I’d read the words out loud, struggling only toward the last sentence. When I glanced at Montgomery, he nodded in encouragement.
What I knew from day one in pledging my loyalty to the Bratva was that they came above everything and everyone else. I lost sight of who I was, another warning I didn’t heed. Now, it’s too late to tell you how much I…
This time, I had to stop, forced to take deep breaths, but I was determined to go on.
…love and admire you. You were always my best friend. I contacted you first because of Zane. You knew how much I couldn’t stand him and after how he abused you, I made it my mission to find out how corrupt a man he’d turned into. I was right. He’s been working with the Papovek Pakhan for years, now holding more power and control than the Russian. Only Sergei Papovek isn’t fully aware of the damage that was done. I thought I could bargain with the Pakhan in exchange for my life. I was wrong. However, I’ve left you information that might prove useful. After seeing you with Montgomery, I did some digging, able to discover a direct connection to the hit on his life with the two Russian families. Maybe in providing you with everything you need to bring down three families, including your asshole ex, you’ll find a way to forgive me.
I’ll watch out for you always.
Your brother, Danny
Montgomery took a deep breath as he stood, taking his time to walk closer, his eyes never leaving mine. My fingers had a white-knuckled grip on the handwritten letter. To hear Danny loved me was everything. Everything. “There’s an address for a bank, a number for a safe deposit box.”
“Where?”
“New Jersey.” I handed him the letter, uncertain how to feel or what to think. “What do we do now?”
A sly and slow smile spread across his face. “We fire up the jet and head to Jersey for a quick round trip.”
“With the new pilot? Because I don’t think I can handle another adventure.”
He tweaked my nose, his eyes twinkling. “With a new pilot.”
“Do you always use your billion-dollar jet to take you everywhere you go?”
“First of all, it’s not a billion-dollar jet. Just a million-dollar one.” His grin was positively wicked. “Second. Only when it’s outside the city limits.”
A huff settled on my lips as I pulled on my sunglasses. I should already be used to the fact that we had four huge men following us everywhere, but sometimes when I caught sight of them lurking in the shadows, I found it difficult to breathe. They’d kept to themselves while on the fabulous jet, including when Montgomery and I had enjoyed perfectly chilled champagne.
At least Gio had a sense of humor. The others didn’t. As I was told several times, they were just doing their jobs.
They trailed behind while we entered the bank, two standing in wait while the others walked inside. However, they’d been instructed they would wait outside the secure room just in case the bad guys showed up.
Granted, word had gotten out that Montgomery was still in ICU and was not expected to survive, but that didn’t mean there weren’t some clever people who’d realize soon enough that he was very much alive.
And I was thankful for that.
There was no question that Montgomery would be the one chatting with the bank manager. I was allowed to see yet anothermoment where the family’s reputation meant people stopped everything they were doing to assist the powerful man’s needs.
How did that happen all the way from New Jersey to New Orleans?
Once inside the room holding the various security boxes, I was handed the key left for me by my brother. While ordinarily, identification out the yin-yang would be needed, I’d been allowed access to the box with a simple request from Montgomery.
I was beginning to appreciate how people lived when they had money.
Now we were alone and I was honestly eager to find out whatever Danny had left me.
“Are you ready?” Montgomery asked in his deep yet quiet voice, the one used when he thought I was upset or angry.
“I’m fine. Stop worrying about me.” Although as soon as I slipped the key into the lock, I had a surge of anger. Why did Danny need to die?
The box was larger than others, the first bag inside filled with cash.
Montgomery smirked. “He saved his money.”
“Fearful of putting it a bank. Or he just didn’t want to pay taxes.” There were other items too, including his passport and other forms of identification. The envelope in the bottom also had my name on it. That meant he’d planned for his death, allowing me access to the box before he came to Vermont.
So many questions lingered in my mind. Yet if Danny were alive, I’d slap him for making his sister suffer. The thought allowed me to open the envelope, sliding the contents onto the bar top table in the room.
