“Seemed like the nuclear option was the way to go,” someone says.
“Your father will want to talk to you,” Frank says.
There’s more talking behind me but I ignore it.Dante holds me so fucking tight I can barely breathe, but I don’t care.Breathing is overrated.I’m not leaving either of them ever again.
Chapter13
Stepped Up Basis
Drew
The drive from the airport takes a few hours.We’re all exhausted.My hand hurts from punching Tom, and he has a pretty bruise forming on his jaw from both Wyatt and me.He deserves a lot more, but I’ll leave that to Sara.
Though I can’t guarantee Dante and Finn won’t take a few shots at him too.
“We can’t turn on cellular here, but there’s wifi.”Wyatt narrows his gaze on everyone.“We need the Feds to do their thing, so we’re sure everybody is safe.”
“There’s a reason I went on a yacht.”Natasha squeezes Tom’s hand and leans into his side in the back seat.“My father is persistent.We’re better off not leaving any digital footprint.”
“Definitely not the first few days we’re here.”I rub the back of my neck.I don’t even know wherehereis.But at least here should be where Sara is and that’s enough for me.
“When was the last time anyone was out here?”Tom asks.
Wyatt glances in the rearview mirror with a slight scowl.“Probably the last time you ghosted us.”
Being with Sara and the others was always going to be complicated, but there’s some resentment Dante, Finn, and Wyatt already harbor toward Tom, and Sara and I will have to duck the shrapnel when it explodes.Normally, I’d be all over poking to see if I could trigger it.I love a good explosion, but Sara might not want that.
I’m focused on doing whatever Sara wants.
“Sara should stay near us.”Tom’s voice tries to carry authority, but he must know that’s futile.
“Fuck you.”Wyatt pulls into a garage and cuts the engine before turning to look back at Tom.“You gave her into our care.She’s still not out of danger because of you.She’ll sleep where we want her to sleep.”
Tom’s eyes narrow, his lips press into a thin line.
I get out of the car and step out to look at the “clubhouse.”It’s a mansion in the middle of nowhere.There are no other vehicles here, but that doesn’t mean Dante, Finn, and Sara aren’t inside.Sebastian and his crew could have dropped them off.
A chill creeps up my spine.That wouldn’t be smart though.As much as I appreciate the services Sebastian provides, he can be bought.If Sebastian knew the location of Peter’s daughter, how much would Peter Sokolov be willing to spend to get her back?
I rub my hands together as the others get out and Wyatt pops the trunk.
We stopped for groceries and supplies.I grab my bag and a few boxes to carry inside.Wyatt does the same and I follow him to the side door.It has a keypad on it.He types in the numbers and the door unlocks.
It opens up to a mudroom.Wyatt leads the way into a large kitchen with light coming in from the oversized windows.I set the boxes on the island and put my bag next to the door that leads into the dining room.Passing Natasha and Tom on the way out to get more, I give her a respectful nod.
I can understand doing anything to protect the mother of your child, but I wouldn’t have left my sister in danger to do it.Not that I have a sister, but I do have people I would do anything to protect.
They aren’t in any immediate danger or I couldn’t have come on this trip.Or else I would have figured out a way to keep them safe and make Sara safe too.
We haven’t heard anything from the others.And we don’t expect to.There’s no way for us to communicate our success or for them to let us know if they’re in trouble.For all I know, Sara is still a prisoner.
I rub at the ache in my chest as I set down another box.Natasha puts away the groceries.Tom passed me on my way in as he went back to the car.Wyatt isn’t in the kitchen.
“He went to check out the rest of the house,” Natasha says softly.Her dark eyes meet mine.“I’m sorry your girlfriend is in trouble because of me.”
I tilt my head to the side.She’s being honest.
“You knew what your father was capable of.”I’m not here to upset a pregnant woman, but I also need to be blunt.“A lot of this falls on Tom, but you know your father best.This whole situation could have been avoided if we’d been more aware of the danger.”
