“I fucking knew it,” Draven said.
Cole suppressed a victorious smile. They had a long way to go before any kind of a celebration would be in order.
“Which means my plan might just work,” Draven added.
Luke frowned. “Plan?”
Draven leaned back in his chair and crossed an ankle over his opposing knee. He laced his fingers behind his head. “How do you fancy taking part in an unauthorized sting operation, Luke?”
Luke’s face broke into a grin, and he looked at Cole. “Borderline illegal? Sign me up.”
* * *
The following day, Cole, Draven, and Luke were in a bar waiting to meet a friend of Luke’s. According to Luke, his friend had all the right attributes to help with the planned sting operation to trap Tanner into revealing his illegal activities, although he hadn’t expanded on exactly what that involved.
When Luke’s friend arrived, Cole immediately understood. The guy had the perfect build for a football player—broad in the shoulder, tapered waist, clearly someone who worked out regularly. And he’d been blessed with good genes because, despite being twenty-four, he could easily pass for nineteen.
Luke introduced them all, then flagged down the waitress. “Another round of drinks please, sweetheart.”
“Coming right up.”
As the three guys started talking animatedly, Cole’s mind drifted. What was Millie doing right that second? Was she scared, lonely, tired, depressed? Was she thinking of him? Every day that passed worsened the pain in his heart. His arms felt empty because she wasn’t wrapped inside them, and his stomach ached as a result of the constant anxiety sweeping through him.
Then his thoughts turned to Tanner, and instead of his stomach clenching, it was his fists. Just give me ten minutes alone with that fucker. Was that too much to ask?
“Cole!”
He snapped out of his daydream at Draven’s holler. “What?”
“We’ve been talking to you for like thirty seconds. Back in the fucking room, yeah?”
Cole refocused his mind, tucking thoughts of Millie away in a quiet corner for later when he was alone.
“Sorry, go ahead.”
They caught him up with the plan. It seemed solid enough, although they couldn’t possibly foresee every eventuality. Cole was betting on Tanner’s over-inflated ego, his cocky attitude, and his financial greed to see them through.
“We need to be thorough,” Cole stated. “Tanner isn’t stupid.”
“That’s questionable,” Draven almost growled. “Relax, will you. It’s all good.”
Cole made a frustrated noise. “No, it’s not all fucking good. This is my girlfriend.”
Draven glared. “Chill the fuck out, dickhead, otherwise I’m sending you back to New York.”
Cole swallowed his anger and stored it up for when he could let loose on the real source of his pain and frustration. “Fine. Okay, let’s go over the plan one more time. I want to make sure nothing goes wrong. My future and Millie’s safety are what’s at stake here, not to mention my brother’s livelihood and our inheritance.”
“Before we do, I just want to make it clear that this will never stand up in court,” Luke said. “It’s entrapment at best. At worst, we could all be in deep shit.”
Draven flicked his wrist dismissively. “Yeah, yeah. The court thing doesn’t matter because we don’t want that either. We just need to make Tanner think we’re gonna push it that far. Like all bullies, he’s a fucking coward. By the time we’re finished, he’ll shit his pants and won’t be able to give up the copies of Cole and me in that video quick enough. A little leverage goes a long way in my experience.”
Luke twisted his lips into a grin. “Amen to that, brother.”
Chapter 27
“Cool your fucking jets, feel me?” Draven poked a finger in Cole’s direction to reiterate his point. “If he sees you, it’s over.”
Cole ground his teeth together and forced himself to stop fidgeting. “For the tenth time, I got it.”
“I’m relying on you to keep him in line,” Luke said to Draven who sniggered at the irritated expression on Cole’s face.
Cole muttered under his breath about not being a fucking child, a comment Draven ignored.
Luke made a final check on his surveillance equipment and tested that Cole and Draven could hear him on the microphone. Then he climbed out of the car. Michael, Luke’s friend, followed. They headed toward the disused warehouse where they’d arranged to meet Tanner.
Luke had used his contacts to build a fake online presence which backed up their cover story so when Tanner checked them out—as he must have done, otherwise he wouldn’t have agreed to meet them so readily—it’d all stack up. They’d fabricated a back story about Luke’s nephew being desperate to break out of playing football for an amateur league, but that he needed a little ‘help’ on the side.
Cole fiddled with his earpiece and tilted the screen on the laptop so they had a better view through the camera masquerading as a button. Luke approached the warehouse and drew back a rusty metal lock. It creaked and groaned. They went inside. Tanner was leaning casually against a pillar, his feet crossed at the ankle. Cole’s back instantly stiffened, and he curled his hands into fists.
“Take it easy,” Draven murmured. “I feel you, brother.”
Cole couldn’t reply. He gazed at the screen, unblinking, as Luke and Michael shook hands with the fucking scumbag.
“So, how can I help you, gentlemen?” Tanner said, his voice beautifully clear. The picture was a little fuzzy, and the camera vibrated when Luke moved, but there was no question as to the identity of the individual on screen.
“Like I said on the phone, my nephew has been trying to break into the big leagues for a while now. He works hard, he’s a terrific player, but he’s missing that edge, y’know? That extra something that’ll give him a head start on the competition.”
Tanner nodded sagely. “It’s something I hear a lot in my field. All the pieces of the puzzle are there, except one.”
“Exactly,” Luke agreed. “And that’s where I was advised to come talk to you. A friend of a friend thought you might be able to help.”
“Maybe,” Tanner said in a non-committed tone. “For the right price.”
“We’re desperate,” Luke said, playing up to Tanner’s greed. “This might be his last shot.”
Tanner kicked his chin in Michael’s direction. “You up for this?”
“I am,” Michael said. “Playing football professionally is all I’ve ever wanted to do. If I don’t make it, well…” He shrugged. “I want to know I tried everything.”
“Even something not quite legal,” Tanner said.
Cole almost choked. “Not quite legal,” he growled under his breath to Draven. “Is this guy for real?”
“Shhh,” Draven said, digging him in the ribs with his elbow.
“I’ll do anything,” Michael said, his desperation clear. “I know the risks.”
Tanner stroked his chin. “I want to help you. Really I do, but, well…”
Cole held his breath. Fuck. He wasn’t going to go for it. Something in Luke’s or Michael’s demeanor must have tipped him off. Cole almost slammed his fist into the car window. And then Tanner continued.
“It’s gonna cost you. You’re not part of my normal supply chain, see. So I gotta charge you more.”
“How much more?” Luke asked.
“Forty percent.”
Cole watched intently as Luke chewed his lip, playing the part to perfection. He caught Michael’s gaze who gave Luke the most beseeching look. Draven snorted a laugh.
“They should be on the fucking stage.”
This time it was Cole’s turn to shush his partner.
“Okay,” Luke said, acquiescing. He took a roll of bills from his pocket and passed them over. “You’ll get the rest when you deliver the goods. When can you get the first lot?”
Tanner smirked, flicked through the money, then tucked
it away in his pocket. “Tomorrow.”
* * *
Once they’d gone over the second half of their plan, Cole ushered the three guys out of his hotel room and closed the door with a sigh of relief. Today had gone well, but the wait until tomorrow was killing him. Being in the same city as Millie and yet not able to grab her by the hand and take her back to New York where she belonged was a form of torture.
He lay down on the bed and opened the photos app on his cell. He scrolled through picture after picture: Mia in the morning, hair tousled from sleep; Mia behind reception when she didn’t realize he was watching as she’d listened intently to the needs of a customer; Mia on the boat, face flushed from the cutting wind as they’d zipped down the Hudson.
Mia, Mia, Mia.
He wanted to call her. He almost had earlier that night when he knew Tanner was otherwise engaged, but he wouldn’t put it past that bastard to have someone sitting with her, monitoring her comings and goings, and reporting back to him. Even a text was too risky. No, he had to dial back the urge to make contact. A few more hours. That was all he had to survive. All she had to survive, and then they’d never be apart again.
He lay awake half the night, going over every tiny detail of their plan. They couldn’t afford for anything to go wrong. If Tanner got an inkling something was off, he’d be out of there like a shot.
By the time Draven knocked for him in the morning, his eyes were stinging from lack of sleep, but he was fully prepared with all the finer points locked down.
Thirty minutes later, Luke stopped the car a few blocks from the same warehouse where Luke and Michael had met Tanner the previous night. This time it was just the three of them. Michael had done his bit, and they had no further need for him to be there.
Cole and Draven made their way to the agreed location. Once they were safely hidden in the shadows—the irony not lost on Cole—they texted Luke. Cole made sure his earphones were securely fitted. They’d have to rely on audio only this time, although Luke was still recording pictures.
Luke’s car drew up, and Cole held his breath.
“Here we go,” Draven murmured as Luke locked the car and entered the warehouse.
Cole listened intently to the two men sharing a greeting, then Luke said, “We all set?”
“We are. Do you have the rest of the cash?”
There was a rustling, and a few seconds of silence, then Tanner responded. “This should last him a month. Instructions are on the bottle. Call me a few days before he runs out so that I can ensure a consistent supply. You don’t want to go cold turkey on these things.”
“Is there anything I should look out for?” Luke asked. “Health wise, I mean.”
“Nah,” Tanner responded. “Don’t believe all that bullshit in the papers. These are as safe as popping headache pills.”
“Well, it’s been great doing business with you,” Luke said. “I’ll be in touch.”
“That’s our cue,” Cole said, sprinting out from the tree line, Draven at his shoulder.
Luke had left the door to the warehouse ajar. Cole and Draven slipped inside.
“Well, fuck me,” Cole shouted.
Tanner’s eyes went wide, and his mouth dropped open as Cole and Draven walked toward him, in full NYPD uniform.
“Dealing in controlled substances. That carries a substantial prison sentence in Chicago.”
“The fuck?” Tanner said, his eyes darting between Cole and Draven, and the exit.
“Try it,” Cole said quietly. “Go on. Run. Make my fucking year, asshole.”
Tanner recovered his composure and gave Cole a cocky grin. “You got nothing on me. It’s your word against mine.”
Cole looked over at Luke. “It’s almost sweet, right? The innocence, or is it the stupidity?”
“Definitely stupidity,” Luke agreed, arms folded, stance wide.
Only then did Tanner realize Luke was in on the operation. He shuffled back a step or two.
“Shall I tell him, or will you?” Luke continued.
Cole shrugged. “Be my guest.”
Luke pointed to the third button on his shirt. “When they told me you could get a camera that fit inside a button, I swear to fucking God, I almost had an orgasm. I mean, that shit’s genius, right?”
Tanner’s grin faltered. “It won’t stand up in court.”
Cole tilted his head from side to side. “Maybe it will. Maybe it won’t. Thing is, me and my buddies have contacts. All it takes is a judge who sees taking pushers who sell drugs to kids off the street as a good thing, by whatever means possible.” He indicated toward Luke. “I’m sure my detective friend here knows one or two perfect candidates we could arrange to be sitting on the bench the day your case comes to court.”
Luke nodded. “Judge Ashcroft springs to mind. Her son was a body builder. Took roids for years, until they fucked with his head. One day, he lost it. ‘Roid rage’ they call it. His wife took the brunt. She does her breathing through a tube now. Sadly, being the son of a judge didn’t save him from the twenty-five to life he’s doing in the state pen. Since then, she’s made it her mission to take as many dealers off the streets as possible, regardless of the type of drug. Her average sentence runs at thirty years if memory serves me.”
Luke’s bullshit story hit the mark. Tanner paled as the reality of his situation came crashing down. He wavered on his feet and swallowed hard.
“What do you want?” he asked Cole, even though he must already know the answer.
Cole moved to stand right in front of him. He eyeballed Tanner, who couldn’t hold Cole’s gaze for more than a second or two. “Millie... and every copy of that footage.”
Tanner’s eyes darted around. “As long as I get this footage in return.”
Cole shook his head. “No can do.”
“Then how do I know you’ll keep your end of the bargain?”
Cole laughed without mirth as the perfect response came to mind. The exact words Tanner had said to Millie.
“I guess you’ll just have to trust me.”
Chapter 28
Cole sat in the rear of the car with Tanner as they drove back to his place. He’d already deleted the footage from his cell and on his cloud storage with Cole and Draven watching closely. The only other places he’d admitted to having copies was on two USB sticks back at his house. All they had to do now was grab the sticks, and Mia, and get the hell out of Chicago.
He couldn’t fucking wait.
The operation had gone better than Cole had dared to hope. While he’d been waiting for Luke’s signal, he’d imagined all sorts of scenarios where Tanner had put up a fight, or called their bluff, or pulled out a gun and started shooting. In the end, he’d fallen as easily as a stack of dominos. Looked like he was a spineless coward after all.
Draven parked at the curb outside Tanner’s place, a small two-story house with wooden steps leading up to the front door. The grey paint was peeling, and the tiny front yard was full of weeds. Looking around, it definitely wasn’t a good area. His anxiety to get to Mia shot through the roof. He couldn’t bear to think what she’d been through in the last few days. If Tanner had laid a finger on her…
Cole gripped Tanner by the collar and shoved him up the steps. He fumbled with his keys before he managed to open up. Cole pushed him inside and then followed with Draven bringing up the rear.
Where the hell was Mia? Cole poked his head inside the living room and then the kitchen. She wasn’t there.
“Where’s the footage?” Cole asked.
Tanner brushed past him into the living room. Cole and Draven followed. Tanner took a penknife from his pocket and crouched. He eased the baseboard from the wall. Tucked behind was a USB stick taped to the wall. He handed it to Cole, who snatched it from Tanner’s hand and tossed it to Draven. He caught it, attached the stick to a connector, and stuck the other end into his cell phone. After a few seconds, he lifted his head and gave a brief nod.
Tanner got to his feet and picked up a
cushion resting on a worn leather chair. He unzipped it and felt around. Frowning, he tore out the innards and shook the sleeve.
“Stop fucking about,” Cole said.
“It isn’t here?” Tanner met Cole’s icy stare. “I fucking swear I put it here.”
“Looking for this?”
Cole spun around, while Tanner gasped. Millie was standing with her hip cocked against the doorframe. She was holding an identical white stick in the air. Cole’s heart soared. He skipped his gaze over her, checking for any signs of physical abuse. Thankfully, she seemed unhurt.
“Mia.” The word came out on a breath.
He held out his arms, and she flung herself at him. Beneath her bravado, her body was trembling.
He eased her back. “Go upstairs. I’ll be two minutes.”
She gave him the stick. “Is everything…” She bit her lip.
Cole brushed her lips with his. “Start packing.”
Her face lit up with intense relief. Without a glance in Tanner’s direction, she spun around. Her footsteps sounded on the stairs. Cole tossed the second stick to Draven, his eyes on Tanner, who looked more than a little shell shocked at the turn of events.
“All good,” Draven said.
“Stay with him,” Cole said.
He ran upstairs. Millie had two suitcases open on the bed. Cole cupped her face and bent to kiss her. She melted against him as their mouths touched. What started out as a gentle kiss meant to reassure turned into a hot and heavy coming together of lips and tongues and desperate need. The worry and fear of the last few days ebbed away, replaced with joy at her being safe and back in his arms—where she belonged.
“It’s over, Mia. You’re safe. You’re coming home with me.”
“How... when?” She shook her head. “I don’t understand.”
He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear and gently tugged on her lobe. He urged her to sit on the edge of the bed. “Tanner has been dealing steroids to the kids he coaches, as well as fuck only knows who else. Telling them they need the drugs to stand a chance of making it.”
His to Protect: A Brook Brothers Novel Page 20
