Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
As if coming to the States wasn’t a complicated enough mess, not being able to get access to my money makes it twice as hard. I’m mortified that I can’t do anything for the next forty-eight hours, when I can talk to a real person, in a real bank, on Isla Rosa.
Marshall Lake, owner of Agile Security & Rescue meets us at the airport when we land in Utah. “Welcome, Kate.”
“Thanks for all of your help. For sending your team to extract us.”
The concern on his face makes my stomach tighten.
“Of course. So… after you called, I was about to get Mako to dig into the back end of your checking accounts. Things are a little more serious than it first seems. Both your and Wolf’s accounts are empty.
And your credit cards have been flagged and blocked.
Is there anything that you know of that could lead to this? ”
I chew my lip for a few seconds. “It’s about control.”
But in truth, I’m worried this is tied to so much more.
Wolf glances at me. I raise a brow. “Maybe someone’s trying to force us home. Without money, we can’t stay in the States.”
Marshall, with his fists on his hips, kicks at a rock on the pavement.
“Something is definitely off. Mako’s going to try to dig up where the money got transferred, but he’s got his hands full with tracking your sister, Wolf.
He said it might take him a couple of days to get more information.
In the meantime, I think we need to proceed with caution. ”
Wolf’s voice is hard when he says, “I agree.”
Marshall glances at Nan. She’s having an animated conversation with Sierra as they walk around the outside of the jet. “I could put you and your grandmother up in a hotel, but I have a bad feeling about that.”
“That’s not going to fly,” Wolf says as he crosses his arms. “Someone’s trying to manipulate you.”
“And you,” I say.
“This isn’t targeting me. I can guarantee you that.”
I pace around in a circle as I ponder all of the angles someone could be working against me. “But you are my husband now.”
A surprised sound makes me look at Wolf’s boss. “You didn’t know?”
He scowls. “What is it with people getting married? I swear, every time I turn around, someone’s hitched in some weird circumstance. I know one fucking thing. That’s not going to happen to me.”
Wolf grimaces. “It’s a story for another time. Anyway, we will be getting it annulled. It was to get her out from under her father’s rule.”
His tone stings. As much as I realize this is the reality of the situation, hearing his callus comment hurts far more than it should.
Sounding a bit too pissy, I say, “We’ll be starting the annulment as soon as possible.”
“Wolf, I’m thinking Kate’s grandmother should stay with Simona and Scotch, or with Sierra and Cole. And Kate should stick with you until we figure out what’s really happening. I wouldn’t be as worried if her father’s men hadn’t grabbed her.”
“Whoa, wait a minute, here. I just got free from a man who pretty much made all my decisions. I’m not eager to resign myself to that again.”
“I’m not your father,” Wolf says with a raised brow.
I gape at him, then huff. “I know that.”
“I’m not letting you run off to wherever. That’s a hard stop.”
“Stop? How about you make a hard stop. I can’t think with you being all grumpy. Marshall, if you’ll just arrange for a hotel—”
“She’s staying with me.”
“With you?! I think that’s a bad idea.”
Wolf pulls a set of keys out of his pocket. “Let’s get going. Sierra and Cole will get your Nan settled.”
I moan as my head falls back. “You’re impossible.”
Marshall eyes us both for a second. “You two work this out. I’m not getting in the middle of a lovers’ squabble.”