Except he didn’t know it.
It was hard to keep from looking up at the security cameras. They’d be recording her every word, waiting to use and abuse the tapes and her statements against her as they’d done before in framing her for Brenner’s murder.
It was easy to pick out Molodavi’s men from the happy casino customers with their dark suits and serious faces. They moved in and out of her line of sight, preparing to take her and Finn when Molodavi gave the command.
Wyatt’s rasping whisper flowed into her ear. “In the stairwell.”
Finn looked around, playing along with the facade. “Where’s Lisa?”
Jessie bit the inside of her cheek, trying not to think about Dylan or Lisa. Or the cage.
Molodavi’s eyes narrowed. “She’s nearby. You’ll forgive me for not wanting her out here in the open. High-strung woman like her, she’d start screaming or something, and we’d have issues.” There was no tension in his voice, nothing to indicate he was lying.
He crossed his legs and smiled, his fingers entwined. “Why the rush to leave? We have so much to talk about. For example, who do you really work for? I don’t believe she found you through an ad on a website.”
Finn stayed silent.
Her heart raced. Wyatt needed more time to finish his mission, and Molodavi wanted to draw this out to get his men into place to sweep the two of them off the casino floor without causing any commotion. They both wanted the same thing but for different reasons, and they couldn’t show their hand by giving him any real information.
She tried not to think about Dylan working to save Lisa and take her to safety, removing her from the game board they’d been forced onto.
They had to play along until Wyatt was done.
She had the perfect question.
Jessie stepped forward. “Tell me about my father.”
Molodavi’s eyes widened in surprise. “Your father?”
She ignored Finn’s frown. “You asked Frank Wheeler to offer me a deal to come in quietly. He’s on your payroll. Frank told me my father was also dirty, working for you on the side.” She drew a deep breath, forcing herself to ask the question burning in her gut. “So I want you to tell me the truth. Was he?”
Chapter Twelve
They stood just inside the door, backs against the wall, waiting for Trey’s update. Dylan imagined the tiny drone traveling close to the ceiling, silent as it scanned the warehouse floor.
“Four men at the table. Déjà vu,” Trey said. “Looks like they’re carrying small arms. Nothing you shouldn’t be able to deal with.”
“Lisa?” Dylan asked.
“Same as before. In the cage.” There was a bite to Trey’s voice, something that hadn’t been there before. “Fools didn’t change their MO. Smug idiots. They’ll regret it.”
Dylan motioned for Ace and Phil to travel along the opposite side of the building. He crept to where he’d ambushed the previous guards,
“In position,” Ace whispered.
Dylan had a clear view of the open space, the men sitting around the table.
The cage.
Lisa Boudreau knelt on the floor, staring at the guards. His blood pressure rose as he took in her tear-stained cheeks and ripped clothing.
She hadn’t asked for any of this to happen to her. She’d only wanted to help a friend.
“Trey,” Dylan said.
One of the two remaining drones swooped in over the table before dropping down, hard.
Ace, Phil, and Dylan were on the move before the explosion went off, the light firecrackers not enough to injure the guards, but more than enough to shatter their concentration.
One scrambled to free his weapon from his shoulder holster, unable to see and flailing around like a blind man. The second fell backward out of his chair onto the floor, arms stretched out to try and cushion his fall.
Another twisted away and dropped to all fours, shaking his head as he tried to regain his sight.
The last stayed in his chair, frozen in place by shock.
Rage burned through him as he charged the nearest man. Before the guard reached his weapon, Dylan took him out.
Ace howled as he leaped onto the table and kicked one of the thugs in the face, his steel-toed cowboy boots slamming into bone and skin.
It was all over in a few minutes, the last two kidnappers easily dispatched by Phil.
Ace snatched the keys off the table and went to the cage. Lisa was already on her feet, eyes wide and unfocused as she tried to make sense of what was going on around her.
“Here.” Dylan snatched the glasses off the table and tossed them to Ace. “She’ll need these.”
He checked the man at his feet to make sure he was unconscious before moving to the next, securing each with zip ties from his pocket.
Lisa threw herself at Ace as soon as the door was open, hugging him so tightly Dylan feared the usually stoic veteran would be brought to his knees.
Ace let her hang off him for a few seconds before pushing her gently away and handing her the glasses, murmuring for her to put them on.
She did so and stared at the carnage spread out in front of her.
“Jessie,” she said in a whisper. “He’s going to kill her.”
“Not if I have anything to do with it.” Dylan nodded at Ace.
“Go,” Ace said. “Trey’s got the last drone on overwatch. We’re out of here, too. See you back at the club.” His arm went protectively around Lisa. “We’re good.” He gave Phil a thumb’s up. “Mount up, cowboy. We’re taking the lovely lady back home.”
With a final nod to the trio, Dylan sprinted for the door and his truck.
Jessie.
I’m coming.
…
Molodavi’s smile twisted into a sneer. “What if he was? Would that make you change your mind and tell me the truth?” He reached behind him to pick up his drink. “Would it put the mighty Jessica Lyon on her knees?” He leered at her. “I’d like to see that.”
Jessie waited as he sipped the dark liquor.
“Frank Wheeler was just a messenger, a shot in the dark to see if I could get you to come in from the cold. But I see he was more useful than I thought.” He studied Jessie for a long minute. “I’ll have to thank him.”
Finn tensed beside her, ready for the fight.
She sensed the countdown going on, the world around her slowing down as she focused in on Molodavi and his men.
All greyhounds in the slip, ready to be unleashed on the hunt.
Except she was no rabbit running for her life.
“We’ve got Lisa,” Ace interrupted her thoughts. “I say again, we’ve got Lisa. Safe and sound.”
It was as if she were a balloon and Ace’s words a long, sharp pin, all of the worry and tension spilling out of her in a single breath.
Jessie forced herself to stay still and not relax, keeping the relief from her face.
One down, one to go.
“I thought you were a man of your word,” Finn said. The steadiness in his voice reassured Jessie. “Seems we’re spending more time here talking than doing.”
Molodavi shrugged and stood up. He tugged on the sleeves of his expensive jacket and smiled. “It’s all a matter of perception.” He pointed at Jessie. “Whatever your father was or did, it’s got nothing to do with what’s going on here between us.” He crooked a finger at her. “You come with me, and I’ll release Lisa. Simple enough.”
Before she could move, Finn took hold of her forearm, keeping her still. “That wasn’t what you agreed to. An exchange here in public. She’s not going off with you anywhere.”
Molodavi grinned and waved his hand, obviously signaling his thugs. “I can have my men take you. And her.”
“You can. But you won’t because you don’t want a fight in the middle of your casino. Be bad for business,” Finn replied.
“Then let’s do business.” Molodavi crossed his arms in front of him, studying Finn. “Starting with you telling me who you wor
k for.”
Finn shook his head.
“I respect a man who gets the job done. I do. I’m willing to buy out your contract with your employer. Say the name and I’ll double it, pay you in hard cash, right here and now.” His eyes narrowed. “This is a limited time offer.”
Finn smiled and shook his head again.
“Pity. I could have used a man like you. But you can’t say I didn’t give you a chance.” Molodavi turned his gaze on Jessie. “Now, where were we…”
She gritted her teeth, determined not to flinch under his inspection.
“In the office. Got the drive. Uploading the program now.” Wyatt’s stoic voice showed no emotion, sounding as if he was performing the operation with as little worry as making himself a sandwich.
She tried to keep her breathing calm.
“Oh, yes. You were about to tell me who you worked for when you infiltrated my casino.” His eyes locked with hers, piercing and unwavering. “Give me a name and I’ll make it fast for both of you.”
“Where’s Lisa?” Finn prompted.
Molodavi didn’t look away from Jessie, ignoring Finn.
They continued to stare at each other.
Molodavi’s attention snapped. He jerked his head to the side and caught the eye of one of his men.
“Get ready to move,” Trey whispered in Jessie’s ear. “Wyatt set off an alarm in the office. Don’t worry, the program’s live. They can’t stop the upload at this point. We’ve got the bastard dead in the water.”
Molodavi glared at them, eyes widening as he listened to his own earpiece. It was obvious whatever he heard wasn’t good news.
Jessie held her ground, almost shaking with anticipation.
The tension broke like a tsunami wave, rushing through the casino and enveloping everyone in its path.
Molodavi roared an angry yell. He leaped off the barstool and charged at Jessie, spittle flying from his lips.
Finn intercepted him halfway with a body check, sending the man flying into a bank of slot machines. He slid to the ground, arms flailing as people jumped up from their chairs, some cursing loudly.
Two men came around the bar and ran at Jessie, their hands sliding inside their jackets. She took a step back, readying herself to pull her weapon.
Finn scrambled to his feet and moved in front of them, blocking their path. He dug in the pockets of his jeans, yanking them inside out with a quick, sharp tug.
A flurry of silver filled the air around them.
“Money!” An elderly woman spun around from the slot machine she’d been worshiping. She tossed her hands up, her eyes wide. “Money!”
Jessie looked at the silver dollars as they bounced off the machines, off the ground, off the thugs about to come at her.
They stopped, stunned by the unusual attack.
“Go,” Finn snapped, making eye contact with her for only a second.
She pivoted and ran.
…
Dylan ignored the screech of brakes as he took the corner, the smell of burning rubber filling his nostrils as he made for the casino.
“Report,” he snapped.
He maneuvered around a bright red sports car, ignoring the senior’s upraised finger.
“Report,” Dylan said again.
Wyatt came on the line, a slight tension to his breathing. “On my way to Trey. Had a bit of a discussion with some of Molodavi’s men in the corridor.”
“What’s the status on the program?”
Trey took over. “Busted through the firewalls without a problem. I’m downloading the data as we speak. The alarm was a surprise, but it didn’t make a difference.” Trey’s voice was a bit distracted, a sign he was busy multitasking. “I’m in Fluxxx’s surveillance system and have Finn and Jessie on camera.”
Dylan sped through a red light, hearing a symphony of car horns go off behind him. “I’m almost there. Finn. Jessie. Report.”
His throat closed up a bit as he said her name, praying she’d answer.
“Molodavi made his move,” Finn’s words were clipped. “Provided a distraction. Jessie’s on her own, I’m dealing with”—a few seconds of silence followed—“issues.”
A loud sound rang through the open line, and Dylan growled.
Gunfire.
…
If she was going to die, she’d damned well make the son of a bitch work for it.
She didn’t intend to waste time standing around waiting for one of his men to take her out.
As she crisscrossed through the aisles of slots, the guards closed in on all sides. She stopped only long enough to pull the PPK out of her ankle holster, relishing the weight in her hand.
One of Molodavi’s men stumbled by, covering his face with both hands. He bounced off a series of slot machines and fell to the floor, upsetting the players, who immediately began to yell and slap the offender for disturbing their games, not knowing or caring who he was.
Luke grinned as he gestured at one of the Molodavi men, waving him forward.
The thug lowered his head and charged at the veteran like a raging bull. Luke expertly stepped to the side and grabbed the man’s arm, using the guard’s own energy against him to flip him into a fresh row of slot machines.
One broke open, scattering coins everywhere.
Even more mayhem ensued, if that was possible. People dropped to their knees, scrambling after the coins, with Molodavi’s men trapped in the chaos.
She recognized Andrew and Simon standing back-to-back, fists raised as they formed a human wall, blocking the aisle from the security men charging toward her. Andrew laughed as he floored one man with a right hook while Simon dropped down to sweep another man’s legs out from under him.
Every route to the exit was clogged, people panicking as they pushed and shoved at each other, some falling to the ground and others running for cover, sheltering in place.
She couldn’t stop moving, zigging and zagging at every turn to avoid the predator behind her. She couldn’t afford to slow down.
Edward had a hunter’s lock on her. It seemed every time she spotted an open aisle, a chance to make for the exit, he was there.
He looked nothing like the smooth, suave businessman she’d been standing in front of a few minutes ago. His slick hair was askew, gelled spears sticking out at the sides. Sweat dotted his face as he lunged toward her, yelling orders to his men.
She spun around and leveled the pistol at him, sighting at his legs.
He glared at her before grabbing a nearby man and shoving him at Jessie, blocking her shot.
Jessie cursed as Molodavi disappeared down another aisle. The civilian he’d put in harm’s way scrambled free.
A shot rang out over her head, shattering one of the large flat-screen television sets by the sports bar.
“Who’s firing?” Dylan shouted over the comms.
Jessie felt her heart skip a beat at hearing his voice, knowing he was coming for her.
He might be her knight in shining armor, but she had to be Joan of Arc and fight her own battles here and now.
Finn answered first. “Molodavi’s men. Had one come at me with his weapon pulled, knocked him away.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Trey warned over the comm link. “Don’t even try to go for the doors, anyone. They’re stuffed with guards looking for Finn and Jessie, trying to control the chaos.” He paused. “Wyatt’s here. He’s given me the flash drive and he’s on his way back. Hold on, I’m going to take it up a level to evacuate the civilians.”
The fire alarm went off, the red lights flashing for attention. People scrambled for the exits, pushing through the Molodavi men to leave the casino.
Jessie crouched by an ATM, taking stock of the situation.
Edward Molodavi stopped by a row of overturned slot machines and shouted at one of his men, arms swinging around as he gave orders. There was no chance of hearing what he said, the fire alarm bells drowning all sound.
Jessie’s pulse pounded in her ears as one of Molo
davi’s men stepped out to her left and lunged for her, forcing her to slow down and pivot. She stepped into the punch, swinging her hip as she slugged the surprised man with the butt of her pistol and sent him staggering backward.
He was one of the men who had dragged her out of the office only a week or so ago. Jessie paused, hungry to add more payback, but Molodavi was gaining ground and there was no use in revenge if she didn’t live to enjoy it.
A bunch of panicked young women came up alongside her, and she joined them in their charge toward the exit.
…
The parking lot was a frenzy of activity, people running between cars, trying to escape, and drivers attempting the impossible—to get out on four wheels. The deadlock had started to flow out onto the street, snarling traffic.
Dylan yanked the steering wheel hard to the side and slid his truck up on the sidewalk, inches from a fire hydrant.
This was it.
He jumped out and made for the casino, pushing his way through the people fleeing the casino. A siren split the air—the police and fire department would be there in a few minutes, taking charge and trying to make some sense out of the confusion.
The doorman stood at the front of the building, scanning the fleeing crowds with his back to Dylan.
It took only a few seconds to push by the guard and get through the doors, emerging into a chaotic scene.
A woman screamed as she rushed by him, swinging her large purse to clear the way. “They’re shooting everyone!” Her frizzled blond hair stuck out at all angles, her mascara running.
Dylan sidestepped the hysterical patron and moved farther into the thinning crowd, assessing the situation as best he could.
“Where’s Jessie?” he growled, hoping Trey could hear him over the crowd’s shrieks and yells.
“Over by the Win This Car display.” Trey paused. “The Porsche, not the Lamborghini.”
Dylan turned to his left, remembering where the exhibit had been. “Finn. Where are you?” He swung out his arm and sucker-punched one of Molodavi’s men as the thug ran by, focused on something in the distance. The man dropped like a stone to the floor and barely avoided being stepped on by a drunken pair of women staggering toward the exit doors.
“Over by the high-stakes poker tables. Kinda busy.”
Hard Play (Delta Force Brotherhood) Page 18
