Page 149 of Rise To Power

“What if he betrays you, and this was his plan to get you both? Tell me who he is. If something happens to you, I’m not the only one who will want Irish blood.”

I lifted my gaze to his. “He’d die for me, and he’ll kill for me. He’s the only one who can get to Dee.” I glanced over my shoulder toward the balcony. “I have to go.”

He held me tight. “I’ll cover for you as long as I can.”

“I promise, Knox is the only one who can get her out without starting a war.”

“They started the war by taking her.”

“Maybe, but she’s not going to be caught in the crossfire.” I slipped from his arms, hurried to the balcony and climbed over the rail.

Once I was on the ground, I cast a last glance at Tim as he stood on my balcony. Then I spun around and dashed across the yard. Ducking under branches, I watched where I stepped so I wouldn’t reinjure my ankle.

Sweat beaded on my forehead as I climbed the tree, hauled myself over the wall, and made my way down the backside. As soon as I dropped to the ground, I turned at the rumble of Knox’s motorcycle.

In a flash, I had my hand on his shoulder, my leg over the back, and settled on the seat behind him. My arms wrapped around his waist, clutching the soft fabric of his hoodie as he rolled the throttle and sped away.

I didn’t know where we were going, I only knew I felt calmer. Tears still slipped onto my cheeks. Knox released the handgrip for a moment, laced our fingers, and squeezed my hand.

He slowed as we approached a house with a manicured lawn, potted plants, and a swing on the porch. It was an older neighborhood, but the yards were huge.

I loosened my hold as Knox pulled into the driveway alongside an older Lexus. The evening sunset reflected off the jet-black paint.

Knox held the bike as I climbed off. “Where are we?”

“A friend’s house.” He opened his saddlebag, grabbed his gun, and slid it into the back of his jeans. “We need her car.”

“Her?” I arched a brow at Knox. “Who is she?”

“We’re not talking about her.”

“Knox, this is about Dee. Can we trust her? Is she helping us?”

“Fuck, yes, but unlike another girl I know, she knows not to ask questions.” He handed me two knives, both in sheaths.

I checked the blades. One attached to the waistband of my jeans. The other was a small dagger. I lifted my jeans and showed Knox I had a third blade at my ankle, the one he’d loaned me for my wedding. I moved it to my thigh and put the smaller dagger at my ankle.

Knox opened the car door. The keys were on the seat. He popped the trunk. I joined him as he checked his supplies. Guns, AK’s, other rifles and IED’s.

“Is that a grenade launcher? What is she? An arms dealer?”

“She’s inconspicuous. She’s not Irish or Italian.”

“Who is she? Oh shit.Whatis she?”

Knox reached into the trunk, grabbed another firearm and two magazines. He checked the slide and chambered a round. “Russian.”

“Really? As in Bratva? Or just a Tinder hookup with an expertise in weapons who also happens to be Russian?” I glanced into one of the plastic bags of supplies from the store. “Is she a butcher, too?”

There were a couple packages of steaks and a clear glass bottle of liquid. He opened a duffel bag and checked the tools inside, including a massive pair of bolt cutters.

“She’s resourceful.” Knox grabbed the bag, the steaks, and slammed the trunk closed. “Let’s go.”

I raced around to the passenger side. “Does she know what we’re doing?”

“She doesn’t care. Focus, Ally. You’re going to do exactly as I say.”

I nodded. “How are we going to get Dee?” We wouldn’t have the cover of darkness. “Do they have guards on her?”

---