“It’s suicide,” Her voice was shrill and panicky. “They have the compound locked up tight and with the way things went down last night, there’s no way I could get us back in.”
A man’s muffled voice floated through the wall, but she couldn’t make out the words. Stacy’s high pitched, loudness came through just fine.
“...Yes, but she doesn’t stay there...the other two do, but she cats around at night, you know that.”
Gianna. She cats around, she’s a...
With a click, the door swung open, startling her. Sam carried two coffees and a bag of something that smelled warm and sugary. Her stomach growled on cue. Her chips and salsa at the bar had done little for her the night before.
Sam grinned, his green eyes gleaming. Last night’s late exercise had energized him, it seemed.
“Morning, my love.”
With his hands full, she had a great opportunity to kiss his face, and he could do nothing about it. She grabbed his face, kissing him deeply.
When she pulled back, Sam set the coffees and food on the table, and stepped back. His face looked puzzled, mixed with a little accusation.
“Why do your kisses feel like goodbyes?” He said, eyeballing her. “Please tell me you aren’t planning something really stupid, here?” He waited for a reply, but clearly didn’t expect one.
“Kirin, the FBI are so close to taking them down. Trained officers will go in and get them and with last night’s mainly successful raid, they’ve crippled them once again. It won’t be long. They have enough evidence to storm the place and put them behind bars. Then we can go home and feel safe.”
She pointed toward the coffee and he nodded, “What do you mean, mainly successful?”
Sam seized his coffee and chose the chair next to the desk. “They captured one of our guys.” He took a sip and stared down at the worn carpet.
“They’ve sent word they’d execute anyone who meddled in their drug business. Last night’s raid cost them dearly and their hive is buzzing with anger right now. Let them do the work, Kirin, we’re just here to stay safe.”
“You’re not going with them to apprehend Todd? He’s the leader, right? What about Gianna? Where does she think you are?”
Sam exhaled, “Todd’s just a pawn. Steve thinks Nicky is calling the shots, but there’s someone else involved too. They aren’t quite sure who it would be. Truth be told, Todd should rightfully be the leader since it passes from father to Son, but he doesn’t have the stomach for the job. He only treated Stacy like that because Nicky manipulated him.”
Her mind twitched to attention. “Sam, are Nicky and Gianna related?”
Sam’s eyes narrowed, “Yeah, why?”
You don’t think Nicky is trying to push Todd out and Gianna in do you?”
Sam stared at her. His eyes told her he’d thought the same thing. But he shook his head, “She doesn’t want it. She wants to go back to high society in Cleveland and be done with all of this.”
And take you with her.
“You sure?” she asked, searching his face.
“No. But I know she’s hated Nicky since we were kids. I don’t think that fact has changed.”
She took a long sip of her coffee. If the FBI was after Nicky, but in truth Gianna ran the show, then they weren’t tracking the right person. And if Kirin could put this together, surely the FBI had figured it out.
Sam opened the bag and handed her a breakfast sandwich. She took it gratefully. He watched her.
“I want to ask you something serious, and I need an honest answer.”
“Awfully deep for eight in the morning,” Kirin smiled, unwrapped her sandwich and took a huge bite.
Sam grinned, “I need to know you’re still with me.”
Kirin stopped chewing, “What do you mean?”
“This thrilling and dangerous side of our lives is almost over. You haven’t mentioned wedding plans in a long time. Has all this... baggage, made you change your mind?” He set his sandwich down. “Now that you’re aware of what I am, or what I was, have your feelings changed? Feels like you’re planning to leave.”
She set her sandwich down, stood, and walked toward him, with her hands on her hips.
“What did I tell you last night? And what happened right there?” she gestured toward the bed. “Was I the only one that felt that? I don’t care what you did in The Club...it makes no difference to me if you parked cars, broke thumbs, or killed people. You were forced to do things you didn’t want to do. You are who you are and you’re mine.” She spoke from the heart, and clearly her heart wasn’t accepting the fact she’d be letting him go very soon.
She sat on his outstretched leg and continued, “Wedding plans aren’t on my mind right now, because surviving is.”
Sam pulled her into his chest.
It was at that moment, the idea hit her. Her stomach twisted thinking about it. She’d have to hurt him in the worst way for him to turn loose of her.
She knew deep down what to do.
Chapter Nineteen
When Sam retreated to the bathroom, she picked up his new phone from the dresser. It was the same type Steve had handed her the night before. She couldn’t help but pick it up and look for texts between him and her. She had to know.
The rushing water of the toilet flushing moved her fingers faster. Then, water in the sink turned on.
The texts started from her,
“Sammy, have you considered my offer?”
“Not happening, G” He’d written back.
She hated the familiarity in their banter. Gianna had known him twenty years longer, but that didn’t stop the jealous monster from rising inside Kirin.
“They’d all be safe. One night. Come on, we both know you’ve done it for money, let’s do it for fun. Get out of that prison and meet me. Two hours tops.”
He hadn’t seen the last text as it’d just come through. She laid the phone back on the dresser at the same moment Sam emerged from the bathroom.
She tried her best not to look guilty, swallowed hard and stood, “I’m gonna check on Stacy. Where are you going today?”
Sam watched her carefully for a few seconds then shrugged it off, “To find Steve. See if they rescued the agent who was captured. Meet back for lunch?” She nodded. Sam kissed her forehead, grabbed up his phone and shut the door behind him.
She finished her coffee, and tidied up the room, all the while planning how to break up with him. She choked back tears more than once. Drying it all up, she shut her door and walked to Stacy’s room.
“Come in,” Stacy sang, sounding chipper.
“Good morning, sunshine. You’re awake this morning.” Kirin narrowed her eyes, smiling at her friend as she shut the door behind her. Stacy’s face glowed.
“Yep. A full night’s sleep outside the fortress.” She flitted about the room straightening and cleaning. Both the beds had been slept in. Maybe nothing happened. It wouldn’t surprise her if Brandon was a gentleman.
“Where’s Babyface?” Kirin sat in one of the hardback chairs.
Stacy rose from picking something off the ground and stared. “Who?”
“Brandon.”
Stacy’s smile spread across her face. “I’ll tell him you call him that, he’ll find humor in the irony. He’s downstairs in some stupid, super-secret meeting.”
Stacy watched her, her face losing all humor. “What’s the matter?”
Kirin took a deep breath. “Can we talk?”
Stacy stopped flitting around the room and plopped onto one of the newly made beds and waited while Kirin gathered her thoughts.
“I’m afraid the only way you and I are gonna survive is if Todd and Nicky are gone.” She let it sink in, then continued. “And I know you. Part of you still loves Todd. If he’s killed or put away for life, how’s that gonna affect you?”
Stacy stopped fidgeting for a second and stared. Her expression was an odd mixture of sadness that turned to fear. Stacy stared out the window at the grey clo
uds looming outside, then sighed deep.
“I don’t know. I haven’t accepted he’s no longer my Todd. Before...he was caring, loving and comical. Endearingly vulnerable. And looking back, he was jittery around his family—of course now, I understand why.” Stacy stared at her hands as a tear ran down one cheek. Kirin left her chair, sat on the bed and grabbed her friends’ hands. Stacy’s head snapped up to look into Kirin’s eyes.
“They’re all monsters.” Stacy whispered, her eyes fearful. “You don’t know how many times, I had to listen to someone beg for their life inside that mansion. The dungeon-like basement must be where they keep people before they die, but it’s also where the heat system is. I used to shove towels inside the vents in my room to block out the screams, but then I’d get cold. I spent hours hiding in that room with noise cancelling headphones on.”
There was a longing in her voice. It was as if she wished she could’ve done more than just hide. Something told Kirin she’d need more information about this place.
“Did you ever go down there?”
“No, never. To be honest the fortress is so huge, I’m not even sure which set of stairs lead there. But I know that’s where they take certain people. People that don’t ever seem to come back. I once heard a woman crying down there. From the sounds...they did awful things to her before they killed her. I sat awake all night. Even tried to find the stairs that night but couldn’t. That’s what scares me the most.”
A fine mist pelted the window and for a moment, it mesmerized her. Kirin stood and walked to it. She had to think of a way out of this. They needed Todd and Nicky gone. For that matter Gianna too. But for now, they needed to be off their radar.
Other than retribution, what did they gain from killing Stacy and Kirin? Gianna wanted Kirin out of the picture, so having her killed was the easiest way to win Sam. But why Stacy? If Todd truly loved Stacy, he wouldn’t let Nicky do that, right?
Todd was being bullied by Nicky into being someone he wasn’t, but she still couldn’t trust him to save Stacy. He’d hit Stacy behind closed doors to show the family he wasn’t weak. That wasn’t someone who loved her, that was a coward with a mean streak.
What had Nicky said when she was in the hospital?
“...what is important is that you tell that fiancé of yours to stop meddling in my business or let’s just say I will give new meaning to your upcoming wedding vows of ‘til death do us part.”
What did she know about their “business?” Sam had said they’d used him and Gianna to get “property and things” The Club wanted. And when Steve had visited her in the hospital, he’d spoken of a shipment of “girls.” She needed to know what else they were peddling.
Kirin shuddered, “Let’s go for a walk and stretch our legs—want to?”
“Sure. I could use some fresh air.” Stacy stood and drug on tennis shoes she found in the closet.
They walked outside just as they’d come in. Free. Officers were everywhere, but they only observed. Nobody tried to stop them. Steve must’ve briefed his officers that civilians would be milling about, because this time no guns were shoved in their faces.
October sun warmed their backs as they headed west toward a row of airplane hangars. They walked along a working, but dilapidated runway, rather than twist an ankle in the knotted grass. They talked more like two neighbors taking a walk than people plotting to stay alive.
The last metal airplane hangar in line had its big bay door open with a dump truck backed into it, while the others all looked abandoned and shut. The windows in the first few they’d passed were way too high to see what was inside, so out of curiosity, they headed for the last one.
About fifty yards from the door, two officers, dressed in drab green with automatic weapons jogged toward them. “Stop!” One of them yelled.
Both ladies complied. The officers reached them but stood cautiously a few feet away. “This area is off limits. Please head back to the barracks.”
Stacy’s demeanor changed instantly. Her smile wattage doubled as she kick-started her charm. “Guys listen—we’re all on the same side! We only wanted to look inside one of these giant hangars. I’ve never been inside one before—have you, Kirin?”
Oh, Lord. Kirin wasn’t good at feigning innocence or sounding like a helpless female and Stacy knew it. But her friend put her on the spot, so she had to try.
“Uh, no... No, I haven’t. You can’t grasp how big they are without standing inside. We won’t touch anything, I promise.” She added, smiling. Her tone was so sickly sweet and high, she had a hard time pulling it off without laughing.
The older of the two officers narrowed dark eyes at them but continued his polite smile. “Commander Withrow has given us direct orders that nobody gets in there, especially civilians.”
Stacy grinned wide, “and being commander Withrow’s sister, he knows how much I like architecture, so I promise he wouldn’t mind.”
Architecture? Kirin had to clear her throat to hide the giggle. She piped up, “Can’t we just stand at the edge and peek in?” The younger officer’s face softened. He seemed affected by their charms, but the older gentleman wasn’t buying it.
“Impossible, Ms. Lane. Please go back to the barracks and enjoy your stay.”
He knew exactly who they were. They’d need to change tactics to get a gander.
“Okay, thanks.” She turned on her heel, linking arms with Stacy.
Stacy looked straight ahead and spoke. “Giving up?”
“For now...we’ll come back later, when crusty there takes a break.” Kirin’s eyebrows danced as Stacy nodded and smiled.
They’d walked less than a hundred feet, when piercing sirens rang out overhead that paralyzed them both. Kirin held her ears. A small grey plane flew toward the runway. Officers seemed to pour out of every door, like roaches. She squinted toward it. It looked unmanned and too small to be real, more like a large toy.
Stacy and Kirin were grabbed from behind by the same two green suited officers and led toward the hangar they’d wanted to see. As they were ushered inside, she got a quick look around.
She now knew why they didn’t want her snooping around.
The space was industrial, filled with concrete floors and metal siding and it reeked of jet fuel. It stung her lungs and permeated the large space, but there was no jet inside. The space was so jam packed with boxes marked “Prescription” and bags of white powder, they couldn’t have parked a bicycle inside.
This was the mother lode of drugs. Hundreds of billions of dollars’ worth of drugs. She suspected that the other hangars were just as full. No wonder The Club wanted them dead. They’d stolen one of their sources of income.
The older man ushered them down a narrow set of concrete steps that lead nowhere. They were basically inside a cement foxhole. As other officers scrambled around above ground, they were escorted to the very back of the hallway and told to crouch down in a shadow by a gruff talking, dark haired, female officer gripping a handgun. According to her tag, Martinez was her name.
As they’d been led downstairs, Kirin glanced back. Officers scurried to close the main hangar door. One man tinkered with a box on the wall as the other officers yanked on the door itself. It was stuck. The lights flickered. Noise inside was deafening, peppered with officers who yelled out orders and explosions down the runway. Men fired what looked like handheld rockets from the open door at two giant black attack helicopters.
From their vantage point, she could see the entire sky was lit up with orange fire and black smoke.
She watched in horror as something caught on fire and exploded on the other side of the runway. It looked like one of the SUV’s that had saved them the night before.
She prayed Sam was safe.
Chapter Twenty
From their crouched position, she watched as smoke engulfed the hangar. Surely, the stacked boxes of white powder were highly flammable. If the fire reached them, they’d know intimately how deadly drugs could be.
A
blacked-out van screeched to a halt just to the right of the large bay door. Gunfire ensued. Kirin’s legs began to shake. She’d crouched too long. If they needed to run, her legs wouldn’t respond. She stood and pulled a terrified looking Stacy to her feet. Both ladies held their ears and Stacy shot Kirin a look of terror.
The van held soldiers. Lots of them, dressed all in black with only their eyes showing and brandishing weapons. They poured out of the van like water, running in every direction. The sound of gunshots doubled.
Kirin glanced around. They’d be shot like fish in a barrel in the alcove where they stood. Officer Martinez had a tattoo that led from her neck, down her back and disappeared down the collar of her uniform. She stood in a wide stance with her gun, rock solid, pointed outward toward the stairs to blow away anyone who came down. Kirin yelled toward her.
“We have to move.”
The woman shook her head. “My orders are to stay.”
Kirin grabbed the woman’s arm and yanked, spinning the woman’s body toward them. “We’re gonna die, if we stay.”
She had a pretty face, natural red lips and deep-set brown eyes—eyes that now told Kirin she wasn’t taking orders from her. Their noses almost touched as the officer glared and yelled back. “We’re not leaving.”
Just then, the backside of a green suited officer appeared at the top of the steps. He fired his rifle but was overtaken. His body careened backwards and tumbled awkwardly down into their alcove with arms and legs twisting unnaturally. He was dead, and they were next. Kirin turned to face Stacy. Stacy stared at the unmoving body at their feet. Kirin shook her friend until their eyes met. She nodded upward. Stacy followed her line of sight and nodded back.
Interlacing her fingers, she hoisted Stacy up toward the railing above them. Stacy was tall enough to grab hold of the metal rungs and began pulling herself up. Stacy’s scream pierced the noise as two hands grabbed her under the arms and began pulling her upward. Kirin snatched one of Stacy’s ankles until she saw Brandon’s red face and Stacy grabbing at him like a parched human finding water in a desert.
Unraveling Page 12
