Page 70 of The Piece You Stole

Kade starts reading from his laptop before I’ve taken one foot into the kitchen. “He has five properties in the city. All are owned by shell companies or dummy corps and managed by people who seem to have been born ten years ago. Our friends followed the money, and from what I’ve skimmed, our guy Rylan is a dirty as fuck multi-millionaire. Has a guy working for him called Bruce who served ten years for fraud. Now Bruce is a financial consultant working out of Switzerland.”

“Dirty how?” I cut in when he takes a breath in this avalanche of information. If Aden’s head wasn’t hurting before, it would be now. I know mine is.

Kade doesn’t even look up. “Iran.”

A door squeaks open.

“Iran?” I shoot Leandro a glance as he rummages through the contents of the refrigerator. Since I’ve been spending more and more time in the Cerberus the last few months, the refrigerator is mostly empty. Whatever was in there has to have spoiled by now, yet that doesn’t seem to be stopping Leandro from rifling like a rat rummaging through trash.

“Is on the sanctions list. Looks like he’s investing in oil and gas exports which is a big no-no if you appreciate fresh air and the ability to take a shit without your TP being rationed.” Kade clicks some more. “He has some investments in Cuba. Haven’t seen if it’s legal yet, but if he’s dealing with Iran, I doubt it.”

How can we use that to—?

Crunch.

I cut my eyes to Leandro and find him standing in front of an open cupboard, a bag of chips in hand and his mouth twisted in disgust. “These are stale. How long have you had these in the cupboard?”

I snarl.

He rips his gaze from mine and plunges his hand into the chip bag. “I’ve had worse. Don’t mind me.”

“We could send the info to the cops, maybe the FBI,” Aden suggests, breaking off to yawn into his hand and stretch before continuing. “He’d be so busy fighting those charges we could swoop right in and take Saige back.”

Leaning my back against the counter, I fold my arms and stare at the wall opposite. “He’s wealthy enough to afford the best attorneys, so while they’re busy fighting those charges—or most likely delaying—just long enough for him to grab Saige, pack a bag, and go somewhere with no extradition treaty with the US. No. We need something faster.”

“This guy is a micromanager.” Kade’s gaze never leaves his laptop screen. I might not like the guys we dealt with for the information that will come with a hefty price tag down the road, but they are thorough, and I can’t fault them for that. “All he cares about is money.”

“So, we steal his money with a promise to give it back if he gives us Saige.” Aden scratches his hair as he reclines in his chair.

Leandro snorts. “If you steal money from a guy like that, the only thing you’ll be getting in return is a painful death.”

Kade lifts his head and meets my gaze. “Stealing from someone like Rylan won’t be easy, not with the way he’s spread his cash around.”

“We’re not going after his money,” I decide, letting my instincts guide me much as they have since I walked away from my family. “We target his properties. It’s ten a.m. now, which gives us plenty of time to scope each place and set up an ambush. We hit hard, and we hit fast. Tonight. Give him no opportunity to move Saige.”

Kade sits back in his seat and crosses his arms. “Won’t work.”

I study him for a beat.

I’m not getting the impression Kade is being argumentative just for the sake of it, so he must have a plan. If it’s not so reckless that it gets us all killed, I’m happy to consider it. Within reason. “Why not?”

“Two are empty buildings. I’d guess he bought them as investments, so he’s not likely to be living there. One is just a plot of land. Five acres, but nothing on it. It’s worth a nice chunk of change, but he seems content to just sit on it. That leaves two. Both are high-rise apartments. Guess which floor the apartments he owns are on?” Kade raises his eyebrow.

I stare at him. “Fuck.”

“That’s my line,” Kade snorts, curling his lips in a hint of a smile.

“I don’t get it. Why fuck?” Aden shifts his gaze from me to Kade and back again.

More proof he needs more than four hours of shuteye. It’s not like Aden to be so slow on the uptake.

“Penthouse apartments, and I’d bet it’s those fancy buildings with secured elevators you need a key to reach.” Kade massages his nape, his eyes looking heavy. “So, an ambush won’t work.”

“You’re going somewhere with this,” I say, nodding at the laptop. “You saw something in there that gave you an idea. What?”

Kade gives me a toothy grin.

I feel more than see Aden’s wariness.

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