12. Bianca
Chapter 12
Bianca
E xhaustion pulls at my body, making my eyes heavy. Every step sends fresh pain shooting through my arm, slicing up through my shoulder and into my neck.
It’s been a day.
A dead body.
A missing killer.
And now a trap masquerading as a dinner invitation.
I have to go. Even though it’s a trap, and I really don’t want to see my uncle, I know that ignoring him isn’t an option. The threat he made has remained at the front of my mind since I first read the words, and I’ve no doubt he’ll make good on it.
Bodies will start piling up, and the last thing I ever want is to be the cause of someone else’s pain. I’d rather hand my life over than have him hurt anyone in retaliation.
My thoughts drift back to Silas. I wish he and Eloise would leave. Somewhere they can be safe. Maybe that cabin in the mountains Silas was talking about. Or his cousin’s ranch. Anywhere there will be some distance between them and whatever River is trying to bring raining down on us.
The image of him standing before me in that hospital room, furious at the mere idea of leaving…I can’t help but wonder what the motivation is. Unfinished business between him and River? A thirst for vengeance? Or could it be that he’s worried about me?
“There’s no way I’m leaving everyone I care about behind so I can run and hide.”
Everyone I care about.
I can’t help myself. Even though there’s danger hanging over me like a thick, suffocating blanket, I smile.
“That’s a happy smile.”
I shoot up off the couch and draw my weapon, aiming it down the hall with my good hand. A man, cloaked in shadows, slips out of the dark hallway. His face is aged, his hair gray, but I’d recognize him anywhere. “River,” I growl.
“Little Selena. It’s good to see you all grown up.” He smiles and steps further into the living room. I eye the cell phone on the coffee table. “I wouldn’t. I’ve got a gunman on your precious SEAL at the moment, and he’s more than happy to pull the trigger should anything happen to me.”
Because I can’t take that risk, I lower my weapon, though I keep it gripped firmly in my hand. Lord, please be with me now. Please grant me strength to face this nightmare and walk away. Please protect Silas and Eloise, and any others River may be threatening. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen. “What do you want? I got your letter.”
“Good, good.” He runs his fingers over the counter. “Sorry about the gunshot.”
“Sure you are.”
“If it helps, he was supposed to miss. He was just supposed to scare you. You were never in any real danger.”
“And how about everyone on the street?” I ask. “They could have been hit.”
He shrugs and takes a seat in the armchair to the left of the couch. “Collateral damage.”
“I don’t believe in innocents being caught in gunfire.”
“No, you never had the taste for games, did you?”
“Not when those games involve someone’s life.”
He gestures toward the couch. “Sit with me, will you?” I don’t move. River rolls his eyes. “You’re making me nervous, Selena, and I don’t think that will make the man listening to us very happy. It might make his trigger finger a bit shaky…”
Slowly, I lower to the couch, though I keep my weapon in hand.
“Good girl.” He grins. “So, how are you? It’s been a long time.”
“Seems like you know since you’ve been stalking me for years.”
“You always figured it out rather quickly,” he says curiously. “But this time you knew you were being followed, yet you didn’t run. Why is that, I wonder?”
I don’t answer. This is the thing about River. He loves playing games, like a predator toying with their prey.
“I suppose it has something to do with that SEAL and his little girl.”
I try to keep my expression flat. Try not to let him see that the very thought of him watching Silas and Eloise makes me want to vomit.
“Oh, don’t worry, Selena. I have no intention of hurting him or the girl.” He laughs. “Well, at least not the child.”
“Why are you here?”
“Family gathering,” he replies.
“Funny. Everyone else is dead.”
River’s expression falters a moment, the cool mask he wears so elegantly falling. Anger replaces it, and for a moment I worry that I’ve gone too far. After all, if he’s telling the truth, one word from him would end Silas’s life.
“You’d better watch what you say. I don’t often let murderers live. Yet I’ve allowed you to walk this earth for quite some time even knowing you were guilty.”
“You have no say over whether I live or die,” I reply.
He arches a brow. “Found God, have we?”
“Yes.”
River throws his head back and laughs. “I think the small town is getting to you, Selena. Anyway. I won’t take up too much of your time. I just wanted to pop in, check on things, and make sure you knew better than to ignore my invitation.”
“You did have me shot earlier today. I might not feel like attending a dinner party.”
River stands and crosses over toward me. He takes a seat on the couch and leans in, the stench of his cologne filling my lungs. My stomach churns. “You will go,” he replies, pushing some of my hair behind my ear. He leans in and whispers, “Or I will burn this entire town to the ground with everyone trapped inside.” His expression turns amused as he stands. “See you at dinner, Selena. Wear something your mother would have worn. Classy. And bring that SEAL with you. I’d love to visit with him again, too.”
The mention of my mother is a sucker punch.
“Stay there for three minutes. After that, you can get up. But a second sooner, and”—he holds up his cell phone, showing that the call is still active—“ bang. ” He turns and heads back down the hallway, and I remain where I am.
The seconds might as well have been hours. I don’t even dare reach for my cell phone, terrified that he’ll see that as a move against him. Tears burn in the corners of my eyes as the adrenaline wanes, making way for the shock of what just happened.
I sat face-to-face with River Culvers.
My father’s brother.
The man who has been trying to kill me.
Who promised to do so the last time we saw each other.
The same man who tortured Silas for a month and hunted us like wild animals when we were in the jungle.
Yet I’m still breathing. Which begs the question…what does he want from me?
“I should have been here,” Silas all but growls. “Should have stayed put.”
I’d made the call to Silas first, desperate to make sure he was okay. Then I’d called Lance so he could alert the team to River’s presence in Hope Springs. Silas arrived right after I got off the phone with Lance, insisting on clearing both sides of the duplex to make sure everything was locked down tight.
Lance, Michael, Jaxson, and Elijah showed up shortly after, now that Caleb is working for Knight Security and handling video monitoring tonight.
“No. He only came because you were gone.” That much, I’m sure.
“How did he get in?” Lance questions.
“Her bedroom window,” Silas replies. “Broke the lock and came through. The system was unarmed,” he adds with a glare at me.
“I checked the house when I got here,” I tell them. “So it had to have been while I was in the shower.”
Silas snarls something under his breath, then turns away and puts both hands on his hips. He’s furious with himself, which is absolutely ridiculous. I can take care of myself, something I’ve proven time and time again.
“He is expecting both Silas and me at that dinner tomorrow.”
Silas whirls. “What?”
“He mentioned you specifically,” I reply. “Though I’m not sure why he wants either of us there. Something has to be happening. Something big.”
“We can’t move on him without proper cause,” Lance warns.
“Agreed.” Jaxson crosses his arms. “Guy like him will be lawyered up to the teeth.”
“Then Silas and I can go in and gather evidence.”
All eyes turn to me.
“Look, he may be at a hotel, but I can almost guarantee something big is going down at that dinner. If Silas and I can get proof that he’s dirty, then we can stop him.”
“Do you really think he’s just going to let you both walk in and out of there?” Elijah demands. “There’s no telling if you’ll come out alive.”
“He threatened the entire town, Elijah. A threat he’s more than capable of making good on. I can’t risk it.”
“Neither can I,” Silas replies.
“This feels like a mistake.” Lance rubs both hands over his eyes.
“We’re up against a wall,” I remind them. “He has the power, and he knows it. He knows we know it.”
“How are you going to defend yourselves?” Jaxson asks. “He said no weapons, and we’re not James Bond. There are no lipstick lasers in our arsenal.”
“That’s a thought though,” Elijah comments.
Lance shakes his head. “You can’t even fight right now, Bianca. Not in your current state.” He gestures to my injured arm.
“I’ll make it work,” I tell them. “Besides, I’ll have a SEAL with me,” I reply, glancing at Silas.
The corner of his lips twitch.
“He said no weapons,” Lance says again. “So, we make do with no weapons. Elijah, can you get us set up with some undetectable coms?”
“Already done,” he replies. “They’re currently at the office. Crisp. Clear. And they won’t be picked up by any detectors.”
Lance nods in appreciation. “Good. Then we’ll use those to stay in touch, and the rest of our team will be ready to go in should things get heated. Caleb can watch the monitors, and I’ll call in Alex to help him out if any client issues arise, which means we’ll practically be all boots on the ground.”
“We can’t alert the police. There’s no telling if some of them are on his payroll,” I say quickly. “No one can know, or this goes even more sour than it already is.”
“Agreed.” Lance stands. “Do you want to stay at the lighthouse tonight?” he asks me. “Caleb is on monitors so you’ll be protected.”
“Yes,” Silas says. “She should.”
“No.” I look to him, annoyed that he spoke for me. “If River wanted me dead, I’d be dead. If he wanted to abduct me, he would’ve. Nothing will happen tonight.”
“He could have just been toying with you,” Silas snaps.
“No. He wasn’t. Now, I was shot earlier today, my arm feels like it’s going to fall off, and I’m tired. I would really like to get some sleep.”
“I’m staying on the couch.” Silas slips out of his jacket.
“No. Silas. Seriously. You’re right next door, I don’t need you on the couch.”
“Seems like we’ve overstayed our welcome,” Elijah quips, then heads for the door. “I set up temp cameras on every entry point of your house, and Caleb is monitoring them!” he calls out, then leaves before I can respond.
“What? Cameras?” I ask Lance.
He shrugs. “You’re one of our people, Bianca, and we protect our people. Goodnight.” With a smile, he leaves, trailing Jaxson out the door.
Men.
“You are not sleeping on my couch,” I tell Silas.
“Yes. I am.” He lays down, propping an arm beneath his head.
Irritated and knowing I’ve lost, I head into my room, retrieving a blanket and spare pillow from my closet, then step out and throw them at him. He grunts, giving me a bit of satisfaction as I make my way back into my bedroom, then shut and lock the door.
The truth is, I feel better knowing he’s down the hall. But letting him know that, or even fully admitting it to myself, feels like a dangerous mistake.