Page 58 of All of Me

Danny noted the time. “That’s Alec,” Diesel said unnecessarily as we saw him try the locked door, then step away. “They must be still in there.”

“There’s a patio door around the back into the family room,” I said.

Then the fourth video started and we all recognized Drake knock, then wait, walk away but then come back and knock again. We could see his mouth move but I was no lip reader, and then the door opened because Drake smiled and started talking, then froze. I clenched my fists as we saw a man appear from nowhere behind Drake and pressed a gun against the back of his head.

“It was a diversion,” Diesel snapped out. “That was the reason for the SUVs. Fuck,” Diesel spat. “Alert everyone but tell them to keep their distance. We don’t know who we’re dealing with.”

But we did, and I stood slowly and met Diesel’s gaze, knowing he did too. It all made sense. The petty stuff could be linked to Ryan, but tonight’s raid, as everybody agreed, was beyond him. This had to be Garcia. Diesel noticed me getting to my feet. “Shae, we need to know what we’re walking into. I can’t—”

“I’m not asking,” I said. “You know I’m the only one capable of getting in there and disarming them so quickly they won’t know what happened.”

“Not a good idea to go in on your own,” Diesel said firmly.

“And I’m the only one that can’t be seen. None of the others can move fast enough.”

“Shit,” Diesel spat out. “He’s gonna have my balls in a vise.”

“Maybe,” I acknowledged and looked at Kane. “Tammy’s asleep. She’s your responsibility unless you can get Pink here by helicopter.” I didn’t acknowledge the smirk and the half-assed salute from Kane. I glanced at Danny. “I need a way of contacting you.”

Danny jumped up, shot out of the kitchen, and came back with an earpiece. “This should pick up everything, but only when you stop.” He grinned at me sheepishly because I knew it was an endless source of frustration for Danny that no trackers could pick me up when I traveled at speed.

“Shae,” Diesel choked out, and I turned to him. “Never mind what Ringo will do to me. You know my life will be over if Pink finds out.”

I knew what he was saying, but I had no choice. I went back into the bedroom and kissed a sleeping little girl and her puppy.

“It will pick up everything you say,” Danny promised quietly, as I came out. “Diesel is warning the guys to stay back and not alert anyone there might be something wrong. We’ll follow you.”

But I just said, “I know,” and ran, leaving the apartment in a whisper of sound and a slight breeze.

I barely blinked and I was at Albert’s place. Realization hit me. I hadn’t travelled this fast before. I was generally aware of traveling distance, and of my surroundings for safety so I didn’tsmack into a wall or a car. But this time I’d taken a breath, and I was here.

Not that I had time to think about it, because I’d stopped and was wishing I could pass through walls. I needed to get into that house. To hear what was going on. So Danny and the others could hear what was going on. I closed my eyes in frustration and took a step nearer the door, but my stomach seemed to hollow out like a breeze passed through me and when I opened them…

I was inside the house. Inside thefuckinghouse. How the hell was that even possible? I heard voices immediately and carefully crept to the doorway from the kitchen into their living room.

And listened.

“Mister Starr,” a man with a Hispanic accent purred. “Or may I call you Ringo?”

I stiffened, knowing exactly who this must be.

“You stupid prick,” Drake snarled. “What the fuck did you do?”

My breath caught because what the hell was Drake doing aggravating a drug lord? But then I heard low laughter. “Sí, por favor, Mr. Connaught, explica lo estúpido que eres.”

Ryan? It was Ryan? How the hell was Ryan involved with the cartel?

I heard a whimper and knew Ryan was being persuaded. Not that he deserved sympathy, and I understood Ryan was who Drake had been speaking to, not Garcia.

Then I heard a sigh, and a sound of disgust, and the Hispanic man spoke again. “I’m afraid you realize, of course, that I can’t have any witnesses tonight, but because we still need time for things to settle down outside, I will explain before it is time to call my driver back.”

I knew what that meant, which meant I had to get the guns. “Albert Davis, or Albert Dagger, is, I’m afraid, someone who had a very bad papá who betrayed me and spent money that wasn’this. Albert, however, murdered my son, and I have spent many years looking for him to avenge that death.”

“I didn’t mean to,” Albert said quietly. “Dad gave me a gun, and the DEA agent raised his. It was a mess, and I panicked. I didn’t even realize the gun had gone off. I shot the agent but your son got nicked by it as well. One of the agents pressed a gun to my head and then took the gun I was still holding. He said I couldn’t tell anyone I’d fired it or I would get the needle.”

“So he didn’t hand the gun in after he disarmed you?” Drake asked.

What the hell? One of the agents took the gun? Which meant they knew Albert had shot their colleague. Why on earth would they hide that?

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