He grips the top of the car and leans toward me. “Let me help.”
“No.” My tone brooks no argument. “You have a family, and it’s too dangerous.”
“You and I are built differently, Drew. I can protect my family and cover your back at the same time. Doing this alone is insanity.”
Charlie is only guessing what I’m up to, and though he’s not far off the mark, I will never tell him. I will never involve him. “I can handle myself. Go back to the party, Charlie. Look after my cousin and those adorable kids.”
Air expels from his mouth as he steps back. “Promise you’ll call if you need me.”
“Don’t make me lie to your face,” I say as I start the engine.
Resignation washes over his face. “Be safe.”
“Always, brother.”
With a final nod, he walks back to the house, and I peel out of my sister’s driveway.
I punch in a familiar number as I drive toward home.
“I read the message,” he says the instant he picks up.
“What can you tell me?”
“Nothing. It’s encrypted and triangulated.”
I figured as much, but it was worth a try. “Okay.”
“Manning,” he says before I can hang up.
“What?”
“I don’t advise it.”
“I hear you loud and clear,” I say before ending the call.
It doesn’t mean I’m going to abide by it. These people have evaded me for years, and I’mso close. Too close to ignore whatcould be a potential gift-horse, so I put the pedal to the metal and speed toward home.
I park my car in an abandoned garage facing the woodland at the rear of the cottage rendezvous point, concealing it so it doesn’t give me away. Creeping into the forest, I pull my night vision goggles down over my eyes and unlock the safety on my gun as I approach the location from the rear. I scouted the area thoroughly before making a move, and the motion detectors picked up no signs of life. Usually, I’d show up hours early for a clandestine meeting, but I wasn’t given that luxury this time, so I’ve taken as many precautions as I can.
My gaze darts around me and up and down as I walk slowly and carefully through the forest, keeping my senses on high alert as I advance.
My foot presses down on cushiony grass, and I react instantly, rearing back from the trap door that’s just opened in the ground in front of me. I’m momentarily distracted, so I don’t see the four figures, covered head to toe in black, dropping from the trees until it’s too late.
They attack me as one, and though I fight, four against one is never good odds.
My gun is tossed aside in the struggle, but I manage to slash one of the fuckers with the knife hidden in the secret pocket on my thigh before I’m shoved to the ground. A black hood is placed over my head as my wrists are bound and shackles are placed on my ankles.
“Nice of you to roll out the red carpet,” I drawl as I’m yanked to my feet.
“Shut up, Manning,” a man with a deep gruff voice says as his companions hold me on either side and pull me forward.
Dragging me into the cottage, they shove me into a chair, securing my arms and legs fully before the covering is removed from my head.
The windows are covered with blackout sheets, and it’s pitch-dark in the room. As my eyes adjust to the light, I make out the four figures shrouded in black standing against the back wall. Masks cover their faces. They’re all men. All tall and well-built. Two men have similar dark-brown hair; the stockiest guy has jet-black hair, and the guy at the end has pretty-boy blond hair that is in stark contrast to the rest of his attire. All are visibly armed, and it’s clear these men are not to be messed with.
Excitement trickles through my veins. This is a pivotal moment. I feel it in my bones. Things are about to change.
“You need to drop your investigation,” one of the dark-haired men says. I don’t recognize his voice.
