Page 118 of Ruined By Protection
Daniel spreads a map and close up satellite images across the table, marking locations with precision. "I've got two teams in there already. One watching the Montgomery estate, another positioned near the Taylor family."
I lean over the map, studying the layout of Montgomery's property outside Austin. It's exactly as Hazel described—remote, surrounded by acres of private land. Ideal for what we need to do.
"And the security system?" I ask.
"State of the art," Daniel replies, pulling up schematics on his tablet. "But nothing we can't handle. Four guards on rotation, cameras covering most angles. There's a three-minute window during shift change we can exploit."
I nod, tracing the property line with my finger. "What about local law enforcement?"
"Nearest sheriff's station is twenty minutes out," Noah says. "Response time averages twenty-five minutes for that area. We'll have more than enough time if anything goes wrong."
The room falls silent as we analyse what we're planning.
"We just need Montgomery to take the bait," I say finally. "Hazel's going to text him soon, make him think she's considering coming back."
Daniel looks up from his tablet. "What if he insists on coming to New York instead?"
"He won't," I say with certainty. "He'll want her there, where he feels most in control."
Noah checks his watch. "Weapons?"
"Nothing traceable," I insist. "We go in clean, we leave clean."
Daniel nods in agreement. "I've arranged for everything we’ll need to be waiting for us in Austin. Local contact will have a vehicle ready at the private airfield."
I pull up the satellite view of Montgomery's estate on my phone, zooming in on the main house. "We'll need to isolate him first. Make sure none of the staff or security gets caught in the crossfire."
"Already on it," Noah says. "Our guy inside says Montgomery usually dismisses the house staff by nine. Keeps only perimeter security after hours."
I'm about to say more when the study door swings open and Lucrezia bursts in like a hurricane. The three of us instinctively straighten up, shifting our postures from the hunched planning stance we'd fallen into.
"Jesus, you three look terrifying," she announces, crossing her arms as she surveys us. "Standing around that table like you're plotting world domination."
Noah's expression doesn't change but Daniel at least has the decency to look slightly embarrassed. I just shrug.
"What are you doing here, Lucrezia?" I ask, not bothering to hide the edge in my voice. Family or not, we're in the middle of something that doesn't concern her.
She rolls her eyes, walking toward us with the confident stride she's perfected since childhood. "Evelyn told me what's happening. The whole 'let's fly to Austin and neutralise the abusive ex-husband' plan."
I shoot a glare at Noah, who holds up his hands defensively. "Don't look at me. I don't tell Evelyn shit about operations."
Lucrezia reaches the table, glancing down at our maps. "Relax. No one's going to compromise your little mission. But Hazel needs support right now and I'm going to provide it while you three run around playing assassin."
I rub the angst gathering between my eyebrows. "This isn't a game, Lucrezia."
Her expression softens just slightly. "I know that, Matteo. I've been hanging with Hazel since she arrived. I've seen her bruises, heard about her nightmares. I probably know more about what that monster did to her than you do."
The thought makes my jaw clench. I've seen enough of Montgomery's handiwork on Hazel's body to fuel my rage, but I know Lucrezia's right. She's been there from the beginning.
"Fine," I concede. “You win.” But I’m in for the long game, I think to myself.
CHAPTER 37
Hazel
Ipause outside Damiano's study, my finger hovering over the screen of my burner phone. My chest expands painfully as I stare at Elliott's last message.
The sick confidence in his words makes me angry at myself mostly. For letting him believe he can manipulate me. Well, I indeed let him.
