Barshan (Bratva Blood Brothers Book 3)

by K. J. Dahlen

  Cassie closed her eyes and nodded. “She bought it at an estate sale…” She paused. “I had hoped that book would have burned in the fire.”

  “For what purpose?” Calderone asked.

  Cassie shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. I don’t think she did either.”

  “I remember that book,” Peaches spoke up. “I think we were nine when she got it. She came home all excited one day. Lord, I haven’t thought about that for years. She was almost a different person that day. She was almost human or as close as she could get.”

  “Yeah, I remember. It was a good day,” Cassie agreed.

  “What happened then?” Leon asked.

  Cassie shuddered again. “Are you sure you want to know?”

  “Maybe not.” Leon stared at her. “What excited her about this book I wonder?”

  “I don’t think it was the book itself but rather what she found in the book,” Cassie explained as she reached out for the book and when Leon gave it to her she quickly thumbed through it until she found what she was looking for. Leaving the book open, she pushed it back toward Leon.

  The page she had opened the book to was the page that held the symbol he’d found earlier. “But what does this symbol mean? What was she so excited about?”

  Everyone studied the symbol on the page.

  Melora paled when she saw it but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she sat down hard on a chair.

  “I’m not sure but this symbol drove her crazy. She couldn’t find it in any of the history books she looked at.” Cassie shook her head. “She couldn’t find it anywhere online either. All she could find were the rumors about this symbol.”

  “And what were the rumors?” Deke asked.

  “This symbol told smugglers where a treasure was hidden.”

  “A hidden treasure?” Calderone scoffed. “Did anyone really believe that?”

  Cassie nodded. “This symbol goes back all the way to before the Civil War. Back when Boston was a major port of call. There are caverns and tunnels under the city that no one has ever found. These tunnels and caverns held the goods smuggled in from Europe and South America. Smugglers used these caverns and tunnels to avoid paying the taxes King George demanded.”

  “How did you find all this out?” Leon asked.

  “She was talking about it to someone. I used to listen in on her conversations. She never realized anyone was listening but I did it all the time. Someone had to keep track of what was going on in that house.” Cassie shrugged. “That day was major enough to let us know something had happened. We didn’t know what it was but I had to find out. It was only later on after we’d left that I found out about the symbol. Peaches and I were in the library studying for our GED’s when I saw the symbol again, and then I remembered where I’d seen it before.”

  “Do you know who she was talking to that day?” Deke asked.

  “No.” Cassie shook her head. “But she did tell him she would cut him in on whatever they were able to find. If they found anything at all.”

  “So there could be someone else involved? Like a silent partner,” Leon stated.

  “And that someone may still be out there,” Sam added.

  Melora groaned as her belly rolled.

  Everyone turned to her.

  “Are you okay?” Cassie asked.

  Melora shook her head. She motioned toward the book. “Did anyone ever find the symbol?”

  “Not that I know of,” Cassie replied. “The research I did in the library suggested the symbol was hidden deep within the city but no one has ever found it. Why?”

  Melora paled even more and everyone grew concerned.

  Finally, Cassie whispered, “You know where this symbol is don’t you? You’ve seen it.”

  Melora nodded. “When I was in Boston hiding from Whiskey, I was using the old tunnel system. I found that symbol.”

  “Do you remember where you saw it?” Leon asked.

  Melora shook her head. “Not really. I was way underground at the time. It was carved into a doorframe. I didn’t really pay attention to it…” She paused then added, “I was looking for a safe place to hide. I was out by the water.”

  “There’s a lot of water around Boston,” Calderone noted.

  “I know but I had more to worry about than where I was,” Melora explained.

  “Is this going to become a problem?” Deke wanted to know. “I don’t want my wife in any danger.”

  “Or Melora,” Sam added.

  “I hope not, but Janelle’s partner is still out there and we don’t know who he is or if still he’s waiting to find it,” Leon suggested.

  “He’s been waiting a long time,” Peaches pointed out. “We were nine years old when she got that book.”

  “True, but if he’s been researching this whole time, maybe he’s closer than we realize,” Leon pointed out.

  “But would Janelle have shared the secret of the symbol with him or anyone?” Cassie wondered out loud. “She might not have shared this at all. She did tell him if she found anything she would share her find with him.”

  “Anything is possible but with Janelle, its best not to assume anything.” Leon said. Turning to Cassie he asked, “Can you remember anything else from the phone conversation? A name perhaps?”

  Cassie started to shake her head then remembered something. “I think she called him Mike or Michael but I didn’t hear a last name and I’m not really sure about the first name. It was so long ago and I was just a kid.”

  “You might have been just a child but you paid attention to more than most children would,” Calderone said.

  “My life usually depended on it.” Cassie assured him. “My life or someone else’s life. I had to pay attention.”

  “No child should ever have to do what you did,” Leon stated quietly.

  Deke got to his feet. Extending his hand to Leon and Calderone he asked, “Would you like to join us for supper tonight? We’re celebrating several new additions to our family at the clubhouse. Three new babies and I found a new sister and her brother.”

  Leon and Calderone stood and agreed to be there. “Of course we will.”

  “Good, Charlie has agreed to come too,” Deke stated. “Quinn is still in the hospital but she’ll be joining our group soon enough.”

  “It sounds like your family is expanding as well.” Calderone smiled.

  “Yes, it is.” Deke agreed. “I have a feeling it will again when Melora’s father comes back here to help with the baby.”

  Melora chuckled. “That might be a day or two away.”

  “Don’t you bet on that,” Sam grumbled. “He’ll be here soon enough, too soon to suit me.”

  “That’s your own fault Bones.” Raine chuckled.

  Sam’s fist shot out and slugged Raine’s shoulder.

  Raine stumbled away and glared at the other man but didn’t say anything.

  “Not here…not now,” Deke warned. “There are kids here that don’t need to see this shit.” Picking up his son he motioned for the others, “Come on, let’s celebrate new beginnings.”

  ~* * * *~

  An hour later, a well-dressed young man entered the Redemption House common area. Amos and Frankie were standing in the lobby and Amos asked, “Can I help you?”

  The young man smiled and held out a card. “My name is Eli Duggen. I work with the FBI out of Boston and I’m looking for Cassie Ryan. Would she be around? I understand she owns this place.”

  Amos frowned as he watched the other man. He seemed legit but there was something about him Amos didn’t care for. “Cassie Tory operates this House and she isn’t here at the moment. Can I take a message?”

  “Maybe you could tell me where I can find her?” Eli asked as he passed Amos a business card.

  Amos glanced at the card but didn’t say anything. Even Frankie was quiet. “I can let her know you stopped by but she’ll have to call you back when she’s free.”

  “That’s fine,” Eli replied. “This is just a
follow up on the baby ring case we broke last year. We just want to tie everything up once and for all. We just need to know we got everyone involved.” He motioned toward the card in Amos’s hand. “Please have her give me a call.”

  “Yeah, I’ll do that.” Amos nodded. Both men watched as Eli turned and walked out of the building.

  Frankie was quiet for a moment then asked, “What do you suppose that was all about?”

  “I don’t know.” Amos rubbed his jaw. “But I don’t think I like it.”

  “I know what you mean,” Frankie replied. “He gave me the willies.”

  “Yeah, he did me too.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Later that same evening, everyone was sitting around the clubhouse. Most of them were relaxing when Zipper came in.

  Deke glanced up and when Zipper nodded at him, he got up and joined the other man. Zipper handed him something and Deke went back to the table. “Ladies,” He sat down.

  Iceman, Sam, Leon, Calderone, Gator, Reva, Cassie, Peaches and Melora were sitting there. Raine, Sabbath and several other members were sitting close by but Deke was looking at the women sitting at the main table. In his hands were three pendants. He gave one to his wife, one to Peaches and the last one to Melora. “I know none of us wants to admit it but I want you three to wear these pendants. Please don’t take them off for any reason until we no longer have to worry about Janelle and her shit coming back.”

  “What is this?” Peaches asked as she held the pendant.

  “When Leon asked about the symbol this afternoon I had Zipper make these up. They’re tracking beacons. I know I may be overstepping my bounds here, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. You girls might not be in danger anymore, but I’m not willing to take that chance. If this does go south, we have a way to find you.”

  “Why would this go south?” Melora asked. She tried to hand the pendant back to Deke but he wouldn’t take it back. “I didn’t even know this Janelle.”

  “I know but you saw the symbol on a doorway. If anyone finds out you could be in as much danger as Cassie or Peaches. I’m not going to put your life at risk.”

  Melora paled. “But no one but you guys know that.”

  “We were talking in a public building. Redemption House is that. It’s not like the clubhouse,” Deke reminded her. “Anyone could have overheard us talking about it and they might talk about it unknowingly. I know we’re safe but someone else might not be. I just don’t want to risk it. Please wear the pendant. Hopefully, we’ll never need it.”

  “Put it on,” Sam told her. “I want you and the baby to be safe.”

  Leon glanced over at Peaches. “I’m very happy they’re thinking of your safety.”

  She put the pendant around her neck. “I just wish this wasn’t necessary. This should have been over with a long time ago. Even from the grave, Janelle is messing with our lives. It isn’t fair.”

  “No baby.” Iceman pressed a kiss to her temple. “It isn’t fair but then life rarely is and this is a small price to pay for your safety.” He reached out his hand to Deke. “Thank you for thinking of her.”

  Deke grinned. “She may be your woman but she’s part of this family too and we take care of our own.”

  “It’s getting late,” Calderone stated. “I think we should all get some rest. Tomorrow is another day.’ He jiggled the baby on his chest. Baby Jesse stretched and settled down again on his grandfather’s chest. “Some of us needs to find their own beds.” He chuckled.

  “You and Leon are welcome to stay with us, if you like.” Iceman offered as he got to his feet.

  “We’ll take you up on that.” Calderone told the other man. “We’d like to stay a few days if possible.”

  “That’s doable.” Peaches grinned as she took her son from Calderone. She turned to Cassie and gave her a hug. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  Cassie nodded and got her own children ready to go home. Deke had little Sam and she had Jemmia as they started out toward the back door.

  Soon Sam, Melora, Raine and Sabbath along with Gator and Reva were the only ones sitting there. Charlie had gone to bed a while ago.

  “I think you need to tell Deke about Adriana,” Melora said quietly.

  Sam sighed heavily. “I know. I just don’t know how to tell him he has another sister out there.”

  “Well, you’d better let him know soon, Bones,” Gator urged. “If he finds out from someone else, he’s gonna be pissed.”

  Melora got to her feet. “Well, I’m going to bed. I’ll see you all in the morning.”

  ~* * * *~

  Eli Jerroe tossed his fake FBI badge with the name of Eli Duggen onto the bed. He then sat in his hotel room and fired up his laptop. He began typing then waiting and typing some more. Frowning, he continued. A half an hour later, he threw the laptop on the bed, got up and began pacing. After a few minutes, he took a deep breath and reached for the laptop again. Typing in key phrases, he waited and finally he connected with where he wanted to be.

  Moving around the system, he latched on to the security system at Redemption House. Clicking on the camera feeds, he watched the day’s activity and when he came to the nursery feed, he watched as Leon Vincinti brought the book out of his pocket.

  When Cassie opened the book, he zoomed in and gave a soft yell. He snapped a picture of the symbol on the page and saved the image. Then he reached for his cellphone and called his father. “I found it.”

  “What is it?” Michael Jerroe asked his son.

  “Janelle found a book and in that book is a symbol. I don’t know what it means yet, but Cassie Ryan does and it looks like there might be someone else that does too.”

  “Who is the second person?”

  “I’m not sure but Leon and Calderone Vincinti came to Troy, New York today. I followed them to a place called Redemption House. I think they came to see Calderone’s daughter, Peaches. She was there according to the cameras. Cassie found the symbol but the other woman motioned toward it. Damn, I wish this had audio.”

  “Doesn’t matter. We’ll take both of them, Cassie and the other woman,” Michael told him. “I’ll send you a couple of guys to help with the extraction. Get them back to Boston and we’ll take it from there.”

  “You might be interested in knowing Cassie is married to the President of the local MC,” Eli warned his father.

  “I don’t care who she’s married to.” Michael dismissed his son’s concern.

  “You might be if you hope to get her out of there unmolested,” Eli said. “Or haven’t you had enough trouble with the police?”

  Michael scoffed. “You think the police are going to worry about a couple of missing women?”

  “The police might not be worried but the MC? They’re another kettle of fish altogether. I’ve been watching this town all day and the MC is big here. They are everywhere and people respect them. You mess with them and you’re bringing down a whole other level of hurting. Not only that, but Cassie has a bunch of people looking out for her at the Redemption House. They might not be cops but they could be dangerous to us. You didn’t really want anyone knowing about this did you?”

  “What are you suggesting?” Michael finally asked.

  “Let me talk to this Cassie and see what she knows. I can do this without anyone getting hurt.”

  “I’ll give you two days, then I’m sending Butch in.” Michael ended the call.

  Eli sneered at the phone. He stared at the computer screen memorizing the faces of the two women he was interested in. Both were beautiful women and while he knew Cassie was married, he wondered about the other woman.

  ~* * * *~

  Deke woke to a knock on his front door.

  Cassie groaned as she rolled over. “Whoever that is better not wake up the kids or you’re on baby duty,” she warned him.

  Deke walked through his house without turning any lights on. When he snapped on the light out in the front, he saw Zipper standing outside. Opening the door, he frowned. “What the he
ll are you doing out there at this time of night?”

  “I thought you’d want to know we had a breach at Redemption House.”

  “What kind of breach?” Deke asked.

  “Somebody hacked the security and watched the feed in the nursery today.”

  “Fuck,” Deke swore softly. Running his fingers through his hair, he felt more than saw Cassie join him.

  “What’s going on?” she asked.

  “Someone hacked into Redemption House security and watched the feed from the nursery.”

  Cassie began to tremble. “Oh God, it’s starting again, isn’t it?” she whispered. “We’re never going to be free of her are we? And now she’s got Melora into it.”

  “We don’t know that.” Deke wrapped his arms around her. “We got you baby. No one is going to get to you without going through me first.”

  “Without going through all of us first,” Zipper stated. “You guys aren’t alone now.”

  Deke turned Cassie away from the door. Before he stepped away, he told Zipper, “Make some calls and get everyone here. We’ll parley in an hour.”

  Zipper nodded and faded into the night.

  Deke led Cassie back to the bedroom. He threw some clothes on.

  She sat on the edge of the bed. “Now what?”

  “Now we find out how they knew,” Deke replied. “The others are on their way to the clubhouse. We’ll work from there. You and the kids should be safe here.”

  “Oh no, you don’t.” Cassie scolded him. “I’m going where you are. Me and the kids are going wherever you are.”

  “But this is where you belong, safe in our home.”

  “Yeah, we thought we were safe here before and Donny still got in,” Cassie reminded him. “Nope, not going to happen again. The kids and I will go to the clubhouse with you.”

  “Ok, get some clothes together for the kids and you can go with me.” Deke relented. He went over to her and fingered the pendant. “Make sure you keep this on at all times, all three of you.”

  Cassie wrapped her arms around her husband’s neck and pulled him to her. As their lips met, she kissed him deeply. The kiss lasted for a couple of minutes. Then she pulled her lips from his. “Never let me go. I don’t want to lose my battle with this darkness. I can’t go back to the way things used to be. Not again.”