tap on it right away.”
I glance at Jett before I turn back to Devon. “But isn’t that illegal?”
“You bet your arse it’s illegal, but that’s never stopped me in the past. Don’t worry. I have people who can do this.”
I slump in my seat, wondering who the heck I work for.
Jett reaches over and takes my hand in his. “I told you not to worry. This is us going on the offensive.”
Devon narrows his eyes at the move Jett just made to claim me. Now I can add one more thing to my ever-growing list to worry about.
Thank goodness he just shakes his head before moving back to the conversation at hand.
“We’ll get to that later. Back to Petrov.
He’s being investigated by the CIA, the FBI, the DEA, and a private group I’m not at liberty to tell you about.
Let’s just say he’s diverse in his illegal activities.
The big three are sharing information, which doesn’t always happen.
My contact at the CIA shared what information they have on Petrov.
What they do not have is an eyewitness like yourself. How much are you willing to cooperate?”
My palm starts to sweat in Jett’s hand. “How would I need to cooperate?”
Devon leans forward and settles his gaze on me.
“I don’t blame you for being nervous. I’d never put you in a situation that would put you at risk in any way.
Not only because you’re one of my best employees, but because you’ve been through enough rubbish to last a lifetime.
My goal, and I can tell it might be his too,” Devon lifts his chin to motion to Jett, “is to keep you in Winslet where you can live safely and freely for as long as you want to. Some of the people I want to put you in touch with are my family. When my sister hears what you’ve been through, I wouldn’t put it past Bella to fly over here and take Petrov out herself.
Don’t even get me started on my brother-in-law.
He’ll go ape shit—in a good way for you, of course. ”
I cringe at the thought of anyone going ape shit. “I don’t want anyone going through anything for me.”
Jett’s thumb swipes back and forth across my hand as he tries to calm me. “It’s too late. Where’s your cell?”
I dig through my purse and pull it out. I haven’t turned it on since I received the text message that made me throw up instantly. “It’s still off.”
Jett powers it on. “If he hasn’t contacted you, we’re going to invite him to dinner. I’ll be right there with you.”
Devon opens his laptop and starts tapping away. “And I won’t be far. This guy has a new kidney and needs backup no matter what he says.”
“I’ll manage,” Jett mutters.
I ignore them both. “I don’t like this. But I am curious to see if he’s contacted me again.”
After a few moments, I log in. Messages file in one after the other.
Felicity asking about dinner tomorrow night.
Blake demanding to know when I hooked up with Jett.
Someone from housekeeping called in sick, someone from laundry wants to move their days off, and the front desk clerk was trying to get hold of me since my uncle is here for a surprise visit.
And then there’s Andrei. There’s no text this time, just a voicemail.
I don’t bother listening to it, but I do skim the transcript until I can’t take it anymore. It doesn’t matter that I haven’t eaten today. My stomach churns.
“Oh, he reached out,” I mutter.
Jett grabs the cell from me and presses play.
Andrei is Russian and well-educated. His perfect English is laced through his deep accent.
“You little bitch. I treated you with respect all these years when I could’ve whored you out for top dollar.
I kept my word, and you turned on me. You killed Vlad.
You ran away. I might’ve let you go if that’s all you did.
But you broke into my safe and stole from me.
I will never stop hunting you. I’ll find you if it’s the last thing I do.
Let me say that again, so it’s engrained in your soul.
It doesn’t matter where you go, I’ll be right on your fine, fine ass.
You know I have the means to do so. Run to the edge of the world for all I care.
You’ll never live a peaceful life. I’ll catch up eventually, and when I get my fortunes back, you will pay.
What I threatened you with all those years ago is nothing compared to what you’ll endure for stealing from me.
That’s what you can look forward to, Lennon.
And I’ll make sure you stay alive for years.
You won’t even get a fucking drop of drugs to mask the pain I’ve got in store for you. Call me—”
I dropped my head into my hands before the message cut him off. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been away. The sound of him losing control is familiar. I’ve seen him torture and kill people during the years of hell on that boat.
His threats are not empty.
Jett tosses the cell to the desk and wraps his arms around me. “Baby, that’s never going to happen. I won’t allow it.”
“We won’t allow it,” Devon echoes.
Jett pries my hands from my face and pulls me onto his lap, holding me tightly to his chest. I didn’t realize I was trembling until his solid body wraps me up.
He whispers into the hair at the side of my head. “I’m sorry.”
Devon clears his throat, but I only hear him since my face is tucked tight against Jett’s neck. “I’m going to step out and call Harlow. I’ll give you two a few minutes.”
The heavy door clicks shut, and I’m left in silence with the man who’s becoming less and less of a stranger by the moment.
Jett presses his lips to the side of my head and speaks low. “Ignore what Petrov said. None of that will happen. I’ll make sure of it.”
Tears leak from my eyes. “He’s desperate. I’m afraid of what he’ll do when he’s like that. He’s ruthless, Jett.”
“You underestimate me. A desperate money launderer is nothing compared to what I went up against when I was in the Army. And Devon hardly scratched the surface of the capabilities of his contacts. Hell, I probably only know half of it, and I know they are some powerful people. It took him under ten hours to gather three decades of intelligence on Petrov. But proof of knowing and proving it in court are two very different things. And Petrov is smart. He might flirt with terrorists enough to make himself a wealthy man, but he’s so far down the list of the CIA’s targets, he’s a nobody . .. until now.”
I look up into his dark eyes. “I’m so tired. I want him to go away. If I have to hand over the jewels, I will.”
“You’ve come this far. Let me help you finish this so you can live free and clear without this nipping at your heels.”
I slide my hand up his chest and grip his shirt. “I don’t know what to do.”
Jett’s touch makes its way to my face and pulls me to him. When our lips touch, it feels like a promise. A promise of safety and a promise of other things that could come true.
Like a normal life with no one threatening me and a glimpse of a future that I never allowed myself to dream of.
He breaks our kiss and tips his forehead to mine. “Let me read the file on Petrov. I’ll come up with a plan. But while he’s in town, we need to act fast.”
“There’s nothing I want more than to be free of him. That’s all I want.”
The door opens and Devon is back, but he’s on the phone in mid-conversation. “We think Petrov is in the area, so we can probably make that work. When can you be here?”
Jett and I both stand and turn to Devon. He’s surveying me in a way I’m not sure if I like it or not.
“All of you?” Devon goes on before he lets out a low whistle.
“If this keeps happening, I’m going to need to build a bloody wing onto the manor just for times like this.
Harlow and I have an extra room, and the other suite is available.
As long as you don’t create a whole fucking task force, I should have room for everyone.
Let me know when your flight arrives and I’ll send a car for you. Later.”
Jett wraps a hand around my hip and fits his front to my back. “A task force just for Winslet. Who knew there would be this much trouble.”
I look at Devon. “I don’t even know what a task force is.”
“It’s when agencies decide to actually work together instead of having dick measuring contests.
” Devon lifts his chin to Jett. “Word travels fast when circles are small. Dean Moretti has a mate from the army who’s in the DEA.
My sister knows them too. When those agents caught wind Petrov landed in Winslet, they jumped on this case.
We’ve got two DEA agents from Miami plus my sister and her husband on their way. ”
“DEA?” Jett asks.
“Yep. They’re heavy hitters. I’d give you their CVs, but we’ll have to chew on that another time. We’ve got bigger things to focus on. I’ve been told to get started. I need every detail you know about Andrei Petrov. Don’t be shy or leave anything out.”
“Oh my,” I say. “This will take a while.”
Devon moves to his desk. “I’ll order breakfast right after I let Harlow know I’ll be longer than I thought.”
“We still need to go over your security system,” Jett adds as we all take our seats again.
Devon picks up his phone. “We’ll get to that in time.
I’ve got a new company coming out to look at things and give me a bid for an overhaul.
It’s an outfit out of Dallas. Bella recommended them.
He’ll be here this week. Settle in. We have a load to dig into and an operational plan to set up.
I hope you two are up for a bit of acting—or maybe not by the way things are looking. We’re about to reel Petrov in.”
Oh shit.
“And one more thing.” Devon takes a seat behind his desk again. “Let’s get those jewels in my safe. We don’t need any more hiccups.”