by Linda Verji
“Thanks.” RayRay accepted the offered drink with a trembling hand. He tossed it all in one gulp but even then the shaking didn’t stop. He wiped his hand over his mouth as he said “Vance sent you, didn’t he? I knew he was just playing when they called him.”
Nic shook his head. “Vance didn’t send us. When I suggested we rescue you he told me to let them have you.”
“Nah, man, Vance wouldn’t do me like that.” RayRay shook his head. “He wouldn’t do me like that. We family.”
“Then where is he? Why didn’t he send Runners for you?” Nic let silence settle in the room as he stared at RayRay, waiting for an answer. RayRay had none. The man’s glance fell to his shaking hands and legs as he licked his dry lips. Nic noted, “Looks like he doesn’t know who his family is or how to take care of them.”
Nic reached into his pocket, pulled out a plastic paper filled with white powder and set it on the coffee table. “But I do.”
RayRay’s eyes glance yanked upwards immediately and his hand shot out towards the cocaine. Nic snatched it from the table, “Not so fast.”
From there convincing RayRay to give up the name of Vance’s accountant was as easy as snatching candy from a baby. He also filled them in on the businesses Vance had conveniently forgotten in his file. They recorded the whole conversation.
When RayRay was done talking, they gave him his long awaited hit. Nic considered denying him but the man was shaking so badly, it would’ve been cruel to not give him relief. It was while RayRay was snorting the strip of cocaine on the glass table that Park walked in. RayRay looked up to ask, “Who that?”
“The world’s most effective rehab system.”
Park would hold RayRay until they were done with Vance. The recording was insurance to keep RayRay in line and to convince him to testify against Vance and the other Runners when the time came in exchange for witness protection. Now that he was officially a snitch, he had no more options.
It was only after Park dragged the subdued RayRay away that Nic called Diego to confirm that Melanie and her family were now in New York.
“We’re still waiting for Marcus,” Diego stunned him. “Warden says he and Theo escaped their work detail as arranged but they’re not here yet.”
Nic cut their conversation then turned to Brett. “Call Theo.”
A quick dial and Theo answered. Brett said, “You’re not at the airfield.” He listened to the other man speak, his expression getting increasingly stormier with each second. He gritted through his teeth. “Why the fuck didn’t you let us know earlier?”
Nic’s heart sunk with that statement but he waited for Brett to end the call before he asked, “What happened?”
Brett turned angry eyes to him. “They got out but as soon as they were on the boat, your boy knocked out mine and took off on his own.”
CHAPTER 18
“How long until he gets here?” Melanie asked their guard, who was seated opposite Sly, for the third time.
“Don’t know.” The man didn’t even look up from the book he was thumbing through.
“I thought we were supposed to leave at ten.” She kept her voice low to avoid waking Sly who had his head propped on her shoulder.
“We were.” He didn’t explain further.
It was now ten p.m. and with each passing hour she was getting edgier. But trying to get answers from this man was like conducting a conversation with a phone app – futile. She glared at him, hoping her piercing gaze would discomfit him into saying something, but alas, the man was a rock. All his attention was on the book he was reading.
Tolstoy’s ‘War and Peace’.
It wasn’t the kind of book she’d expected the man to pull out of his pocket. She didn’t even expect him to be a reader. With his physique and his grimness, he looked like he’d be more comfortable bashing people’s faces in than reading Tolstoy. Talk about not judging a book by its cover. But then again, what did she know about Nic and his new friends.
Her gaze cruised past him to the large windows. She looked out into the darkness and with nothing to do but think, her brain circled right back to Nic; how he’d held her, his kisses, his note.
I’ll miss you too, my love. More than you’ll ever know.
His note taunted her. She picked apart each word, tossed them all around and still came up confused. The missing part she understood but the ‘my love’ stumped her. Did he mean he still loved her? The idea that Nic might still love her was mind-boggling.
If he still loved her why had he left?
If he still loved her then why wasn’t he fighting for her?
If he still loved her why wasn’t he staying?
Yet it made sense. Ever since he’d come back he’d done everything to help her out with Vance. Only someone who deeply cared about her would go through such trouble. Guilt? Maybe but that didn’t explain how tenderly he’d touched her last night; almost as if he was putting his heart into his touch.
He loves me. He loves me not. He loves me. He loves me not.
It felt like her brain was playing its very own version of ping pong. She was yanked from her thoughts when the air-stair lowered. Her eyes widened and her heart begun to thump in excitement as she waited for her brother to appear at the doorway. Instead, it was Nic who entered the plane. Her excitement deflated like a pricked balloon and, as soon as she noticed Nic’s somber expression, fear replaced it.
“Where’s Marcus?” she asked.
“Give us a minute, Diego,” Nic spoke to their companion. “Take Sly to the bedroom with you.”
Without a word, the other man set his book on one of the wood cabinets and then picked Sly up. Sly didn’t even stir as Diego carried him through the cabin to the bedroom. As soon as the door closed behind them, Melanie repeated, “Where’s Marcus? Did something happen to him?”
Nic settled on the beige leather seat Sly had vacated. “Marcus is missing.”
“What?” The shock was immediate as was extra dose of cold fear that trickled into her veins.
“We didn’t want Vance to know that there were people on the outside pulling strings for Marcus, so we staged an escape this afternoon…” He took one of her icy hands in his as he explained, “…but when they got to the boat, Marcus knocked out the guy who was helping. When Theo came to, Marcus was gone.”
He wasn’t taken. Her fear eased somewhat at the news that the disappearance was all Marcus’s doing and not something Vance had engineered. Her mind whirled with all possible explanations of why he might take off on his own.
“I’ve got someone watching your apartment,” Nic stroked her palm as he said, “but so far he hasn’t turned up there.”
Melanie shook her head. “He doesn’t know our address.”
Nic cussed under his breath.
“But I told him which school Sly goes to,” she mentioned on sudden inspiration. “He could be there or even at Darlene’s if he checks google maps for the address.”
“That’s a good start. Someone’s already at Darlene’s but not the school…” He let his words drift off as he reached for his phone. Melanie watched in silence as he dialed a number then pressed his phone to his ear. With quick instructions he dispatched the person on the other end of the line to Sly’s school.
A sudden thought struck her. What if…
Her hand flew to her throat as her anxiety ballooned once more. Nic noticed immediately and ended his call. His concerned gaze met her wide-eyed one. “What is it?”
“What if… what…” Melanie swallowed convulsively then cleared her throat. “What if he’s gone to Vance? He hated that Vance took over Darlene’s and he might… he might…”
“He wouldn’t be that stupid.”
She didn’t think so, but with Marcus you couldn’t be too sure. He’d been chasing danger all his life. What was one more dangerous choice?
“In any case, I’ve got a few people on Vance too,” Nic reassured confidently. “If he turns up there, someone will catch up to him before he does
anything stupid.”
Melanie hoped he was as confident as his words were.
“Don’t worry we’ll find him.” Nic’s thumb stroked her wrist. “And soon as we do I’ll send him to you in New York?”
She narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean you’ll send him to New York? I told you I’m not leaving California without my brother.”
“Lanie-”
“Nic,” she retorted. There was no give in her tone or the hard look she gave him. No Marcus, no go.
“Fine.” He finally sighed in surrender. “But you can’t go back to your apartment now; not with Marcus roaming free. I’m sure Vance already knows he’s out and could come after you.”
Nic watched Melanie from the corner of his eye as he drove them to his estate. She was staring pensively out the car window. At what? He had no clue. But he had a good idea what was occupying her thoughts. Marcus.
Nic mentally cussed Melanie’s brother. If it wasn’t for him she’d already be out of California. Sure, his home was safe enough but the larger the distance between her and Vance, the easier Nic would rest. He didn’t want her here, especially not with things heating up.
Right now Vance’s world was on fire.
Got the accountant. Park’s message had arrived ten minutes ago. That was the signal that it was raining hell in Runner land. The DEA, FBI and local police departments were coordinating simultaneous raids on all the Runner’s stores and trap houses. By morning the gang formerly known as Runners would be nothing but ash.
Nic was on edge waiting for the message that Vance was in lock up. He wished he was the one picking the gangster up, but his part in this play was done. Vance was now a collar for the ‘real’ cops. They’d arrest him, freeze his accountants and raid all the locations he was using.
Later when the press started asking questions, Vance’s arrest and the downfall of the Runners would be credited to inter-agency cooperation. Witnesses such as the accountant, RayRay and any other Runners they could turn would help solidify the case. No one would ever know the part Nic and his men had played in bringing down Vance.
“Is it far?” Melanie’s soft question penetrated his thoughts.
“No, just a couple more minutes.” Nic reached for her hand with his free one, linking their fingers. “Tired?”
She sighed. “Worried.”
He cast a quick glance away. “Don’t worry I’ll find him.”
“I trust you.” Her words both warmed and made him nervous. He was glad he and Melanie at a point where she trusted him again. But the thought that Marcus’s movements weren’t his to control and that the man might make a move he couldn’t predict hung over his head like an anvil. What if he couldn’t find Marcus? He’d already put Melanie through enough as it was. Getting her brother killed would crush her. No. He refused to even think of that eventuality. Even if he had to turn each and every rock in this city himself, he’d find Marcus.
Five minutes later he stopped in front of the gates of his estate. “We’re here.”
Melanie sat up at his words and Nic flashed the car-lights thrice. On the third blink, the large double gates smoothly slid backwards to reveal the one-story mansion behind them. The residence was dark except for the lights glowing in the den.
Nic cruised over the brick paver entryway to park his car in front of the house. Just as he exited the car to open the door for Melanie, Diego’s SUV cruised in and parked beside his.
“You got everything?” Nic asked.
“In the trunk.” Diego gestured in its general direction.
Carrying a still sound asleep Sly, Nic led Melanie to the front door while Diego brought in the groceries and the shopping bag where Melanie had stuffed overnight clothes into. Rafaél met them at the door.
“Melanie, Rafaél,” Nic introduced. “Rafaél, Melanie.”
“You’re even more beautiful than I heard.” Rafaél smiled as his hand met Melanie’s in a brief handshake. Unsurprisingly, he held her hand for a little longer than necessary. Flirting was as second nature to Rafaél as snow was to Christmas. Nic shot him a glare that said it all. Keep your paws to yourself.
“Careful, Cinderella.” Nic heard Diego warn Rafaél as he and Melanie took the stairs to the upper floor. Bypassing the upstairs den, he led the way to the first door to the left. He stepped aside so Melanie could open it for him.
“You’ve got a very nice house,” Melanie commented as her gaze scanned the large room. Dominating the room was an ornate oval bed covered. It was covered with a white comforter to match the white drapes, white couch and the white fluffy rugs laid out on the highly polished wood floor.
“Thanks.” Nic’s breath hitched as he lay Sly on the bed. “I hope you don’t mind sharing a room with him.”
“Of course not.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “It’s more than big enough for the two of us. Thank you.”
“I know you haven’t eaten so give me a couple of minutes and…”
“I’m not hungry,” she cut into his words. “But if you and… your friends are hungry, I can whip you up something.”
Nic shook his head. “Nah, you don’t need to do that.”
“Honest, I don’t mind.” She stood and took a step closer to him. “It’s the least I can do after all the trouble we’ve given you tonight.”
The moment she pressed her palm to his chest, Nic’s heartbeat increased and instant awareness shot through him. Winding an arm around her waist, he offered her a small smile. “I don’t consider you trouble.”
“Yeah, well.” She sighed as her gaze lowered between them. He tilted her chin upwards to meet her troubled eyes. He could almost see the thoughts running through her mind in their liquid amber depths. Marcus.
“We’ll find him.” He bent his head and pressed his lips to hers softly. Her lips opened beneath his easily and their tongues met in a slow rhythm. The kiss was meant to be comforting, and soon she relaxed in his arms. Her hands cruised past his collar bone to frame his jaw as she kissed him back. Her tender touch and kisses were like a balm soothing his own tension and soon he was sinking deeper into her taste.
The clearing of a throat at the doorway pulled them from the kiss. Nic turned his head to find Rafaél holding up the shopping bag with Melanie and Sly’s clothes. Melanie stepped away from Nic as soon as she noticed the other man in the room, leaving his body bereft and longing to be pressed up against her again.
“Sorry.” Rafaél offered even though the teasing glint in his eyes was nowhere near contrite. He deposited the bag atop the bed then turned towards the door. As he left, he threw over his shoulder. “Carry on.”
“Sorry about that,” Nic apologized as soon he was gone. “It’s a bit crowded in here and privacy-” The sudden beep of his phone cut into his words. He extracted the phone from his pocket to see Park’s private line flashing on his screen. “Give me a minute,” he said to Melanie before exiting the room. Once in the hallway, he answered, “Yeah?”
“We have a problem.” The older man’s voice was calm as ice as he added, “Vance is in the wind.”
CHAPTER 19
Sly’s slow even breaths punctuated the silence in the room. He snorted loudly then turned in the process kicking away the comforter again. Melanie reached for the covers and pulled them over him before settling back into her thoughts.
Where is that boy? She chewed her lip in worry. Nic still hadn’t brought any news. She hadn’t even seen him since he’d walked out to pick up his phone-call. After awaiting his return for more than an hour she’d joined her nephew in bed. She’d tried to sleep, but it was hard to keep her eyes closed. Every time she tried, visions of Marcus lying in a coffin, gray in death, plagued her.
She closed her eyes, bowed her head and prayed. Dear Lord, please let him be safe.
The words were a silent mantra on her lips repeated over and over again until she was sure that if there was a God out there, he’d heard her. It was only when her stomach rumbled in reminder that her last meal had been lunchtim
e yesterday that she stopped. Searching for something to eat was as good an excuse as any to find out if Nic had made any progress in finding her brother.
She tossed the comforter aside, swung her legs to the side of the bed, rose and exited the bedroom. The hallway was shrouded in darkness, but she still remembered the route they’d taken to get to her room. Her kitten heels made no sound on the carpeted floor as she made her way to the stairway. The light coming from downstairs and the low hum of male voices guided her path downwards. The voices became louder the closer she got to the foyer.
She recognized Rafaél’s voice first. “He’s still not picking up your calls.”
“Nope.” Nic returned curtly.
Rafaél said, “We should’ve taken him out when we had him.”
His words stopped Melanie in her tracks. Taken who out? It better not be Marcus. She edged closer to the half-open door but didn’t get in.
Nic’s reply was a terse, “We’re not assassins.”
“RayRay’s disappearance must’ve spooked him.” Was that Brett?
“Nah, he still thinks The Photographer did that, well at least according to Jiggy. And when we were in Colombia I didn’t get the feeling he was afraid of the consequences of betraying The Photographer,” Nic said. “Park says that by the time they stormed into the house he was gone. They found a secret tunnel in the bedroom.”
“Jiggy’s still out there?” someone new asked.
“No, they snatched him in the first raid,” Rafaél said. “It’s too bad Melanie didn’t know about that tunnel when she gave us that address.”
Vance. Melanie’s eyes widened. They were talking about Vance.
“We need to figure out where he is,” Nic said. “Last thing we need is Vance running around like a headless chicken trying to exact revenge on whoever ratted him out, and Marcus out there ripe for the picking.”
Melanie inhaled sharply at the mention of her brother. She must’ve made a louder sound than she thought because Nic suddenly called out, “Melanie.”
She turned and fast walked towards the stairwell. But she was too slow or he was too fast. He caught up with her on the landing. He clasped her wrist to stop further movement upwards. “I thought you were asleep.”