“Likewise. What do you have for me today?” I cut straight to the point as she takes a seat beside me and casually looks out onto the other people in the park. It’s early, so of course you have housewives running around the water, pushing their babies in their strollers. The occasional elderly couple strolls by enjoying the fresh morning air. Everything seems so peaceful and if I wasn’t the type of woman who had experienced all the hell I have, I wouldn’t think anything of it. I might even be thankful for sitting on this bench on this sunny, vibrant day, but instead the only thing I crave is vengeance.
“They’ve moved.” Beretta’s response is short and factual.
While she sticks to facts, my worst fear has hit me like a ton of bricks. Unable to refrain from looking at her, I turn my head. “What do you mean they moved?”
“You didn’t expect them to stay in Kansas forever, Vanna, did you?” Beretta pulls her glasses further down on her nose and cocks a brow.
No I didn’t think they’d stay there forever, but I doubted they were going to move so abruptly. “Was there any sort of indication?”
“About a week ago, yes, so I had my people observing from a safe distance.”
“A week ago and you didn’t think to tell me?” I snap at her, more frustrated than I care to admit. Pretty much every penny I make working security at events and doing extra jobs for the club goes to this woman, and I make good money.
Beretta scoffs and looks down at her perfectly manicured nails. “Vanna, I told you at the opportune moment, when I knew where they settled. Would you prefer I provide you with half-assed information?” A few moments of silence pass us by as I don’t feel the need to answer her question. “As I thought, now they’ve moved quite a bit closer. They’re setting up outside of Boston, and I have something for you.” Beretta digs into her purse and pulls out a smaller manila envelope and hands it over to me.
I rip open the envelope and pull the contents out. A few are leasing documents where an LLC is renting a massive farm, though the name is one I don’t recognize. “I know you’re smart enough to figure out what they’re doing.”
I nod, knowing very well how they’re funneling everything through startups, making it more and more difficult to track them. I flip through the paperwork until I get to the back and there are some paperclipped photographs.
Copper tinted hair with glowing green eyes, but they’re more the shade of grass versus emerald.
“She looks just like you now,” Beretta tells me, smiling a bit, though her smile quickly fades. “I’m so sorry you’re in this situation. I do hope you find some comfort in knowing they’re close now. Only a three-hour drive to Boston.”
As Beretta’s voice fades into the background the only thing I can think about is how I’m going to get to Peyton. They’ve kept her from me for far too long, made me feel like I was weak, like I couldn’t ever go to the police after what they did. They made my life a living hell, and I’m one hundred percent certain they’re doing the same to other vulnerable women.
I flip through the photographs and see Eric, my estranged husband, smiling with a woman a few feet behind Peyton. She seems young. She looks like me. Knowing him he’s lured her into the same trap and he’ll do everything he can to keep her there.
Clenching my fists, I vow I’ll get my vengeance sooner rather than later. He won’t hurt anyone else, and neither will the cause he follows.
Chapter Three
Ricochet
Sipping on my beer, I catch the door open and close quickly. For a second I think I’m goin’ a bit crazy because I don’t see anyone new around, but I realize a dark shadow sitting at the table we have in the corner. Narrowing my eyes, the hue of her purple hair gives her away.
Venom’s usually one who sits at the bar with me, or one of the other guys. Never since knowing her has she been the type who keeps to herself.
“Can you get me a vodka on the rocks?” I ask Iris, who draws her brows together immediately.
“A vodka on the rocks . . . you sick or something?”
“No, for Venom.” I motion with my head toward the back of the room and Iris’ mouth shifts into an ‘o’.
“Give me a minute and I’ll have it ready.”
I give Iris a minute and keep an eye on Venom, who’s now leaning her head back against the wall. No one in the club would just walk up to her and ask her what’s goin’ on because we all appreciate our space. Not only that, but we respect one another not to hover. Now, I’m not gonna be hovering but I will bring a woman a drink who looks like she desperately needs it right about now.
“Don’t think I’m not noticing you staring at her,” Faith mutters, causing Iris to giggle beside her.
“I’m just makin’ sure she’s alright,” I tell Faith, but I don’t think any of us believe my bullshit excuse.
“Mhm,” Faith responds, cocking a brow at me.
“What’s with the sass?” I question.
“You and the fact you don’t do shit when it comes to her. We all have bets on the fact you two are gonna ruin your friendship one day.”
“You do huh?” I don’t believe her at all. No way would there be some sort of high school bet goin’ on without me knowin’ about it until right now.
“Don’t act like I’m screwing around with you. Ricochet, you’re a ladies’ man, we all know it . . . but when it comes to that lady your eyes linger a little more, you prefer to stay in
