Chapter 20 #2
As I thought about the options, what few there were, I continued to come back to the same thing. I disabled it the only way I could in case there was another lurking in the forest, slicing two tires.
The time it would take to bring a plane full of the Prince soldiers to the area would heighten the danger. As soon as she was nestled safely inside, I pulled out my phone, dialing my brother.
“Alexander.”
“What the hell is wrong?” he asked with a tone indicating he’d sensed I was in danger.
“Let’s just say I won’t be finishing your mandate of healing in the lovely small town. Someone knew I was here. We have a mole.”
“Fuck. What happened?” There was a knowing hesitation in his voice as if he also had bad news to share. We’d never been able to lie to each other.
“We were jumped by several men. That’s not the half of it. I need to get the hell out of here.”
My brother whistled. “We? You mean the woman you’re fucking?”
“That wasn’t my intention. Things happen. It’s a long, complicated story that has a direct connection, even if she’s not directly involved. It’s been one hell of a day.”
“Gio told me everything about Danny Sebastian. There are one too many odd coincidences.”
“That’s why I think the timing is ripe. My guess is our pilot made a call and Danny was dispatched to handle the job. Only the kid isn’t a real killer and given his sister lives in town, he went against the Pakhan and tried to warn her. He ended up dead because of his family loyalty.”
I’d sensed Fleur trying to escape, preventing me from taking the time to examine his body. Now I regretted not doing so. The method of kill was almost always telling for an assassin. Heart. Head. How many bullets.
“What are you going to do with her now that you’ve claimed her?”
“I don’t know yet.”
I glanced into the passenger window. Who in the hell was she on the phone with? Goddamn it. I’d need to keep a leash on her. And take her phone away.
Alexander chuckled. “I think you already know. She’s coming with you.”
“Maybe. Maybe not. She has a life here. But she’s involved, Alex. I don’t know exactly all the details but she’s in danger.”
“Alright. I’ll contact our other pilot. It might take him some time to get there,” Alexander said.
“I can’t take that time. I have a feeling the three bastards I killed aren’t the only Russians in town. Can you do a deep dive on our pilot? If you piece the timing together, he’s the only person who had direct knowledge of where the fuck I was going quickly enough.”
“You don’t know that, but the few people who learned about your destination will be questioned. That I can assure you.”
Snorting, I headed toward the driver’s side. “I don’t pity what happens when you find the mole. I think the best thing to do at this point is to drive from Vermont back to New Orleans. I’ll take the back roads. I’m going to guess it will take four or five days.”
“That will mean accommodations are needed and there’s a complication in you doing that. One of our hackers managed to catch a brief conversation on the dark web before it was deleted. Then he checked the aftermath, confirming what he found.”
“Which is?”
“Your credit cards, bank card, etc. have been compromised. Now, they’re likely only waiting for notification of where you’ve used them.
From everything I’ve learned, this has all the markings of something the Papovek family would do.
While they’re flagged, it would be good to buy you some additional time so I don’t want to alert the banks. ”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. “Any chatter with the Barishnikoff family?” With Ivan still serving time in prison, one of his sons had been left to carry on the family legacy.
“Deadly quiet. However, as you know, while his son Grigor is handling the day-to-day activities for his father, Ivan is running the show from inside prison. A transfer into the facility where he is being held is about to occur. If my sources come through like I know they will, Ivan will have a new cell mate by nightfall.”
“Let’s hope your man inside works quickly. I have a feeling this entire plan was orchestrated not long after Ivan was arrested.”
Alexander grumbled. “You’re probably right.
At this point, I think the best thing to do is to get you back here.
Then we’re going to ensure the entire Barishnikoff family understands they were given a chance to redeem themselves and failed.
They will not be given the same courtesy twice. How much cash do you have?”
“Enough to get me the hell out of here.”
“Then don’t waste time. You know the drill.”
“Yeah, I do.” I ended the call, immediately heading to the driver’s side. As soon as I jumped in, it took all my control to keep from ripping the phone from her hand.
“No, Bekka. I’m fine. Just please do as I ask. Do it now. Right. His house. The one you like so much. I gotta go. Thank you for everything, bestie.”
“What the hell was that?” I started the engine, taking the phone from her hand. “Talk to me. We are in significant danger. That hasn’t changed. There are more of these bastards out there. Do you understand?”
“That’s why I asked for help.”
“What are you talking about? What did you do?”
“You don’t have any soldiers with you, Montgomery. You need backup. Do you know how many former military men and women there are in this town? Tons. You don’t seem to understand your father made quite an impression years ago. They can help.”
She was serious. I was rarely taken aback and never floored, but that’s what she’d just done. Fucking floored me. “Tell me what plans are in motion.” I pulled away from the park, maintaining the highest level of caution.
“Are you flying back to New Orleans? I assume you have a jet.”
“You assume correctly, but there are complications with that consideration.”
“Then commercial flights will be out. They’ll be prepared for you taking an alternative route. I think you might need to drive.”
“You’ve got this all figured out.” There was continued amusement in my voice.
She tried to jerk the phone from my hand. “I’ll need that back. I’m just trying to help keep you alive.”
“I know you are, but I’m a big boy.”
“Anyway. Let’s continue with my plan. They’ll check your credit cards.
Right? You need cash. You’ll need a couple burner phones in case your phone has been tracked, which is a good bet.
You’ll need a different vehicle. They know this one and will track it easily.
I know you. You’ll want to stop by your house and get your weapons and clothes.
If Bekka can work her magic, I’ll have money coming, as much as can be scraped together in an hour or so.
Burner phones. Men are going to surround your place and they’ll alert us if there’s any activity.
They’ll have weapons with them. What did I miss?
Oh, yeah. Bekka is sure she can convince someone to donate their vehicle to you.
Hopefully, you can get it back to them at some point.
But if not, I’m certain you can afford a new one. Did I miss anything?”
“You did including the part where we were almost killed and you were almost taken. Three assassins were sent to kill me and take you as a hostage. For what reason I’m uncertain.”
“I get it. Okay? I know this is all crazy and dangerous. I understand you risked your life to save mine. I’m no fool, Montgomery.
I lost my brother. I’m completely aware you saved my life.
I’m extremely grateful for what you did.
” She took a deep breath, momentarily glancing out the passenger window.
“Don’t say anything, but I don’t want anything to happen to you. Okay? Sue me.”
“Nothing will happen to me, my little flower. By now you should learn better than to underestimate me.”
She tipped her head, fighting another round of tears. “How can you live this way?”
I placed my hand on her thigh as I once again checked the rearview mirror. “Every day isn’t what you experienced today. That’s all I can tell you.”
“Maybe not, but I was right in leaving Zane and I don’t want any part of it.
I want you to safely return to New Orleans.
I really do. What we’ve shared has been magical.
But I lost Danny. I can’t lose anything else.
” Groaning, she folded her arms across her chest. “I don’t know if I’m even making any sense.
I’m angry and hurt, devastated and uncertain how I’m going to go on.
He was my only family. My only brother.”
When she tried once again to grab her phone, I lifted it over my head.
“While you are entirely too impetuous and deserve another round of punishment for getting anyone else involved, I do appreciate your care and concern. In a world where it seems everyone is out for themselves, you are truly something special.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll go stay with Bekka for a little while until things calm down and it’s safe to return home. I’ll need to be with someone anyway.”
“I don’t think you understand what’s about to happen, Fleur.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean the danger will linger long after I’m gone. You’re coming with me.”