Billion Dollar Hearts (Inconguity Series Book 3)

by Thandiwe Mpofu

  How did he know about Chloe? And what exactly was he planning to do with Lawrence Harvey?

  I wonder if the reason I am in here is valid or was orchestrated by someone else. At this point, I really wouldn’t be surprised because I know for sure that McGuire is a shady motherfucker. I see it in his eyes as he comes in through the door once again.

  “Back to let me go?” I question him after a beat of us staring at each other. Another thing I noticed is that McGuire’s supposed partner, Agent Felix is not with him. Not since dragging me in here from the gala. Actually, since they brought me in, I have only seen one other guy as well as this stuffy gambler who thinks he has me right where he wants me. But somehow, he is annoyed at something now. And I just know that ‘something’ has everything to do with me.

  “We can’t do that but I can’t keep playing this game with you, Mr. Black.” He grits out, anger lacing each word. I stare at him, not giving an inch of the rise he wants from me.

  “Like I said before, I’m not playing any games with you. And quite frankly, I have no desire or compulsion to be around any of you.”

  “How about you tell me exactly where Ms. Chloe Smith is huh.”

  “I told you, I’m not telling you shit without my legal counsel with me, who you have kept away from me for hours now.” I calmly point out as I watch him get restless.

  What’s his deal?

  “Mr. Black, this would not be happening if only you had cooperated with us.” Another FBI agent says as he strides into the room, probably reading the rising tensions in the small room.

  I don’t pay much attention to the new guy as I am currently in a stare down with McGuire.

  “I told you, as I have been telling you but you seem not to care, you did not allow me enough time to do what you wanted me to do.” I grit out a response to the guy while watching McGuire.

  At this point, my patience has run out and I can’t watch the tone of my voice anymore. The damn federal agents think they are badass and can do whatever they want, all in the name of “justice.” Please.

  “We gave you enough time Mr. Black, but as it shows, you were not willing to work with us. And you were also unwilling to share with us the intelligence that you already had on the subject of our investigation.”

  “The intelligence that I gather is mine alone. I don’t think it has anything to do with you.” I fire right back, looking at the new guy head on now. He has a perplexed expression on his face that makes me pause for a bit.

  “I have been in the goddamn interrogation room for more than fifteen hours now, not allowed to talk to anyone or to make a call.” I start, walking closer to McGuire as I go.

  “You dragged me here under the guise that I am a suspect to a case that you are working but all you want to know is the whereabouts of my girlfriend.” I grit out, forcing myself to come to a stop a few feet away from the slimy asshole. I stare him down and then turn to look at the other guy who seems like he doesn’t know what to do if I start lashing out.

  “Tell me what that has to do with your supposed investigation!” I almost let out a roar of frustration, managing to barely control my anger.

  The gag is, they haven’t even formally charged me with a crime. But what pisses me off the most is, they can keep me here and question me every which way they want, for as long as forty-eight hours without any formal charge.

  The justice system in this country is fucked up.

  “What my client means, federal agents of our good country, is that he is tired and didn’t think to share information with your team that was never requested by you. If there is an issue here, it’s on your part because you failed to request the information or set bold guidelines.”

  I turn to the door as soon as I hear the voice that cuts through the silence of the room. Her voice slices through the tension in the room with the hardened steel that it has always held since we were kids.

  Right at the open door stands my sister, Alice and judging by the expression on her face, she isn’t here to play. Nor is she here to observe. She knows the game and knows exactly where the weak points are.

  “And keeping my client away from any form of communication, which he is entitled to in case it slipped your mind, is a violation of his rights. Not only as a law-abiding citizen of this country and a taxpayer, but also as the man who has continuously worked with you for months on end—to bring justice we all work towards ensuring—in our country.”

  My sister states with a cold, calculated precision as she power walks into the room, with a no-nonsense expression on her face.

  Yes, my sister is a lawyer. Something that I am proud of but having her here is not exactly something that makes me jump for joy. Max is obviously behind this, however, my sister being here means something is definitely wrong.

  “And you are. . . ?” McGuire questions, looking at the temporary access badge my sister has clipped on the lapel of her jacket.

  “Mr. Black’s lawyer, and before this issue gets to the point where I start pointing out the many rights and laws that you have chosen to overlook concerning my client, thereby making this a shitstorm in the media and society, I suggest that you boys give my client his possessions and we will be on our way.” She states with a flourish, giving McGuire her best fuck you- hotshot lawyer smile.

  McGuire looks at me as I start easing myself into the chair I have occupied for hours now. A lone light casts shadows around the room, but I’m now more than used to it.

  He is obviously disgruntled as he looks between us but then he wisely takes a step back, deciding not to argue with my sister. I know for a fact that this isn’t over, not by a long shot. McGuire doesn’t like me, the feeling is mutual of course but whatever game he is playing at, I’m going to find it out.

  “Today please, Agent McGuire. Wouldn’t want this to turn ugly, now would we?” Alice prompts.

  You see, when my sister says she can make something escalate into a shitstorm? Yeah, that’s an understatement.

  McGuire turns to leave the room. But my sister being as she is, she just has to show them that she is in the building. “And would you be so kind as to send coffee for my client—in a real cup not one of those paper cups—while you get ready to release him from your unlawful detention.” She gives McGuire a cold fuck you smile that I have seen many times, then turns to look at me, effectively dismissing the stuffy, old agent.

  And well, he isn’t really happy about that one as I notice his eyebrow twitch, working hard to hold his tongue.

  Looking at my sister now, as soon as the agents leave the room, I watch as her tough girl act practically dissolves into nothing making me rise to my feet immediately.

  “Alice, what is it?” I demand in a low voice. I hope those fuckers aren’t listening but I won’t take any chances.

  “Gideon, oh my God.” She breathes, her voice filled with worry and her eyes haunted by pain and grief.

  “What has happened?” I demand as I come closer to her, and she looks up at me as if her heart is under attack. Fuck!

  I knew this was a set-up! I should have been paying attention but now. . .

  “A lot has happened since they took you. I can’t get into it but. . .”

  “How bad is it?”

  “Pretty damn bad. I . . . we all need you right now.” She murmurs to me.

  “I swear to God, Alice I can’t keep all of this anger in, not right now.” I inform her because she knows. She knows just how much havoc my anger can cause in a heartbeat.

  “I know but not here, please not here.” She is almost in tears but she holds herself, slipping on a perfect cold mask as the door opens again, this time, the other agents come back in to tell me that I am released but I should stay in touch with them in case I know anything about the incident that happened at the gala.

  “What time is it?” I question Alice as we prepare to leave. I collect my stuff, hurriedly stuffing my wallet in my suit pants.

  “A little after sunset.” She states making me painfully a
ware of just how much time has passed since I had Chloe safe in my arms. Since I kissed those plump lips and promised that I am right behind her. Fuck.

  As I get my watch, I notice how the agents are watching us in a peculiar way and so I force light-hearted conversation with my sister—erm—lawyer.

  “I didn’t need you to come and get me.” I grumble. Even though I’m fully aware that she is a kick-ass lawyer, I don’t need her anywhere near all of this mess. It’s too bloody unpredictable now and her sticking her nose in this is something I will not allow.

  “Well tough luck, I’m not here upon your sweet request.” She says with a forced laugh in her voice.

  “So, Max sent you huh?” I question but already know the answer to that. I’m going to kill him. “I thought you two can’t stand each other.” Raising an eyebrow at her.

  “Yeah well, I wouldn’t be here if he thought it wasn’t necessary. You know that.”

  I do know that, which makes my gut churn.

  “He needs you out of there.” She whispers, bringing my entire body to attention. I look at her sharply, wanting so desperately to demand her to tell me what is happening exactly.

  Unwanted dread fills my insides.

  Chloe is in trouble. I just know it.

  As I sharply look up at her, the door opens again, revealing a grumpy looking McGuire who looks like he would like to kill me, holding a cup of coffee and some papers.

  “Well there we go. I’m sure next time, you will do your civil job correctly.” My sister cuts him a sweet kind of glare, a cold one that I know no other lawyer has mastered yet. She gets up as do I and we proceed to go to the door where McGuire waits for us with another agent standing behind him, ready to see me out, I guess.

  All the while, McGuire is looking at me and I pretend like I don’t notice him at all. But, I’ll get him.

  “Thank you, gentleman, for all of this, but any other mutual relationship you have or would like to have in the future is effectively impossible. I suggest you only contact my client on valid grounds next time.” My sister informs as she glides through the door and right down the long passage, walking like she owns the place.

  I gather my things and follow after, all without saying a word. There is power in silence and I’m not sure what will come out of my mouth if I do speak. All I know right now is that something has happened with Chloe.

  And by God, I’m raising hell.

  Chapter 6

  Gideon

  As soon as we pass through the wide front entrance of the FBI building, probably designed to intimidate people—I notice Peter standing front and center with one of my SUVs behind him. But that’s not what gets me in high alert.

  It’s the extra security detail scattered around the lot that raises my brows as I watch them move in sync with me and my sister—and it all has me on high alert. Seeing them now, there is no doubt in my mind that we are now at a pitch high fever in this war.

  “You certainly brought the party with you.” I quietly say to Alice as we stride over to the open back door of the car.

  “Max was very adamant about it.” She shoots back over her shoulder as she gets in the car.

  I make eye contact with Peter who nods his head slightly. It all means one thing, we are being watched.

  “He’s damn right!” I say as soon as I settle into the back bench of the car. Once Peter is in the driver’s seat, we peel out of there, thankful for the light traffic on this fine early Sunday evening. My phone that I just switched back on is vibrating none stop but I ignore it. I have bigger fish to deep fry.

  “Tell me.”

  “I need you to tell me everything that’s going on, Gideon. Do you have any idea the heart attack I almost had when I woke up this morning?” She questions, not holding back all her fury and fear.

  “What happened this morning?” I question back.

  “I woke up early, you know I can’t sleep worth a damn so I was walking through my living room, you know, picking up after the kids and that's when I saw it.” She says, her voice trembling.

  I look up and meet Peter’s hard gaze in the mirror. He is also watching and listening, probably more aware of what my sister is saying than I am.

  “What did you see?” I demand, no longer able to handle the anticipation.

  “A fucking snake with real blood on it! It was floating on top of the pool.” She cries out, her hands are trembling and her voice is a broken whisper.

  “A snake?” I question.

  “A dummy.” Peter cuts in.

  But that reassurance does nothing to pacify the way I feel inside. A fake, mock-up of a snake with real blood on it. Floating in my sister’s pool. What does that mean?

  “Where the hell is it?” I demand looking up at Peter. I expect he and Tom have already taken care of this and are ahead of forensics.

  “Tom is there, trying to get something. Surveillance footage or anything that can give us a better understanding.” He says but I can read the hardness in his eyes, there is nothing there that will show who did this but I have this nagging feeling at the back of my mind.

  “The kids?” I question my sister who has begun to cry.

  “At Mom and Dad’s. Gideon, what the fuck is this?” She demands but I wish I had answers and even if I did, I don’t know if her knowing them would ease her mind or drive her to the brink of insanity. I worry for my sister each day that passes. She is my constant, my blood and my family. I would do anything—give anything—for her and my niece and nephew. I just want to protect her but now. . .

  “I don’t know but I will know soon. I promise you that.” My voice is solemn as I look at her. Looking up I meet Peter’s gaze and he gives me a nod. I know I don’t have to say anything but he gets it. His life is for her now.

  “What the fuck happened last night?” I demand and I’m met with unusual silence.

  “Where the fuck is she?” I demand of Peter as I look at him. I don’t have to clarify who she is. He knows. They all know.

  “She is safe at the safehouse. And last night was a clusterfuck.” Max’s voice comes through the sound system of the car. “Why aren’t you answering my calls?” He demands.

  “Because I have pressing issues here. Why the fuck didn’t you come down to the damn headquarters?” I am annoyed. I needed Max to be there because he is the only one I trust to give me all the news I need to hear straight up without bullshitting me.

  “I needed to be here. Anyway, she is fine, just a few bruises here and there. She was given some drugged that knocked her out for like fifteen hours or more. She just gained consciousness.” He informs me and I almost explode.

  “What?!”

  “I’ll give you more details on that later, for now just kiss the gods you pray to that she is fine and alive because we have bigger problems.” Max informs as the car flies down the freeway.

  “Alice.” I start.

  “Yeah, running forensics on that. I’ll let you know when you get here. But there is one thing though. . .” He drags the last word.

  “And that is?” I question as I fish out my phone. I was kept out of touch with the world and I need to know what has happened. I switch the call directly to my phone so Alice doesn’t hear what we are talking about.

  “Is this secure?” I question.

  “Yeah, changed your number and shit while it was powered off. Anyway, Chloe was almost kidnapped last night and we—erm—we lost John.”

  The words come out clean-cut, all emotions void or rather kept away under a heavy and tightly clasped lid.

  I don’t say anything, how can I.

  “Fred?” I question.

  “At Firelake, recovering a bullet to the chest.”

  “How bad is it?”

  “He is in a coma.”

  Fucking hell. This, this isn’t right at all. Being framed and blamed for a Ponzi scheme is one thing, but attempted kidnap, planting some kind of scare tactic at my sister’s house and now murdering my men—no, that’s another thing alto
gether.

  “Listen man. She isn’t taking it well. She needs you and I . . . I have too much shit going on here and don’t know what to do. Just fucking get here.” He says then ends the call.

  I’m stunned into silence, feeling the weight of my sister’s stare on me but I don’t acknowledge it.

  Yes, this is something else totally different.

  Chapter 7

  Chloe

  It’s late. I’m watching as the sun sinks low into the horizon as it always does after each tireless day that passes.

  I stand there, by the large floor length windows, watching as the beautiful sky is bathed in pastel pinks, purples, oranges and all these blissful colors that cast the earth into tranquility. Yet, there is no such thing as peace or tranquility in my life at the moment. There is no peace here.

  I wonder if the colorful display is for John, as if the universe is giving him a tribute for all he has courageously done. And if that’s so, what does it all then say about me? The one who caused John to die anyway.

  I feel so hollow and empty inside. Nothing feels right, nothing is safe or comfortable. I’m confused and restless and I’m downright scared. What good is my being alive right now when I know I’m putting everyone around me in danger? What use is any of this?

  I saw the look on Max’s face when he was hurriedly explaining to me what is going on and where we are. I have never seen a powerful man like, so in control of his emotion—so ruffled and shaken. He seemed so busy and like he had a lot of burdens that has fallen on his shoulders.

  “I just need you to recuperate Chloe and I’m doing the best I can to get him here.” He explains as he types away at the iPad in his large hands.

  “What’s being done? Surely he has the best legal counsel in the world.” I replied, feeling anxious and empty.

  “Naturally, yes. But something like this is very vexing which is why I took the initiative to send in a much more significant powerhouse. I know for a fact she will get him out in no time, no questions asked.”