Ultimate Prey (Book 3 Ultimate CORE) (CORE Series)

by Kristine Mason

  “Asian Lola.” Vlad looked up from the playing cards in his hand, and grinned. “Vlad smell donut.”

  She shifted her gaze to her mom, who had both of her legs propped on a kitchen chair, and also held a handful of cards. She lay her hand on the table. “Gin,” she said with a smile, then looked to her. “Good morning, sweetie.”

  As Vlad tossed his cards down, he muttered something in Russian. Lola set the donuts on the table, then gave her mom a kiss on the cheek. “Morning. You look great. How are you feeling?” Her mom had done her hair, applied makeup and had dressed in a short-sleeved shirt, shorts and sandals. Other than the bandages on her arms and legs, the slight chafing along her neck and the splint around her pinky, she looked just as beautiful as always.

  “A little sore. My body isn’t used to that much exertion. How about you?”

  She was sore, too, but for different reasons. “Good. Tired.” She opened the donut box and ignored the heat rising to her cheeks.

  Male voices carried in from the living room. Ryan snagged a maple donut. “I’m going to see what’s going on, then get to work on these,” he said, holding up the bag of firecrackers, fishing line, string, electrical tape and stakes.

  “I’ll be in to help in a sec.” Once he left the room, she turned to her mom. “Are you sure you don’t want to go to a doctor?”

  Her mom shook her head. “Barney took care of me. When we get back home, I’ll visit a discreet plastic surgeon Ian knows. We obviously don’t want word getting out that Camilla Carlyle went on vacation, only to return to Chicago looking as if she’d met up with Edward Scissorhands.”

  The Russian frowned and took a chocolate cream donut. “Vlad know not this dangerous Scissorhand.”

  Her mom rested her hand on Vlad’s. “It’s from a movie, honey.”

  “Vlad have no patient for movie. Too long.” He eyed the chocolate cream oozing from the donut. “But Vlad will make time for Cami movies.”

  Her mom beamed, then looked to her. “He’s so sweet. Vlad has decided to be my personal body guard while we’re here.”

  Sweet? If only her mom knew she had just finished playing cards with a former Russian hitman.

  “Yes, very sweet,” she said, then offered her a donut. “Want one before I take the box into the other room?”

  “No thanks. Vlad made me an omelet for breakfast.” She scooped up the cards, then looked to Vlad. “Ready for me to kick your butt again?”

  “Do not add chicken before it break eggshell. Vlad feel lucky.”

  While her mom chuckled, Lola picked up the box and left the room. Although a little weirded out that sweet Vlad was playing nursemaid to her mom, and acting as if they were old friends, she was grateful the big Russian was protecting her. She’d been through enough, and with Jackass still out there, Lola worried for her mom’s safety.

  When she entered the room, everyone went silent. She glanced around, then settled her gaze on Ryan, who’s face and eyes had hardened with anger. “Am I interrupting?”

  “Not at all,” Ian said. Other than the bandage on his forehead, he also looked great and well rested. “We were just discussing our plan of action.”

  She set the donuts on the table. “Ryan told you about the tripwires?”

  “He did, and I think they’re an excellent idea.”

  “What other plans do you have to fortify the house? If Steven comes here, I want my mom safe.”

  “That was one of the things we were just discussing,” Ian said, taking a glazed donut. “I’m going to take Ryan up on his offer to use his house. I don’t want your mom here when Steven comes.”

  Relieved her mom would be away from the rental, she moved to the couch, then sat next to Ryan. “Great idea.”

  “How can you be sure Steven will come back here?” Harrison asked. “He could’ve decided to ditch Florida, find a way to Chicago and wait for you guys there.” He glanced between John, Dante and Hudson. “Maybe you should send your wives and kids to stay with out of state relatives, or have them hole up at CORE.”

  “He’s right,” Dante said. “I don’t like the idea of them being left vulnerable.”

  Hudson dropped the curtain he’d been holding back, then turned away from the window. “Our building is secure. Steven knows this. He might be crazy, but he’s not stupid enough to try to get to anyone inside. I agree, let’s send them there.”

  “As a precaution,” Ian began, “when we’re finished here, one of you will need to let Owen and Rachel know they’re going to have company.”

  “It’s good to be cautious.” Barney unfolded his arms and pushed off the wall. “But I don’t think y’all have to worry about your women and kids.”

  “Because…?” Hudson asked.

  “Know anything about the Komodo dragon?” When no one responded, Barney said, “Those sons of bitches get to be up to ten feet long and one hundred and fifty pounds.” He moved his arms as if sizing up the animal, then narrowed his one eye and glanced at all of them.

  “They’ve been known to ambush their prey, then use their razor-sharp teeth to tear away chunks of flesh. Those teeth are filled with fifty-some strands of bacteria that will kill any animal they bite in a matter of days.” He adjusted the strap of his eye patch. “That is, if the animal survives the initial encounter with the dragon.”

  He moved toward the coffee table and picked up an éclair. “The dragon instinctively knows this. It’s a patient creature and is known to follow its injured prey around for days, until either the animal dies and the dragon can have its meal, or the dragon has another opportunity to strike again—and tear away more chunks of flesh.” He finished, then took a big bite of the éclair.

  Harrison laughed. “Dude, you can tell a story.”

  “Ain’t no story, boy. It’s fact. Saw an episode about the dragon on Animal Planet.”

  Ian cleared his throat. “I love a good analogy, but here’s the deal. We’re not infected by Steven. He might follow us around—”

  “You sure about that?” Barney asked, then sucked a bit of cream from his thumb. “’Cause from where I’m standing, you’re all infected.”

  “Barney’s right.” John shook his head and wiped a hand down his face. “Steven has infected us. He’s forced us to go against what we all know is right. We’ve broken laws and planned his execution. He’s made it so we could potentially destroy ourselves.” He glanced around the room. “He’ll finish this here.”

  Dante pushed a hand through his hair and looked to John. “I agree. But, we should still have our wives go to CORE.”

  “Absolutely,” Hudson said, then let out a breath. “How many bulletproof vests did we bring?”

  “Five,” Dante answered.

  “Okay,” Ian began, “let’s get Cami moved and the tripwires set.” He looked to Barney. “I’ll need you to take Cami, Vlad, Harrison and Lola with you. The rest of us will—”

  “I’m being dismissed?” Lola moved to the edge of the couch. So much for Ian being proud to have her as a member of his team. “Between Barney, Vlad and Harrison, my mom will be fine. You need me here.”

  “No one is dismissing you,” Ian said, his tone placating and damned insulting. “I would feel more comfortable if you were with Cami. I know your mother would, too.” He glanced between Barney and Harrison. “No offense, but Cami doesn’t know either of you, and I don’t want her any more upset than she already is.”

  At that moment, her mom and Vlad’s laughter carried into the living room. “Yeah, she sounds terrified,” Lola said, standing. “Was this your idea or hers? Because I’ll be honest, if you’re the one who wants me out of here so I can help three capable men babysit, I’ll go ahead and resign right now.”

  Ian’s forehead creased as he frowned. “Don’t say anything you might regret. Remember, you work for me, and I’ve decided it’s your job to go with your mother to Ryan’s.”

  He had a point. She did work for him. Still. Hadn’t she proven anything to Ian or the other agents? She
’d hiked into the Glades when none of them could, and while she hadn’t done anything earthshattering, she and Ryan had managed to track down Ian and her mom and bring them back to Everglade City. And although most of her prior assignments had been easy, she’d successfully closed all of them. Ryan had been right. She hadn’t given herself enough credit, and if she wasn’t confident in her own work, how could she expect her counterparts and boss to have any faith in her?

  “Is Ryan staying here?” she asked.

  “He’s agreed to.”

  Talk about a slap in the face. Ryan didn’t even work for CORE, and yet Ian would rather have him around than her. Anger and disappointment settled in her chest. She’d foolishly thought she could be part of a team and had been dead wrong.

  “That’s when I thought I’d be working alongside my partner,” Ryan said.

  “Ryan, don’t.” She shook her head. “You’re needed here. Thank you for letting us use your house.” Then, avoiding Ryan and her coworkers’ eyes, she looked to Barney. “I’m ready to go,” she said, and left the room.

  When she reached the kitchen, her mom, who had been laughing at something Vlad had said, looked up from her cards. Her smile fell. “What’s wrong, honey? Has something happened?”

  “We’re leaving.” She turned to Vlad. “Will you please gather whatever my mom needs and put it in Barney’s wagon? We’re going to Ryan’s until this is over.”

  “Who’s we?” her mom asked, scooping the cards from the table.

  “Me, you, Vlad, Harrison and Barney.”

  Her eyes narrowed. “Why are you leaving?”

  “We’ll talk about it later,” she said, too furious and disappointed to discuss her impending resignation with Ian in the other room. Jackass had given them enough to worry about, and she wasn’t about to carry on like a spoiled brat who hadn’t been given her way. So what if she planned to walk away from a job she’d only recently realized meant something to her. She’d find another one.

  “Ian,” her mom called.

  “Mom, don’t. It’s the right choice, and Ian wants someone from CORE at the house with you.”

  “Harry CORE,” Vlad said.

  “That’s right.” Her mom nodded, then yelled for Ian again.

  “Please stay out of this,” she begged her mom. “I chose to go to Ryan’s.”

  Her mom shifted her gaze to Vlad’s. “My daughter is a terrible liar. Did you see how her eyes widened just a fraction and her eyebrows rose ever so slightly?”

  “Vlad no see.” The Russian stared at her. “Asian Lola, lie to Vlad.”

  Lola half-chuckled and smoothed her eyebrows. “Vlad, I’m not going to lie to you. Look, let’s just get out of here. We have all day to hang out and talk.”

  “Maybe not,” Ian said, and stepped into the room. His gaze fell onto her mom. “Still feeling good?”

  “I felt great until you crushed my daughter’s dreams.”

  “My what?” Lola threw her hands up, then let them fall and smack her legs. “A little melodramatic, don’t you think? There was no crushing going on, and I never said—”

  “You didn’t have to say anything. I can read between the lines. Ian told you to leave, you didn’t choose to go.” Her mom glared at Ian. “I would prefer if Lola came to Ryan’s, but I don’t like that you’re singling her out and acting as if she isn’t capable enough to stand with you and the others.” She winced when she moved her legs off the chair to place her feet onto the floor. “Have you ever been to the firing range with her?”

  “I have,” Dante said, also entering the kitchen, followed by John, Hudson and Ryan. “She was dead on every time.”

  A smug smile tilted the corner of her mom’s mouth. “You know she has a black belt in Jiu Jitsu, but have you ever seen her spar?”

  Ian let out a deep breath. “Actually, I—”

  “I’ll have to show you a few videos I’ve recorded. Trust me when I say that I feel very comfortable walking into a dark alley with my daughter.” With tears shimmering in her eyes, her mom looked at her with pride, and stood. “Huò yuán jiă hŭ,” her mother began in Chinese, “you know in your heart what you’re capable of doing. I always have, too, which is why I tried to cage my fearless tiger.”

  Lola’s throat tightened, while pure gratification filled her. She straightened her spine as her mom’s words sank into her heart, soul and thick skull. Her dad had nicknamed her huò yuán jiă hŭ, which translated to fearless tiger, because she had been born during the Chinese year of the tiger and had shown no fear as a child. After her father had died, she’d lost that fearlessness, that urge to challenge herself. She had never understood why, but knew now that her mom had taken advantage of her wavering insecurities to keep herself from being alone. Yesterday, when they’d heard the gunshots, she hadn’t given a thought about her own safety, but about her mom, Ian and Ryan’s. Maybe, on some level, she could regain some of the boldness and courage she’d lost over the years. Not with CORE, but in another line of work, or with another agency where she would be appreciated for her skills.

  “Thanks, Mom,” she said, then careful of the cut on her arm and the gunshot abrasion, she gave her a hug.

  “We want the tiger to stay here,” John said.

  “With six of us,” Hudson began, “we’ll be able to cover every angle of the yard and house.”

  She turned and faced the men. “I appreciate the effort, but I’m okay with this.” While she wasn’t, she also didn’t want to remain at the house because her coworkers felt sorry for her, or because Ryan had threatened to leave.

  “I’m not,” Dante said. “Hudson’s right. We talked about it after you left the room. I need two people covering the front of the house, two at the back, and two on the second level. Since you’re a good shot, I thought you could use the rifle with the night vision scope and cover the back guest room upstairs. We think Steven used the deck attached to that room when he originally broke into the house. He might try it again.”

  “Meanwhile, Ryan will take the master bedroom and front guest room.” John moved to the coffee pot. “Hudson and I are going to be down here watching the front, Ian and Dante the back,” he finished, then poured himself a cup of coffee. “Does that work for you?”

  She glanced to Ian, who walked over and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’ve observed you at the firing range, and I also snuck into the gym and watched you spar. I know if I gave you the chance, you would excel as an agent. But, if something were to ever happen to you…” He squeezed her shoulder. “We’re family, and I don’t want to live with the guilt.”

  “We’re family,” John said. “I gave you a granddaughter and you have no problem putting my life in danger.”

  Hudson smacked John on the back, which caused coffee to spill onto the floor. “Quit your whining. Come on, let’s check the yard and look for places where Steven might hide.”

  “While you guys do that,” Dante began, “I’m going to check all the windows and gauge our visibility from the interior.”

  After the three men left the room, Ryan said, “The tripwires aren’t going to make themselves.” He looked to her, his eyes holding both pride and relief. “Want to help me?”

  Grateful the conversation no longer centered on her, she nodded.

  “I’ll be on the front porch,” he said, and left the kitchen.

  Before she followed Ryan from the room, she faced Ian. “Whatever your reasons are for letting me stay…thank you.”

  After Lola left the kitchen, Ian turned to Cami. “Of all the times for you to not try to sway her…” He moved to the counter and looked out the kitchen window. The ominous mangroves at the edge of the backyard had his stomach tightening into a knot. If he’d had it his way, he would be the only one to remain at the house. He’d voiced the idea to John, Hudson and Dante, and had been met with threats of them leaving CORE if he brought it up again.

  Damn it, this wasn’t their fight, but his. Steven wanted him to suffer, and he would, dearly, if a
nything happened to his men…or Lola.

  “Do you really think I want my daughter to stay here?” Cami asked, a hitch in her voice.

  “Asian Lola new child on street.”

  Ian turned away from the window. “It’s more than her being the new kid on the block. She’s my fiancée’s daughter.”

  The Russian shrugged. “So?”

  His patience thin, he shook his head and glanced to the ceiling before meeting Vlad’s eyes. “So? That means something to me.”

  Vlad pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and stood. “Vlad understand. Ian love Cami, Cami love Asian Lola.”

  The Russian came off as simple, yet Ian sensed there was more to the man, and that a keen intelligence lay beneath the broken English and brawn. Plus, he’d become fiercely protective of Cami, which, to Ian, said something about his character. “I’ll bite,” he said, curious. “Say what’s on your mind.”

  Vlad held the pack of cigarettes in one hand and used his free arm to lift Cami, then set her back onto the kitchen chair. “Cami need stay off feet.” He then turned to him. “Is not Asian Lola grown woman? Captain Ryan think so. Harry think so. Ian and Cami?” He shrugged. “Treat Asian Lola as little baby.”

  “Vlad,” Cami began, her tone defensive, “I know my daughter is a grown woman, but it’s hard not to worry. If you had children of your own, you might understand.”

  “Maybe.” He nodded his blond head. “But Vlad see how Ian and Cami make fun of Asian Lola. The two of you, do not.”

  “You misunderstand. We’re protecting her.”

  “No. Cami keep Asian Lola in diaper. Ian, too. The others…will put Asian Lola in diaper.” The Russian walked toward the back door. “Vlad have work with many men. Vlad would work with Asian Lola. The other agents need to know they can count on Asian Lola. Vlad think that will happen if Ian can count on Asian Lola, too.” He opened the door. “Vlad have smoke, then we go.”