As he turned the truck off, he looked at Zoë. She barely spoke all afternoon, only when addressed directly, and hadn’t offered any further information on who was following her. “Enough, Zoë, really, I’ve had enough. Now that we know it’s safe here, you’re going to come into the house with me and you’re going to tell me, Boone, and Myles who those people are, and why they’re after you.”
“Okay,” she said softly, “I will, just—”
“What?”
“Today has been so stressful and I know I have a lot of explaining to do. I will, I promise, but, could I please just take a shower first? I need a few minutes to collect myself. I promise I won’t be long, and then I’ll tell you everything.”
She hadn’t met his eyes and it raised a flag, but he nodded. “Okay, fine. Hurry up.”
Zoë scrambled out of the truck and he watched her trot to the door of her apartment. He pulled his phone out and called Myles.
“Get ready.”
46
Closing the door behind her, knowing she was out of Ethan’s sight, Zoë dashed up the stairs. She ran to the bathroom, started the shower, and then rushed back to her bedroom where she grabbed the already-packed duffel bag. Shoving the few clothes she had in drawers into it, she then flung it over her shoulder. If anyone were to come up the stairs, they’d hear the shower running. It would buy her some time. She knew Ethan, or one of his friends, would be guarding the door to the apartment, and so she opened the window. Weeks ago, she’d tested the trellis on the wall beside it and knew it would support her weight if she needed to use it as an escape. Although she hadn’t thought at the time she’d be escaping from Ethan, she had to do it. He wanted to help her, as did the men he’d contacted, but she couldn’t allow that to happen. Rosati wouldn’t hesitate to kill anyone who stood in his way, not even a cop. No, she had to leave. Her heart stinging with what Ethan would think of her when he found out she’d left, she sat on the window ledge, then leaned out, stretching her body, and reached for the trellis.
“For fuck’s sake!” Ethan’s voice boomed from the ground.
Shocked, she looked down to see him and Boone staring up at her, both wearing furious expressions. With a heavy heart, she pulled her body back inside the room, closed the window, and then shut off the shower. She headed down the stairs, knowing Myles would be waiting outside the door. Of course, Ethan hadn’t believed her when she said she wanted to take a shower. He’d seen through her, and apparently had long ago. He had informed her he knew she wasn’t using her real name, and she had no way of knowing how much more he knew. Evidently, he hadn’t kept his promise to not delve into her past, but then again, she’d been lying to him from the moment they met.
It was time to come as clean as she could, and she tightened her grip on her bag. Perhaps she could still get away at some point, though she doubted the men would let their guard down, especially not now, after her escape attempt. Chewing on her bottom lip, her mind whirled with how much she could divulge to make them trust her, but keep the bulk of her secrets to herself.
47
Slinking into the dining room at Myles’s side, Zoë cast her eyes down. Ethan was sitting at the head of the table, Boone to one side. She placed the bag on top of the table and then took a seat opposite Boone, leaving the chair beside Ethan for Myles.
“Enough of the bullshit,” Ethan said, his voice low and demanding. “This is the last time I’m asking nicely. Tell us what’s going on with you.”
Unwilling to see the condemning looks she knew both Ethan and Boone would wear, she met Myles’s eyes. He seemed more curious than angry. Sucking in a deep breath, she then related her story, or as much of it as she was willing to tell.
“Until recently, I was a saucier in a restaurant in Toronto. One night, Chef called me just after two in the morning, demanding I go in and start stocks because he wanted to serve consommé that night. He was always inconsiderate like that, a total jackass, really. I got dressed and drove to the restaurant. As I parked by the back entrance, I noticed a few cars there, including a police cruiser, but I didn’t think much of it. There’s a nightclub beside the restaurant, so people parking by the restaurant late at night wasn’t unusual, and police were being called out there because of fights all the time. I unlocked the door, went in, and heard voices coming from the kitchen. I was pissed right away, knowing the owner, Nino Rosati, was having a meeting in there again, and would undoubtedly leave a huge mess for me to clean. I should have made some noise to draw one of the men out to where I was, but I was so mad, and intent on complaining to Chef, so I decided to see what they were up to.”
She shrugged. “That was a stupid decision as it turned out. I quietly drew closer to the kitchen, and then snuck in to see what they were doing. Just as I did, I heard Nino telling one of the men he was an idiot, and that elbows wouldn’t go through the damn thing, didn’t he know that by now?” Myles’s eyes widened, and she nodded. “Yeah, you guessed it, they had the industrial meat-grinder out, there were body parts on the tables, and there was an arm sticking out of the grinder.”
“Holy shit!” His mouth fell open a little.
“I must have made a noise, I don’t know, but they all looked at me. One of them was in a cop’s uniform. I ran as fast as I could, got in my car, and took off. I hoped none of them saw my license plate number, but I knew it was only a matter of time before they figured out where I lived. So I went to my apartment, packed a bag, and then ran.”
She outlined most of the rest of the story, wanting them to believe her, and explained how she bought the train tickets she didn’t use to throw them off her trail, and then took a bus they wouldn’t be able to trace. She left out how she’d had disguises, had sent a text message, and had already possessed the IDs she used. They didn’t need to hear those things, as they would only question why she had them to begin with. She couldn’t answer, and didn’t want them to distrust her again. She finished up her story with an outright lie, that she purchased her current ID in Edmonton to establish a new identity.
Myles shook his head slowly. “Okay, I understand you not going to the police in Toronto, you couldn’t be sure how many officers there were involved, given that at least one was on Rosati’s payroll. But why didn’t you seek police help after? In Edmonton, or when you came here? You know I’m a cop, and Boone is. You know he works for Witness Protection. He could get you in the program and keep you safe until you can testify against Rosati.”
“Testify against the mob? No way.”
“You’d rather spend the rest of your life on the run?” Boone challenged.
“Yes,” she replied firmly.
Boone snorted angrily, and Myles didn’t look pleased with her response, but Ethan spoke, drawing her attention to him, and delivering a comment she hadn’t expected.
“I agree your safety can’t be positively guaranteed in witness protection. Police are already involved, and we have no way of knowing how deeply the corruption runs. I’ll give you that. However, you’re still in danger here. Rosati’s men followed us today. They saw my license plate and I imagine it’s only a matter of time until they figure out where the ranch is. They knew to come to Bison Bluffs in the first place. We have to figure out how to protect you.” He looked to Boone and Myles in turn. “My guess is they’ll come here, tonight, and they won’t be friendly about it.”
Her heart pounded with his words. He was talking about taking a stand, here on the ranch, and facing Rosati’s men. She needed help but didn’t want this, for him to endanger himself, nor for Myles, Boone, or anyone else she knew to do so either. As she wracked her brain for a way to convince him the best scenario for him and his friends was to allow her to flee again, Ethan turned a hard look on her.
“I still want you to clear something up for me. I understand you had to run, but how on earth did you know how to do what you did? Buy train tickets that can be traced to throw them off your trail, and then take a bus that can’t be? How do you know these things? Ditchi
ng your cellphone, your car, things they could have employed to track you. You had to have been terrified after witnessing that, but you acted so rationally. How?”
Swallowing hard, unsure how she could possibly answer his questions, she jumped when a familiar voice sounded from the room’s threshold.
“Don’t answer that.”
48
Ethan nearly jumped out of his skin at the sound of a strange man’s voice in the dining room. He leapt up, knocking his chair back, a motion repeated by Boone, and Myles. How had the man gotten into his house? The property was being guarded by Myles’s constables.
“Who the hell are you?” he demanded.
In utter astonishment, Ethan watched Zoë rush to the man, and throw her arms around his neck. He embraced her tightly, keeping his eyes on Ethan, and then stepped back to hold her by the elbows.
“Thank God you’re here.” The relief in Zoë’s voice was unmistakable.
The man looked her over, glanced at Ethan, Boone, and Myles again, then back at her, and tilted his head toward the table. “Is everything you need in that bag?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Grab it, and let’s go.”
She frowned, looked at Ethan, and then back to the man. “Well, um, can we talk about it first?”
The man’s brow furrowed dramatically. Ethan didn’t know who he was, but the closeness between him and Zoë was evident. Appearing to be in his mid-to-late-fifties, the man could be her father, but could be her husband for all Ethan knew.
“No, let’s go. Now,” the man demanded.
Zoë averted her eyes, obviously not pleased with the answer, but she turned to the table, to retrieve her bag.
“Just wait one damn minute,” Ethan snapped.
The man turned inquisitive eyes on him. “Who the hell are you,” Ethan demanded, “and how did you get in my house? She’s not going anywhere until I get some answers.”
“Who I am is of no consequence,” the man replied. His tone was condescending, and Ethan’s anger increased. “I thank you for taking care of her, but I’ll do so from now on. She’ll be safe with me, that’s all you need to know.”
“The hell it is! You’re not going anywhere with her until I know who you are.”
A dangerous look descended in the man’s eyes and Ethan tensed, ready to fight him. No way would he allow Zoë to leave with a stranger, one who’d broken into his home and then started to make demands as if he owned the place. The man took a step closer to Ethan and, as Boone and Myles drew closer, Zoë stepped in front of the man to place a hand on his shoulder.
“Dad, please, Ethan and I are—were—in a relationship. He deserves some answers. Please, tell him what’s going on.”
The man’s disposition changed dramatically at her plea. Ethan couldn’t be sure if it was her request or her identifying him as her father, but the man slowly nodded. “Fine.” He looked to Ethan and gestured to the table. “Please, have a seat. I’ll tell you as much as I can.”
Not fully pleased with the man’s words, wanting the whole story, not a piece of it, Ethan waited as the man sat, taking the seat at the head of the table. Big surprise. He had an authoritative air about him and Ethan was certain he commanded control of any situation he was in. Not willing to relinquish any control to the man, he wanted answers and so took a seat at the table without comment. The others sat, Zoë beside him, Boone, and Myles across from them. Sitting rigidly, Zoë’s father still managed to look relaxed, but Ethan saw the wariness in the man’s eyes. He looked dangerous, despite his current calm demeanour, and more questions surfaced in Ethan’s mind, now certain this man had a military background.
“As you heard, Zoë, as you know her, is my daughter. I know you’ve figured out she’s in danger, considerable danger. I appreciate your willingness to protect her, but it isn’t necessary. I’ll see to her safety now.”
“You’ve secured a permanent identity for me?” she questioned.
“Not entirely. But I will take you to a safe house until your new identity is ready.” He looked to Ethan. “I’ve read your dossier, Collins. You’re a good man who’s served his country well, and I thank you for all you’ve done for her. I assure you, she’ll be safe from now on.” He folded his hands on the tabletop with a finality that irked Ethan. “I’m sure I’ve set your mind at ease now.”
“Not by a long shot,” Ethan hissed. “Who are you? You can’t just walk in here and think I’ll be okay with you taking her away. You keep saying she’ll be safe, but you’re one man. How can you keep her safe? And what do you mean you’ve read my dossier? Seriously, who the hell are you, and who do you work for?”
“CSIS,” Boone said quietly.
As his eyes widened, Ethan looked back to Zoë’s father. He flashed a tight smile.
“Very astute, Bukowski, but you should know I won’t confirm or deny that.”
Ethan shook his head. Zoë’s father being an agent for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service certainly explained both the man’s disposition and the knowledge he possessed. Obviously he knew the identities of all present, he’d used both Ethan and Boone’s names without being introduced to them, and had access to their service records.
“Great, so you’re CSIS. That explains how you got past the men outside, but doesn’t answer everything. Where’s your extraction team? What if you and she are accosted by Rosati’s men when you leave here? Again, you’re one man. I don’t know how many men are coming for her, but I spotted two cars, so, more than four men for sure. CSIS or not, those aren’t good odds.”
Zoë placed her hand over her father’s. “Dad, he has a point. How far out is the extraction team?”
“Six hours,” her father admitted. He nodded slowly as he locked eyes with Ethan again. “Okay, you’ve made a good point, but I don’t want any of you men to endanger yourselves.”
“That’s our choice,” Ethan shot back. “At least mine. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. This is my ranch, I know it like the back of my hand, and know how to protect it. Those men are coming, and we need to take a stand. Here. Being caught out there somewhere by them is certain suicide.” He looked to Boone, and then to Myles. “I’m not asking either of you to commit yourselves, but I’m going to protect Zoë.”
“Count me in,” Boone responded immediately.
Myles sighed. “This truly scares the shit out of me, but I’ll be damned if the mafia will come into my town and threaten one of my people.”
Zoë’s father shook his head. “I won’t deny that the help of you three is substantial, but I’m not comfortable with you risking your lives. This is a viable threat, Rosati is part of the Bosa crime family. Best case scenario is he’s acting unsanctioned by the family and only has a small group of men loyal to him.”
“And the worst case scenario?” Myles asked.
“This hit is sanctioned by the family and none of us will be alive come tomorrow.” Silence descended on the group, and Zoë’s father exhaled deeply. “It’s the truth, and you men should know what you’re facing. I won’t ask you to risk your lives for my daughter, but I won’t prevent you from doing so, despite the risks to you.”
He was a man protecting his daughter, and Ethan knew he appreciated the offered help. Still, Ethan needed to be sure Myles and Boone were still on board. Some of the other men might be too, and he’d have to find out. Going to war wasn’t something he desired, but he’d do anything to protect Zoë, whether she wanted him in her life or not. She was truly a victim in all this, and he wouldn’t stand for any harm coming to her.
“I’m still in,” he said firmly.
Boone and Myles announced their desire to proceed and he nodded appreciatively to them. Then he splayed his hands on the table.
“We’ll talk to the guys, and see if they’ll commit to this, too. Not the Carsons, but maybe Sawyer, Rory, Cole, and Chase.” As a thought occurred to him, he frowned as he looked at Zoë’s father. “Rory Bukowski doesn’t have a firearms license, but he�
�s a damn good marksmen. Is there any way we can get around that, even just for tonight? I mean, provided he wants to be a part of this.”
“He can’t have a firearms license because he’s a convicted felon,” Myles interjected.
Ethan could practically feel the anger seeping from Boone. He imagined Boone wasn’t keen on Rory being involved but didn’t care for Myles’s words.
Zoë’s father nodded. “I’ve seen his record.” At Boone’s scrunched brow, the man shrugged. “He’s your brother so it came up when I accessed your file. I don’t feel his record is pertinent to events here. As Collins said, he’s capable and, if he agrees to help, we could use him. I’ll see what I can do about covering him legally tonight, in order for him to help.” Ethan thought Boone’s look to be a mixture of vindication that Zoë’s father accepted Rory when Myles hadn’t, and concern that Rory would want to help. “What about your constables?” Zoë’s father asked as he looked at Myles.
“I’ll talk to them,” Myles said, “but, if things go south, what about legal ramifications? Me being involved is one thing, but as far as my constables go, I’ll be asking them to possibly use deadly force in a situation where they’re not covered by the RCMP. I mean, we’re not talking about them responding to a call. We’re talking about hunkering down and eliminating a threat that surfaces, right?”
“I’ll assure anyone who commits to this won’t suffer any legal ramifications for doing so.” Zoë’s father said and then sat back. “Now, as far as the men you mentioned, I need to check them out. I’ve already seen the files on you three, on Rory Bukowski, and your constables, Corporal Patton, but the other men you mentioned, please, if you wouldn’t mind relating their full names.”
Done a Runner (Wanted Men of Bison Bluffs Book 1) Page 17