Page 242 of Enigma: The Complete Collection
“I’ll call in Roger and Peters.” He glances down at his watch. “I could get a few more guys there, but they're an hour away.”
“No men. He’ll kill Isabelle before they even step foot inside the warehouse,” I respond, fear heard in my voice. “Call Tallis and advise him it’s time to move. If he doesn’t answer, send some guys in and get him out.”
Hunter nods. Tallis is a man I put inside Col’s operation two years ago. That saying ‘keep your friends close and your enemies closer’ was the premise for me putting Tallis undercover. I knew one day Col’s quest for revenge would inevitably happen. I just never figured I'd have someone significant in my life he could seek his vengeance on instead of me.
As Alex’s blue eyes flick between Regan, Hunter, and me, he yanks open the top drawer of his desk and removes his FBI-issued revolver and spare chamber. After snagging his jacket off the coat rack in his office, he moves to stand between Hunter and me. “Isabelle is still an FBI agent. We protect our own.” His tone indicates his statement isn’t up for discussion. “I know this man. I know how he operates. I’ve been working on his case since I was a rookie.”
“Then you know Col orchestrated this because he wants me, so if anyone but me enters that warehouse, he will kill Isabelle.”
The pain in my chest amplifies.
“I know that,” Alex interrupts. “But that doesn’t mean you can’t have backup waiting in the wings in case things don’t go according to plan.”
I stare into his eyes, contemplating a response. I’ve always been a man who takes care of myself. I have a dedicated team of security, but they're to ensure my staff and family are safe while keeping my empire away from the prying eyes of strangers, but this is different. Typically, I'm only protecting myself, whereas now, I also have Isabelle to protect.
Col never goes anywhere without his heavily-weaponed right-hand man, let alone the fact he may still have Isabelle’s two kidnappers to aid in seeking his revenge. I know Henry and his team have pledged their support, but by the time they make it here, it may be too late.
But can I do this? Can I trust putting Isabelle’s safety into the hands of another man?
Can I relinquish my vital necessity to protect her to another?
Although my ego takes a hit admitting it, yes, I can. I’ll use every tactic I can to ensure Isabelle is safe, even using the antagonist standing across from me.
“He has Isabelle at a warehouse in Harbortown. You can follow me there.”
I may accept Alex’s assistance, but that doesn’t mean I'm a foolish man. I can’t guarantee he wouldn’t arrest me the instant I advised him of Isabelle’s location. By requiring him to follow me, it means I'll still be the first man on site.
I shift my focus to Hunter. “Get Tallis out and call Ryan. Tell him we're going back to where it all began.”
Alex follows me out of his office, barking orders at a handful of agents milling around the confined space. I don’t hear any of the words he's saying. My sole focus is on reaching Isabelle before Col hurts her.
Just as my foot enters my Bugatti, I glance at Alex. “Get in. This will be quicker than the piece of shit you’ve been tailing me in the past few weeks.”
He stiffens, surprised I knew he was tailing me. I’ve known for weeks, but I figured if he wanted to waste his personal time surveilling me, he could because the more attention he focuses on me, the less heat on Hugo and my team.
After dipping his chin in farewell to Regan, Alex slides into the passenger seat of my car. Nothing but the smell of burning rubber lingers in the air from my heavy compression on the accelerator.
It’s time to lay my cards on the table.
Line up all my ducks in a row.
It’s time to play my most lethal hand.
