Page 57 of Cruel Dreams

Ash will see me, but I’m not scared of him. Zane will be there, and so will Special Agent Banks, Mel, and other law enforcement. There’s nothing he can do to me, and I’m eager to look him in his eyes while Banks cuffs him. I want him to know how it feels to be powerless. I’m sure it’s an emotion he’s never felt in his life.

Thinking she’s interrupting our talk, Mel swoops into the room mumbling apologies and holding our dresses. I’m glad mine isn’t black. I’m allowed to stand out tonight, and though my hair is still a coppery red, Quinn chose a beautiful vintage blush colored gown that reminds me of something Jackie Kennedy would have worn at the height of her husband’s presidency.

We do up each other’s zippers, and she’s gorgeous wearing a black and silver dress, her jet-black hair, pale skin, and sultrymakeup complementing it perfectly. Mel wears a plain black floor-length dress and a strand of black pearls, and she pinned her hair into a sophisticated chignon. Though it’s still warm, she added an elegant lace blazer that gives her room to wear her holster.

I hope she doesn’t have to shoot anyone.

We thought it best Zarah and Ingrid stay behind. It will be the first time she’s completely alone since Zane brought her home, and Douglas will drive them to the penthouse and stay until the party’s over and we can pick them up.

We meet in Max’s suite, and Zarah hugs me tightly. Even though Zane hired extra security to keep her safe while all this goes down, it’s difficult to say goodbye, and she’s another part of my life I won’t be able to forget that easily if I choose to go my own way. I love her as much as I love Quinn, and it breaks my heart to look into her deep brown eyes and see only glimmers of who she used to be before Ash sold her and locked her away. I’d hoped to be around to support her, help her find the woman she wants to be, but in order to heal myself, I may need to cut ties and spend some time alone. I wish I knew what the right answer was.

Zarah doesn’t let go, and I rub her back. She’s scared Max is going with us, but he worked hard on Kagan and Lark’s plane crash before he met Denton and me at the police station, and watching the FBI arrest Clayton Black is his reward.

“It’s going to be okay,” I whisper in her ear, leaving a trace of sparkly lipstick on her cheek.

“You came for me,” she says, searching my face.

I force myself to smile. Sometimes she sounds good, like she’s still not fighting a thick layer of drugs, and sometimes, like now, if she’s frightened or she wants to hide from what’s happening around her, she reverts back to the way she sounded at Quiet Meadows, a scared little girl having no hope of rescue.“Yeah, I did. I love you, Zarah. You have what you need for a fresh start.”

An uncertain smile trembles on her lips.

I know how she feels.

Zane watches our exchange, and tears fill his eyes.

Wearing a crisp tux, Denton walks into Max’s suite and joins us. He’s looking better, more like the man who used to work at Maddox Industries. His skin isn’t so grey, Mel gave him a haircut, and in the past couple of weeks he’s lost weight, too. Denton wants to see Clayton pay for the death of his friend, and he vibrates, full of energy and anticipation.

Zane claps his hands to get our attention. “Special Agent Banks, two agents from the local FBI field office, and two local plainclothes detectives from the KCPD are in place on the Guthrie estate right now, and they’ll blend in with Governor Guthrie’s security. The grounds are comprised of twelve acres, and there are several places to conceal themselves, so don’t think because you don’t see anyone that you’re alone. We aren’t going to give Clayton and Ash a chance to escape. Nora Guthrie and Ash have a presentation planned, and they’ll be talking about Minnesota’s sex and human trafficking statistics. Something they’ve been contributing to. We’ll let their guests know.”

Quinn and Mel grin.

Ash officially invited Zane to the party, but now that Nathalie isn’t his plus one, he’s bringing Mel. Once they clear the security checking the reservations, she’ll wander off and let me, Quinn, Denton, and Max into the mansion. Normally, Governor Guthrie’s security would stop us before we could step foot onto the grass, but Banks and our team will let us by.

Mel and Banks spent hours planning this, and I hope they’ve thought of everything.

“Does anyone have any questions?” Zane asks.

We’re quiet. We know the plan backward and forward.

“Then let’s go.”

Downstairs in the staff parking lot, Douglas is sitting behind the wheel of a plain black town car waiting for Zarah and Ingrid. Ingrid climbs into the back, but Max catches Zarah before she gets in too. She presses her face against his shoulder, and I look away. I don’t want to be a witness to her sadness. I already saw it when we flew to DC, but this time feels different.

Quinn steps up to me as Douglas drives away. “Ready?”

“Yeah. I’m worried about her, though. She’s such an easy target.”

“She’ll be fine. Douglas will keep an eye on her, and their building’s already locked down. Zane made sure.”

“I know.” Zane took every precaution to protect his sister. I have nothing to worry about.

In one of his limos, he and Mel ride to the gala. Denton, Max, Quinn, and I also have a driver who is a professional bodyguard, but we’re riding in a plain black SUV that won’t draw attention.

Looking dapper in his tux, Max sits next to me, bouncing his leg.

The governor’s mansion is thirty minutes away, and as we move closer to our destination, my apprehension grows. Maybe it’s because I’m realistic. Maybe it’s because I know Ash won’t go down without a fight.

Everyone seems to think this will work flawlessly.

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