Chapter 21
Delilah rubbed her hands together in nervous anticipation. The wait had been agony, but Trevors insisted they move slow, and he was right. With so much at stake, they couldn’t get this wrong.
When Marc entered the lobby of the hotel, he spotted Delilah immediately and sauntered over. He’d been suspicious of her at the beginning, but now, because she’d taken her time, he believed he’d reeled her in like he had Luca.
At the thought of Luca, she frowned. Her cousin had no idea what she was up to. She’d wanted to tell him but couldn’t risk it.
She was sure he’d feel betrayed. One more to add to the list. She wondered if André had any remorse for betraying her and ruining her life when he caused her company to fail. She couldn’t blame him if he didn’t. The empty pit of regret that she felt toward both Samson and Luca had almost been enough for her to change her mind about going after Marc. Part of her wanted to forget everything. But this was the only way she could make things right. This was the only way to make sure Marc couldn’t hurt anyone else and hopefully give them Demir as well.
“Well, hello there,” he said when he reached her. His eyes travelled the length of her body before settling on her face.
“Thanks for coming,” she said with a tight smile.
“Anything to help.”
“You haven’t spoken to Luca about this?”
“You afraid I don’t keep my promises?”
“Your criminal behavior doesn’t lend itself to keeping your word.”
“Then I guess we’re both risking something in trusting each other. You’re jumping into the deep end too, you know.”
“I know.”
“I haven’t said a word to Luca because I understand your embarrassment. You did give him a pretty hard time for working with me, and now look where we are.”
“Yeah.”
“But you don’t want to be a waitress the rest of your life.”
“No. And when I did things the right way, I lost my business.”
“Now you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.” He slowly stepped closer. “I know what it must have cost you to come to me. We don’t have the best track record, you and I.”
“You weren’t my first choice.”
He smirked. “You know, there is such a thing as being too honest. But I like it.”
“You’re only saying that because I chose you in the end.”
“Yes, you did. I guess it’s true what they say.”
“What’s that?”
“Better the devil you know.”
Delilah nodded. “So what now?”
“I’m impressed with what you’ve done for me so far, but you need to understand that moving larger quantities of product requires more finesse.”
“You don’t think I can do it?”
“I didn’t say that. I think you have more than enough. But I want to make sure you know what you’re in for because my other business ventures will be taking up a lot of my time. I won’t be able to hold your hand…at least not in the idiomatic sense of the word.”
“Idiomatic?”
“Yeah, well, I won’t rule out holding your hand in the literal sense.”
“You don’t strike me as the hand-holding type.”
“You’d be surprised. I’ve got a soft spot. Especially when it comes to you.”
“That’s a conversation for another time.”
“You promise?”
“We’re here for business, not pleasure. Do you have the stuff?”
“Not here. I’ll take you over to the warehouse and give you the tour. I can give it to you there.”
Her earwig chirped to life. “Don’t leave the hotel with him,” Trevors said. “If he didn’t bring the product, then we’ll abort the mission and try again later.”
Delilah licked her lips. “I thought you’d brought it with you.”
Marc grinned. “You afraid to go for a little ride with me? It’s not far.”
The last thing she wanted was to be anywhere alone with him, but they were so close now. And they didn’t know where the warehouse was. This could be a bigger haul than they’d anticipated.
“How far is it from here?”
“Delilah,” Trevor’s voice crackled in her ear. “Don’t do it.”
“Not more than fifteen minutes,” Marc said, turning to lead her out the door.
“You’ve got everything for me there?” She followed.
“Everything and more.”
“Okay, but I can’t stay long. I’m supposed to meet up with Luca, and I don’t want him asking any questions if I’m late.”
“You can’t lie?”
“The less lying I do, the better I’ll be able to maintain my cover.”
“You do realize you’ll be making enough soon that you won’t have to keep waitressing. A little longer and you’ll be free and clear. I’ll make sure of that.”
“I know. And I appreciate everything you’re doing for me. But I have to let Luca down easy. He’s not going to be happy when he finds out.”
“That’s his problem.”
“His problems are my problems.”
“That’s always been your issue.” He sighed dramatically. “Fine. I’ll make sure you get back to him in time.”
Delilah scanned the area as they walked out together. She spotted the two agents near the door looking inconspicuous.
Trevors didn’t say another word once she’d left the hotel. Whether it was because he was scrambling to get his team ready to follow her or he’d given up trying to control the operation, she had no idea. Probably both.
As they got into Marc’s car, she wasn’t afraid until they’d pulled away. Then her heart started to pound. She almost turned to look out the back window but caught herself in time.
“We’re right behind you.” Trevors’ voice settled her. “If there’s an opening to finish this, take it. But be careful.”
“You never told me what other projects you have going on,” she said to Marc. “You think it’s anything I’d be interested in?”
“No. Not this. It’s not for you, I’m afraid.”
“How can I know for sure unless you tell me what it is?”
“You’ll have to trust me on that, sweetheart.”
After a few minutes of silence, she said, “How much farther?”
“My, aren’t we eager?”
“You said fifteen minutes. It’s been fifteen minutes.”
“It’s just up here. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask when you have your next evening free.”
Her skin prickled. “Why?”
“We’ve been getting along pretty well these last couple of weeks.”
“I told you, today is all about business.”
“That’s why I want to know when you’re free.”
“You’re not still offended by that scar I gave you?”
“You’ve warmed up to me a lot since then.”
“Have I?”
“Oh, come on. Don’t start playing hard to get all of the sudden. You say I wasn’t your first choice, but I know begging when I hear it. You act all damsel in distress wanting me to come to your rescue, and now you’re going to pretend there’s nothing there?”
She had to be careful. If she pushed away too hard, there was no telling how he’d react.
“I’m not trying to pretend there’s nothing there. I’m just not ready for anything. A lot has happened this past year, and we barely know each other.”
“Does that mean you’d be interested in getting know me better?”
She smiled warmly enough to give him hope. “Maybe.”
“Maybe?” He put a hand on her leg and squeezed lightly. “Okay. I can work with that. But don’t expect me to wait around forever.”
He stopped the car outside a large, fenced area. “You mind doing the honors?” He took a key out of the glove box. “Unlock the padlock, then close it again behind us?”
“Sure.”
After Marc drove through, she pulled the gate shut and set the lock so it looked closed, then she jogged to the car that was now parked next to a shipping container.
“What’s in there?” she asked as Marc shut his car door.
“Nothing for you to worry about. What we’re here for is inside the building.”
He led her in to a low warehouse with pale yellow sheet metal for walls.
Besides an area next to the door that was set up for administration purposes—whatever they might be—the rest of the space was filled with boxes and containers of various sizes.
“We just got our shipment in,” he said as he walked to a pallet filled with large cans of instant coffee.
“I’m dealing caffeine? Is that my training wheels?”
“Cute,” he said, then used a box cutter to slice open the plastic that was wrapped around it. “You’ll have to participate in retrieving the fentanyl, I’m afraid.” He levered off the lid from one of the cans, then spilled the coffee grounds onto the floor before pulling out the bag of pills hidden inside.
“You’re going to make me do the dirty work?” Delilah said, taking the bag.
“It comes with the territory. Don’t worry. I won’t leave you on your own.”
“I thought you were busy with your other projects.”
“I can always make time for you.” He stepped up to her and put his hands on her arms, tipping his head down like he was thinking of kissing her.
She nearly jumped when her earwig sparked to life again. “We’re in position. Tell us when and get yourself out of the way.”
She shrugged away from his touch. “I already told you, I’m not ready for that yet.”
“You’re wasting a perfectly good moment.”
“I’m sorry to disappoint you.” She lifted another coffee can. “Does the coffee put the sniffer dogs off?”
“No, that’s a myth. Hiding them in the cans is just for hiding.”
She looked around the room. “What else have you got in here?”
“Above your pay grade.”
She’d agreed to do this job for Trevors because she wanted Marc behind bars, but she hadn’t forgotten what he’d said about believing Samson might still be alive. “You still working with that guy…what was his name?”
“I work with a lot of guys.”
“You know who I mean.”
“You mean the one who killed your boyfriend?”
“Samson wasn’t my boyfriend.”
“You got over him pretty quick, so I’m inclined to believe you. Or maybe you’re stone cold.”
“A bit of both, probably.”
“I like that in a woman.”
“So he’s really dead?”
“Did you think Demir was lying?”
“He could have said it to get my cooperation.”
“Does it matter?”
She shrugged. “I guess I’m just curious if he’s got him stashed away somewhere.”
“For what?”
“I don’t know, to torture him or something?”
“Or maybe you need closure?”
“Never mind. Forget I asked. So does Demir pay well?”
“You want to work for him?”
“If the price is right, why not?”
“No way. Put it out of your mind.”
“Why?
“You couldn’t hack it.”
“Why not?”
“You ever kill anyone?”
“I’ve wanted to.”
“It’s not the same. Trust me. You may be cold in some ways, but you have to have no conscience if you’re going to work with a guy like Demir.”
“Like you?”
He snorted. “Yeah.”
“Then you’re probably right. Do you keep his stuff here too?”
“You sure ask a lot of questions.”
“I’m curious. This is new to me.”
“He has his own place for his stuff.”
“Makes sense. If I were him, I wouldn’t trust anyone else to have it. Is there a bathroom in here?”
“Yeah, back of the room to the left.”
“Thanks. I’ll be right back.”
She hurried toward the door he’d pointed to and whispered, “I’m clear. He’s all yours.”
“Hang on,” Marc hollered as he jogged toward her.
She kept walking. “I’ll be a second.”
“No, you won’t.”
She slowed but was too afraid to stop.
“You’ll need this,” he said, and she turned.
He was holding a key out to her.
“You keep the bathroom locked?”
“It does that on its own. I haven’t gotten around to changing it.”
“Thanks.”
She took the key as the door burst in.
“Federal agents. Put your hands up,” they shouted.
Delilah moved to run, but Marc was too fast. He grabbed her shirt and dragged her back, holding her securely in front of him with a gun to her head.
“I’ll kill her!” he shouted. “Back off.”
“You don’t want to do this,” one of the men said as they halted their progression. “We have the place surrounded. There’s no way out.”
“There’s always a way,” Marc said. “ I could always see you all in hell.”
“Please,” Delilah whimpered.
Marc tightened his arm around her neck. “Was this you?” Spit flew from his clenched teeth. “You set me up?”
“You deserved it.”
He yanked her back, and she lost her footing, causing his arm to tighten further and cut off her airway. The room darkened at the edges of her vision.
“I can’t breathe,” she choked out.
“If you kill her,” someone said. “You won’t get out of this as easy as you think.” It was a familiar voice. Trevors. “Cooperate with us, and we can see about looking after you. You don’t have to go to prison for life. Or worse.”
“You won’t get anything from me,” Marc said.
“Yes, we will, because you’ll have no choice. It’s over, Marc. Demir has been captured. The embassy has been stormed. It’s finished.”
“You’re lying.”
“Either you come with us peacefully and give us ammunition against Demir, or he’ll put all the blame on you. He already is.”
“He wouldn’t do that.”
Marc’s movements became jerky, and his arms shifted so Delilah could breathe again.
His focus was completely on Trevors now, unaware that his grip on her wasn’t as secure as it had been.
“He’s already told us it was all your idea,” Trevors continued.
“You’re lying!”
Delilah jerked her elbow backward into Marc’s ribs, then let her weight drag her to the floor.
Shots were fired, and she covered her head as she scrambled away, not daring to look behind her.
She watched as several agents rushed past her. Trevors wasn’t far behind, but he went straight for Delilah, helping her to her feet.
“You were bluffing, weren’t you,” she said, keeping her eyes on the floor.
“When?”
“About having Demir in custody.”
“Yeah. You did good, by the way. Getting yourself free.”
“I’m glad it worked.… Is he dead?”
“I don’t know yet. I hope not. We need to take him alive.”
She nodded.
“Were you hoping he wouldn’t make it?” Trevors said, leading her toward the door.
“I don’t know. Part of me wants him dead, but I feel like that’s wrong.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know. That’s a huge weight to carry, hoping someone dies.”
“Let’s get you out of here.”
Delilah insisted on waiting in one of the patrol cars until Trevors was able to give her more information on Marc’s health.
She didn’t have to wait long until the paramedics came out, pushing the crash cart with Trevors close behind.
When they reached the ambulance, he had a quick word with one of the paramedics, then joined Delilah.
“Will he make it?” she said.
“Yeah.”
“He said Samson was dead.”
“I was listening. That’s not what he said. He didn’t give you an answer.”
“Do you really think there is still a chance?”
“I don’t know. I’d like to think so.”
“So would I.”
“Do you pray?”
“I hadn’t for a long time, but recently I’ve taken it up again.”
“Then don’t stop. You never know. Samson’s come through impossible situations. Why not one more? He’s always been invincible. Maybe he still is.”
“I want to believe it, but it’s hard.”
“I know. And it’s important we’re realistic. I wouldn’t put it past Demir to keep him alive or have him killed. But a lot of time has passed.”
“Do you think Marc will give you Demir?”
“We don’t even know if Marc knows enough to give us what we need.”
“But you’ll tell me?”
“I tell you what I can.”
“I wish you had a better answer for me than that.”
“Why don’t I drive you home?”
“I just want it all to be over.”
“I know you do. So do I.”
She hadn’t given Trevors any information about Luca, but she wouldn’t put it past Marc to drag him into this. Especially after the part she’d played. That left her with nothing but a black hole of guilt and regrets.