“I’m assuming that’sPeter’s daughter.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes.”
“Does she know who youare?”
Ryan nodded.“Everything.”
Nick made a sound under hisbreath like he was impressed.
“She’sbeautiful.”
“Of course.”
“Smart,stubborn.”
A smile pulled at Nick’smouth. “Well, I can sympathize, my friend.”
“I tried to remove her fromall of this, but she refused to go. She wants to see it through outof justice for her mother, and perhaps myself. For some stupidreason, I relented.” He shook his head. “I just know she’s going toend up in the middle of this, even through no fault of her own. Ican’t think straight.”
“Well, that’s what we’rehere for.” Nick said absently while looking out thewindow.
He may have seemeddisinterested to anyone who didn’t know him, but Ryan did. The manwas always thinking, strategizing in some way.
“Where’s the drop?” heasked.
“I don’t know yet. There’sa reason for that.”
“Fill me in.”
He did. Mario listenedintently from the back seat. It was rare that his brother talkedabout his friends, in fact, never. Nick just told him they had tofly to Miami tonight and an hour later they were on a plane. He wasecstatic to see Ryan Casey again. He’d met him before when theytook the building in Beirut and rescued some government officials.It was a relief to see it was him they were working with because hetrusted him and his brother Nick, who only trusted family, alsotrusted him. He enjoyed the way the two men interacted. Nick wasn’ta very sociable, or a talkative man. Hell, it took him two years toactually talk to him and he was his brother. Well, he’d found thatout later, but still, he was with him just about every day untilthen. He couldn’t imagine what Ryan had gone through for Nick to bethe way he was around him.
It was refreshing to him tosee that he wasn’t the only one that knew Nick had human qualities.Well, Jordan, Nick’s wife knew, and their other brother, but as faras Mario was aware, he had no other family or friends.
Mario was usually a talker,but he kept silent through the drive. He was always eager to learn,and learning about his secretive older brother was alwaysfascinating for him.
***
Katya stood at the top ofthe stairs when the three men entered. She watched as Ivan metthem. There was a brief discussion in deep male voices before theyall followed Ivan, more than likely to her father’s office. Ryannever looked up at her, but the taller of the three did. He pausedand turned his head toward her like he knew she was watching thewhole time. It startled her. Not that he knew she was there, but atthe coolness of his stare. It actually made her back up a step. Hewas a good looking man, but that look was felt through to thebone.
That man was as scary ashell. Where did Ryan find him? Could he trust him? Her anxiety wasthrough the roof already.
Then he suddenly winked anda wash of relief flowed through her. He was definitely on theirside. She smiled a little unsure, and he finally nodded once thenfollowed the other men. It was like he was waiting for somereaction from her first. It made her realize that Ryan had confidedin the man about her. He was seeing for himself if he could trusther. Well, he could.
She promised Ryan she’dstay at the house, but she had a lot of difficulty obeying thatwhen the men left an hour later. Again, she watched as her father’smen, including Ivan, left with Ryan and his two companions. Herfather even went with them this time. That was uncommon. She wasgoing out of her mind because Ryan never disclosed anything to herand she was feeling so helpless.
She turned the keys in theignition.
CHAPTER EIGHT
The procession consisted oftwo black Range Rovers, led by Peter’s personal black limousine. Heinsisted Ryan, Nick and Mario ride with him.
The three were dressed allin black. Combat wear.
Peter sat across from themwith two of his men sitting on either side. Ivan was driving. Itwasn’t common for Peter to go, but tonight was important to him. Heneeded to know who was leaking information. He wasn’t worried aboutbeing harmed.
First of all, he could takecare of himself. Secondly, across from him sat two of the bestassassins he knew. The younger brother was an addedbonus.
Peter had met with the menbeforehand and Nick Castile had yet to say a word to him since theintroductions. He’d come to see that it was the way the man was.The younger brother was a different story he hadn’t stoppedtalking. Nick had spoken to Nick a few times and his answers wereeither a gesture or an indiscernible deep voicedwhisper.
Two hours later the carturned down a dirt road. The ride was rough, showing that it wasrarely used.
Finally Nick spoke. “Let meknow when we’re within a mile.” It was casual, and his attentionwasn’t even on anyone in particular. It was on his side arm as hewas plugging bullets into the clip.
“Ivan?” Peter said over hisshoulder.
“Yes boss,” Ivan answeredthat he’d heard him.
After about another half anhour, Ivan stopped the car. “Were about a half milenow.”
“Pop the trunk,” Ryan saidbefore getting out followed by Nick and Mario. They started pullinglong duffle bags out of it.
“What are you going to do?”Ivan said coming up beside them.
It was Ryan that answered.“Wait a half hour. Then go in. We’ll be set up by then.”
“What’s the GPS location?”Nick asked pulling out an electronic device from his pocket. Mariowas busy strapping the duffle bags to his back.
Ivan reluctantly told himwhile watching the men silently and quickly get organized. Then helooked around at the blackness. “How are you going to find your waythere? It’s black as hell out here.”
At that moment Nick tookoff at a run with Mario on his heels.
“What the fuck?” Ivansplayed his arms.
“A half an hour,” Ryanrepeated before he disappeared into the blackness behind hisfriends.
“Boss!” he turned towardPeter who was lighting a cigar and leaning against the side of hislimo. “No one can find their way through this terrain in thedark.”
“I wouldn’t underestimatethem Ivan.” He took a long drag off of his smoke and looked at hiswatch.
***
“How many?” Nickasked.
The
