Page 12 of The Last Call
After a long minute, he kisses the top of my head and releases me from his safe embrace. The damn phone pings again, and he swipes the cell off the floor. The smooth wood now scratched from the altercation.
“Fuck! Look at this.” He holds up the screen for me to see the message.
Never see Sydney again or these will be everywhere.
The bile swimming in my stomach surges again. Attempting to comprehend how and why and most importantly who. Goosebumps lift on my bare arms.
His wife would want a divorce.
His enemy would want money.
This request isn’t about him though. It’s about me.
Only one person can be behind the threat. Only one man capable of generating a scheme like this.
Julius.
The dread pulling down Mack’s scarlet face confirms he agrees with my suspicions.
“Come on. We better go.”
I can barely lift my head to bob up and down. Paralyzed with fear from the terrifying revelation. “What about David?”
He squats down in front of my former client. Thrashing in pain from the assault. “Julius Sabatini is threatening you. I recommend keeping your mouth shut about what happened here and he probably won’t kill you.”
Watching like a zombie, I hug my trembling middle as Mack dials an ambulance on David’s phone before tossing the cell next to him. More in his right mind than I am, he grabs my dress and bag before tucking me against his thick body and guiding me out.
With a final click of the knob, it’s really over. I can’t lie that it doesn’t feel good to be in his care. I rarely give into weakness but today I will. For a few minutes anyway. I’ve lost a client and a steady gig because of that asshole. I can allow myself a bit of wallowing. Before my head and heart start arguing about how I’m going to survive Julius myself.
“We’ve got a problem boss.”
I force the bar down again. Ignoring the irritation rising in me from the interruption and try to keep my form. I’m almost finished with my lat pulls and don’t want to stop before I’ve completed them all. I don’t like any of the boxes for my workout list left unchecked. Yeah, I’m anal that way. But if you’re going to do something, do it fucking right. When I’m in, I’m all in. “Ten minutes ago you said everything went exactly like I ordered it, and now you’re back in here to tell me we’ve got a problem? What the fuck happened?”
Or, what didn’t happen would probably be a more accurate explanation he needs to provide. Phillip doesn’t flinch from my surly tone. He’s worked for me for a long time and knows I don’t tolerate bullshit or excuses.
“Kenneth missed a call she made to the dictator’s assistant to move up the flight. Instead of taking her back to her apartment like we thought he would, her bodyguard took her to the airport.”
The bodyguard—Joel McDonald. Better known as Mack. Perfect nickname for a man built like a damn semi-truck. I actually do kind of like the guy. He takes good care of my woman. Since Kenneth wasn’t able to get audio on the altercation between Mack and the judge after I blackmailed him, I can only guess what was said. But him breaking the bastard’s jaw and ribs saves me the trouble. Not like I’m opposed to killing another judge. But murdering a high profile official is a lot of hassle and mess to clean up. Besides, he obviously got the message loud and clear from the way the two of them hightailed their asses out of his penthouse.
So, I guess I’ll let him live for now. Mack too since Syd likes him. Unless he crosses me again. When I told her to stay put at her apartment, I fucking meant stay put. I should’ve known better with her. And, with him. He needs to learn how to fucking obey me too. Especially since he works for me now if he wants to keep guarding her.
I tighten my grip and yank again. The smooth metal slippery under my sweaty hands. Only three more. “And?”
“Kenneth tried to interfere with the tower’s communication, but he wasn’t fast enough to hack into their system. They took off before he could get the plane grounded.”
Motherfucker. She’s on the way to fuck the other bastard I need to eliminate from her life. I have to smile though at her ingenuity. No doubt that my woman’s clever. Didn’t take her long to figure out what I’m capable of. Quick to discern what I’ll do to protect what’s mine. Neither of us will underestimate the other again.
Two more slow pulls, and I’m finished. Phillip waits silently and patiently while I wipe the streams of sweat off my face. Very aware any further discussion on his part will not end well for him. Her either since she’s forced me to cut short my training. But tormenting her will be so much more enjoyable than punishing him. If my angel wants to run, that’s fine. I love a good chase. Just like I always say, no screams, no fun.
Although Phillip seems a bit surprised by my grin. I guess I’m not usually this giddy. But then again I’m not usually having such a good time with a woman that I haven’t even gotten into my bed yet. “Get the team ready. It’s time for us to do our patriotic duty.”
My lieutenant nods slowly, not completely understanding my order but smart enough not to question me nonetheless. I’ll fill him in on the rest after I make this call. “Let the pilots know I’ll be ready in thirty.”
With a sharp head bob of understanding, he heads back out the door while I grab my cell off the bench. Stripping, walking, and dialing grandmother’s number on the way to the shower. With the first ring, I hold the speaker a foot from my ear. Prepared for her shrieking. Which of course her happy words screech through the phone. Rapid Italian that makes me feel like a damn kid again. Even though she speaks English fairly well the language escapes her when she’s excited.
“Yes, Nonna. It’s Julius.”
“Yes, Nonna. I know it’s been too long.”
