Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66962 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 223(@300wpm)
Grant was going to love saying I told you so, but even that wouldn’t make me mad, not when I was doing this to give myself a chance at a life I’d never even dreamed of.
I tried several different searches, but most things I came up with were either way too preachy or the description was worded in such a way that it made me break out in a cold sweat. I needed some advice. I knew Grant would help me anyway he could once he stopped crowing about me finally giving in, but there was only one person who was likely to have an instant answer for me, and that was X.
I hadn’t spoken to him since Grant’s trial, but I still had his phone number from when he helped me work through what to say in court. He’d told me he was there if I ever needed anything. I hoped that still applied.
He answered almost instantly. I’d expected to need to leave a message, and it took me a moment to find my voice. “It’s Blade.”
“Is there an emergency?”
“No. Our plan is in place, and we’re moving out in about an hour. This is something else.”
“What do you need?”
“I need a counseling group or a therapist who won’t patronize me or treat me like I’m not fully human.”
“You’re ready for that?”
“I am.”
“I’ve got a few names but give me half an hour or so to check and make sure I know the best fit for you. Do you need someone in Houston?”
Did I? I wasn’t exactly sure what my plans were, what our plans were. “I’m actually not sure. It depends on Carlo.”
“I thought that might be the case. I’ll be in touch soon.”
“You don’t have to interrupt your night.”
“For a marine who went through what you did, yes I do.”
“Thank you.” Why hadn’t I done this a long time ago?
You weren’t ready. You kept telling Grant you weren’t. Maybe you were the one who was right all along.
That thought made me smile.
With the process of getting help started, I needed to take care of one more piece of business before the mission began. Every time I’d worked with members of another agency or branch of special forces, I’d made certain to make a friend among them so I had a contact person if I needed them. The moment Sabrina had spoken up for Carlo, I knew she was the ally I needed. I sought out Lola in the kitchen, and she escorted me to the conservatory, where Sabrina was sipping on a cup of tea.
A few hours later, we were all in position, concealed from the road and the airstrip by tree cover. I’d spent the last hour feeling queasy at the thought of the mission. Carlo had told me multiple times that I didn’t have to come with them, but I did. I wasn’t going to let him face this on his own, especially not when I was the only one who knew Carlo had never been the blackmailer.
Now that I was there, gun in hand, knives at the ready, I settled back into the zone like I always had in the marines. I was ready. I was going to take out anyone in my way. I was Carlo’s protector.
I realized Carlo was watching me, and I turned to him and smiled. He smiled back, and I knew he understood. I wasn’t panicking. I was going to be all right.
We divided up—Fox, Carlo, and me in one group, Carlo’s brothers and Devil in another, and Lucien and a few other men in a third.
I was the best tracker in our group, so as we searched for the guards we knew the Pisanos would have in place, I scouted up ahead. I stopped when I heard something. I was almost certain it was a bird or some other small animal, but I had to check it out anyway.
I held up my hand to signal that Fox and Carlo should wait for me, then I kept moving forward. I didn’t find any evidence of humans moving along our path. I was about to turn back when I heard a whistle. It was Fox’s distress call.
36
CARLO
Fox and I waited, weapons out. I was uneasy, expecting to be attacked at any moment, though I was fairly certain none of the Pisanos’ men knew we were there yet.
They would soon, though, and once they did, the real fight would begin. I didn’t want to be part of it. I didn’t want to have brought Blade there. I listened carefully, hoping to hear his footsteps returning to us.
“Should he be taking this long?” I asked Fox, trying to keep my voice as low as possible and still be heard.
Fox shrugged, but I sensed he might be worried as well.
“I don’t like this,” I said. Fox shook his head and put his finger to his lips. I knew I wasn’t supposed to be talking, but I was going crazy.