Shadow dialed Nick to give him the news. After he’d explained what had happened and what he was doing, Nick advised him to take Spider to Jack’s place.
“He’s been tracing the fake companies and offshore account. He’d just uncovered the discrepancies in the accounts today. What Headbanger doesn’t know yet is there’s a third account. The full balance of both accounts under Bobby Blalock’s name is scheduled to transfer to the third account one week from today.”
“Whose name is that one in?”
“Barry Jacobson.”
Shadow looked over at Spider. “You don’t say.”
“Yeah. Great family, huh? I’m heading to the clubhouse now to try to keep them from killing Barry. If they find out Barry has double-crossed them all, there’ll be a long line of people who want to kill him.”
Shadow parked at Jack’s apartment and marched Spider inside, where two DEA agents waited to take him into custody. With fake blood and a staged scene, Shadow took pictures of Spider’s “dead” body as proof for Headbanger.
“You’re undercover DEA?” Spider finally asked, still dumbfounded with the turn of events.
“No, I’m not DEA at all. But I did just save your life,” Shadow replied. “So, you’re going to tell me everything.”
Over the next hour, Shadow questioned Spider and listened to his rendition of the kidnapping scheme.
“It was my uncle’s idea. He’s a big-time executive, but he’d spent too much of the money that was earmarked to go to movie production on himself. He couldn’t finalize the movie without being found out, so he wanted us to take the girls until he fixed his money problems. Once he got more funding, we were supposed to let them go, and he’d pay us for grabbing them.
“But it took a lot longer than he thought it would, and another movie was wrapping up before he had the money to finish. Then another. It just kept adding up on him, so Boss decided to sell the girls. The cartels gave us the spray to knock them out, and they got it from a guy in Hong Kong. They arranged a deal for us, with the cartel getting a cut, of course. The girls are supposed to be moved through Mexico to the port in the next few days. That’s why I moved them from Barry’s house.”
“Selling them to whom?”
“The cartel’s contact in Hong Kong.”
Shadow cut his gaze to the DEA agents. One spoke up. “We’ll cast a wide net across the border—land and sea. They won’t leave the States.”
Shadow nodded and stood to leave. Spider had lost all his bravado when he searched Shadow’s face. “Are you going to save my uncle’s life too?”
“I’ll try,” he replied after a few seconds. “No promises. I have no idea what those two are doing to him since we left.” He turned to leave when Spider stopped him again.
“Bone suspects you, ya know? He told Boss this morning. He thinks there’s something up with you and that actress. He swears he heard the two of you talking the night you brought the new girl in. But when he moved to the door to listen, she’d quit talking. Since then, she’s avoided you. He wants to off both of you.”
“Thanks for the heads-up.” He nodded to Spider and left, calling Nick as soon as he got into the truck. “Tell me you saved Jacobson.”
“Oh, he’s alive, Guess you haven’t seen the news over the last hour.”
“No. What now?”
“Now we’re into extortion via ransom demands. Headbanger sent a video showing Jacobson tied up and beaten, and he demanded the studio pay for the release of their executive and actresses. The money is supposed to be wired to his offshore account.”
“The same one that’s about to be drained dry?”
Nick chuckled at the irony. “The same. Karma can be such a bitch.”
“What’s his exchange plan?”
“When the money transfer is confirmed, he’ll leave them all at one location and send the address when he’s long gone.”
“Because those schemes always work exactly as planned.”
“Don’t underestimate him. He’s likely to have another plan in mind but not tell any of us. We need eyes on him at all times.”
Shadow told Nick the last words Spider said to him. “Don’t let them hurt my girl, Nick. I swear to you, I will mow every one of those bastards down if she’s harmed.”
“I hear you, man.”
21
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Brianna, Chaise, Heather, and Liz entered the enormous suite that had become the temporary headquarters of Steele Security. The Moore and Condra families had been moved to the same floor for their own safety, traveling to interviews under the watchful eye of Reaper, Bull, or Rebel.
“We’re here. You can all take a break now. We’ve got this,” Liz exclaimed upon her entrance.
“Case is closed, boys. Liz is here. We can all go home,” Rebel teased as he rose to greet Heather. He enjoyed seeing Liz’s feathers ruffled.
“You think you’re better at this than me? As far as I can tell, you only started solving cases after I showed up to help you.”
Bull snorted, then coughed exaggeratedly to hide his gaffe. “We were just saying we couldn’t wait until you got here. We’ve missed you, Liz.”
Liz beamed with pride as every other eye in the room bore through Bull’s skin with a burning intensity.
“Yes, that’s exactly what we were just saying,” Reaper added, his tone rife with sarcasm and humor.
“Never fear, my boys. Mama Liz is here to protect you.”
“When did you become Mama Liz?” Heather asked as she wrapped her arms around Rebel, happy to be in her husband’s arms again.
“Since I started my own day care with just Steele Security kids. Have any of you figured out what causes repeat pregnancies yet?” Liz moved through the expansive adjoining suites, checking every bedroom before claiming hers. “I’m glad you reserved several suites on this floor. We’ll need one just for my headquarters.”
Reaper had learned not to argue with Liz more than absolutely necessary. Over the years with her as their nanny and friend, she’d trapped him by his own words one time too many. He rushed to Brianna and scooped her up in his arms. “Hey, baby. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“Me, too. Your parents and my parents argued over who would babysit while I’m here with you.” She laughed then kissed him. “I gave them each a week, so you need to wrap up this case and take me away for some adult time.”
“Oh, lord. Another Steele baby coming right up,” Liz groaned.
Reaper and Brianna chuckled while they continued their kiss hello.
Chaise melted into Bull’s arms, and their lips fused together. “Hello, gorgeous,” he said against her lips. “’Bout time you showed up.”
“Got here as soon as I could. Your parents and my parents are taking turns with the kids, too. I agree with Bri—we all need an adults-only vacation once this is over,” Chaise replied.
“What can we do to help?” Brianna asked.
“Elle’s and Beth’s parents have had a hard time with this. We’ve tried to calm them as much as possible without giving them much information on Shadow.”
“Where is my man?” Liz asked, reappearing in the living room decked out in black leather pants, a long-sleeve black Henley shirt, and a black leather vest. The matching black leather hat and fingerless gloves completed her biker look. “I’m his ride-or-die chick. Gotta support my man no matter which road he chooses.”
“Uh, Liz,” Rebel began, wiping the smile off his face with his big hand. “Your man is deep undercover. In an outlaw motorcycle gang. We can’t just insert you undercover with him. It’ll get him killed. Besides, I’m not sure your slip-on Skechers are approved by the Devil’s Dominion.”
“What’s wrong with them? They’re comfortable and easy to get on and off my feet when they swell.”
“Maybe we should let her loose on the gang. She’d probably take them down single-handedly,” Bull quipped.
“Damn straight. Let me at ’em.” Liz stood in front of the en
try mirror and adjusted her hat. “Did anyone bring me a gun?”
“No!” came the unified reply from all three men.
Liz turned slowly and glared at each man. “Wait a minute. Where’s Silas?”
Reaper buried his face in Brianna’s neck, his body shaking so hard with laughter he couldn’t speak to respond to her question.
“Silas is working a different angle of the case, Liz. He’s protecting Jax Hart and working through his CIA contact to help Shadow. I’m sure we’ll see him soon.”
“Not when he finds out Liz is here,” Reaper whispered to Brianna. She immediately shushed him.
Liz narrowed her eyes at Brianna and Reaper. “Noah Steele. Silas taught me how to be a spy. I know everything he knows. Call him right now—in front of me and on speaker—and tell him to get over here. Jax Hart can stay here with the others and be just fine. Silas needs backup, though.”
“You’ll have to lose your biker chick outfit. He’s not in the gang. In fact, if they find out he’s here, they’ll kill him. He infiltrated the gang years ago and was ‘sent to prison’ to get out of it. But he’s sure his cover was blown in the process,” Rebel countered.
“Like I said, I’m Shadow’s ride-or-die girl, so the leather stays. If anyone sees me with Silas, I can vouch for him as a real biker chick.” Liz lowered her gaze to Reaper’s phone pointedly and raised her eyebrows.
With a resigned sigh, he picked up his phone and pressed the button for Silas. When the call connected, he smiled and hit the speaker button. “Hey, big brother, you’re on speaker. There’s someone here who wants to see you.”
A few seconds of pregnant silence filled the line before Silas replied. “Oh, yeah? Who’s that?”
“You know damn well who it is, Silas Steele,” Liz called. “You lied to me. You said you couldn’t bring me with you as a matter of national security.”
“It is a matter of national security, Liz. The nation is not secure when you’re on the loose as a rogue quadruple agent. You missed the whole point of a double agent.”
“There’s no reason why I should be limited to just double. I can play many sides against each other. Just because I’m more talented and flexible than you are is no reason to let envy keep me from helping you.”
Another punctuated silence stalled the conversation.
“Silas?”
“Yes, Liz?”
“Come on over to the hotel and bring this Jax person. He can stay here while we wrap up this case and bring Shadow home.”
Silas dropped his head backward and stared at the ceiling, ceding to Liz’s demand before disconnecting. “Fine. We’ll be there later tonight.”
Silas turned to Jax and smiled a devious smile. “I know I just moved you here from your Idaho mountain hideout, but Liz actually does have a valid point for once. I’m moving you to another location tonight. It’s secure and under armed protection. Elle’s and Beth’s families are also staying there.”
“Okay. But why the creepy smile?”
“You’re going to help me with Liz.”
“Who’s Liz?”
“You’ll see.” Silas laughed out loud. “You’ll see.”
When darkness began to fall over LA, Silas had Jax put on his disguise so they could leave the building without him being recognized. They reached the hotel and stepped off the elevators to find Liz waiting impatiently with her foot tapping.
“It’s about time.” She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed loudly. “Do you know how much time we’ve already wasted?”
“Patience, Liz. Let’s get Jason set up in his room.”
She looked at Jason suspiciously. “I thought your name was Jax.”
“Jax is his spy name. To everyone else, he’s Jason.” Silas made his statement so matter-of-factly, so nonchalantly, knowing Liz’s interest in Jason would double.
“Hold up. You’re a spy?”
“Of course. He’s in disguise right now. What’s really interesting is he used to be a special-effects makeup artist here in LA. He has mad skills with a makeup brush and a little putty.” Silas pulled out the big guns early, hoping his distraction was enough to entice Liz.
“Well. We’ll just see about his mad skills, won’t we?” Liz challenged.
Hook, line, and sinker, Silas thought as he smiled to himself.
“Let’s practice on Silas before he and I go out to help Shadow tonight,” Liz continued, effectively bursting his happy bubble.
“What? Who’s Shadow?” Jason asked, looking at Silas for help.
“Never mind. You don’t need to know anything about him. Now, my outfit is already perfect to join a motorcycle club, but I need more of a kick to my makeup. A good disguise to protect my real identity,” Liz decided.
Jason started with the leather cap on her head and worked his way down to her white slip-on Skechers. He jerked his head up and opened his mouth to object when Silas stopped him.
“That’s a great idea, Liz. Why don’t the two of you work on your makeup while I go check in with Noah.”
“All right, Silas. But you know what happens if you sneak off without me,” Liz warned.
He rolled his eyes, knowing full well what Liz would do. He’d made that mistake once before on a far less important grocery store run on a group trip. When he awoke that night, Liz stood over him with her bright pink nail polish in hand. Not only had she painted his nails, but also his lips. To date, he still hadn’t figured out how she’d pulled that off, and she refused to divulge her own trade secrets.
But removing her as his self-proclaimed spy partner was worth the painted lips and nails he’d endure later. For the time being, his focus had to be on getting Shadow and the others out of the Devil’s clutches. Events had been escalating in severity, ramping up the danger Shadow and Nick faced if their covers were blown and increasing the probability someone would be killed before the sting was finished.
“Noah,” he called out when they entered the suite.
“Back here,” Reaper answered.
Liz escorted Jason to another room so they could begin work on her disguise. Silas breathed a sigh of relief when he joined the other men in their temporary command center.
“I just got here, and she’s already threatening me.”
The others laughed at his misfortune. “We’re just glad she’s taken a liking to you, Silas,” Reaper replied.
“Noah, you’re my brother. You’re supposed to have my back.”
“Brother, you know I’d take a bullet for you. But when it comes to Liz, we’ve all agreed it’s every man for himself,” Reaper replied.
“Bastards,” Silas mumbled under his breath.
“What have you found out, Silas?” Rebel asked.
Silas filled them in on his entire conversation with Jason and what he’d seen. Noah, in turn, brought Silas up to speed on the events of the day. “Jack, Nick’s handler, called and gave us the rundown of Shadow’s interrogation of Spider. He was singing like a songbird, hoping Shadow could save his uncle after he’d double-crossed his club and his family. He has no idea his uncle planned to double-cross him in the end, though.”
Silas listened intently, following the explanation of the first account feeding the second, until both were to be transferred to the third account held by the studio executive Barry Jacobson. It was a good scheme, he had to give Barry that. Mismanage funds, run out of production money, have the girls kidnapped by his nephew’s gang until he could secure more investors or recover money from somewhere else, all while the studio covered for him because losing their insurance policy would shut them down forever.
Barry never considered Shadow’s commitment to Elle, though.
Shadow returned to the old clubhouse, per Nick’s request. Since he hadn’t been invited to take Spider’s place as an officer, his presence around the officers’ area would be suspicious. Nick tried to keep Shadow’s interactions with Headbanger and Bone to a minimum. The wrong word uttered regarding Elle would result in all-out war, some
thing Nick wasn’t prepared to initiate just yet. They’d had another disagreement over the phone.
“You have all the info you need on the bank accounts. You said that’s what you were waiting for—to find out who was behind this. Now we know the funds came from the club’s drug and weapons money funneling into the offshore account through shell corporations, and Jacobson is behind the abductions on the lot. There’s no reason to continue this charade. We need to get them out of that clubhouse before Headbanger kills them all out of spite.” Shadow had argued his points until he was blue in the face, but Nick wouldn’t back down.
“I have orders from my superiors. Since Headbanger is openly taunting the police and the feds, they want to tack on extra charges and make sure he never sees the outside of the prison walls again. This isn’t over until we have the all-clear and our teams are in place to ensure everyone’s safety,” Nick shot back.
“While you follow orders and your superiors look to add one more charge to a list already a mile long, those civilians’ lives are in mortal danger. That should be your first priority—not an extra star for the agency. Is there something else you’re not telling me?”
“No. It’ll be over soon. Don’t jump the gun.”
“You’d better hope Headbanger and Bone don’t jump the gun.” Shadow hung up on Nick, angry and frustrated his friend wouldn’t listen to reason.
Shadow killed the engine outside the old clubhouse and sat on his bike, fighting the urge to storm into the old clubhouse and ride off into the sunset with Elle on the back. With an impatient growl, he climbed off and sauntered up the steps to the door. He stepped inside and came face-to-face with Elle.
At least she’s looking at me, Shadow thought.
“Didn’t expect to see you,” Axle said, throwing Shadow’s words back at him.
Shadow grinned knowingly. “I like to keep you guessing.”
Elle huffed and walked out of the room, carrying her meal with her and leaving the others at the table. Shadow glanced over at them, hoping Beth wouldn’t give him away. The expression on her face matched the hatred in her eyes. She wanted to relieve him of his head. When her lips parted and she prepared to speak, he moved quickly out of the kitchen and in the direction Elle had gone.
Wicked Shadows (Steele Security Book 5) Page 24
