Chapter 19
BELLA
A commotion pulls my attention from my screen and the legitimate account I’m working on to the door of Alan’s office. So far, he hasn’t found the listening bugs that Cahir planted. But he also hasn’t said anything of interest.
Today, he has a visitor, which is unusual. No one has visited him since I’ve been here. But what makes my blood run cold is that I recognise him from the photos Ramzi found.
Lloyd Eade.
Not as significant a presence as Miles Burres when it comes to trafficking, but significant enough to unsettle me.
He’s in his mid-thirties, well built, with blond hair and an easy smile that doesn’t reach his cold eyes.
He’s a handsome guy, which I’m sure he’s used to his advantage in his line of ‘business.’ How many na?ve young girls has he lured to their doom with smooth promises and expensive ‘gifts’, only to forcibly abduct them to meet his quota?
I watch covertly as he storms into Alan’s office and slams the door.
Muffled shouting quickly follows from within.
My colleagues who work solely on legitimate accounts continue to watch and listen.
But those who don’t studiously ignore the raised voices.
Their behaviour is telling, reconfirming our knowledge of the threat the company holds over them and their families’ heads.
I stand and pick up my coffee mug, pausing as I pass Alan’s office. I can only hear muffled voices now, so I continue to the breakroom on the pretence of making a coffee. I want to know if Ramzi is listening in.
Taking my phone from my pocket, I send a quick text to everyone. I’m taking a risk, but I make sure to delete any messages from my history.
Me: Lloyd Eade is with Alan in his office. Hope you can catch what he’s saying.
Ramzi: Away from desk. They’re on surveillance. Will listen when back at base.
Cahir: We hit two of Eade’s warehouses last night. Be careful.
Me: I will.
After deleting the messages, I make my coffee and return to my desk. No sooner does my arse hit the chair than Alan is at his office door.
“Bee!”
Surprised, I look up. Lloyd Eade isn’t one of my clients, so I’m not expecting my name to be called.
“Come into my office,” Alan orders, turning abruptly on his heel.
“Be careful,” a female colleague mutters as I walk past.
“I’m sure it’s fine,” I reassure her with a small smile.
“Bee,” Alan says as I enter, “this is Lloyd Eade.”
Keeping my expression neutral, I hold out my hand in greeting as I would with any client. “Nice to meet you, Mr Eade.”
Lloyd looks at my hand for a minute before giving it a cursory shake.
“Was there something you needed me for?” I ask, returning my attention to Alan.
“Yes, the figures you give me. Which ledgers do you get them from?”
I purse my lips, pretending to think. “Um, I think they’re five, nine, twelve”—I pause — “thirteen and sixteen.”
“That’s a lot of ledgers to remember,” Lloyd remarks, his cool gaze on me.
“I’m good at my job,” I inform him briskly. Fucking dickhead. Anyone who traffics human beings has no right to an opinion.
Lloyd quirks an eyebrow. “I understand you’re the newest hire.”
“Am I?” I shrug and look at Alan, eyebrow raised in question. “I have no idea.”
“You are,” he confirms.
“Okay.” I raise my chin. “Is there a problem with my work?”
“No, of course not,” Alan blusters, sweat beading his brow.
Why is he nervous? I don’t work on any of Lloyd’s ledgers.
“Mr Eade wanted to know who worked on his company's ledgers as he’s had a few... issues. I’ve assured him it’s not you, but he expressed an interest in meeting our newest hire.”
“I see.” And I do—we need to get those who do work on Lloyd’s ledgers to safety.
Turning back to Lloyd, I give him a fake smile. “Well, I hope I’ve answered all your questions to your satisfaction. Was there anything more you needed to know?”
I don’t like the calculating look in Lloyd’s eyes as he studies me. “You’ve worked for many mutual acquaintances over the last few years. Somehow, they seem to have experienced the same problems I’m having. In fact, some have completely disappeared.”
I frown as if confused, even though sweat is beading at my lower back under the comforting weight of my handgun.
I’m also wearing my boots with the hidden knives, with two more strapped to my arm and thigh.
He suspects something, but he doesn’t have enough evidence to prove it.
This guy is smart. He must be considering the speed at which he’s grown his business.
“I wasn’t aware that we had mutual acquaintances. I’d be surprised if we travelled in the same social circles,” I reply, perplexed.
“Mmm.” He continues to stare at me with cold eyes.
I consider myself brave, but I’m not stupid. His calculating gaze sends shivers down my spine and raises the hairs on my arms. This man is evil. Pure evil. Pretty to look at, but he has an ugly soul.
“If that’s all, we can let Bee get back to work,” Alan says, interrupting our stare-off.
“Of course. By all means,” Lloyd says with an oily smile, all white teeth.
“Mr Chivers,” I nod at Alan. “Mr Eade, it was good to meet you.”
“Indeed.” His narrowed gaze tracks me to the door. “I’ll be watching you, Bee.”
I don’t reply, but I do level him with a cool look as I nod.
I’m not sure if my cover’s blown as I go about my day as if it’s a normal one. I need to check in with Cahir, but I can’t risk it while Lloyd Eade is still in the building. He finally leaves at four-thirty, by which time my day is almost over. Still, I decide to wait until I get home to call Cahir.
It’s a decision I end up regretting.
***
I leave the office with the rest of my colleagues, in a hurry to get home and have Copper wrap me in his arms. I’ve come to need him more than I need to breathe. When I’m with him, everything quiets enough to make sense. I crave the comfort he provides.
I press the auto-lock, and my car beeps. Slipping into the driver’s seat, I lock the doors. I set my bag on the passenger seat and put the key in the ignition, but when I turn it, nothing happens. No engine starting, no lights, absolutely nothing. I try again. Nothing.
My heart skips a beat. This isn’t a coincidence. This is planned.
I pick up my phone, staying alert as I call Copper. Worried that my car is bugged, I keep it short and use his undercover name as soon as he answers. “Hey, Coop. My car won’t start. Can you meet me at the gate and take me home?”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Copper explodes. “I’m an hour away on a breakdown collection, but no one was here when I arrived. This is a setup.”
“I agree,” I say, keeping my voice even. “I can’t call for a breakdown service because the gates will be closed and locked in ten minutes. I’ll walk to your work and wait by your bike like we planned.”
“Fuck, baby. Please be careful. Did something happen today?”
“It did. Can you call the family and let them know we’ll be late for dinner? I don’t want to be on the phone while I’m walking to the garage.”
We’re talking in code, but I know that Copper will understand that he needs to call the Cursed Skulls.
“Yeah, Spice. I’ll let them know,” he assures me. “Keys for the bike are in the usual place. I’ll meet you at home. Call me if you have any problems. I’ve checked, and your trackers are all working. Please be careful, okay? I can’t lose you.”
My heart flutters at the love and anguish in his voice. I know he hates being so far away. We planned for most eventualities, but his not being close by wasn’t one of them.
“I love you, Sugar,” I whisper.
His breath hitches and holds. It’s the first time I’ve told him how I feel, even though I’ve shown it in so many ways. If this goes sideways, I need him to know his love for me isn’t one-sided.
“I love you,” I repeat. “You mean everything to me. I can’t wait for us to get married, have babies, and live our best lives.”
He doesn’t reply, but I know he’s listening because I hear his breath catch again as I share my dreams with him.
“Bee.” His voice is rough with emotion. “Don’t say it like this is goodbye. It’s not. I’ll call the cavalry as soon as we finish this call. You keep yourself safe until I get there.”
I know that whatever Lloyd Eade has planned for me won’t be pleasant. I know I can fight, but I won’t survive a bullet to the head.
“I’m getting out of the car now,” I whisper. “I’ll see you soon.”
Copper shouts my name as I end the call.
I leave my bag. It will only hinder me if I need to fight. All my weapons are strapped to my body.
It’s winter, so darkness has already fallen. It’s kicking-out time for most businesses, so I have the advantage of losing myself in the workers flocking from office buildings. Not that I’d expect any of them to help me if I’m grabbed, but at least there will be witnesses.
Pressing my arm tightly to my side, I release the knives from the arm sheaths and into my hands.
I’ll use my gun if I have to, but I don’t want to risk innocent lives.
I tuck my phone into the inside pocket of my jacket and walk out the gate, giving the guard a cheery smile and a wave.
My hands tighten around my knives as I join the throng of people leaving the estate.
I consider hopping on a bus, but I know it’ll take too long to get home.
I’ll be okay if I can reach Copper’s bike.
Not for the first time, I’m thankful I was raised in a family that treated their girls the same as the boys.
Riding a bike is second nature to me. I have my licence, even though I rarely have the opportunity to ride.
The crowd thins as I walk towards the garage where Copper works. I lower my eyes and covertly keep watch, not wanting whoever is watching me to know I have any sort of training. I need the element of surprise. Still, I quicken my pace to match the beat of my heart.
So far, I haven’t seen anything untoward, but I can’t lower my guard.
The garage appears just ahead. The outside lights are off, but I know they’re on a timer.
Copper’s bike is right where he always parks it.
My stomach roils with nerves, and a thin film of sweat coats my skin as I pause in the shadows of a nearby building and look around.
I can’t see anything, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t watching, waiting to take me out. A sniper is always a possibility.
Fuck, I need to get myself under control.
Deciding it’s now or never, I jog across the road and go straight to Copper’s bike. I feel under the rim for the box that holds the spare key. It’s not there. As suspected, this is a setup.
“Looking for this?” A large, swarthy-skinned man dressed in black walks out of the shadows, holding up the box.
I conceal my knives under my sleeve and discreetly press my ring to alert whoever’s tracking me that I’m in trouble. I know Copper will have already raised the alarm, but...
My heart rate spikes as two more men emerge from the shadows. Their faces are concealed by balaclavas, adding to their menacing personas. I know I need to keep them busy for as long as possible until help arrives, so I focus on the de facto leader with the box.
“That’s the key to my fiancé’s bike. I’d like it, please.”
He chuckles, moving closer. “That’s not going to happen. Mr Eade would like a word with you.”
“Then tell Mr Eade he can make an appointment during work hours, the same as everyone else,” I inform him haughtily. “I don’t get paid to work out of hours.”
The men laugh as if they find me amusing. I know what they’re doing; boxing me in. I can’t let that happen.
Taking them by surprise, I walk into the middle of the car park, putting myself in a better position to take them on with more room to move, and using the cars for cover if needed.
The man holding the box smirks. “Mr Eade follows his own timeline. And he wants to have a word with you. Now we can do this the easy way or the hard way.”
I cock my eyebrow at them. “Is that right?”
They pause, as if realising that they’re not dealing with a defenceless woman.
“Well, I don’t work to Mr Eades' timeline,” I continue. “I have plans tonight, and like I said before, if he wants to speak to me about work-related issues, he can come to the office. Although I have no idea why he wants to speak to me. I don’t work on his accounts.”
Box man shrugs and holds up his hands in a placating manner. “It’s not my place to question what Mr Eade wants with you. I have a job to do, which is to bring you to him. He didn’t stipulate what condition you should be in, just that you should be alive.” He pauses. “So, easy way or hard way?”
Fuck, I’m running out of time. I can’t stall them much longer.
“Hmm, let me think.” I pretend to consider while I subtly adjust my stance, ready to make my move as soon as I see an opening. “I’ll take the hard way.”
I throw my knife as the last word leaves my mouth. Satisfaction flows through me as it finds its target in the eye of one of the masked men. He drops like a stone.
Taking advantage of their stunned surprise, I pluck a knife from my boot and run at the other man.
Launching myself at him, I wrap my legs around his neck, yank his head back, and slice the knife across his throat all in one smooth move.
I drop and roll to my feet just as Box Man finally realises what is happening.
He barks into the radio attached to his shoulder as I sprint for the cars. “I need backup. Now! She’s taken out Fitz and Roe.”
I pull my gun from my holster, a little smug that I’ve taken out two men. Now I just need to stay alive until backup arrives.
Which becomes an almost impossible task when a black van appears, and ten more men stream out. Instincts kicking in, I raise my gun and pick them off one at a time, moving after every shot to prevent them from pinning me down.
I’m holding my own until my luck runs out. I don’t see one of them sneak up behind me. Pain explodes in my head, and everything goes black.