Page 55 of Seven

But now, I had to deal with this fucking driver and find out what he was up to. I was surprised when Shep answered, “He and his buddy had gone back to the hotel where Tallie was staying.”

“And?”

“Memphis and Goose just picked them up,” Shep answered. “They’re on their way to the clubhouse.”

"I’m on my way.”

As soon as I hung up, Tallie’s eyes were on me, reading me like she always did. "You’re leaving?”

“Afraid so.”

She didn’t ask why. She didn’t have to. Tallie knew me well enough to know that I was a man who kept his word. I told her we’d find the men who had been following her, and we’d done just that.

"Okay. Be careful," she murmured, her voice softer now.

I leaned down, pressing a quick kiss to her forehead before turning to Duggar. "Hang here until I get back.”

Duggar nodded, and they watched silently as I grabbed my Glock from the side drawer and made my way out the door. I hated leaving, especially when things were going so well, but I needed to know who these assholes were and what they wanted with Tallie.

When I got to the clubhouse, Shep was waiting for me out front. I parked, and as soon as I made my way over to him, I said, “Tell me what ya got.”

“The license plate was tied to a man named Boris Sokolov. It took some digging, but I was able to connect him to Sergei Volkov.”

“The guy Tallie’s father was working with.”

“The one and only.”

“This Boris fella is one of his drivers, and he’s as green as they come. The guard, too. Hell, Goose and Memphis just put a gun to the back of their heads and threw out a few threatening words, and the assholes both folded like a couple of cheap hookers.”

“Where are they now?”

“They got them out back in a couple of the holding rooms. Grim’s already working on the driver.”

“Good deal. I’m going to go see how it’s going.” I gave him a brotherly pat on the shoulder. “Appreciate your help on this.”

“That’s what I’m here for.”

I gave him a nod, then started around back. By the time I got to the holding room, Grim had already done a real number on the driver. He was standing shirtless with his hands bound over his head, and his face was already black and blue with bruises. I walked over and stood in the corner, watching as he whimpered and whined like a wounded animal. Grim stood in front of him with a cattle prod that was strong enough to jolt a fucking elephant and snarled, “I’m not a man who likes to repeat myself, Boris.”

“Zen stop asking questions I do not know ze answer to.”

I knew he was lying.

Grim knew it, too.

“I think you do,” Grim told him as he tossed his cigarette to the floor and took a step towards him. Boris wasn’t a big guy. He was about five-ten and might’ve weighed two hundred pounds if he was soaking wet. He was playing the tough guy, but it wasn’t a game he could play for long. It was written all over his face.

He grimaced when he noticed Grim getting closer.“Vat is it you want from me?”

“Haven’t you been listening?” Grim flipped the trigger on the prod, causing the current to arc. “I want to know what you wanted with the girl and her mother.”

“I vant nothing. I know not about any girl.”

“My patience is running thin, Boris.”

Grim took the prod and rammed it against the guy’s chest, sending a jolt of electricity surging through his entire body. Boris arched his back, and he grew rigid as he let out a stream of Russian curses. I’d lived in the South long enough to know a thing or two about the zing of a cattle prod. It hurt like a bitch, and that was just a regular one.

That thing Grim was using had to be lighting Boris up. It certainly looked and sounded that way. Grim removed the prod from his chest, and Boris fell completely limp. Grim’s voice was low and firm as he growled, “Best get ready, ‘cause I can do this all night long.”

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