Page 80 of Tango

“You want to risk that?” Hill stared at me. “It wouldn’t be the first time I got to your girl.” One side of his mouth rose, and his eyes sparkled with malice. “She’s wearing that blue silk blouse, the one where the top button always slips open, and a sexy as sin skirt.”

“Regardless,” Moore whispered, “she’s not alone, Beckett.”

“While you rot in prison,” I towered over Hill, “spooning with a sweaty horny toad, I’ll have that woman for the rest of my life.”

“We’ll s—”

I made as if to turn away but swung with a full roundhouse and drilled my fist into his nose. Blood spurted as I felt a satisfying crunch. He yelled in pain as he flew into the wall and lay slumped with his hands over his nose. He gave a wail as Moore stepped up and drilled the butt of his rifle into his ribs. I threw another punch, and it landed square on his jaw.

“That’s for Brown,” I spat then grabbed his leg and twisted his knee hard, and he screamed in pain.

I had to stop myself. I could have done worse, and truth be told, I wanted to. I wanted to break a bone for every life he’d taken. He didn’t deserve to die; he deserved to waste away to nothing behind bars. His brother too, but his time would come. Moore grabbed my shoulders and pulled me toward the door.

“We kept our promise, Ty,” he said as Hill curled up in the fetal position. “We aren’t like him.”

I knew he was right. We’d gotten justice for Brown and a little for Ivy too. At that thought, I grabbed for my phone, suddenly filled with fear for her, but she didn’t answer. I knew Moore was right. She’d never be left alone, so I tried to relax.

Within the hour, I paced the small VIP lounge at the airport. Frank got us out on an earlier flight. I didn’t give two shits what happened to Hill anymore so long as he got locked up. My only concern was Ivy. My team and Blackstone took up most of the lounge. I paced and dialed and paced again, but I couldn’t reach her. Moore watched me, and his face grew more and more anxious.

Cole was on the phone with Abby, John was talking to Sloane, and Keith had his son on the line.

“All right, here’s the scoop.” Cole walked up to me. “At the last minute, Doc needed Ivy’s help, so Daniel went to Camp Green without her. It took a while for Abby to figure that out. She’d thought Ivy was with Daniel and had gone to Camp Green. We’re sure the reason her phone isn’t tracking is because it’s dead.”

“And Doc’s?” I stepped closer to Cole, and his gaze made a twitch toward Mark. It was very slight, and he controlled it well, but I caught it.

“Abby’s gone to check why he isn’t answering. She’ll get right back to us.”

Keith jumped in as he pocketed his phone. “June’s with the kids outside.”

“The wives are out shopping,” John reported, “but are heading home right now just in case. She’s not at Zack’s, so Hill’s full of shit there.”

“Okay,” Cole nodded as he took in all the information, “our flight leaves in ten. Let’s get to our gate and get the hell home.”

“You saw that?” I muttered to Moore about Cole’s hesitation.

“I did, but remember he’s been through this shit before. If he’s not telling you something, it’s for a good reason.” I started to speak, but he shook his head. “You know I’ll go dig.”

“Thanks.”

I was going crazy not knowing. I was sure it was a lie, Hill’s last effort to screw with my life, but…

“Hey, come on.” Moore hit my shoulder as he stood, and we slowly boarded the plane. “She’s gonna be okay,” he assured me as we took our seats. I wanted to believe, but as every moment went by, I felt my gut twist tighter. Was her phone really dead? Keeping your phone charged was one of those things that Shadows was strict about. Ivy wasn’t one to be slack about things like that. At least I didn’t think she was. So why wasn’t she answering her phone? And where was Doc, and why didn’t he answer either? What was it that Cole hadn’t shared with me? My head was about to burst.

I didn’t even notice we were in the air until the captain spoke. The flight was only half full, and I got up to pace as I waited for the WIFI to connect. My phone lit up, and I leaned down to show the screen to Cole then tapped the button and moved to the back of the plane.

“Ivy?”

“Hey,” she sounded concerned, and my heart pounded painfully in my chest, “I’m sorry I missed your calls. I was doing some research on my phone and drained the battery dry. I had it charging in the truck on that big battery in the back while I helped Doc. I wasn’t thinking. I’m so sorry.” I closed my eyes and leaned my forehead against my arm. The flight attendant next to me eyed me as she set up the drink cart but didn’t say anything. I took a much-needed deep breath.

“So, you’re home?”

“No, we’re at the market now. We had dinner at Zack’s earlier.” My head snapped up. “What’s going on?”

“What are you wearing?”

“What?” She chuckled, but there was still a level of concern in her voice.

“Ivy,” I tried to focus as the blood rushed through my ears, “what are you wearing?”

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