Chapter 9 #2
Brooks stood and slung his computer bag over his shoulder. “I need to go before the police get here.”
He turned to walk away, but Ripp grabbed his arm. “Are you in Vegas to assassinate someone?”
I could see the answer in Brooks’s eyes and so could Ripp. Nothing more was said about it. Brooks smiled unsurely at us and walked backward toward the door.
“I’ll be here for another day or so.” Then, to Ripp, he said, “Call me if you need me. It was good seeing you, brother.”
Ripp followed him to the door, and they exchanged a few words in private before Brooks walked out.
It didn’t take long for the Vegas police to knock on the door.
Three young officers came in along with their Assistant Sheriff, Jeff Sterling.
He appeared to be in his early fifties with closely shaved light brown hair to hide that he was balding in spots.
He introduced himself and we moved to the opposite side of the hotel room so he could talk to me privately.
A barrage of questions were asked about where Parker and I were from, why we were in Vegas, and so on. Of course, I didn’t mention anything about fighting at the Labyrinth or that I was being hunted by a psychotic killer who was part of one of the most dangerous mafia families in the country.
About an hour passed and my throat was reaching desert dryness again. I’d talked so much I didn’t know if I could speak another word.
Jeff Sterling discussed everything about the process of handling Parker’s remains, and he also suggested I stay in Vegas while they investigate.
It was clear Nikolai knew where I was. I had no doubt he’d find me if I tried to hide.
The assistant sheriff called out to his men, and they started for the door.
“What about my things?” I asked. “All my clothes are in my hotel room.”
Jeff Sterling turned around and sighed. “I’m sorry, Ms. Langston. There’s nothing in the room. No clothes, no bags, no toiletries . . . anything. It was empty.”
My stomach dropped. If it was empty, my three hundred thousand dollars from the fight was gone. Luckily, I had my purse, driver’s license, and credit cards.
“What about Parker’s room? Was anything missing from there?” I wondered.
Jeff shook his head. “Nothing seemed to be disturbed in there. We’re still looking for evidence, though.
You can go in there when we’re done and pack up your brother’s things.
Unfortunately, we don’t have anything at this moment.
As this happened in your hotel room, we must assume you were the intended target, or it could’ve just been a robbery.
Mr. Parker was in the wrong place at the right time. ”
And that was what would haunt me for the rest of my life.
If Parker had not been in my room, he’d still be alive. When I didn’t say anything, Jeff narrowed his gaze.
“Are you sure you have no idea who would want to hurt you?”
I shook my head. “I can’t think of anyone.”
He handed me a card with his number on it. “If you happen to think of anything, please give me a call. I’ll be in touch.”
He nodded at everyone else, and I was relieved when he left. There was something about him and the way he looked at me that made me uncomfortable. I knew without a doubt I couldn’t trust him.
“What did he say?” Kali asked, rushing up to me.
I held up a hand and quickly went to the door to peek out the peephole. The assistant sheriff and his three officers were by the elevators. They disappeared behind the doors, but I still felt no better.
Kali followed me back into the living area, where Valentin and Ripp whispered with each other. At least there didn’t seem to be any animosity.
“Assistant Sheriff Sterling said that all my belongings were taken from my room. Why would Nikolai do that?”
Valentin came over to stand next to Kali, his expression grave. “When it comes to Nikolai, there is no rhyme or reason. But my guess would be he wanted to make it look like a robbery.”
My eyes burned like fire, but I refused to cry; there was no time for it. Ripp closed the distance between us and clutched my wrists.
“I can’t believe you didn’t tell me about the other women.”
I shrugged. “We weren’t exactly on speaking terms when I found out.”
“What do we do now?” Kali asked.
Ripp let me go and I faced her and Valentin. The answer was simple . . . I had to go off on my own.
“As you can see, Nikolai was able to get in here undetected and kill my brother. He could easily come back.” I focused on Kali and Ripp. “I can’t be here with you guys; it’s too dangerous.”
Ripp stormed over to the bed and grabbed his bag off the floor. “Then let’s go home. I’ll pack my shit up right now. We’ll hop on a private jet and get help.”
“No,” I snapped, charging over to him and grabbing his arm to stop him from packing. “It still puts you and everyone I care about in the line of fire.”
Ripp glared angrily at me and scoffed. “We’re already there, Wren.
” He reached into the dresser beside his bed and pulled out all his T-shirts, shoving them into his bag.
“Nikolai wants revenge on me, too, because of my father. He was the main one who helped take down the Dark Side. It’s just a matter of time before it’s my turn.
” Ripp averted his glare to Valentin. “Let him come so I can kill the fucker myself.”
Valentin stepped forward. “There is another way, but I don’t think you’ll like it,” he said. “If you want to end this, you will need help.”
Dread filled my gut and I shook my head; I had a feeling I knew where this was going.
“Hell no,” I growled, crossing my arms over my chest. “I’m not asking Seth Michelson for help.”
The way Valentin stared right into my eyes made me shiver. He was part of the mafia and just as dangerous as Seth and Nikolai. The only thing that made me see him differently from the others was how gentle he was with Kali.
Valentin walked up to me, his voice low. “I don’t think you have a choice, Wren. Let me make the call.”
Kali nodded in agreement, and so did Ripp, which shocked me. I guess there was no choice.