Chapter 22
Andrew Smith held the cell phone to his ear, waiting for an answer as he stood outside the room where Konrad Jankovic currently worked.
“Well?” he asked impatiently.
There was a pause before one of his subordinates replied, “I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t reach anyone we have watching the Loughman Ranch.”
“Send out another team immediately,” he ordered.
“Sir?”
“One of the Loughmans has returned and killed everyone, you idiot,” Andrew stated before ending the call.
He spun to look at the closed door to what was once the kitchen. Everything Jankovic needed to make another batch of Ragnarok had been brought in days ago, but the scientist was dragging his feet.
Andrew busted through the door to find Konrad standing by the kitchen sink, staring out the window. “What are you doing?”
“I want to walk outside,” Jankovic said in his thick Russian accent.
“That’s not going to happen until you make the bioweapon. It was our agreement before we helped you defect.”
Konrad looked at him with his green eyes and shrugged. “I have changed my mind. We need to renegotiate, yes?”
“No.”
The scientist turned to face him, leaning back against the sink. “You need what I have in my brain. I do not think you will fight me on what I want.”
Andrew took a deep breath and slowly released it as he put his cell phone in his front pant’s pocket and walked toward Jankovic. “While it’s true we’ve gone to a great deal of trouble to acquire your . . . skills, don’t mistake thinking you have control.”
He didn’t stop until he was a foot away from the Russian.
“I have the control. Me. It’ll be quicker for you to make the bioweapon of your own accord, and you’ll be richer—and freer—because of it.
But . . . if you make me hurt you, you’ll be working with only one arm.
I’ll take away the money promised as well as your freedom. ”
“Y-y-you cannot do that.”
“Try me,” Andrew dared him.
Jankovic visibly swallowed before he scooted to the side and hurried to the island where all his equipment was set up. Andrew watched him until he was sure the scientist was actually working.
He walked from the kitchen and motioned one of the guards to him. “I want someone with him while he’s working, and I want him working every day from now on. Limited breaks. An hour for meals.”
“Yes, sir,” the guard said and pointed to two men who strode into the kitchen.
At least Andrew didn’t have to worry about the house being discovered. With his organization keeping the Loughmans on the run, they were more concerned about their own lives than anyone else’s.
Too bad that would be their downfall.
Andrew checked the time, realizing that he was going to be late for his dinner reservation.
He took out his cell to call and cancel.
He was nearly to the door when the sound of breaking glass sounded on all four sides of the house.
Spinning around, he raced toward the kitchen and Jankovic as gunfire erupted.
He slammed open the door and slid to a halt when he saw Orrin Loughman standing over Jankovic who had a single bullet wound to the center of his head. Andrew had but a second to duck out of the room as the eldest Loughman opened fire.
There were shouts, screams of pain, and gunfire all around him. Andrew plastered himself against the wall outside the kitchen. He drew his gun and turned to shoot into the room. When there was no return fire, he peeked around the corner, but Orrin was gone.
Andrew straightened and walked into the kitchen to stare at the dead bodies of his men and Jankovic. Had he remained a moment longer, he’d likely be dead with the others. How had Orrin found him? And though Andrew guessed it was Yuri with Loughman, who else had joined them?
“Sir?” came a voice behind him.
He closed his eyes and sighed. “Yes?”
“We lost seven men.”
“Make that nine,” Andrew said as he opened his eyes and turned to the guard. “How did they get in?”
The guard shook his head. “I don’t know yet, but I’m going to look into it. Shall we go after them?”
“They’re already gone. Get this mess cleaned up.”
“Yes, sir.”
Andrew stalked out of the house. Once outside in the night, he walked to the street and looked up and down it. “I know you’re out there, Orrin. You miserable son of a bitch. I should’ve put you down a long time ago. You’ve been nothing but trouble for me.”
Orrin stood hidden behind the Suburban as he stared at the man in the black trench coat across the street. Whoever he was, he knew Orrin. The flare of recognition in his eyes in the kitchen had been obvious.
What wasn’t obvious was how? Did the man know him because the Saints were after him? Or was it something from Orrin’s past. If only Orrin could place him, he might have some answers. There was a memory there, just out of reach that might answer so many questions.
“Dad.”
He held up his hand, telling Cullen to wait. Orrin remained until the man turned and got into a car that drove off. Only then did Orrin face the others.
Yuri was smiling as he held his left arm that had been shot. “We did it.”
Mia grinned at all of them. “Damn, but that felt good. It was time we put a hurt on the Saints. I want to do it again.”
“Slow down there,” Cullen said as he gave her a quick kiss.
Orrin started walking to Cullen’s SUV that was parked down the street. “We got lucky. They weren’t expecting us. We won’t get that chance again.”
“But we killed Jankovic,” Yuri said.
“That’s a win for sure.” One Orrin knew they desperately needed.
Cullen stepped in front of Orrin, halting everyone. “One thing you haven’t told us is what Ragnarok does.”
Yuri looked to the ground, but Orrin met his son’s gaze. “Once released into the air, it will sterilize women.”
“Are you telling me that I’d never be able to have children?” Mia asked, her face slack with shock.
Orrin nodded. “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
“How far of a reach does the weapon have?” Cullen asked.
Yuri swallowed and looked up at Cullen. “I never discovered, but I do know the Saints planned to release Ragnarok over certain areas, so it must be contained to a particular vicinity.”
Orrin saw the impact the news had on Cullen and Mia. It was obvious the two were in love, which pleased him greatly. The pair was perfect for each other, and their love would only strengthen them.
Two of his sons had found love. Now, if only Wyatt could give in to his feelings for Callie.
“After this, the Saints will come for us with all they have,” Orrin said. “Not only do we have Jankovic’s formula, but we have Ragnarok. The Saints want this badly in order to cut down the Earth’s population and take over.”
Mia made a noise in the back of her throat. “For what?”
“Food? Climate? Money? Who knows?” Orrin said. “It doesn’t matter why. It just matters that we stop them.”
Yuri slapped Orrin on the back with his meaty hand. “I will not rest until the Saints are stopped.”
Cullen looked at Mia before he said, “Count us in. They started all of this.”
“So, let’s finish it,” Mia added.
Yuri asked, “What is next?”
“Hewett,” Orrin stated.
Cullen nodded in agreement. “I’ll be happy to get information out of him.”
The buzz of a phone drew everyone’s attention. Yuri pulled the cell phone out of his pocket and frowned when he looked at the number. “Da?” he answered.
Orrin watched as Yuri’s face went slack and his gaze darted straight to him. Orrin knew then that something had happened to either Owen or Wyatt.
“Spacibo, thank you,” Yuri said before ending the call.
Orrin squared his shoulders. “Just spit it out.”
“That was Maks,” Yuri said. He looked at Cullen and Mia. “He is the one who remained behind at the warehouse to help you two.”
“Yuri,” Orrin urged.
His old friend swung his blue gaze back to him. “It seems Wyatt and Callie decided to return to the ranch. On the way, some Saints stumbled across them. Callie was shot twice, but Wyatt patched her up.”
“Thank God,” Mia said.
Orrin waited because he knew Yuri hadn’t finished yet.
Yuri wiped his good hand down his face. “When the two reached your ranch, more Saints were waiting.”
“Is my brother alive?” Cullen demanded.
“He was shot in the back of the shoulder and lost a lot of blood, but he is,” Yuri replied.
Orrin dropped his chin to his chest. “How bad is the injury?”
“Maks said Owen is tending to it now.”
Cullen asked, “What was Maks doing there?”
Yuri shrugged and said, “You would have to ask him.”
“Oh, we will,” Mia stated.
Orrin lifted his head and continued walking to the SUV. His mind was stuck on a loop of knowing that both Callie and Wyatt were injured. It wasn’t the first time Wyatt had been wounded, but this was the first time Orrin knew immediately after it had happened.
At least his son was somewhere with others to help care for him. And Callie.
The Saints would know by now that two Loughmans were at the ranch. How long before they attacked? Whatever time they had, it wasn’t nearly enough.
“What are you thinking?” Cullen asked as he came up beside him.
Orrin glanced his way. “That we should return home.”
“You’ll give them what they want,” Mia pointed out. “All of you in one place.”
“She is right,” Yuri said.
Orrin looked at Cullen. “What do you think?”
“I think my brothers are going to need us, but the Saints will expect us to head there.”
Orrin smiled as they reached the vehicle because he realized what Cullen was thinking. “What do you suggest then?”
Cullen’s lips twisted as he shrugged. “Oh, I don’t know. Perhaps a visit to Hewett.”
“Yes,” Mia said and opened the back driver’s side door to climb into the SUV.
Yuri nodded, smiling as he got into the back passenger side.
Orrin met Cullen’s hazel eyes. This was what he’d always wanted—to work with his sons. He hated how it had come about, but he was going to enjoy every minute he had.
The past would still need to be discussed, but for now, he had his youngest with him. He would bask in every second of it while they took down as many Saints as they could.
“How long do you think we have until the Saints attack the ranch?” Yuri asked once they were on the road.
Cullen’s lips flattened. “A day. Two at the most.”
“Every second we’re here will mean added time on the way to Texas,” Orrin said. “But Cullen’s right. We need to do damage while we can.”
Mia said, “I can get us there in half the time. Provided you can find me something to fly.”
Orrin smiled as he turned to look at her. “Then we’ll find you something to fly.”
“I think I know someone who can help,” Yuri said.