Jeremy knew pity when he saw it. Hadn’t he pitied his own victims when he’d been ordered to abduct the women? But he knew his father and Andrew. Knew the power they welded. Their wrath was terrifying. His career was over — neither his father nor Andrew would take chances in having their cover blown.
Jeremy had one last confession. He asked the guard to call Drake.
“Drake? Tell Larry I’m sorry. He can find his daugh — ”
• • •
A gunshot rang through.
By the time Drake and the others reached Jeremy, a bullet had been put between his eyes. The rooftop was otherwise empty, and there was no sign of whoever had killed him.
Clenched with frustration, Drake called Larry. He half-hoped voicemail would pick up. He didn’t want to deal with Larry’s reaction to being so close to finding out what had happened to Lacey.
“Hello, Drake,” Martha answered. “I hope you realize how long it took Larry to relax.”
“I’m sorry, Martha, but this couldn’t wait. Is he around?”
“Right here. Spill it.”
Drake hesitated. “Larry, take it off speaker phone.”
“That’s kind of hard to do at the moment. Martha’s holding the phone hostage. I think she’s afraid you’re going to ruin the moment.”
That was more than Drake wanted to know. “It’s serious. It’s about your … Martha, I’d rather you didn’t hear any of this.”
“Drake, don’t mess with me right now. You know the chain reaction,” Martha said.
Drake knew all right. If Martha wasn’t happy, Larry wasn’t and then neither were his men.
“Finish it,” Larry bit out.
“It’s about Lacey.”
Silence. There was no going back now. Drake continued, “We found the leak. It was Jeremy. I left him on the rooftop, handcuffed, waiting for his father. He admitted he knew where Lacey is being held.”
“What do you mean knew?” White asked.
“There’s another leak. By the time we got up to the rooftop, Jeremy was taken out.”
Drake didn’t like being the bearer of this news. Martha was crying in the background and Larry wasn’t saying a word.
“I’m sorry, Martha. I wish we’d gotten to Jeremy in time.”
“At least she’s still alive. I want my baby home, Larry,” Martha said quietly and began sobbing again.
Drake didn’t know which was worse, finding your daughter dead or abducted into the human trafficking world, hidden.
“I want to be kept informed. Of everything,” Larry said quietly.
“One last thing. They have Selena.”
• • •
Selena woke to dampness seeping into her, causing her bones and muscles to ache with such intensity she wanted to weep, but she couldn’t. She felt as if every ounce of fluid had been sucked dry, her tongue swollen. She couldn’t tell how long she’d been lying here. Her eyes felt gritty and her body was starting to shake. The closed-in feelings weren’t far behind.
She was tied up, her arms and legs bound tightly, already cramping. The only light came from under the crack across the room. A shadow moved and blocked the light before moving away.
If she didn’t get out of here, Drake and Eric were going to die. She should have trusted Drake to help her from the beginning. She should have told him everything.
An explosion went off in the next room. Wood splintered. She rolled as far as she could until she butted against a barrier.
The door creaked.
Knowing her luck, it was probably the black knight instead of her white knight rescuing her. Heavy footsteps clunked against the wood.
“Do you need a hand?”
The godfather, Nick. The man she’d come to dub the black knight.
“Why do I always get the comedians?” Selena asked.
Nick rolled her over, none too gently, and with a quick jerk she was freed. She sat up and rubbed her wrists. A slight movement from the corner of her eye told her he’d used a knife to cut her loose.
“I can always put them back on,” he suggested, dryly.
“You’re definitely funny.” Getting to her feet, she left him behind. But not for long.
“How do you propose to get there?” he asked.
“With your car, of course.”
“You take a lot for granted.” He headed her way.
She sighed. “You think I don’t know that. I took too much for granted and might have lost the best man in my life. Why are you helping me?”
“You remind me of someone,” he started to say, holding the door open.
“That’s a good pickup line.” She waited in the alley for him.
“It’s not a pickup line. It’s true.” Dressed in black, he blended well with the night. “You do remind me of someone. Someone I owe a great deal. It’s a little late, but I think she’d understand.”
“Of course, rescuing a lady in distress wasn’t out of the goodness of your heart,” she murmured.
She didn’t have to have light to see the mocking glint in his eye.
“Keep it up, sweetheart, and you’ll be thumbing your way back. Do you treat Drake like this?”
Selena took a quick take of her surroundings and the bike to her left. Deciding this was his mode of transportation she swung her leg over and patted the seat in front of her. “No. You’re lucky, I’m saving the best for Drake.”
“My sympathies are with him.”
She grinned. “Tell him in the morning. I need to ask a favor.”
“They all say that, but do they know the price tag?”
“Drake will kill you if you even suggest touching this body.”
• • •
When they arrived, they found the Donovan house deserted. Not one gunman skulked around the corner. Even Eric and Mary were gone. Selena grabbed her sister’s diary and shoved it in her bag and quickly changed into all-black clothing. She ran into Andrew’s office. On his desk was a note. She read it and stuffed it in her pocket.
She jumped into the back of the waiting limo. “They’re at the warehouse.”
“Is that why you took so long? I could’ve told you that.” Her black knight signaled to his driver.
They rode in silence, each deep in their own thoughts.
Selena pointed to the phone. “Do you mind?”
He consented with a nod. “Would it matter if I did?”
She punched in the number, praying it was still the same number, knowing without a doubt her black knight would keep it in his little black book. She held the speaker button until a voice echoed in the back.
“Selena?”
“I love you.”
The black knight took the phone. “Drake, she’s fine. I’ll take good care of her. Yes, I know you’ll kick my ass, or anyone else’s, if she’s touched or harmed in any way. She’s a little too wild for my taste. She’s very headstrong. You have my condolences. By the way, she’s determined to go to the warehouse. Yes? Are you sure? Because I will deliver the message in the manner in which my mood takes me.” The black knight hung up and gestured they had arrived at their destination.
“Honey, close your eyes.”
She eyed him suspiciously.
“Just do it.” She did against her better judgment. “Drake said to tell you this … You better not die because this is a prelude to forever …” The black knight pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply.
After he let her go, she saw the anguish written all over him. “Who was she?”
He caressed her swollen lips and didn’t answer. “I will come to you later. Don’t worry,” he said, grinning at the suspicion written all over her before she stepped out of the limo. “Drake would hunt me down.”
Selena winked as she pulled the gun from her boot. She ran low and fast, fading into the shadows. She looked over her shoulder. Her black knight had gone.
She’d been alone far too long, worrying who could be trusted and who couldn’t in the games of good versus evil. The two men she knew she could count on were her husband and her nephew. Her sister had written everything in her diary. Everything except naming Eric’s father. Somehow, she didn’t think it was Andrew.
She crouched behind crates.
Andrew had called all the families together, stating it was time to make peace. He had insisted the power was in sharing territories and allegiance, banding together for a higher power. It would be interesting to see who believed Andrew.
The sound of machinery cut through the silent night.
This wasn’t right. No one was allowed outside. No backup. No guns. Rules, even silent ones, were to be obeyed as a gesture of courtesy. This was definitely a sign of trouble.
Two cranes, with huge wrecking balls attached, rolled by. They split up. One parked at the end and the other around the corner, out of sight. She glanced at the crane nearest her. A construction hat hid the driver’s eyes as he lit a cigarette, one foot propped on the steering wheel. He hunkered down with the hat over his face as if to give the impression he was taking a break.
She scanned the area.
Crates were situated around the docks. A bulldozer sat in the middle of the lot. She could barely make out the yellow hat in the cab. Thick black wires wove among the boxes and machinery. She spotted the men crouched in the darkened corners of the dock.
Something flew past her.
She flattened against the warehouse and looked up when she realized it was a lit cigarette. They knew she was here. Not only was Andrew setting up his competition, but her as well. He needed his pawns in place before checkmate.
She only needed two pawns. Surprise and Drake.
• • •
Drake was tired of the games. He wanted his wife in his arms and out of Andrew’s way.
“You’re not focused.”
“Getting my wife out safely and killing Andrew is not being focused? I’d say I’m pretty damn focused. Wait. Kill.”
Barry got in his face. “You’ve lost the main picture. All the families are here for a reason. The docks are wired with explosives. Someone has maneuvered machinery and crates at all the exits but one. Why the old man wants this so bad, I don’t know. There’s a hidden agenda somewhere.” Barry hauled Drake against the metal. “If you get your head out of your ass, maybe you can save your wife and the mission.” Barry let go. “I’m your partner and friend, not some pansy you can push around because you’re hurting and pissed off. You’ve reached the quota on that one.”
Drake chuckled.
“Now he’s laughing at me,” Barry groaned. “I get no respect around here.”
“I’m not laughing at you. I’m just surprised it took you this long to give it back.”
“Playing nursemaid is not my style.”
Barry wasn’t nursemaid poster material. Nursemaids didn’t carry knives or machine guns. They definitely weren’t angelic. He hadn’t seen Barry nurture anyone except his guns. Even the women he took out weren’t exposed to a softer Barry. They were treated with kindness and respect, but Barry wasn’t the bleeding heart with anyone.
Barry growled. “Quit smilin’. I’m taking a vacation when this is all over.”
“That’s what I said right before I met Selena and fell in love.” Drake held up his hand. “They’re coming out. That includes Selena, Andrew’s son, and the old man.”
Barry grabbed the binoculars offered and handed them to Drake.
Twenty-foot high barbed wire fencing enclosed the warehouse district. The general public viewed it as keeping intruders out of the warehouses. Though the warehouses seemed empty most of the time, rumor had it one of the opposing families had sent someone to scout around. By the time the man had reached the other side, his hands had been shredded, and as he’d dropped to the ground, his body convulsed. He’d tried climbing back over the fence when five dogs pulled him to the ground. The next morning his body had been found under a bridge. The autopsy found poison in his blood stream. Apparently, the barbed wire had been coated with a fast-acting poison.
Drake saw Selena being led out of the warehouse by Andrew’s men, depositing her next to Andrew. Selena reached for Eric, but Eric was handed to the housekeeper. Old man Donovan was silent and rigid, the rage barely below surface. Andrew was smiling and laughing with everyone, playing the perfect host, shaking hands, patting their backs.
Andrew stopped and looked towards their way and drew Selena close.
“Easy. You can rip him to shreds soon enough,” Barry said, holding Drake back when Andrew gave a mocking salute as if to say he knew Drake was nearby.
“There’s no way the kid had time to alert Andrew we’re on to him.” Drake’s hands tightened around the binoculars. “There’s another leak.”
• • •
“You’re hurting me,” Selena said through clenched teeth.
Andrew dug his fingers into her arm. “Smile and look pretty. Hopefully, you have more brains than your sister. You could’ve had it all.”
“No. Wasn’t my sister’s heart enough?” she asked, discontinuing the charade. “She loved you so much she forgot she had a family.”
“Love isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.” He gave a salute over the crowd. “Enough. It’s time to get down to why we’re here.”
“Melding the families together for unity?”
He whispered, “Honey, when has a Donovan ever shared power? I’m feeling generous. Since you still hold a place in my heart for saving my son, you’re free to leave.”
He shook his head as she reached for Eric again. “He stays with me.”
She wasn’t into begging, but her nephew’s life was different. “Isn’t there anything that can change your mind?”
“No. I had to learn at a young age what was expected of a Donovan. He will, too.”
She couldn’t leave him in the midst of all this.
Andrew made a motion.
Selena felt the hard metal against her back. She looked back at Pitter Patter Man. He was enjoying this too much. Pitter Patter jabbed her hard and jerked his head to the rear of the building.
He shoved her. “Go. Or I’ll shoot against the boss’ orders.”
She walked.
At the gate, the metal door slid open and a limo pulled up in front of her. The back door opened. A hand waved her in. She wasn’t sure whose side it was on and wasn’t about to find out.
A familiar voice beckoned her in. “Drake promised he’d kick my ass if anything happened to you.”
Selena leaned in. “You seem to be my shadow these days. What gives?”
“Just get in. You’re not safe.”
“Stop,” a voice called out.
Selena turned.
Mary came out from behind the stacked crates. She held a large, soft woven basket by the handles. Mary approached the limo, her face shielded by a black shawl draped over her. “You forgot this.” She held it out.
Selena stared at the basket.
A noise came from within.
She met Mary’s eyes with understanding. “It does look familiar. May I look at it?”
Mary lifted the basket towards her, then drew it back close to her chest, holding tight. She pulled the handles apart. As if checking out the contents and seeing all was intact, a wistful smile appeared on her face. When she looked at Selena, there were tears in her eyes. She held it out to Selena.
Selena’s hand grazed Mary’s trembling one. Whatever connection Eric and Mary held, she would make sure it never ended and relayed this to Mary as only one woman could to another.
Mary nodded, letting Selena take it from her, and walked away.
Selena had to ask, “Why?”
Mary signed, “The time has come for me to take care of personal business. I made a promise to someone a long time ago.”
Once inside the limo, Selena lifted the blanketed bundle from within the basket. She pushed the ends aside and gazed upon her sleeping nephew with love. “Everyone is bent on fulfilling promises lately.”
“What about you?”
“No.”
“Didn’t you make silent promises to the man you love?”
“I failed Theresa by not being there when she needed me most. I allowed my job to interfere with family needs.”
“Just like your marriage.”
“That’s not fair,” she said.
“Do you think you’re being fair? I should’ve taken the woman I loved far away, but I let my job interfere. I didn’t trust her love enough to see us through it all. Now she’s gone.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s not me you have to tell.” To his driver, “You know where.”
Eric began crying.
Selena patted his cheek, soothingly. “It’s okay, little one. Auntie Selena will have you home soon.”
Eric cried louder. She searched the bag for extra diapers.
“Give him to me while you do that,” he said.
She handed him over and checked the bag.
“Stop the car!” The car pulled over. “Get out now,” he ordered her.
“I’m not leaving Eric again.” She glared at him, refusing to budge.
“If you don’t get out, you’re going to die.”
She tried to take Eric from his arms, but he pulled Eric away. “I thought you were on our side.”
“I’m on no one’s side. Haven’t you figured that out yet? I’m not trying to keep you from Eric. Andrew wired Eric.”
Eric screamed at the top of his lungs.
“Do you think Mary knew?”
He shrugged. When Selena leapt out of the limo, he followed with Eric. He laid Eric on the edge of the seat and undid the tabs of his disposable diaper. Selena watched in horror as the man she’d dubbed black knight studied the explosive device secured on Eric’s body.
She reached to undo it.
“Don’t touch it. We don’t know if that will set it off. Now run!”
“I’m not going to let him die alone.”
Someone grabbed her arm and yanked her out of the car. In desperation, she struggled to get back to Eric. The driver was stronger and determined to follow his boss’ orders. He dragged her away.
Eric screamed louder.
Selena refused to watch from safety while her nephew was about to be blown to pieces. She rounded on the driver and punched his Adam’s apple. The driver held tight even as he gasped for breath. She kicked him in the groin. The second he let go she raced for the car door, wrenching it from the Black Knight’s hands as he was closed it. She checked to make sure the keys were still in the ignition and locked the doors.
“I’m not leaving. Wherever he goes, I go. Even if it means death.”
• • •
Drake watched Selena being led from front stage. Andrew wasn’t the generous type. In fact, he wouldn’t put it past Andrew to waste her in one of his experiments. “Have we heard anything from our informant?”
“No,” Cam said.
Drake’s main objective was to complete his mission and save his wife. The best chance of succeeding was using Cam, their best long-range shooter. He could take a walnut out of a squirrel’s paws without touching a hair on it.
“Can you take out Andrew?” he asked.
“I can take them both out.” He meant Selena, too.
“I didn’t ask that,” Drake said. He fought the rising anger, knowing they would question his loyalty otherwise. Barry was the only member of his team who knew everything. Drake didn’t trust anyone when it came to Selena.
“Yes.”
“Take him out. Now,” Drake ordered.
Cam aimed, his finger squeezed gently on the trigger. He repositioned the butt against his shoulder and looked through the scope again before releasing the trigger. “It’s too late.”
Drake checked it out for himself.
“Don’t trust me after all these years? Should I have myself reassigned to another team?”
“Whatever you need to do — Do it.” Drake felt his phone vibrate and answered it. After he hung up, he announced, “The place is rigged to blow.”
Barry came up beside him. “Our informant?”
Drake nodded, taking the binoculars and scoping out the area for Selena. She was nowhere around. “Where did Selena go?”
“The back. On top of the bombings, someone’s finally made their move on Andrew’s son. They went over the edge and wired Andrew’s son with a new type of explosive,” Barry passed on the info as he received it.
“Which direction did they take his son?” His gut crawled with fear.
“To the back. Hey, where are you going?” Barry asked.
There were two things Drake knew in life — he wasn’t losing to Selena to Andrew and he was going to hide her away before he turned completely grey.
He hadn’t gotten more than halfway around the warehouse when the explosion went off.
• • •
At the sound of the explosion, the families sprang into action, shouting orders. Andrew’s men pointed automatic weapons at them, refusing to allow them to leave.
The consigliore shouted at Andrew, “What is this? You want it to end in this way?”
“You do not care you have dishonored the family?” another asked.
“As a matter of fact, I do,” Andrew said. “Wouldn’t you?” He was his own family. The men under him were just out for whatever they could get, and in his book, that wasn’t family. He didn’t give a damn about honor or family. There wasn’t honor in this family. He definitely didn’t give a damn about the code among the families.
Andrew wanted revenge.
One consigliore from the west end spoke softly, “Gentlemen,” he included the other consigliores as he addressed Andrew. “I was not sure what to expect from our newest family member. So … I brought a gift he could not refuse.”
• • •
“Are you sure you want it this way?”
Selena listened to Eric’s jabbering on the baby monitor. It would be awhile before he fell asleep. He needed stability considering what he had experienced.
“I don’t have any other alternative,” she said.
There was a pause which would surely be followed by a lecture or caustic commentary knowing him.
“Everyone has other avenues they can take. Call him,” Nick said.
Nick was beginning to be a pain. And right.
“You know I’m right, Selena.”
“But that doesn’t make it any easier.”
“If you don’t — ”
She had a right to her privacy and she could take care of Eric and herself just fine. “What are you going to do? Kick us out of the cabin?”
Nick sighed. “No. I have my reasons for taking you there. It’s yours for as long as you’d like. Just remember this … I will collect what you owe. The place has been stocked and the delivery guy won’t be back for a month.” He sighed again. “Keep low, will you? It’s not over yet.”
“I will.” She thought she heard him mutter, You will, my ass.
She laughed. “Eric’s life is important to me and I won’t put him in jeopardy.”
“If Drake finds you, I can’t help you.”
No one could. Drake had to have been told she had died when the car blew up. He would stop looking for her. “It’s over. As far as anyone thinks, Eric and I are cremated. Life goes on and so will we,” she said.
Eric’s babbling had stopped. She walked to his room and peeked in. Sleeping. “Somehow a thank you is not enough for what you’ve done.”
“All you need to do is stay out of trouble.” Softly, the black knight added, “Take care of Eric.”