Page 115 of Break Me
Why was it so easy to grin like some kid around her? “We don’t take kindly to being threatened.”
“I guess not. Just remember they could try and burn down one of your resorts.”
She had a good point. “I’ll keep that in mind, Nancy Drew. And if you tell me you don’t know who that is because of your age, I might tie you to this bed.”
“Well, you are a very old guy.” At least she could laugh, yet as always, there was still some tension between us. She was right in that we didn’t know each other, at least not enough for either of us to trust completely in the other and I hated that. “If it’s alright with you, I’m going to call Kristine and see if she’ll come here tomorrow while I go see the battalion chief. Maybe he won’t suspend me.”
I could tell she was worried. “That’s fine. As long as you’re aware and accept that my soldiers will be with you every step of the way. And I assure you that they won’t lose you.”
“You drive a hard bargain. I’m going to go call her.”
“Not that I don’t trust you but… Bring your phone in here. So I can say hi.”
She slipped off the bed, turning immediately to give me a haughty look. “You’re not going to control my life.”
“We’ll see about that.” I tried to grab her by the arm, but she slipped just out of reach.
“Anything else while I’m in the living room, your highness?”
“Mmm…” I said, scratching my beard. “I like the sound of that. How about the bottle of scotch. Oh, and one of those tasty peppermints if your daughter has any more.”
“A bit greedy, but I’m sure she wouldn’t mind giving up her stash for you. Mr. Boyfriend.”
I laughed, enjoying the few moments of peace since tomorrow would be a busy and hopefully productive day. I was tired of being patient and upending the business. Even though by doing so, I’d become closer to Halle. Whatever Liam was up to he would tell me. Plus, I planned on having a long conversation with the two people hired to abduct Emily.
Unfortunately, the two officers who’d arrived at the scene first were new. In their enthusiasm to make a collar, they’d almost arrested me in the process. It had taken a call to my attorney, who in turn had chewed a new asshole into the sheriff.
Tomorrow was a new day and answers would be obtained.
What I would be curious to hear was also about the word on the street. Between the press coverage and word of mouth, tomorrow my phone should be blowing up. At least my brother and Pakhan had sent soldiers into the casinos and on the street to try to collect chatter.
What I hadn’t told her was about the bugs that had been found on both vehicles, hers included. They’d been dismantled on the scene and would be tested to determine if there was any way of identifying the people responsible. My guess was there wouldn’tbe. The plan had been too clever and too practiced, which had made me begin to think the argument with Petros at his warehouse had been staged.
They’d wanted to get into a war. The question remained of just how involved the O’Leary family had become.
I’d be the one to handle Liam and his father. This time, Liam wouldn’t like what I had to say to him.
I leaned back with my arm behind my head, more relaxed than I should feel. Maybe having a family in my house brought new perspectives. Even if technically, they didn’t belong to me.
Yet.
After a full three minutes, I became unnerved. While there was no way anyone could get past the men standing outside, that didn’t mean the anxiety was any less.
I was off the bed, grabbing the Sig Sauer I kept in the nightstand drawer when Halle returned.
Her face was white.
“What’s wrong?”
She slowly lifted her head, eyeing the weapon first. In her hand was a piece of paper.
“What is that?”
“I found it in Emily’s backpack.” She was shaking as she walked toward me, handing it to me. “I can’t decipher the note. But you can.”
As soon as I read it, I hissed.
“What does it say? I know that’s Russian. Can you read it?”
