Page 51 of Belgian Betrayal

Sadie nodded. “We want to help.” She looked past Fearghas.

“Let me introduce you,” Fearghas turned to Catya. “Catya Romanov, this is Hank Patterson, the founder of the Brotherhood Protectors. His wife, Sadie McClain?—”

“Is a world-famous actor,” Catya finished. She held out a hand to Sadie. “It’s an honor to meet you. I’ve seen several of your movies. You’re very talented.”

Sadie’s cheeks pinkened. “Thank you. And thank you for helping rescue Ms. Atkins. I can’t imagine how dangerous it was.”

Catya held out her hand to Hank. “I have heard good things about your organization from Fearghas and others. The Brotherhood Protectors is building a good reputation in the US and around the world.”

Hank shook her hand. “We only hire the best.” He lifted his chin toward Fearghas. “Having protectors from other countries will help us provide even more protection to people in Europe and around the world. We’re happy Fearghas decided to join us.”

Sadie stepped around Hank and Catya. “And you must be Madison.”

The young woman rose from the waiting room chair, her eyes wide. “Are you really the Sadie McClain?”

Sadie crossed to take Madison’s hands in hers. “I am. Please, call me Sadie. How’s your father?”

While Sadie spoke with Madison, Catya and Fearghas moved closer to Hank.

“I figured someone needed to be here to look out for Atkins while he’s recuperating,” Hank said. “For now, that someone is me. As soon as Atkins is able to move, we will transport him and his daughter to somewhere safer until we can figure out what’s going on.” He glanced from Fearghas to Catya and back. “You two are closer to this case and need to get back to Brussels. ASAP. Ace thinks the hacker will break through the encryption at any time.”

Catya glanced back at Sadie and Madison.

Hank chuckled. “Don’t worry. Sadie will make sure Madison is safe and loved. She’s amazing with children and adults alike. And I’ll protect Atkins until he’s moved to a safer location.”

Fearghas met Catya’s gaze. “Ready to get back in the game?”

Catya’s gaze rested on Madison for a moment before she squared her shoulders and gave a brief nod. “Ready.”

Chapter 13

Catya didn’t like leaving Madison after all she’d been through, but they had to move on. If she’d felt the least bit uncomfortable passing the reigns to Hank and Sadie, Catya would have stayed with Madison until her father got better, disk data be damned.

Before they left the hospital, Sadie set Madison at ease. Hank checked on Atkins’s status. All was as well as could be expected with a gunshot wound to the gut.

Fearghas and Catya took the train back to Brussels and were met at the station by Ace in a rented sedan.

Catya insisted on Fearghas sitting up front with Ace. She could eavesdrop on their conversation from the backseat.

“Any closer to deciphering the encryption?” Fearghas asked as he slid into the sedan and buckled his seatbelt.

Catya leaned close to the back of Ace’s seat.

Fearghas’s boss shook his head as he pulled away from the station, heading back to Lucie’s apartment. “Dmytro’s friend Lucie has been working nonstop since we left. She’s tried everything she knows and then some additional techniques she learned from online friends. Now, she’s working some dark web magic, hoping to break through.”

“We need to get into that data,” Fearghas said. “I bet it points to the people responsible for what’s been happening.”

Catya agreed. Whoever wanted that disk knew it contained important data. Maybe even damning information for criminals disguising themselves as patriots and trusted government officials. Folks who would kill to keep that information from being shared with the wrong people.

Jasmine led them into the basement apartment where Dmytro and Lucie huddled around the monitors, both talking at once.

Ace and Fearghas hurried to join them.

“Anything?” Fearghas asked.

Catya came to stand beside him.

Jasmine joined Ace.

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