Hiding the Past

by Sofia Grey

  “Uh huh.”

  “The man I’m chasing is codenamed Katipo, the name of a venomous spider. It suits him well. He must have tracked me to Moelfre through the Shogun. Your friends almost certainly notified the police when you disappeared with me, and unwittingly gave Katipo’s people a clear trail to follow.”

  It didn’t make sense. What was he leaving out? “But where does Irina fit into this?”

  “It’s not Irina, specifically.” He sounded patient. “Have you heard of a Member of Parliament called Henry Tuttle? Minister for Economic Development?”

  Maria shrugged, confused at the change in direction.

  “One of the bills Tuttle wants to push through concerns the legalisation of prostitution. He has strong links to the vice trade, mainly through his Russian allies, an Oligarch called Pieter Amirov and his employees. Brothels are big money spinners, especially when you factor in all the cheap labour—Irina and all the girls like her. But there are already two factions vying for control on the ground—the Russians and the Albanians. It’s war, make no bones about it. And Tuttle is trying to figure out which is the stronger group. There’s no sense in allying with the losing side.” He smiled. “With me so far?”

  She nodded for him to continue. The evening air was chilly, but she didn’t want to distract him from the story by asking for a jacket.

  “I heard a whisper that Tuttle is playing one side against the other. This was after a friend of a friend asked me for help, finding Irina. So, by poking my nose in, I upset Tuttle’s plans and he put a contract on my head.”

  “Why? How does that fit with anything?”

  “I believe Tuttle is aligned with Katipo. And if Tuttle thinks he’s successfully taken me out, that news will go right back up the chain.”

  “And if Katipo thinks you’re dead, he’ll come out in the open.”

  Yanni nodded, a broad smile on his face.

  Maria sat back, thinking it over. “But how would that help? I mean, if you’re dead, there’s not a lot you can do, is there?”

  “Very good. I’d need an ally to turn to. Someone I could trust. Someone after the same goal—to unveil Katipo.”

  “Juli?” That didn’t make sense either.

  He shrugged, a sombre look descending. “Not just Juli.”

  “You mean Jack. You trusted Rico, so you’d trust Jack by association.”

  “You know what they say about the best-laid plans. The one thing I didn’t factor in was O’Donnell’s turning out to be Serenity. Like I said, that was a surprise.” Yanni shrugged. “So now it’s just me and you.”

  “Yeah, and an assassin or three on our tail. Was he a Russian or an Albanian do you think?” Her tone was sarcastic, and he rolled his eyes.

  “Russian. Gloria’s is the cash cow for the Russians. The Albanians are trying to muscle in. One of the girls from Gloria’s tampered with my drink in Starbucks, but I didn’t realise until afterwards.”

  Maria put the pieces together in her head. “You’re saying, when Yves was poisoned, that was meant for you?”

  He nodded.

  “Holy fuck. Poor Yves.”

  “Indeed. Poor Juli. I can never make it up to her for that.”

  Maria was tempted to reveal that Yves was still alive. Caution won, and she stayed quiet. Yanni might be placing some of his cards on the table, but it didn’t mean he was telling the whole truth.

  “So,” he continued, “I went back to Gloria’s and got nailed by Amirov’s crew. Hence the knife wound, but after I found confirmation that Yves had been poisoned with thallium. This was my cue to head for Juli’s, hoping she’d introduce me to her husband, at which point I’d explain my link to Rico. Events overtook me, and… Well, you know the rest.”

  “So how does Irina fit in?”

  “Like I said, I was asked to find her. My understanding is that the Albanians have figured out how to disable Gloria’s by breaking its supply chain. What I think is happening, and I hope Irina will confirm this, is that they’re quite literally damaging the goods. Attacking the girls, so they can’t work. Meanwhile, the punters move on to another brothel. From what I heard, when Irina was being shipped across from Dublin, she gave them the slip, like we planned. However, there’s a distinct possibility that the Albanians are looking for her. She could identify them.”

  Maria shivered again, not just from the cold. If he was telling the truth, he was playing a dangerous game, and one which she become tangled in.

  Yanni dug into one of the storage boxes and pulled out a blanket. He handed it to her. “Take this.”

  “Thank you.” She bought herself a little time as she wrapped it around her shoulders. Her brain spun furiously. She had to make him understand he’d gotten Jack wrong, then convince Jack that they were all on the same side. Kinda. All that and rescue Irina, while avoiding Russian and Albanian assassins. Perhaps she should leave at Holyhead, after all.

  While they were talking, the light had faded. It would be fully dark within the hour. Maria tossed around the alternatives.

  Yanni had his back to her again, as he steered the boat through the twilight.

  She cleared her throat, to get his attention. “I have a plan.”

  Chapter Nineteen

  Nathan hoped Daisy would tell him her engagement was a farce.

  He dreaded her telling him how much she loved Charlie.

  “My two older sisters were massively into Event Horizon, and I couldn’t help listening to them too. They started not far from where we lived. It felt good to follow the home boys as they scaled the charts and became famous, and Charlie was always my favourite. And then I had an interview with Alex Hamilton, who wanted a nanny for his foster son. You can’t believe how excited I was to discover I’d be working for AJ and Sizzle.”

  She smiled up at Nathan, her teeth a flash of white in the gloom. “Meeting Charlie was magical. We got together the first time at a party, and then hooked up properly when they were on tour down under, at the beginning of the year. I never guessed just how lovely he’d be. He’s so charming and affectionate. And he’s had a really shit year. The stuff he’s had to deal with… But he’s come through it, and we’re still together. And now we’re going to get married.”

  Every word felt like broken glass rubbing into Nathan’s skin. Jesus, how did he become so smitten with her? He’d only known her a few days. He was hesitant when he said, “He seems very possessive of you.”

  “He has trust issues, according to his therapist. But he loves me. I’ve no doubts on that score.”

  Was that an anxious note in her voice? “What do you have doubts about?”

  She sighed “Oh, you know. It’s a big step. And I sometimes wonder what I’ll do all day. I’m used to working.”

  “You might have your own kids soon. That’d keep you busy.” It pained him to say it.

  “Yeah.” She didn’t sound convinced.

  “You told me how great Alex is turning out as a parent. There’s no reason to think Charlie won’t be as good.”

  “Oh God, I can’t believe I’m going to tell you this.” She nestled closer. “Don’t tell anyone. I couldn’t bear it.” She paused, as though gathering her courage. “He loves the whole sex and drugs and rock ’n’ roll lifestyle. It worries me that we might be too different. I might be too… well… dull. I don’t want him to get bored with me.” She laughed, but it sounded forced. “I shouldn’t have said that. I’m just freaking out with all this. I’m embarrassed now.”

  “You’re embarrassed? I told you how I beat up my teammate with an umbrella. Now that’s embarrassing.”

  They sat in silence for an age, the interior of the van getting steadily darker. Outside, glimpses of streetlights flashed by—a soft, diffused glow through the painted-out windows. Otherwise, he could see nothing.

  Daisy was crying again. He felt her tears on his neck.

  “Daisy, love, please don’t cry. We’ll get out of this. You have to believe that.” Closing his eyes, he spoke wistful
ly. “I hope for your sake it works out. You know—with Charlie.”

  There was a shocked silence, then her voice, sharp and cold. “Why shouldn’t it work out? We’re in love. We want to spend our lives together.”

  There was that moment when Nathan know he should shut up. And he ignored it, barging on regardless. “I’m just saying. Charlie’s such a player, he’s got such a history—”

  She jerked back, as though he’d hit her. An uncomfortable gap opened between them. “How the hell would you know? You’d never heard of Event Horizon. You didn’t know he existed, until a couple of days ago.”

  “I looked him up on the internet.”

  “You did what?”

  Yep. It was fair to say Nathan had fucked up. Again.

  “You know,” she said, sounding every bit as pissed off as he should have expected, “Charlie checked you out today, too. He told me all about the guy you beat to a pulp. About your crazy stunt, driving off with his wife. Well the reality was a bit different, wasn’t it? Or so you told me. So, isn’t it entirely possible Charlie’s press is just that? Stupid stories, blown out of all proportion, and exaggerated to sell the papers?”

  “I’m sorry.” He could make out her rigid posture in the darkness. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

  “So why did you?”

  “Because…” He couldn’t lie to her. “I like you. A lot. I wish things were different.” He managed to hold back from saying, I wish you were my girl. He had some sense.

  The sound he least wanted to hear—her sobbing—resumed. “I’m sorry, Nathan. I’m in love with Charlie. I don’t see you that way.”

  Karma could be a bitch. Nathan could now sympathize with Shaz. He longed for a black hole to open up in front of him, or a lightning bolt to strike him on the forehead.

  Neither of those happened. He was still locked in the lightless van, with Daisy sobbing quietly a few feet away and the remains of his heart disintegrating.

  *

  Jack and Tanner reached Rhosneigr just after eleven at night. Sapphire looked more nervous by the minute, especially when they walked in on a scene of crowded confusion.

  A group of people sat around a long kitchen table, others lurked around the edge of the room, and there were several unfamiliar faces. Charlie stared at Jack as though he wanted to kill him. Aiden and Jordan were arguing over something with Juli.

  When she looked at Jack, there was a hint of a smile. Then she must have seen that Sapphire was clinging to him like a limpet, and the smile gave way to puzzlement.

  Sapphire spotted a copper-haired girl at the back of the group, and dashed toward her. “Irina. Oh my God. You’re alive.” They hugged tight.

  Okay. That was a glimmer of good news.

  Aiden cut through the noise. “Jordan’s just received a text from Maria.” He handed Jack a cell phone, who read the message along with Tanner.

  Hi Jordan. Sorry to msg so late, but I have an urgent question about the data leak from TM-Tech. Can you pls call ASAP? Doesn’t matter how late. Thanks, Maria

  Tanner rubbed a hand across his eyes. He had to feel as confused as Jack did. It was contact with Maria at last, if indeed she sent the text.

  “We’re getting ready to make the call.” Aiden introduced his two colleagues, Davey and Neil. They were working on tracing Maria’s location from the phone, and several sets of headphones were connected to a console, for them to listen to the conversation.

  Aiden checked the preparations, and nodded. “We’re good to go.”

  What the fuck did the leak have to do with the situation? Unless it was Maria’s way of making contact on a pretext. If she had a chance to text for help, though, why didn’t she contact Jack or Tanner?

  Aiden briefed Jordan. “Remember that Maria won’t know you’re with us. She’ll probably think you know nothing about this, so play it cool. Act natural, as though it’s a normal evening at home. Stall her as much as you can. Every extra second will help us trace her location.”

  Jordan nodded, and someone dialled the number. It rang once.

  “Hi Jordan. Thanks for calling back so soon.” Maria. She sounded her usual bright and bubbly self. Thank fuck for that.

  Jack glanced at Tanner and saw him frowning in deep concentration. Jack focused on Maria’s voice.

  “I’m digging back through some archive material,” she said, “and I wanted to ask you about the data leak. Can you please tell me how you first became aware of it?”

  “Sure. We had a tip-off that material was being sold on the open market. Why ask now? Is there a problem I should know about?”

  “No. Not at all. I guess I was hoping to verify something. Can you tell me where the tip-off came from? Was Rico involved?”

  Jordan paused and drew out his answer. “Well, yes. He was. He brought it to our attention. Said he’d been alerted by one of his contacts. It wasn’t hard to verify the rumour. He didn’t name his contact, though.” He continued smoothly, sounding as relaxed as anyone could imagine. “Say, Maria, how are things in the London office? I spend most of my time in Wales these days.”

  “Oh, busy as usual.” She hesitated briefly. “Anyway. I have things to do. Thanks, Jordan. You’re a star.”

  Before he could say anything else, the line went dead.

  Aiden’s guys looked up from their equipment. One of them, a sharply dressed Aiden-Clone, smiled. “She’s close. No more than five miles from the centre of Holyhead.”

  “That’s almost eight miles from here.” Jordan shrugged. “Does anyone have any suggestions why Maria would be asking about the leak? That’s real old news.”

  “I’ve got nothing,” said Jack, and the others concurred. “Any clues about the call itself?”

  “Pretty sure it was on speaker at her end,” said Neil. “We assume Yanni was listening to the call.”

  “She didn’t sound stressed in the God damned slightest.” Tanner ran a hand through his short hair. “Is she playing another fuckin’ game with us?”

  “She’s alive,” said Juli, “and that’s good.” She looked up at Jack. “Do you have a minute? We could step outside.”

  He was tired and fucked off with everything. The absolute last thing he wanted to do was fight with Juli again, but he couldn’t say no to her. He followed her outside into the warm darkness and across the paved yard to the doorway of an outbuilding. He sniffed the air. Was that horse manure?

  “Fragrant, huh?” she said. “This is Nathan’s stable block. He runs a riding school.”

  Jack held back a yawn, shoved his hands in his pockets, and leaned against the wall.

  Juli inched closer. She stood near enough to reach out and touch, if he felt inclined.

  “Was there something you wanted?” he asked.

  “Yeah.” Her voice was soft. She sounded uncertain. “I wanted to see if you were okay.”

  “Well…” Jack paused. “Would that be okay as in not bleeding, or okay as in with my wife not trusting me?”

  The pool of light from the kitchen didn’t reach this far, and he couldn’t tell her expression in the darkness. “I do trust you. I love you, Jack. I just didn’t agree with what you were doing.”

  He was tempted to walk back into the noisy hubbub of the kitchen, to leave this fight for another hour. Another day.

  “Please, Jack. Don’t do this.”

  “Don’t do what?” He was stung. “I’m not doing anything.”

  She bridged the gap between them, her hands slipping around his waist, and their hips pressing together. “I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t want this stupid fight to go on any longer.”

  He itched to hold her. He compromised by resting his hands on her shoulders. “Let’s be clear on this, Juli. What exactly are you apologising for?”

  She sighed. Warm breath drifted across the base of his throat. His stomach muscles tightened, and he curled his fingers into loose fists.

  “I’m apologising for letting him come between us. For being naïve enough to believe h
im over you. For being an idiot.” Her whisper was anguished.

  Was the fight over? Not completely, but this was a step in the right direction.

  She lifted her head, seeking his kiss, and he was lost. Trying to resist Juli was impossible.

  He claimed her lips. She made a little noise in her throat, and he drove the kiss deeper. Christ, he’d missed her. It was only a day, but he missed her like losing a limb.

  “I love you so much,” she said against his lips. “It’s been driving me crazy, having this come between us.” They kissed some more, and then she pulled back. “Who’s the girl you brought with you? It looked as though she was wearing my clothes.”

  Yeah. He’d forgotten about that. “Her name’s Sapphire. She’s one of the girls from Gloria’s.” Jack didn’t want to have a conversation right now. He wanted Juli, with an urgency that threatened to overwhelm him. Before she could reply, he dug one hand in her glorious hair, guiding her head into position so her mouth was his for the taking. This was better than talking any day.

  A phone was trilling somewhere close. Was it Juli’s?

  She tugged herself free. “That’s mine.” She sounded dazed. Her fingers scrabbled in the back pocket of her jeans. Their private moment was put on hold.

  “My God,” she whispered. “It’s Maria again.”

  *

  Daisy sat with her back to Nathan, the chasm between them as wide as the Grand Canyon. He wanted to kick himself repeatedly. Stupid fucker. What did he think would happen? She was in love with the cocky rocker. And instead of thinking about the shitty situation they were both in and trying to figure out how to get out of it, he’d given in to the need inside of him.

  The van stopped, but this time, the engine cut off. Silence boomed in his ears and ratcheted up his pulse. Was this it? Had they arrived wherever the fuck they were being taken?

  Daisy turned around and scooted close to him again.

  The cab doors slammed, but the back doors didn’t open. Why? Did they stop for fuel? To take a piss? To buy coffee?