She had laughed at the time, but a serious discussion about her dad quickly followed. He really was pretty livid with me, as I knew he would be. Jayden claimed he had finally cooled down once she stopped crying over me all the time and started “dating” Brandon. I joked that her dad was probably going to be pretty upset when she trades Brandon in for me again.
Cole warned me that I wasn’t going to see Jayden for a while, and I was disappointed when it was actually the case. However, with my help and the information that I had provided about Conlon and his crew, Cole’s team was able to make some progress building the case. It kept me distracted for a few weeks, and memories of my weekend with Jayden had only made me focus even more. I still worked at Kent’s auto shop, but nearly every other minute of the day was spent on the case. There was even a plan in place to bring this whole thing to an end, and I was eagerly waiting for that day, which was soon approaching.
But the day came when Conlon called me up one Saturday morning.
“Hey, Ty, long time, no see. I’ve missed you, buddy.”
Just the sound of his voice made me grind my teeth, but there was something strange about it. His words were typical arrogant Dean, but he sounded…uneasy.
“Listen, I think it’s time you came back to town,” he said. “I don’t think Jayden misses you or anything—she’s already replaced you, man—but you’re welcome to try your luck again. I’d like to see if you can win her back,” he laughed awkwardly.
I paused for a second, wondering if maybe he was just on something. “There’s nothing left for me in that place. I’ve started a new life where I’m at.”
He clicked his tongue and his sigh was unsteady. “Ty, I don’t think you’re feelin’ me, here. I have a proposition for you. Meet me so we can talk about it.”
“I don’t work for you.”
His voice took on a little edge. “You will if you know what’s good for you.” And then he tried sweetening it up when he said, “Come on, Ty, give me a chance. You won’t be disappointed.”
“It’s a little late for that.”
“It’s business. I had to do what I had to do. You know how it works. I got the job done, the boss is pleased, and he’ll have no problem with you coming back to town and resuming your life. We’ll make a new deal.”
“I guess when he contacts me and confirms all that, I might believe it.”
There was a long pause and he cleared his throat. “Then maybe I should go talk to Jayden myself; explain to her what happened.”
“Stay away from her. If she’s seeing someone and she’s happy, then just leave it alone, okay?”
“Wow, Ty. You love her enough to let her go, huh. I guess that was obvious ten months ago, but I truly thought you’d jump at the chance to get her back.”
“I guess it wasn’t meant to be. I don’t want to be with Jayden. I’m doing fine where I’m at.”
There was another pause. “I think you’re just being a sore loser, Ty. That girl had some serious issues when you left.”
I could hear the amusement in his voice and it really lit me on fire. “Which is why she’s better off without me. After what I put her through, she’d never take me back. Look, I gotta get to work.”
“Wait, Ty—”
I ended the conversation and headed to the shop. I wasn’t scheduled to work that day, but I met Cole there and I was eager to fill him in on my chat with Dean. My dad was out on a tow call with Kent, but Cole and I hopped into his truck to talk. It was the safest place we could be without fear of being overheard. Cole continued to check my home, our place of employment, and my vehicle to see if any were tagged with some sort of device to keep tabs on me. So far nothing had come up, but we were still careful, just in case.
“Something doesn’t feel right,” Cole finally said.
“Nothing ever feels right with these people,” I retorted.
“No, I mean… Why would he care if you come back or not? It sounds like…like he’s got a plan. You said he sounded nervous?”
“Yeah. Or high. I couldn’t tell.”
He thought for a second. “He wants you to come back to town? That’s not an order from Olevsky… You’re not exactly an active member of the team—” He stopped himself short and I watched him with curiosity. “Unless…” He looked at me closely. “Olevsky has no kids, right?” It was a rhetorical question, but I shook my head anyways. After a few seconds of silence, Cole cursed out loud and grabbed his phone. “‘Hotbox!’ I repeat: ‘Hotbox!’” He put the truck in gear and squealed out of the parking lot.
Hotbox? Was he serious? Out of all the code words in the world, he used that?
It was suiting, I suppose. The story of my life.
“What’s going on?” I demanded. My heart was racing from Cole’s sudden change in behavior.
“It’s Meinikov,” he rushed as he navigated through traffic. “I guarantee Conlon has given you up. Or he got to Dean somehow. Maybe he’s done with Olevsky, switching sides for good? Either way, he’s setting you up, Ty.”
My mind raced to catch up. “Wh- what do you mean? I don’t even know this Meinikov guy.”
“Well, now he knows you, thanks to Conlon. If Conlon’s switched, he’s got nothing to hold back anymore. He’s going for it.” He took a sharp turn and I braced myself from hitting the door.
“I don’t understand,” I admitted. Olevsky wanted his organization to scatter for their own protection, but no one had even been sought after yet. And he had the highest regards for Dean, despite how much I hated him. Would he really betray Kristof?
Cole took a deep breath. “These people hit where it counts. They’re itching to bring down Olevsky.” He paused, like I was supposed get it right off the bat. When I didn’t he added, “Ty, what’s the most important thing to protect?”
“Your family.”
“And…?”
“And… Olevsky doesn’t have any family.”
“Not biologically.” He looked at me hard.
“Oh, no,” I laughed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.” I could tell that he was not. I was about to respond but we landed in my driveway and Cole hopped out.
“This had nothing to do with protecting members of his organization, Ty. This had everything to do with protecting Olivia. You’re Olivia’s son. You have one minute to grab what you need. Whatever’s going on, we’ve got to get moving. Brandon will bring Jayden to the cabin and we’ll meet them there until we’ve got word on what’s happening.”
I’ll admit that the idea of seeing Jayden again put me into a dreamy stupor. My life was in danger because of a rival mob, but all I could think about was my girl.
Cole followed me into the house, and before I knew it, he drew his weapon and pointed it across the room. It was then that I saw Boris doing the same to Cole.
“Whoa, whoa, whoa!” I yelled, putting my hands out to stop them. Thankfully neither one of them moved, but they remained in combat mode in the middle of my living room. “Put those away!” Still neither one moved. “Boris put your weapon away,” I instructed. He paused for a few seconds, but slowly lowered the gun and re-holstered it. I didn’t have to explain to Cole who Boris was, but I could tell by the look on Boris’s face that he was guessing Cole was a cop. This was the moment I was dreading: Olevsky would now know that I was cooperating with the police.
Boris inhaled a deep breath and took two steps toward us as he exhaled. Cole still had his gun aimed at him and it made me nervous.
“Can you put that away?” I asked him quietly.
Instead Boris held up a hand and said, “It is okay.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked him.
“Well, I was here to take you back to Latvia, but I guess things have changed.” He glanced at Cole.
“I’m…I’m not ready to go back.” I really was desperate to see my mom and brother again, but I was even more desperate to go to Jayden the second I could.
“The day has come, Ty. Meinikov knows of you.” He eyed his
watch. “We need to leave.”
“Leave? I’m not going to Latvia—”
“Please be quiet and listen to what I have to say. Yes?”
I took a deep, angry breath, but reluctantly nodded my head. “Fine.”
“Dean is dead.”
I stared at him for a moment. “Dead?”
Boris sighed heavily. “I know you don’t care for him, but he’s been a loyal member of our organization.”
My mind couldn’t wrap around a solid thought right away, but when the reality of it was started to sink in I said, “He tried to meet with me, Boris. I talked to him just an hour ago. I didn’t like it one bit. It didn’t sound right.”
He nodded. “Yes, because it wasn’t. They’ve killed his family, Ty.”
Again I stared at him but I couldn’t say anything.
“His mom, his sisters, and even the family dog. If he didn’t get you back to town, they were dead.”
I swallowed hard, my stomach feeling sick. “I-I told him no. I—”
“It isn’t your fault, Ty. This is the way it is. But Dean managed to tip us off a couple of days ago. He felt like something bad was going to happen and he gave us some information. He warned us, Ty. He warned us that he thought they got to Roy Merrick.”
I had to think for a second to gather my wits. “The dirty cop?”
“He has betrayed the organization. He is cooperating fully with the Derevenkos now while within the Olevsky organization—”
“You mean he’s screwing us over and pretending he’s not?”
Boris slightly smiled at my impatience. “Yes, sir.”
I shook my head. “So Roy has turned to the dark side—okay, the darker side—and this means…what? What’s happening?”
“We’re going to use it to our advantage. Roy has convinced the Derevenkos that you are Olevsky’s chosen.”
“Wait, what? Why would he even think that?”
“Because you are.”
I could only stare at him. The man had made my life miserable. How did that make sense?
“You asked to be released from the organization. Mr. Olevsky granted your wish. It was very unwise, but his heart desired you to be happy, just as Vladimir Meinikov did with his son. It was then that Roy set his course for betrayal. Mr. Olevsky knew that both Roy and Dean were upset with your disassociation, so he attempted to fix it by siding with them and agreeing to their terms. Unfortunately it did not work—or, at least, it did not last—and now Aleksey Meinikov is in the states. Roy has gained his trust by offering the final piece…giving up Olevsky’s favored associates. He started with Dean, and now he is dead. This has earned Roy Merrick a favorable position with the Derevenkos. I expect that further deception will warrant a permanent membership in the organization.”
I didn’t know what to say, but I didn’t have to because Cole began to speak.
“Ty is safe with us. There’s no need for him to return to Latvia unless it’s what he wants to do. I’ll contact my team and put plan B into effect—”
“You are rushing him out of town, yes? It means he is in danger?”
“He is, which is why I’m taking him somewhere safe while Merrick’s moves are being calculated—”
“He is up to nothing good.”
Cole eyed him carefully. “I’m sure that’s true, but I haven’t received that confirmation yet. I’ve signaled my team that we have been compromised. They’ll take care of things on their end and I’ll—”
Just then his phone rang, so he cautiously answered it while keeping an eye on Boris. He listened for quite a while, and whatever he was hearing, he was not happy about it. Finally he hung up, but he didn’t say anything for quite some time.
“What’s going on?” I finally asked him.
Whatever it was, he was having a hard time getting it out.
“They must have Jayden,” Boris stated.
“What?” I shouted, glaring at Cole to see if it was true.
Cole tipped his head back slightly and closed his eyes. “How could this happen?” he whispered.
My heart felt like it was being ripped from my chest. It felt like the day I had left her. I took off for the door but Cole yanked me back by the arm.
“Where are you going?” he demanded.
“They want me! They want to make sure I come! They can have me, I don’t care! But not her! She has nothing to do with this!”
“Ty, think about what you’re doing! You’re running blind into a mine field!”
“What am I supposed to do then, huh? This can’t happen!”
“You’re gonna wait for Merrick to call you. He will. He’ll call, tell you what he wants, and then we can go from there, okay?”
“I don’t have time. What if… What if…?” I couldn’t even finish the sentence. All I could think about was what they did to my mother. Ruining an innocent person’s life, all for the sake of teaching someone a lesson. “Who exactly has her and how did it happen?” I asked angrily.
Cole took a deep breath. “Apparently they were rear-ended while leaving town. Brandon could tell it was a setup, but before he could flee the scene, they were boxed in. Brandon was shot. He killed two of their men first but…the others took Jayden. I’m not sure who did the deed, but I do know she’s with the Derevenkos.”
I dropped myself on the couch and groaned. How could this be happening? I’d separated myself from Jayden for so long just to keep her safe. It hadn’t even been worth it.
Boris stood in front of me and said, “Ty, they want you not Jayden. They’re just using her as leverage. I know this.” He looked at Cole and added, “Well, what is your plan? Ty is to be summoned for sure, and Meinikov will be there to carry out his vengeance. You have the perfect opportunity to bring down a very prominent crime family. Let’s get moving.”
Cole chuckled sarcastically. “Sorry, pal, but you are in no way going to be in on this. We have enough people bouncing back and forth between sides.”
“Mr. Huntington is my responsibility, too. Where he goes, I go. If he makes an appearance in exchange for Miss Jayden, I will be there too. It would be wise to use me to your advantage, so I suggest you tell me what the police are planning to do. If you are unable to end this, then perhaps you should leave it up to the experts, yes? We’ve already got a plan in motion if you’d like to join us.”
Cole almost scoffed, but then he looked like he was reluctantly debating the offer. Before he could reply Boris added, “We will finish this war once and for all, with or without you.”
Chapter Forty-Five
My heart was racing like crazy, but not in a good way like when I think of Jayden. I took a deep breath so I could muster what little courage I felt I had. The problem was my anger; I was so angry with Merrick that I wanted to kill him. I prayed with every ounce of me that I could maintain my composure. I had no idea how this was going to end, but I was determined to make the plan work. I trusted Cole, and I trusted Boris, but even with the strength of both sides, I was desperate for a miracle. I only wanted Jayden to be safe, and I would walk through hell and back just to make that happen.
Roy had called me four hours prior. In his nicest voice he tried convincing me to come back to town to meet with him. I told him the same thing I’d told Dean, and then he smugly delivered the heavy blow.
“That’s too bad, Ty, because now things have to get a little tricky. You see…I have something that’s very valuable to you. She has lovely golden hair, beautiful ocean eyes, and a smile that’s to die for—except she’s not smiling right now. Women are so hard to figure out,” he chuckled.
And now here I was, about to face a nightmare that would determine my very future.
Boris was at my side, and even though I felt like I was walking into a death trap, I was somewhat relieved to have him directly with me.
“Just remember what I told you, yes?” he said quietly. “They need you alive, so all you need to do is play this out like we talked about until we get Jayden, okay? It will be fine
.”
I only nodded as we approached the side door of the warehouse in the dark of night. I could barely see the man standing guard; he startled to attention and was immediately on his phone as we approached.
He spoke Russian, and all I could gather was that he told us to stop, and into the phone he mentioned that I was not alone. Then I heard him reply with, “Tarasov,” which was Boris’s last name. A moment later he hung up and pounded on the heavy door. Once it opened, he motioned us through. Boris was immediately grabbed by two men and shoved into the wall. They frisked him and removed the two weapons he was carrying. After they patted me down, they sent us down the hall with two other men, and we followed them until we came into a large double-story warehouse. Roy was there waiting for us, along with Dax, who apparently didn’t care whose sadistic little henchman he was.
“Well, well, well, Ty… You come with a bodyguard and everything, huh? It’s not gonna do much good, you know. Boris is pretty good on the battlefield, but this is a little over his head.” Roy stood there with his hands casually in his pockets.
“Your arrogance is not becoming on you, Mr. Merrick,” Boris replied.
Roy chuckled haughtily. “You’re still good at being politely disrespectful, aren’t you? You’re gonna regret being so loyal to ‘Mr. Huntington.’ You have no idea what you’re doing, Boris.”
“Where is Jayden?” I finally demanded.
Roy’s eyes left Boris and settled on me. A smile slowly spread across his face. “She’s in the back, wasting the guys at poker.” I might have laughed if the situation was different; I’d taught Jayden to be pretty good at cards and his comment was very believable. But I couldn’t picture her doing something so casual at a time like this.
“I’m here. Let her go with Boris and tell me what you want.”
He raised his eyebrows. “It’s that easy, huh?”
“It’s that easy.”
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