I refrain from saying I told you so, there was always something about that girl that set me on edge. “Have you spoken to Martin?”
A dark look comes into his eyes. “No, I haven’t.” He takes a step closer to me and takes a seat. “I know you spoke to him and I don’t know what he said to you for you to look elsewhere. But, I’m not convinced, he is either part of this, or he knows something about it.”
I roll my eyes, not this shit again. “I know you don’t trust him, but you should trust me.”
“I do trust you,” he says instantly. “I just think you’re blindsided with Mia gone.”
“Blindsided?” I growl. “Of course I’m fucking blindsided. Someone took her, Jag, someone close to me took her.” Do I believe Martin? That’s a question for another day. I still don’t trust him, nor do I trust Barney but they’ve both given me enough to give them a reprieve. “Leave Martin to me. Right now, I need to find her, every day she’s gone, the more chance there is that I’m never going to see her alive.”
"I know, Boss, we're going to find her. So what's the next plan of action?"
I already have it set in motion. I’m not telling anyone my plan right now. I have enlisted the help of someone indebted to me, someone outside of my organisation. I've set up a trap, I'm going to draw out the rat. I don't know how long it's going to take, but it is going to happen. I'm just curious how many rats are going to scurry out of the woodwork.
"Right now, we're going to have a long discussion with Carina's father." The widening of Jagger's eyes has me worried about this. I never thought the day would come where I’d question Jagger's loyalty. I'm not sure if push came to shove he'd do what I need him to do in regards to Carina's family. They are a liability, I understand that she is their daughter, but at the same time, Hugo works for me. His loyalty is with me, allowing his daughter the access to drugs, show me that that loyalty is no longer there.
"May I ask why, Boss? What has her father done?"
I nod, he may ask. "Carina wasn't just using cocaine, she seemed to get her hands on whatever she could find," I inform him. I keep my eyes on him, wanting to see how much he knows. If he knew how bad she was, there will be hell to pay.
"I know that Boss, I know that she was an opportunist, anything and everything she could get a hold of, she’d take. Hell most of the time I’m not sure if she even knew what she was snorting or injecting. Soon as I found that out I let her go. She didn't like my ultimatum, she wasn't going to stop." He doesn't sound as hurt as he once was when it came to her.
"But what I’ve found out is that she is addicted to OxyContin." His eyes widen, yeah that's news to him. "You see Jag, I think I finally realized what she and Juan were doing together. Carina has been dealing, and I believe that she and Juan had plans to try and takeover my business.” I find it funny seeing a drug dealer also be a user. Usually a dealer steers well clear of their merchandise. It’s why my men steer clear, we’ve seen first-hand what our product does to people.
"She wouldn't be that stupid."
I chuckle. "She's not exactly the brightest spark. You know what users are like, Jag. Anything they can do to get money they'll do it. I don't care who they hurt in the process. They'd kill their grandmother if they needed."
"What's this got to do with Hugo?" He still hasn't realized what's been going on.
"Where do you think she was getting the Oxy from?" I figured out that her father Hugo is her supplier for the Oxy, and if I’m right, he’s also been supplying it to Juan for distribution.
He shakes his head. "What a moron."
That sums it up. “Let's go and see what Hugo has to say for himself." I get to my feet and do the button on my suit jacket up and exit my office. "Do you know where Dad and Tina stayed last night?"
"Boss, they stayed at Tina's old house."
I grit my teeth, the house that Mia was taken from. "Who the hell let them in there?" My men were supposed to be guarding it. No one in or out. So, who didn't listen to the orders I gave them?
Walking out of my office he gives me a sideways glance. "Lance did, Boss, he was your father's solider for years."
"Call Dylan, have him bring Lance to the warehouse."
I don't miss the sharp intake of breath nor the way he misses a step. I don't give a shit, I thought I got rid of this bullshit a long time ago. If you're not with me you're against me.
"On it, Boss," he tells me and begins to call Dylan,
Stepping out of the house, I call Barney. "Boss?"
"Barney, I have two meetings today. I should be back by six. Have my dad and Tina over at my house by then. Call Delores and get her to have dinner ready for the six of us, I need to have a conversation with the happy couple."
"Yes, Boss, may I ask why six?"
"You, Martin, and Jagger will be joining us." As they're my closest men, I want them near, besides with my plan set in motion, I'm not sure who the rat is and who will be outed so I'm keeping my friends close and if it turns out they're my enemies, well they'll be close too.
"I'll be there, Boss, and also make sure that your father and Tina are there too. Is there any news?" It's the same question he asked every day, if I had anything he’d be one of the first to know. If I knew where Mia was I'd be there in a heartbeat with my men at my back.
"No news to report. I'll call you if I find anything." It's the same reply as always. I'm ramping up the interrogation on my men now too. I've found a new way of getting all the info I need. It's been working well so far. It's how I found out about Carina and the shit her dad was up to.
"Okay, Boss. Call me if you need me," he says and I end the call and get into the driver’s side of the car just as Jagger gets into the passenger's side. "Dinner at mine tonight at six." I inform him and start the engine.
"Sounds good, I'm tired of junk food." He clips in his seat belt, the heat of his stare is strong, glancing at him, and I wait for him to spit it out. "Is it a test?" he asks, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Is what a test?"
"Having Dylan bring his dad to the warehouse. Don't you think he knows what that means?" He sounds incredulous, he really needs to realize that I'll do whatever it takes to have loyalty proven to me.
"I'm not going to do anything expect talk to the man. You need to relax a little."
"Hudson, they'll both believe you're going to do something to him. They could flee."
"Do you not think that I've thought of that already?" He must think I'm the moron. That I'm some fresh faced boss that doesn't know how things work. He's been with me since the beginning and now he's doubting me. "Want to tell me why you're questioning me? That's twice today, Jag." My tone has taken a dark edge. If it were anyone else who questioned me like Jagger has, they wouldn't have gotten a second chance to do it.
"Boss, I didn't mean to question you. I just..."
"You just what?" I growl, pissed, he's not only my man, he's my friend. He should know not to question me.
"Finding Mia is the most important thing for you right now. Everything else isn't even in your mind."
I clench my jaw as I try not to snap, I understand what he's saying, I don't agree with it. "Yes, getting Mia is the most important thing to me but that doesn't mean that I'm not here, that I'm not present and taking names of those who are fucking up. I'm seeing clearly, Jag and I've my eyes wide open. So I know what's going on, I know what's going to happen, what Dylan and Lance are thinking but at the same time, I don't give a shit."
"Okay." Is all that he replies. Seems as though he's learned to shut the hell up.
I stop the engine once I pull up outside Hugo's mansion. "Are you going to be okay in there, Jag?"
He gives me a sharp nod. "I'll be fine, Boss. Let’s get this over and done with."
As soon as we get out of the car, the front door to the house opens. "Jagger?" The surprised soft voice of Mrs Mawson rings out.
"Yeah Mrs Mawson, it's me, Jagger. Is Hugo home?"
"Yes, Hugo is here, come in. Can I get you a drink
?" She asks as we reach the front door, she holds it open for us to walk in.
"No thank you, Mrs Mawson, although I appreciate the offer." I reply wondering where the hell Carina came from, this woman seems sweet as fucking pie. She obviously knows who I am, who invites a man like me into their house for a drink?
Walking into this house it reminds me so much of my father's and Tina's, marble flooring grand staircase. This house screams money, as I step into the hall all I see are silver trinkets placed around the hall, one that catches my eye is the silver elephant. I understand why they're here, they're structured in such a way that you cannot miss them when you walk in. Having silver and gold things scattered around your house shows your wealth. It also shows me that Hugo is a liar, when he started working for me he was in debt. How's he managed to keep this house and all the things in it? Not to mention Mrs Mawson is wearing the same $4,000 Versace dress that I bought my mom for her birthday.
"Hugo darling, Jagger is here to see you," she calls out, her voice soft but you can hear the strain in it.
Heavy footsteps sound letting us know that Hugo is on his way. And his eyes widen as he takes in both Jagger and I. Yeah it's not a good thing having both of us here at the same time.
"A word, Hugo." I smile as I watch him swallow, his Adams apple bobbing up and down as he does so, the man is scared. Good. "Let's have your wife in on this conversation too." There's no way that she doesn't know what's been happening and if she doesn't, then she deserves to know the truth.
Jagger shifts slightly, the fucker really needs to work on his tells. I know he's not happy with me being here but he has to understand that he works for me and what I say goes. They may be the nicest people in the world but if they're stealing from me then they die.
"Of course, Mr Brady, follow me into the sitting room. Are you sure that I can't get you a drink?" Mrs Mawson asks, her hands shaking as she walks over to her husband.
"No thank you, Mrs Mawson, I do appreciate your hospitality though and I can assure you that we won't take up much of your time, I just have a few questions that need answering and then Jagger and I can be on our way," I tell her following behind them into the sitting room.
"Of course, is everything okay, Mr Brady? What has Carina done this time?" The sadness in her voice is clear to hear when she talks about her daughter.
"Yes, your daughter is partly the reason I'm here." I stay standing as the others take a seat. "Mrs Mawson, how much do you know about your daughter's addiction?"
She frowns. "To be honest, not much. Carina and I have a strained relationship, we have now for the past few years. She won't allow me to visit her."
I nod and glance at Hugo as I inform her of the depths of her daughters addiction. "Your daughter is addicted to OxyContin." Hugo doesn't blink, whereas his wife audibly gasps before breaking down and sobbing. "You knew that already though didn't you, Hugo."
The sobs stop. "What?" The betrayal in Mrs Mawson's voice is clear. "Hugo what is he talking about?"
"I have no idea." He lies.
"Mrs Mawson..." Jagger begins, glaring at Hugo.
"Victoria, please call me Victoria." She glances at me. "Both of you can. Please can you tell me what is going on?"
Jagger stands. "Victoria, it has come to our attention that your husband has been enabling your daughter’s addiction."
"No I haven't." Hugo yells getting to his feet, but one look from Victoria has him rooted to the spot. "Vicky, listen to me..." he begins.
But she cuts him off. "No, you shut up," she spits at him. "Jagger, please continue."
"As I was saying, Hugo has been enabling her addiction. He's the one that's been prescribing her the pills." Jagger's tone is hard, as much as Carina is a bitch, he actually liked the girl and he blames her dad for making her the way she is.
Victoria's eyes fill with tears, disbelief written all over her face, she keeps shaking her head.
"Now Hugo, you have a choice. You can either tell the truth or your daughter dies," I tell him matter-of-factly. It doesn't matter if he tells me the truth or not, I still plan on killing her. She's done nothing but cause trouble and I don't give a fuck what Jagger says, if his woman and child come home Carina’s not going to leave them alone. She’s the jealous type and Jagger and Sarah have something she hasn’t got. Allie, their daughter.
"Please Mr Brady, don't kill her," Victoria begs. "Hugo, you better answer his questions, if you don't, I'll kill you myself."
I smirk, damn, Mrs Mawson means business. "What were your plans with Juan?"
He doesn't ask who Juan is, there's no pretences, he just answers the damn question. "Carina's in debt, as are we. She came up with the idea of supplying drugs to Juan and in return making some money. Carina said she knew the business as she'd been around you both for so long. She knew where you kept your supplies."
I grind my teeth, they planned to steal from me. "Did you really think you were going to get away with it?"
"I'm sorry, I just needed the money. My daughter owes the Healy's money."
"So you thought stealing from me would be the best thing to do." I shake my head. What a fool.
"I'm so sorry." He begins to cry, he knows that he's fucked.
"One last question." He nods, "Where is Mia?"
"Who's Mia?" Victoria questions.
"I don't know who that is. I promise you. I don't." His body shaking as tears fall down his face.
"She's mine. Someone kidnapped her and I want her back." I growl as I take a step toward him.
He scurries backward like the coward he really is. "I don't know, I'm telling you the truth, I don't know who she is."
I nod believing him. "Victoria, you have a choice," I begin, "You can either get your shit together, get a bag and leave, never look back or you can stay here and end up the same way as your husband." This is her chance to escaping the man that turned their daughter into a drug addict, if she stays, they both die.
She walks up to Hugo, he sighs in relief, he thought she was going to leave him here with us. Before anyone says anything, she savagely slaps him across the face. The sound of her hand hitting his face bounces off the walls. "You deserve to die. I devoted twenty five years to you. For what? Debt? For you to fuck your mistress?"
His eyes widen, "Vicky..."
"No, you gave our daughter drugs. You deserve to die. I don't." She turns to face me, "Where do I go?"
I shrug. "Wherever you want Victoria. It's up to you." I reach into my back pocket and take out an envelope, handing it to her. "This will get you settled somewhere. Once you're there, give Jag a call and we'll get you set up with a bank account."
She clutches the envelope like it's her lifeline, I guess it really is. "Thank you."
"It's time to go," Jagger tells her and she rushes upstairs and within minutes she's back downstairs with a suitcase in hand. "Good luck Victoria," Jagger says and pulls her into his arms.
"Be safe, Jagger. Mr Brady, after everything you've done for me I know that I shouldn't be asking you for anything, but I'm going to."
I roll my eyes already knowing what she's going to ask.
"Please don't hurt my baby, please give her a chance."
"What do you want me to do?" I raise my brow in question.
"Let her leave with me," she pleads.
"It's time to go, Victoria." Jagger gently nudges her.
She nods. "Okay, thank you. Please consider what I've said." She scurries out of the room without a backward glance.
"End him, it's time to talk to Carina," I tell Jagger and follow Victoria out of the house.
"Who's there?" Carina says and I can hear the fear in her voice. "Hello? I know you're there."
"Tell me Carina, did you honestly believe you'd get away with stealing from me?" I say standing in front of her. She can't see me as she's blindfolded.
She sighs in defeat. "I don't know, Juan said that if I helped him, then Jagger wouldn't hate me anymore. I love him and he hates me. I didn't know what else
to do."
"Carina, you've been around my men, who's the rat?"
She stills. "Rat?"
My hands reach for the tie of the blindfold, she flinches. I ignore it and pull the blindfold off. "Yes, a rat. Someone in my organization is betraying me. Who?"
"What makes you think I know?" Her bravado is back in full force.
Grabbing her throat, I squeeze. "Don't test me Carina, you won't like the outcome."
She sighs. "I don't know, whoever it is, they're good. I haven't even heard any chatter about it. If the men don't know, then I can't help you."
Releasing her neck, I ask, "Who do you think it is?" She looks away not saying anything. I pull out my gun, my hand outstretched as I point it at her. "Last chance," I tell her as I cock it.
"Barney. I think its Barney. That man is too slick. He has an answer for everything."
I nod and squeeze the trigger...
Seven
Mia
I’m awoken by a shrill scream. Opening my eyes I glance at Lacey, she’s asleep. My entire body is shaking and I realize that it was me that screamed. I must have had a nightmare. The room is still in darkness. I don’t know if it’s still the same day or it’s a new one. Time just seems to blur. I always seem to be awake when it’s dark, either that or we’re somewhere where there’s no light at all except for a certain time of day. I know that we’re in a basement but where could we be where there’s not much light? It’s hurting my head trying to figure it out, I don’t have the energy to figure it out.
"Mia, are you awake?" Lacey asks, the clinking of the metal from her shackles fills the air as she turns on her mattress.
"Yeah I'm awake." My mind is so messed up right now, I don't know what day it is, what time it is, I couldn't even tell you how long I was asleep for.
"Are you okay?"
I bite back my retort of saying what do you think? Instead I lie. "I'm okay, are you not able to sleep?" I don't want to do this stupid small talk. No, I'm not okay, I don't believe that I’ll ever be okay.
"Mia, talk to me. I can hear in your voice that you're not okay. I don't expect you to be. I heard what that monster did to you."
Dangerous Secrets (The Kingpin Book 2) Page 5