Page 16 of Grayson's Angel

She rolled her eyes. “After my mother died, my dad turned to alcohol and gambling. I have a pretty good idea what’s in the folder. He wasn’t always a bad man. When my mom was alive, we were his everything. Dad never missed one of my basketball games. The day I graduated from college, he was in the front row, cheering me on.”

“People change when something traumatic happens,” Grayson said quietly.

Hank was tapping his finger on the table. “Have your deputies been able to bring Rovshan and his crew in?”

“Rovshan stopped by the office this morning.” The sheriff leaned back in the booth before continuing. “He said he has no clue what you’re talking about. He has video footage showing him arriving late last night at the airport, and his hotel sent footage of him at one of his hotels during the day. I know you're telling the truth, but we need to find more evidence.”

Kara was about to speak but stopped when Daisy came back with their food.

“One special for everyone. If you need anything else, please let me know.”

Grayson replied, “Thank you.”

Kara didn’t even wait for Daisy to turn before she asked the sheriff the same question that was burning in Grayson’s head. “Why hasn’t someone pulled the video of the airport baggage claim? His men grabbed me there. They shoved a gun in my back. To top it off, Rovshan’s thugs stand out like a sore thumb in Montana. They’re wearing velour, for god’s sake. I can’t believe they can still find those ugly tracksuits. There has to be video footage of the airport.”

The sheriff wouldn’t look her in the eye. “The airport’s cameras had a glitch during the time of your arrival. There is no video footage.”

Grayson wasn’t surprised. Rovshan had connections and enough money to make lots of things, including security footage, disappear. Would Grayson be able to keep her safe? He needed to get her to the cabin, where he could protect her, and get his hands on a gun so he’d have something to protect her with. He knew it was just a matter of time before Rovshan struck again.

“I’m putting you all in danger,” she whispered. It was a statement, not a question. She wasn’t expecting an answer. Kara folded her arms across her chest. Grayson had a very good idea of what she must be thinking.

“Stop that train of thought right now,” Grayson demanded. He pulled her into his side. “You will not sacrifice yourself because you're worried about us.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“We’ll be fine.”

The sheriff stood up from his seat. “Keep me posted. I believe you, Kara. I just don’t have enough evidence to bring him in. We’ll watch the hotel to make sure he stays in town and doesn’t head north.”

“Thank you, Sheriff,” Grayson said, and the sheriff took his leave.

Grayson and his companions finished their breakfasts in silence. Then Grayson asked, “Is the cabin ready for us to head up?”

Hank was staring into his coffee cup, still and serious. “Yes, but I wish you would let Bear stay up at the cabin with you.”

“We’ll be fine. I’m waiting on information from my brother. When I get it, we’ll come up with a game plan. I might need your help when I go after Rovshan.”

Before Hank had time to respond, the door to the Al’s Diner opened. Kara’s gasp told Grayson who had walked through the door. A tall, skinny man dressed in an expensive suit came in, flanked by two men wearing velour tracksuits.

Rovshan surveyed the diner, and when his eyes landed on Kara, an evil grin formed on his face.

Grayson hadn’t seen Rovshan Nikitovich in person before. A few days earlier, when he was watching the news, he’d seen a report claiming Rovshan didn’t know his father was trafficking women and children. He explained that he had his own business dealings and didn’t need his father’s money.

Rovshan’s father no longer had any money. The FBI had frozen the accounts associated with the Nikitovich family.

Grayson could feel the anger vibrating off Kara’s body. The air had become thick with tension. The smirk on Rovshan’s face made Grayson want to punch the Russian in the face. The information Grayson had uncovered about Rovshan indicated that he enjoyed doing the killing himself. They needed to stay on their toes and not understatement him.

Under the table, Grayson squeezed Kara’s knee. “Don’t act like he’s winning. That'sjust fuel to men like him. Try not to look upset or show that he’s getting under your skin.”

Instead of sitting at the table the waitress pointed him to, Rovshan headed toward their table. He was favoring his right leg. That must have been where Kara had stabbed him with the scissors. Underneath the smug smile, Grayson could sense a cold-blooded killer. Rovshan was used to getting everything he wanted. Kara had interrupted his plan, and he looked to be seething.

Grayson could see Rovshan clenching and unclenching his hands as he walked toward the table. The man’s right hand sported fresh cuts. Grayson had a feeling the cuts were from hitting Kara’s dad. They needed to find him soon.

Hank’s hand reached under the table. Grayson knew he was putting his hand on his gun, preparing for the worst-case scenario.

“You must be Kara Davidson,” Rovshan said. He reached his hand toward her. “I’m sorry for your issue yesterday. I talked with the sheriff this morning. If there is anything I can do to help you, let me know.”

Kara ignored the outstretched hand. Instead, she gripped her steak knife. Her knuckles were turning white from the force she was using. “Where’s my father?”

---