“Yes, we do.”
Carleigh’s fingers were flying over her keyboard, but they paused when she asked, “What’s going on?”
“There’s a helo flying above the property.”
“Shit. Then he’s already found you.”
Chapter 21
Zane, with hissolid white Eagle wings that indicated his air element, was circling the trees over the manor, so Major took to the sky and followed the helicopter. One good thing about the property where the safehouse was located was that there was nowhere for the helicopter to land close by. Xavier had ensured Tabitha’s grandmother was safe when he built the fortress. It didn’t surprise him when the helicopter landed at the old farmhouse where Shawn had launched the drone. What did surprise him was who climbed out after the rotors stopped turning.
“How are we supposed to get in there?” This man sounded younger, but Major couldn’t tell his age since he had his back turned.
“We’ll go through the woods.” Perry looked nothing like the asshole who had helped himself to Tabitha’s cake and more like an armed guard.
“There are three vehicles there, which means an unknown number of guards. I don’t like those odds.”
Perry reached into the helicopter and retrieved a box. When he opened it, he pulled out several hand grenades. “These will level the playing field.”
“Where did you get those? I don’t—”
“Look, this was your idea. If you’re having second thoughts, you can keep your ass here. I haven’t comethis far to back out now. Think about Zola.”
“If I get shot, you might as well do yourself in because the old man will hunt you down.”
“With the money you’re paying me, I’ll fucking disappear before that happens. Are you coming with me or not?”
“Fine.” The stranger gestured for Perry to lead the way.
Major flew back to the safehouse. When he got close to Zane’s Eagle, he let out a squawk, and Zane followed. Major landed, found his clothes, and threw them on, not bothering with his boots. He carried them as he ran toward the back door. Zane was slower getting there, so Major didn’t wait. He ran through the house until he reached Tabitha, Tessa, and Gregor.
“It’s Perry,” he and Tabitha said at the same time.
Zane rushed into the room. “Perry as in Trista’s agent?”
Tabitha tapped her phone against her hand. “Yes. I asked the Trio to look into him. Perry Collins doesn’t exist. Well, not this one. The one attached to his Social Security number and driver’s license died a year ago, and this Perry assumed his identity. Nikita and Madsen tracked down Vanessa, Trista’s usual agent. After they explained that she could go to jail for accessory to attempted murder, she admitted that Perry threatened her if she didn’t coach him in all things he needed to know about being Trista’s agent or else he would kill her family.”
Major stepped closer to his mate. His Gryphon was agitated after seeing the explosives. “He’s with a younger man who is paying Perry, and they’re on foot headed this way. Perry has a rifle and several handgrenades.”
“Shit.” Zane spread his legs and crossed his arms. “How are we going to handle this?”
“We could shift and attack from behind before they get close to the house. There’s not enough room in the trees for our Gryphons, but our Lions should be able to disarm them.”
“I’ll go with you,” Gregor offered. “If they have guns, I’d rather them shoot at me than either of you.”
“You better not get your ass blown off, Stone. I’m rather fond of it,” Tessa warned. Major coughed to keep from laughing, but she pointed a finger his way. “That goes for you, too. I won’t have my daughter mourning the loss of her mate five minutes after she found you. Is that clear?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Tabitha grabbed Major’s arm, turning him toward her. “What she said. I didn’t find you to—”
Major cut her off with a hard kiss. “I’ll be safe. We all will. I’ll voice them both and bring them here for questioning. If you and Tessa would, please stay in here so that Zane and I can shift on the patio.”
“You know there are cameras out there, right?”
“Then text the Trio to hide their eyes.”
“Will do.” Tabitha ran a hand through his beard, tugging the bristles. “We’ll be waiting.”
