Page 74 of Guarding Bristol

“Yeah.Texts, photos, receipts, video.It’s all there.”He made no move to hand it over.“So what now?”

“You come with me.We meet up with my handler, and you turn yourself over.Once they verify what’s on there...”He nodded toward Jon’s hand.“They’ll start the process rolling to bring your family over.”

Jon’s jaw tensed.For a moment TJ thought he would argue, but then he relented.“Okay.”He handed the memory stick over.

TJ shoved it deep into his right front jeans pocket, the tingle at the back of his neck spreading down between his shoulder blades.He couldn’t see anyone else out there, but he could feel eyes on them.

They both needed to get the hell outta here, fast.“Let’s go.”

Chapter Twenty-Six

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In the backseat ofhis luxury SUV, Jordan stared at his phone screen as the live feed showed a figure stepping out onto a deserted dirt road near a marina close to Crimson Point.Rain pounded on the roof as the vehicle sped down the highway heading south toward the marina, the wind gusts pushing it sideways.

The man on screen wore a hoodie over a ballcap, the shadow cast by the brim concealing most of his face from view.“Where is this?”Jordan demanded.He’d had Hawk go to the marina to look for Barros and get a precise location on him.

“Just up the hill from the marina,” Hawk said quietly.“Wait.There’s someone else waiting across the road.They must have set up a meeting.”

Jordan’s attention sharpened as Hawk moved to a different position and another figure came into view across the road from Barros.“Can you see his face?”

“Trying to get a better angle, hang on.”A minute later Hawk cursed.“You’re not gonna believe this.”

Jordan was aware of his heart rate climbing as Hawk’s phone zoomed in on the two men.The man Barros was meeting turned toward the camera slightly, allowing a clearer view of him.

All the blood drained from Jordan’s face, shock detonating like a bomb.“No.”His guts clenched, nausea gripping his belly.“No, I don’t believe it.”It couldn’t be.

“It’s him, boss.Sorry.”

Jordan couldn’t answer.Could only stare, transfixed with horror as the man he’d trusted more than any other these past three years spoke to Barros and handed him something small.Something that looked like it could be a flash drive.

The betrayal cut deep.He sucked in a painful breath, an involuntary wheeze escaping, like he’d just been stabbed in the lung.

He’d hand-selected Jon from the beginning and promoted him through the ranks.Had eventually made him his second-in-command.Had traveled with him.Shared countless meals and bottles of the best whiskey money could buy with him.

Jordan had made Jon rich beyond his wildest dreams, given him protection and power and influence...And in return Jon had turned on him.Spied on and stolen from him.

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