Chapter 16
We Need a Bigger Table
Wire
“Damn it, Wire. It’s been weeks. How can we not have a single lead on who is after Maria and Franco?” Falcon asks in frustration.
“I’m doing what I can.” I blow out a heavy breath, keeping my voice steady, even though I want to toss the computer across the room.
I know how long it’s been since we extracted Maria and her kid from the motel, and I’m just as angry as Falcon is about not being able to make the connection to the culprits responsible for scaring this woman half to death.
Falcon looks at me, drops his head to look at his boots, inhales deeply, and says, “Sorry, Wire. I know you’re doing all you can. I shouldn’t be taking my frustrations out on you.”
“We’re all on edge. And you’re not wrong.
It’s been weeks. I’ve tried several recognition programs, and none match the photo we took from the satellite feed.
I had Vic show the picture to Maria, and she doesn’t know these men either.
I’ll keep running the program to see if I get lucky, but I’ll try another route.
I’ve run the plates off the car. It’s registered to a man called Atilio Capone.
The thing is, Capone’s dead. But someone is using his name.
I’ve pulled the credit card usage and telephone calls going back six months.
There’s a stack to go through. I can do it by hand, but I’d rather run it through a program to look for patterns in how many times he calls the same numbers, where he spends his money, and how often he goes there.
If we can find him, then we can grab him and pull him in. ”
“It’s a solid plan, man. Sorry I snapped,” Falcon apologizes again, raking a hand through his hair.
“Is something else bothering you?” Falcon’s been edgy lately, like he’s got a lot on his mind. “And don’t say nothing, because we’ve all seen it and we’re here for you, just like you’ve been there for us. We want to help if we can.”
I can see he’s conflicted about telling me what’s going on in his head. He opens his mouth only to close it again. Then he spits out, “Archer was supposed to call last week. The call never came. It’s been a solid week with no word from him.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. You know that sometimes it could be weeks before we ever had a chance to get to a phone when we were deep in a mission. Archer’s smart, and he’s a survivor. He’s coming home,” I insist.
Shit! It makes sense now. We’ve been waiting for Archer to join the team, and the time is almost here.
Falcon wanted him home and was against Archer reenlisting, but it was Archer’s decision, and we all supported him, although begrudgingly.
We’ve already lost a good man, and Falcon’s not keen on losing another brother.
“You make sense, but it doesn’t ease my mind. He should be home any time now and he’ll be walking through the door to join Storm. Now he’s radio silent, and I can help thinking that something’s wrong,” Falcon says.
“We know people in the system. Make some inquiries,” I urge.
“If he’s on a mission, they won’t say jack shit to protect that mission.” He sighs. “Best thing I can do is wait, but in the meantime, let’s see if we can get Maria and Franco out of the safe house and get them started on a new life free and clear of fear. How can I help?”
I hand Falcon a stack of cell phone bills with the numbers dialed out from Atilio’s phone. “Let’s see if any number comes up repeatedly. I’ll do the search on who it belongs to, and we can either rule it out or dig deeper.”
“I’ll get the others to help out with this. Run down the car and see if you can find out where he’s staying.”
“On it,” I answer.
Several hours later, while the guys are still working on the phone logs, I get a trace on Atilio Capone’s car with an address. The car is located in South London, in a town called Sutton. It’s an hour away from where Maria was hiding.
After searching into Atilio, I discover the deceased had three sons and four grandsons. He has a son who is his namesake. I start with him, which turns out to be a bust, but I find I’m on to something when I research the other sons and grandsons.
I rush to Falcon’s office. “I think I’ve got something,” I declare.
He gets up from behind his desk and comes back to my office and computer.
“Luke Capone is Atilio’s son. He has two other brothers, and all the men have a rap sheet.
Nothing more than grand theft auto. Kidnapping would be new to them, but when I look closer at his finances, he’s deep in debt.
” I flash the picture I took of the driver in the car.
“Not exact, but it could be him. What do you think?” I ask.
Falcon scrutinizes the two screens, moving his head back and forth. “Why didn’t he come up on facial recognition?”
“Because he’s done time, but not in England.
All his time was served in New York and Florida.
Immediately after being released from prison, he disappeared from the country.
I guess he landed in England. The Capone family runs a mechanic shop and a restaurant in Sutton.
” I pause and turn to Falcon. “I think this is worth a look.”
“I agree.” He nods. “I’m doing it myself. I’ll have Kailyn book a flight out.”
“You shouldn’t go alone.” Falcon raises his brow, but I persist. “It’s your rule, brother. No man goes on his own,” I remind him. “Book two seats. I’m coming with you.”
“Remmi—”
“The guys will look after her. I’ll tell her tonight, and we’ll leave in the evening. Okay?”
“Works for me,” Falcon answers.
Leaving Remmi is going to suck, but this is part of what we need to manage as a couple. The guys will make sure that they check in, and my house is a fortress. Wolfie is well trained, and he’ll stick to her like glue.
A couple of days is going to seem like an eternity now that I have Remmi in my bed.
There’s nothing she does that doesn’t make me hot for her delicious body.
She squirms in my arms in the middle of the night, making these tiny sighs.
Sometimes I want to wake her up just so I can hear her make those sexy noises while I fuck her senseless.
She hums anytime she’s in the kitchen; she doesn’t even know she’s doing it.
But what I love most of all is how she tosses the blanket over her legs and snuggles into me when we’re watching television, always making sure that she covers me up too.
“Where’d you go, man?” Falcon asks, pulling me back to reality.
“Sorry, just thinking of Remmi.”
“If you want to stay—”
“No. This is what we do. Remmi’s doing great, and this is part of Storm. She knows this and accepts it. It’ll give her plenty of time with Kailyn, Maya, and Sadie. I’m sure those women will congregate.” I chuckle.
“I can’t argue with you there. Those women have bonded as tightly as we have,” Falcon agrees with a laugh.
My phone rings, and when I glance down, I see Remmi is calling. “She knows we’re talking about her,” I joke before I pick up. “Hey, babe, is everything all right?”
“Hi, honey, we have guests,” Remmi says excitedly. “When will you be home?”
“Guests?”
“Yeah, and I think you should invite the guys over for dinner too. I can call Maya and Sadie, but can you drop into Kailyn’s office and ask her to come?”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“The boy’s going to lose his mind if he doesn’t know you’re safe,” I hear in the background. I know that voice. It’s my father.
“My dad’s there!” I exclaim.
“And your mom,” Remmi adds. “Oh, and when I opened the door, I was on the phone with my mom, and she and Dad are coming over. They want to meet them and you.”
“Babe—” I try to interject, but Remmi keeps going.
“I have dinner planned. I have enough for everyone, but it would be good if you could pick up some wine and have everyone come for around sixish.”
“Remmi—” I try again, to no avail.
“I know, I know, this is all last minute, but it seems like impromptu parties are what we do at Storm, so why not?” Her voice rises.
“Your parents are excited to see your friends again, and my parents want to meet your parents. And it feels wrong not to invite Mina, so I called her, and she’s going to be coming as well.
She has court, though, and will be arriving a little later. ”
“Remmi!” I call out her name a little more sharply to get her attention.
“Wire?” she replies with a bite to her tone.
“Babe, if I have to invite the guys, then I’d better get off the phone and do that. I’ll try to get out of here shortly and come home to help out.”
“Oh, okay,” she returns sweetly. “We’re having homemade pizzas and salads, and I have it under control. Your mom is helping.”
“Mom’s like that. She needs to have something to do. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
“Love you, honey.”
“Love you too,” I respond. I glance over at Falcon. “You’re expected for dinner. My parents made a surprise visit. No doubt my mother decided she wasn’t going to wait any longer to meet Remmi.”
“Your mother’s a force of nature,” Falcon says with a chuckle.
“Remmi’s parents are going to be joining us as well.
And Mina too, whenever she gets off work.
” Falcon raises his brows when I mention Mina’s name.
I’d love to know what’s going on between the two of them.
Falcon and Mina seem to do their best to avoid one another, but every once in a while, I see Falcon staring at her with brooding eyes.
I know better than to ask because he’ll change the subject.
“Better tell the others, then get the hell home. I’ll make sure Kailyn makes the flight reservations,” he says. “I’ll see you tonight.” He turns on his heel and saunters out.
I catch Rebel and Bull together in the break room and tell them the plans for the night. I also mentioned that Falcon and I will fly out tomorrow to check out the Capone family and their possible connection with Maria and Franco.
“I can go if you want more time with Remmi,” Rebel offers.