Chapter 34 #2
Rage, comparable only to when I learned of Ledger’s betrayal, rushes through me. With my heart hammering in my chest and blood roaring in my ears, I manage to spit out, “Guns away, now!”
Only Anchor hesitates and even then, it’s only for a fraction of a second before he holsters his weapon.
“If any of you…” I start, speaking through clenched teeth as my body trembles with rage. “And I mean any of you, point your gun at my woman again, you better shoot me because I will fucking gut you the first chance I get.”
Santi and Rhett have the good grace to look ashamed. Ledger looks like he’s sucking on a lemon. Anchor’s face goes back to a neutral blank canvas. When I’m certain they’ve all heard me, I step aside and look at Blair.
Our eyes meet and she gives me such a warm smile that my knees almost buckle beneath me.
“Thank you, Wes. I’m glad at least one of you has some sense,” she says. Her smile falls away as she glares at everyone else. “Everyone just… eat. Okay? Dad, please share what you know of this Arnon guy.”
Anchor stares hard at his daughter. His jaw ticks. As Blair and I both sit down, I have to wonder if I wouldn’t be just as possessive and protective over my daughter were the roles reversed. While I can hardly blame the man, that doesn’t mean I have to like him.
“Arnon was a sociopath that managed to stay under the radar while in the Marines,” Anchor starts slowly. “We befriended one another during our first tour together. While his sniping skills were lacking, he was a proficient killer overall. He’d wipe out small villages without any hesitation.”
My stomach riots at the low ring of respect ringing in Anchor’s tone. I push my plate away, suddenly not hungry. Blair’s hand lands on my forearm but she keeps her attention trained on her father.
“I believe he stayed on for a few more years after I got out,” Anchor continues.
“I think he only joined so he could see a bit of the world before helping his brother run the family business. Or at least, that was his original plan. Instead of running the business, however, he got into local politics and is currently gearing up to run for Governor of Vermont. With his family’s wealth and connections, he’ll probably get the job… If I don’t kill him first.”
“So, he was never a hitman?” Ledger asks.
Anchor shakes his head once. “No.”
“Why does Arnon have a grudge against you?” Blair asks, curiously.
“Because I killed his first wife.”
“What? Why?” I demand a little too sharply for my Anchor’s liking.
It earns me a glare.
“Because she was using him to gather intel for a foreign organization while he was still in the military. She was a threat. He knew but didn’t care because he loved her.
After I eliminated the threat, I told him that I was the one who took the job but that it was nothing personal.
” To Blair he adds, “She was the last job I took before I came looking for you and your mother.”
Nothing personal? My teeth gnash together as I glare at Anchor. That hit sounds pretty fucking personal to me.
“So, this asshole’s been holding a grudge all these years?” Rhett asks. “He was just waiting for an opportunity to get back at you?”
Anchor nods. “Exactly.”
“Lovely,” Ledger drawls. “Santi, can you find a location for this guy? We can—”
“No need to do all of that,” Dad interrupts. “I can bring him to us.”
I frown. “How?”
“Because I am currently holding his daughter and second wife hostage.”
The table falls deathly silent.
Tension skyrockets around us as we process this information. None of us are what I would consider “good” people but this? My stomach rolls in protest at the thought of bringing a mother and child into this.
Ledger leans forward, planting an elbow on the table and pointing at his friend. “You have his family, Anchor?”
Anchor gives Ledger a look full of disdain. “Do you have a better way of luring Arnon out? He has the financial means to send people after us for years. He’ll come on his own if I threaten his family, though.”
Santi raises his hand, waving it wildly above him. “I just want to put my two cents in here and say, that’s fucked up.”
“Life is ‘fucked up’,” Anchor counters coolly.
I shake my head. “This is too far. There’s got to be another way.”
“There isn’t,” Anchor drawls. “All I have to do is put in a call and he’ll come running.”
Ledger shakes his head, his teeth bared. “Where are they?”
“Safe.”
I bristle at Anchor’s nonchalant shrug.
Santi shakes his head. “There’s always another way. We don’t have to stoop so low. Like, I can threaten his company’s existence by unearthing whatever fucked up thing this bio-chemical company is working on.”
“How do you know if there is any?” Rhett asks.
Santi gives him an exaggerated knowing look.
“It’s partially funded by the government and on the company’s About Page, Mallard is shaking hands with three different billionaires.
Given that there is no such thing as ethical billionaires and with the government’s involvement—it’s practically a given that they’re up to no good.
They just wrap up their projects under the guise of ‘helping the world’. ”
Anchor shoots Santi an approving look.
“If you can unearth anything helpful go for it. I still have his family as collateral.”
I scowl at him. “And what happens to them afterward?”
“They’ll be released.”
I don’t believe that for a fucking second.
I open my mouth to tell him just that but then I catch Ledger shooting a pointed look at Blair. It’s subtle but I know they’re communicating something. So rather than let Anchor catch on that there’s another plan being formed I say, “That’s fucking sick.”
Without missing a beat, Anchor’s eyes narrow and he gives me a cruel smile. “Trust me, this is the least sickest thing I can do.”
Blair, who’s been silent, finally speaks up. “Alright, Dad. We’ll play it your way. How do you see this panning out?”
My stomach drops as I glance over to her.
Her face is bright with interest, her eyes sharp with curiosity.
She’s agreeing with her dad’s plan? I don’t know if surprised is the right word, but disappointment doesn’t quite cut it either.
It’s not like I can blame Blair for thinking this is a good idea—not when the man who raised her probably instilled his morals into her.
Anchor shoots his daughter a look that might resemble pride if you looked hard enough for it.
“We’ll let him find his family but then surround him and take him out before he can escape.”
Blair hums thoughtfully. “Only him, right?”
“Of course, I’m not a monster, Blair Bear.”
“Debatable,” Rhett mutters beside me.
I agree.
“Alright,” Blair nods, surprising all of us. “Sounds like a solid plan. When are you making the call?”
“Tomorrow night.”
She smiles at him. “Perfect.”