Jamal responded. “We didn’t take any fatalities. A couple of guys are down, though.”
Brody turned angry eyes towards me. “Gina! Get behind me or I swear I’ll shoot you myself.”
I wasn’t going to budge, but Hahn pushed me out of the way. Our team backed up but was ready to make a forceful entry into the room once the explosives detonated. This was the moment. We were walking into what we knew would be a firestorm.
The explosives went off tearing a whole into where the door had been. Everyone stormed inside with their guns drawn only to come face-to-face with Nina . . . and Cecily. They were standing behind her remaining three bodyguards—waiting.
Cecily’s eyes were huge. It was obvious she was terrified. I made my way up to the front lines. I started to lower my weapon. “Nina, let’s not do this. Hand Cecily over to me, and I walk away. I mean really walk away from everything.”
Nina drew Cecily closer to her side. “She doesn’t want to go with you. She wants to stay here.”
“Don’t play games with her head, Nina. I get it. I understand. You don’t want me breathing over your shoulder, fine. I’ll leave the country if that is what it takes for you to feel safe.” I was scared. Not for me but for Cecily. My voice broke. “Whatever you want, I’ll give it to you. Just leave Cecily out of this.”
“Out of what? She’s my daughter.”
“You don’t give a damn about her. You want money and power.”
“Some people might say the same thing about you?”
“But, I’m willing to give it all up. I’m ready to give you anything you want.”
“Anything?”
“Yes.”
“Since you tipped off the authorities that it was possible Jules Ming-Sherman wasn’t dead, I need you to make sure she stays buried.”
Nina was talking in circles. “I haven’t tipped off anyone about anything. We handle our business in house. You know that.”
She yelled at me. “I mean it! Call him, right here and right now, or things are going to get messier than they already are!” Nina raised a shaky hand holding a gun up to Cecily’s head.
I couldn’t believe it. Was she actually doing this? It was a small miracle that child wasn’t already crazy. I didn’t know who she was talking about, but I was going to fake it until someone could get a clean shot of her. “Okay.” I bent down and placed my revolver on the floor then slowly stood up as I put my hands out in surrender. “Okay, Nina. I’ll do whatever you ask but not one second before you let Cecily go.”
“Well, that’s going to be a problem because I’m not letting her go until you make the phone call.”
“How about we do this? Me, you, and Cecily go into your bedroom . . .”
“No!” Nina shook her head. “We can do this out here. You’re just trying to get me alone.”
“I can’t think with guns pointing at my head Nina! I can’t do it. You can’t either. Look at you, your hands are shaking.” If I could just get her by herself or at least get her away from Cecily, I could take her. Then Brody, Hahn, and Jamal could handle the rest.
“You still think I’m dumb and obviously stupid. WE don’t have all day. Pick up the damn phone and call. Tell them that I’m not Jules.”
“But, you were Jules, Nina.”
Nina yelled out as she became more frantic by the second. “Jules is dead! She died in that river. If they exhume that body and find out differently, I can’t be responsible for what I might do.”
I was much calmer than I felt. “Consider this, if you hurt Cecily, there won’t be a corner on earth or in hell that I won’t find you. I’m willing to do all that you’ve asked and more. Let’s just go in that room and take care of business.”
Nina took a moment to think about it. “Fine. Check her to make sure she’s not hiding a weapon.” One of her goons came over and patted me down.
“She’s clean.”
I glanced back at Brody, I could tell he was more than uncomfortable with what I was about to do. I’d been shot, that was true, and if it came to physical blows I knew he wasn’t sure I could handle it.
“After you, Gina. Cecily and I will follow behind.”
I pressed my lips together and walked towards the bedroom. Seconds later, Nina pulled a teary-eyed Cecily along.
She was going to pay. It was time to put an end to this game.
We entered the bedroom, and Nina closed the door behind us.
Chapter 23
Gina, Nina, and Cecily
“Don’t pull any crap, Gina.” Nina threw her cell phone at me. “Place the call.”
I still wasn’t exactly sure who she wanted me to call, but I played along. “You’re making me nervous pointing that gun at Cecily.”
“Should I point it at you?”
“I wouldn’t mind if you pointed it at yourself and it went off.”
Nina smirked. “You’ve always been too cute for your own good. Make. The. Call.”
“They won’t believe me.”
“You can be very convincing when you want to be. Maybe, I should just kill you right here and now and then assume your identity. That would have made things so much easier.”
“That would have been the smart thing to do, but can’t say
