OtherSide Of Fear (Outside The Ropes #3)

by Ashley Claudy

  “It’s almost done,” I tried to remind him.

  He shook his head, hand tightening on my leg. “Fuck that. It’s done already. There’s no reason we need to see him anymore. I can handle the rest over the phone, and once Dexter’s delivery is done and he’s away, I’ll pick up the money and we’re gone.”

  I closed my eyes. Two days. If they drove straight through, we could leave in two days.

  ***

  Gage barely slept over the next twenty-four hours, never going long before his phone would ring again. But once the two shipments were dropped off and everything went through, things calmed and we were able to sleep a couple of hours without interruption.

  But nerves and anticipation kept me up, restless. I watched Gage’s even breathing, his chest rising and falling as he slept on his back, one bare leg kicked over the edge of the covers. We were only waiting on Dexter.

  Gage’s phone buzzed on the nightstand. Before I could make out a number on the screen, he was up and grabbing it.

  “Dexter?” He spoke into the phone, turning to me as he sat up. He swept a hand over my hair and pecked my head, whispering, “Sleep,” before leaving the bed and focusing back on the phone. “Where are you now?”

  He scooped up his sweatpants and pausing as he stood. “That far? You’re making good time but stick to the speed.” He gave Dexter the same instructions he gave every time they talked as he walked out of the room naked.

  I lay back in the bed and waited for him to return, barely breathing, like every phone call. Waiting for something to tear away the hope that was building in me, but even my nerves weren’t strong enough to knock it down. We were so close.

  “Does it hurt?” Gage asked as he walked back in the room.

  I looked up to him, confused at his question. “What?”

  “Your arm.” He crawled over me on the bed, pulling my hand away from the inside crook of my arm and placing a kiss there. “You keep rubbing it.”

  “No.” I inspected my arm without pulling it from him. The thin skin there was black and blue from when we collected more blood this afternoon. “I just can’t stop thinking about it.” I cupped his head in my palms, lifting it to look at me. “About how it’s going to be when we’re away from this. What will we do? It’s going to be different.”

  “I know.” He shifted himself over me, forcing me back on the pillow and trapping me in his arms. “But as long as we’re together, that’s all I want. Everything will be new, but we’ll have the rest of our lives to build together.” He sprinkled kisses over me, but he couldn’t hide the look in his eyes and it gutted me. Every time he got off the phone with his brother, that tortured look returned, clouding his light eyes. I was making him give up his family.

  “Is everything on track with Dexter?” I pushed on his chest, keeping him back before he could drop his weight on me completely.

  He nodded, picking up a lock of my hair, focusing on that instead of me. “He should be at the meeting spot in about three hours. I already texted Anatoli to let his men know. They’ll do the actual exchange, and Dexter will be on the next plane to Baltimore, his debt paid.” He rolled off of me onto his back, looking at the ceiling. “And if he does what he promised, he should be okay. If he can stay focused on Felix and Leona, he’ll be okay.” He turned to me, and I felt all the pain trapped in his gaze. “I just hope it doesn’t take him as long to learn as it did me. That he can keep his family.”

  I wanted to say something but physically couldn’t, not with the emotion thickening my throat and choking me. Not with my thoughts crushed under the tears glossing his eyes.

  So I did all I knew to do to comfort him. I slid my hands around his neck and pressed my lips to his, wrapping my body around him. Our lips parted and we breathed into each other, promises and apologies in our movements and touches. But I knew it wasn’t something I could take away, this sadness, this heartache. We both knew what loss was and what it meant to let go. But at least we had each other to hold on to through it this time.

  ***

  “What the fuck,” Gage mumbled while reading his screen.

  I brought him a cup of coffee and sat next to him on the couch. “What’s wrong?”

  “Anatoli’s men aren’t there yet.” He stood up and pressed on his screen. “I’m going to find out what the hell is going on.” He moved like a predator, stalking down the hall with the phone to his ear.

  “Where’s your guy?” His voice traveled to me. “And you’re only just now telling me?”

  I followed him into his office, wanting to know what was going on.

  “Well it didn’t work out. That’s why the fuck you stick to a plan.” He slid his wallet into his pants and opened a drawer, pausing as he listened. “I’m ready to just say fuck it and leave the truck where it’s at. Let them pick it up, and you can figure out how to get paid. I did my part.”

  “I thought you didn’t have anyone there?” He stood up and slammed the drawer. “What are they supposed to do?” He met my eyes, breathing in. “I’ll be there.”

  When he dropped the phone on the desk I asked, “Where will you be? What’s going on?”

  He looked at the phone as it vibrated, screen lit up. “Dexter and Sam are going to have to do the transfer, and I have to coordinate with Anatoli for that to work.” He swiped his hand over his face. “Fuck. If there was any other way…but we have to meet him. Or at least I do.”

  “I’m going with you.”

  “That’s what I thought you’d say.”

  43: Prove Yourself

  WE SAT IN THE OPEN WAREHOUSE, A draft blowing in from somewhere, chilling me. It gave me an excuse for shaking, uncontrollable tremors that vibrated my muscles in random spurts. I only hoped that my arms around my waist, holding me in place, were enough to cover them.

  It all seemed to be going okay, but dread was building, consuming my thoughts with each moment that passed. Only minutes before, Rusnak had stepped out of the room on his phone and left Gage and I alone. Although, not really alone. A few men spotted the open, empty, space. Metal pipes and ducts showed on the ceiling and walls. There were construction piles and a half designed bar spread out over the room. Rusnak had explained that this was going to be his new club, one of many. The men at the bar didn’t even pretend to do anything besides watching Gage and I.

  “This is Dex.” Gage gripped my thigh under the table as he pulled out his vibrating phone. “You two still there? With them?” He paused, listening to Dexter, and then his eyes swept to the door.

  Rusnak entered but stopped to say something to another man there.

  There were other rooms in this sprawling warehouse, but I hadn’t seen them. Others had been in and out though, including Alessandra and Cherry.

  “Good. Then have Sam drop off the truck and you can still make your flight,” Gage continued his phone conversation.

  The man left at Rusnak’s signal and then he was walked towards us.

  “All right,” Gage spoke soft into the phone. “You too.” He rose to his feet as he hung up and I followed.

  “Everything was exchanged.” Rusnak stopped on the opposite side of the table. “It’s all been confirmed. See, it went smooth. There was nothing to worry about. I told you, your brother would be a good addition.”

  Gage’s small grunt could have been mistaken for a laugh. “It’s done. I’ll pick up my share of the money when your man gets back tomorrow.”

  I let out the breath I’d been holding. My relief for Dexter flooded my insides with heat, but all my senses were still revved, especially when Rusnak put out his hand to stop us.

  “Wait.” His bright smile didn’t lesson my anxiety at all. “Sit. Stay. We still have more to discuss. Things to work out.”

  Gage didn’t sit, but he didn’t continue walking away either.

  Rusnak’s smile dropped, but he pressed forward. “We made more money in these past two days than Viktor made all year. It’s to both our benef
it to work together. But it’s important to trust each other, and I’ve had my doubts.”

  Gage stared at him for a moment, nothing crossing his face, no ripple, no lines, completely still and calm. “I do too. Changing the plans on me every chance you had doesn’t help improve that trust.”

  “I had my reasons. Sit.” He gestured to the chair Gage had been sitting on as he relaxed in his chair, smiling up at him. “We’ve always had someone between us, a buffer. First, your father. Then, Nick and Silas. And more recently, Viktor. But they’re gone now.” His voice hardened, “A conversation is long overdue.”

  I could only half focus on Rusnak. My attention pulled as the man from earlier returned, saying something in a thick accent to the other men in the room. The three others laughed, a gritty sandpaper like sound, as they walked towards our table.

  Rusnak didn’t acknowledge them, his eyes stayed locked on Gage.

  “Another time,” I answered for Gage, not wanting to give him the chance to say okay. A warning rung in my head, blaring out everything as I watched the men’s slow approach.

  “Regan, this isn’t something that can wait.” Rusnak only glanced at me before turning back to Gage. “I’m already thinking of our next project. We need to clear this up. Now.”

  “No. We have to go.” I focused on Gage, not sure I could control the panic rising in me. My flight response was taking over. I wanted to push him towards the door.

  “Regan,” His voice was low as his hand gripped my arm, and the second I heard his tone, I knew. It was an apology. My lungs collapsed, all air vacuumed out. We weren’t leaving. He tried to meet my eyes, but I focused back on the group that now surrounded us.

  Two on either side of Rusnak. All on the other side of the folding table but spread out enough that whichever way we tried to go, they would be there. And a wall blocked us at our back.

  So I sat down with a deep breath. If I couldn’t run, I’d face this head on. And maybe I was overreacting. I had been scared about every step this week, and they’d all turned out okay. Maybe this would be the same. It was a desperate hope I clung to. We just had to agree to whatever he wanted and then leave.

  Gage sat next to me, pulling his folding chair right up to my side so we were touching.

  Rusnak’s satisfied smile reached his hazel eyes, and he turned to the man at his side. “Get us a bottle and glasses.” He gestured to the man at his other side, the one who’d only just entered the room. “What did they find out?”

  That man stepped forward, slipping a folded paper into Rusnak’s hands. Rusnak unfolded the small scrap and glanced to him. He spoke low into his ear, too low for us to hear, but Rusnak nodded with hooded eyes.

  “Trace it and let me know.” Rusnak handed back the paper. He turned to face us, dismissing the man without another word. “Some FBI turned up dead at the club,” he stated, matter of fact.

  “I heard,” Gage used the same straight tone with an edge that Rusnak had used.

  I tensed but controlled the urge to grip the gun holstered inside my jacket.

  Rusnak’s head cocked slightly and eyes narrowed, considering Gage. “You heard. From whom?”

  “Viktor told me, but he didn’t have any information. He wanted me to look into it. I haven’t found out anything certain. Have you?”

  He scratched the side of his neck and peered at Gage through slits in his eyes. “You looked into it? And found nothing?”

  Gage leaned forward. His words and actions came out confident, sure, “Barely. He mentioned it on the boat and with everything that happened…”Gage spread out his hands, we all knew what happened that night. “I’ve focused on other things.”

  “You didn’t think to mention it to me?”

  “They had connected Viktor to the Bratva. And then you took out Viktor.” Gage shrugged. “I thought you set up those men too. It didn’t seem like a problem anymore.”

  The sound of my breathing ripped through me and I held my breath, not wanting to be the one to ruin things, not wanting to draw attention to me. Gage appeared so calm, so certain in his lie.

  The man Rusnak sent away for drinks returned and poured liquor into glasses. Rusnak flicked his fingers, making the man stop. “Leave us to talk, but leave the bottle.”

  The man set the bottle down in the center of the glasses, and then him and the other men returned to the half built bar. They sat on the stools there, far enough away that we couldn’t hear their muffled conversation but close enough to feel their eyes on us.

  “It was convenient.” Rusnak picked up the bottle, raising one eyebrow as he topped off his drink. “But suspicious because I didn’t set it up. And I haven’t heard anything about who did. If it was someone for us, then they should reveal themselves.” He gestured the bottle at Gage in a silent offer.

  Gage grabbed the bottle and poured his own glass half full, adding a shots worth in another tumbler. He handed that to me, his steady fingers grazing mine. The small connection was enough to calm me some, to reassure me that he knew what he was doing.

  As the men sipped their drinks, I downed mine, needing to silence the crackle of my thoughts and focus on them.

  “Didn’t they shoot each other? Maybe there was no one else. Was either under your pay roll or Viktor’s?”

  Rusnak shook his head, silently sipping his drink, but his eyes seemed to speak in another language, sparking as Gage continued.

  “Then maybe one worked for someone who was.”

  “That’s a good thought. Reasonable. But no one’s claiming them.” He looked between Gage and me. “Did you know them?” The question could have been directed at either of us. “Kalvin McDonnely and Anthony Fields.” His gaze settled on me.

  “Anthony. I knew him,” I answered, knowing that Rusnak already knew that truth.

  “Regan new him when he was a cop in Baltimore. He approached her once here in New York, but we sent him away. I told Viktor and Alessandra about that. It was the same time the FBI were questioning me.”

  Rusnak’s gaze stayed attached to me. “What did he question you about?”

  “Gage. Shadow. They were after Shadow.” I had to break eye contact. I looked to Gage. “Maybe it was Shadow who had them killed.” I swallowed the lump in my throat and forced myself to face Rusnak again. “Or maybe one of them worked for him.”

  He tilted his head, eyes penetrating me like a knife. “Maybe.”

  “Does it matter at this point?” I asked, unable to keep silent under his look. “If they were only on to Viktor, that connection is gone. Is there something else going on that we should be worried about? Has someone else been asking questions?” I wanted to get us off the questioning table.

  “That’s what I’m looking into, if there’s anything else to worry about. Hopefully they will follow the clues and tie Viktor to Shadow and consider it closed.” He braced his forearms on the table, talking to me like he was teaching me something. “I’m looking out for my interests though, for our business, and Shadow is a large part of that. Protecting Shadow protects us and our investments.”

  “Shadow—”

  “Now that this deal is behind us,” Gage cut me off. “I’ll look into this further and make sure it won’t be a threat to future projects. That’s where my interest lies, so we’re both in agreement on that. I don’t want things interfering with potential business either.”

  “Good, that’s what I wanted to hear. But can you really? Even with her?”

  Neither of them looked at me, but my heart stuttered at being put in the center of their conversation.

  “Leave her out of it,” his voice strained as he tried to keep control, lines flashing in his neck and jaw. “That’s my one demand. You leave her out of it, and I’m willing to put aside our past differences so we can both benefit.”

  “But can I trust you?” He asked like he was talking to himself, trying to decide.

  “I’m asking myself the same thing about you.” Gage nodded
towards Rusnak. “But at least my track record proves you can. I’ve never betrayed the brotherhood.”

  “Neither have I.” Rusnak sat up, voice forceful as he defended Gage’s slight.

  “But you undermine me.”

  That man came back in, his beard hiding his expression as he walked straight to Rusnak. The others in the room took notice, perking up in their seats.

  “My changes were to protect the shipment, to make sure it stayed secure.” Rusnak nodded to Gage, taking the slip of paper the bearded man handed him. He dropped his eyes, smoothing his suit as the man behind him spoke into his ear. His face transformed, hardening. “They’re sure?” He turned to the man who nodded. Rusnak lifted his hand and the others in the room gathered where we sat.

  Rusnak turned back to Gage with a smile that extinguished any hope I had. His smile promised nothing good, something terrible crawling behind those eyes. “You’re right. We should leave her out of this. Leave, Regan. My driver can take you home.”

  “No,” I sat up, nerves bursting in flashes behind my eyes. “I’m not leaving.”

  Gage put his hand out, blocking me, to keep me still or to send a message. I saw now the others were moving closer, and the bald man closest to me had stepped to my side of the table.

  Rusnak raised an eyebrow at Gage. “Now’s the time to prove yourself. Send her home.”

  Gage rose to his feet, pulling me close to his side. “I’ll take her home, and then I’ll come back and we can talk.”

  We made it out from behind the table before two men blocked our path, and the other two came up behind us.

  Rusnak stepped in-between them, facing Gage. “You need to stay here.” He nodded back to the table. “You know I’ll get her home safe.”

  Gage pulled me to him, knocking Rusnak’s arm down before he could reach me. “Don’t fucking touch her.”

  The blur of dark suits in the corner of my vision was hard to follow. Everyone moved at once, but the flash of a gun being pulled caused me to pull out my own.