I squeeze her hand, and we remain silent until we pull into an industrial area three miles from our apartment. Cai stops the van next to where I hid my bike. We’ll ride back to the flat.
Cahir and Cai turn towards us once we’re stationary. Silas and Ramzi are with us in the back. Ramzi is poised to act on the information Bella obtained, so he can start the search.
“What did you find, Bella?” Cahir asks.
“Two names,” she says, and I see the surprise on their faces. “Confirmation of the name I already had. Miles Burres. Butwhen I checked the other ledgers, another name stood out. Lloyd Eade. His name appeared in the last four ledgers I checked tonight. I don’t think he’s as big a player as Miles Burres, but he’s not far off. Lloyd Eade’s name is familiar, but I can’t remember why.”
Silas shares a look with Cahir.
“Nora,” Silas mumbles, a faraway look on his face.
Nora?
Bella looks as if she recognises the name but doesn’t say anything.
“I’ll start checking on both of them,” Ramzi says. “You did good, Bella. I know this has been tough on you.” He hesitates as he looks at me. “It’s been tough on both of you. Hopefully, this will speed things up now that we have names to work with.”
“It’s getting dangerous now,” Cahir warns, and the look in his eyes chills me. “Make sure your trackers are on at all times and stay armed. Both of you.” He aims that last part at me.
“We’re always armed,” I assure him. We never leave the house without our weapons.
“I added some bugs to Alan’s office,” Cahir informs us.
Bella tenses beside me. “He scans his office every morning.”
“We know,” Ramzi replies. “This is new tech I’ve been working on, and so far, the scanners haven’t picked them up. Since we’re hitting this so hard, I have a feeling he’ll be calling a meeting with his contacts soon. We need to listen in because if they suspect you, we’re pulling you out.”
“But we’re so close,” Bella protests. “We’ve come so far. Don’t stop me now.”
She looks devastated that they're thinking of pulling us off the operation after all the hard work and sacrifices we’ve made to reach this point.
“Bella,” Cahir says, his expression grim.
I recognise his clipped tone. It’s his ‘don’t fuck with me’ voice.
“You’re more important than any op,” he states. “We’ve shut down several rings with the information you’ve given us in the last year alone. And that’s not including those we shut down the previous year.”
“Yes, but they’re all small operations. We need to get the big ones shut down,” she huffs, clearly frustrated.
“And we will,” Cahir assures her, “but we’ll do it without putting you at further risk. We need you alive and well if we’re going to continue this work.”
“Bella,” Silas says softly. “It’s been a long time since we’ve had children to worry and care about. You’ve filled a hole in our lives.You aren’t just an operative. You’re a daughter, and your safety is our priority.”
Bella’s eyes gloss with tears. I know she’s never doubted that they care for her, but Silas’s words cement the depth of their affection.
I know she’s about to fall apart. I know it takes a lot for her to admit that she’s afraid. I am, too, not for myself but for her. I doubt she realises how many people would turn the world upside down if anything were to happen to her.
Between the Queens Wraiths, the Cursed Skulls, and the Crow MC, we’d raze the world to avenge her. I wouldn’t stop until those who hurt her were dead and buried.
The thought of her not making it out in one piece burns a hole in my gut.
Bella nods, and her throat works as she gets herself under control.
She moves to open the side door of the van so we can exit. “Okay, if we need to pull out, we pull out. I know I don’t often say it, but you all mean the world to me.”
They look surprised and humbled, and I know Bella needs to get out of here before her emotions get the better of her.
“Let me know as soon as you hear anything, and we can make plans,” she adds, turning to exit.
