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“It’s not a domestic dispute. She called her father against my orders. I said no contact. Apparently daddy’s jet is on its way to get her.”

  “What do we do with her?” Rick asked.

  “We take her with us for now.”

  Brett walked into the kitchen, turned the stove off and grabbed Lauren by the arm.

  “You’re coming with us now.”

  “I told you my father’s jet is on its way!”

  Lauren tried to struggle free from Brett’s hold but was unsuccessful as they passed Rick on their way to the front door. Rick grabbed his keys and remained quiet.

  “Daddy can wait. My job is to keep you alive. That means you stay with me.”

  Rick drove while Brett sat in the backseat with Lauren. She didn’t speak. She sat and looked out the window. Rick filled Brett in on the warehouse. He had quickly looked at the blueprints he brought up on his computer so he would know all entrances. The warehouse had been abandoned for years and there were no apparent crimes in or around it since it sat empty.

  Rick turned off the car lights as they entered the gravel road that led up to the warehouse. There were no lights on or around the warehouse except for a few dimly lit street lights, and no signs of anyone within the vicinity. As they drove closer to the warehouse, Brett noticed the car. He confirmed to Rick that it was the one he had switched with Kevin. They pulled up beside it and Brett got out and searched the car. He came back to Rick’s window and informed him it was empty and there was no sign of foul play.

  “Let’s check inside the warehouse.” Brett opened the back door and motioned for Lauren to get out.

  “I’m not going in there. It might be dangerous!” She crossed her arms.

  Brett reached in and pulled her out of the car. “You think it’s safer to stay here without me?”

  “You really want to throw me into a possible line of fire?” Lauren barked at him.

  “No. I want to keep you alive. You’re safer with me. Now shut-up and come on.”

  Rick kept quiet. He definitely didn’t want to get into the middle of this one. But he knew Brett was right. She had to stay with them.

  Brett motioned to the door beyond Kevin’s car. He kept one hand on Lauren’s arm and forced her behind him. He drew his gun and flashlight with the other hand and stayed to one side of the door. Rick drew his gun and flashlight too, and then reached for the door handle. It was unlocked and he opened it quickly. Brett went in first with Lauren behind him and Rick followed. There wasn’t a sound or sign of anyone present in the warehouse. They walked down a darkened corridor into the open abandoned warehouse. It was then they heard a sound. It was Lauren’s shriek. Brett quickly put his hand over her mouth to quiet her. She nodded to Brett. She began to shake. Brett’s flashlight gave them enough light to show a man hanging in the middle of the warehouse, a stool knocked over below the hung man. It would appear the man had taken his own life. Brett knew better. It was a staged death. One that Nick Mendez was famous for but never proven. Brett let go of Lauren and walked toward the man. It was indeed Kevin. Rigor mortis had already set in.

  “Sorry buddy.” Rick patted Brett’s shoulder.

  “How could I have missed someone on our tail?” Brett wondered aloud.

  “It happens to the best of us Brett, don’t beat yourself up,” Rick encouraged his friend.

  “She’s probably safer with daddy.” Brett stressed his last word and turned to Lauren who was far enough away not to hear him.

  “It’s an option but I think you should go with her. She’s safer in your hands,” Rick suggested strongly.

  Brett looked at Rick, “Maybe you’re right. I’ve run out of options. Perhaps her father has a safe place to buy some time to get my head straight.”

  Brett took Lauren by the arm and led her out of the warehouse.

  “Where are we going now? What about Kevin? You can’t just leave him.”

  Lauren rambled and Brett ignored her questions. He opened the back door to Rick’s car and motioned for her to get in. He may have appeared cold and emotionless to her, but he had too much on his mind. He couldn’t think straight. She definitely had become a distraction. He knew he had to focus to keep her alive. He knew he had to bury the feelings he felt for her. The only option left was the one he had refused since the beginning. He turned around to Lauren.

  “We’re going to meet your father’s jet. My job is to keep you safe and alive. I’m coming with you.”

  Lauren just sat quietly and nodded.

  Rick stopped at his office on the way to the airport. He handed Brett an untraceable phone so they could keep in touch. Rick informed Brett he would continue to help him solve the case.

  The Vanderholm jet waited on a private runway for them. Once Rick stopped the car, Lauren quickly jumped out and ran into her father’s arms.

  “You’ve got your hands full. Don’t worry buddy, I’ll help you crack this.”

  Rick waved good-bye as Brett walked toward Lauren and her father.

  “Charles Vanderholm” Lauren’s father extended his hand.

  “Agent Brent Donovan”

  Brett announced and looked Charles straight in the eye. Brett still had his doubts about the man’s involvement. Now he had one more life to protect while he figured out who was hiding Nick Mendez’s drug money.

  “Lauren filled me in briefly. I still can’t believe my son-in-law was involved with this. Are you certain, Agent?”

  “Yes, sir, I am.” Brett’s tone held no hesitation.

  “Thank you for keeping her safe, but I can take it from here.”

  Charles’ words sounded more like an order than respect. Brett thought of his father for a moment. He chuckled to himself. The two men were so alike.

  “I’ll be joining you, sir. Lauren is still in my protective custody,” Brett told him and without hesitation led Lauren to the stairs of the jet.

  Charles did not look impressed. Charles said nothing and entered the jet. After the jet took off, Charles excused himself.

  “I’ll be in my office. The staff aboard the jet will take care of any need.”

  Brett looked at Lauren after Charles left them.

  “That’s about the extent of the time we spend together. Business has always been more important.” Lauren’s tone spoke loud and clear. Brett didn’t remark. He knew personally what she meant. His father had been the same. Lauren grabbed a pillow and reclined her chair. She looked completely relaxed. Brett felt differently. Something in Charles’s eyes told him the man was not to be trusted. He didn’t trust this man to keep Lauren safe. Brett got up quietly and did not stir Lauren. He walked down the aisle and noticed the staff busy in the kitchenette preparing a light snack. He moved further down the aisle and stood outside Charles’s office door and listened.

  ****

  “Yes Nick, I have my daughter. The man with her is Agent Brett Donovan with the FBI Narcotics division. My daughter confirmed the agent told her of John’s connection to you, his death wasn’t an accident and you have a hit out for her. I have a lot at stake here. Finish the job.”

  Charles heard a dial tone and pressed the End button. For a long moment he sat and stared at the files on his desk.

  Chapter Seven

  Brett returned to his seat next to Lauren without a word. His instincts were right. How the hell do I tell Lauren her father is the missing link and wants her dead? Brett hoped she would sleep. He needed to come up with a plan before they landed.

  Brett messaged Rick to dig deep into Charles Vanderholm and his financial records. He informed him that Charles was the missing link. Brett knew they were not headed for a safe place and asked Rick to place a track on his phone. He knew he could trust Rick. That thought made him think of Kevin. Kevin had been his only contact outsid
e of the drug world for three years. Their brief but few chats kept Brett going. Kevin was not only his superior but also a trusted friend. Brett had no choice but to leave Kevin in that warehouse. He couldn’t risk blowing this case. He had given up his life to bring down Nick Mendez and his New York operations.

  How the hell is a father capable of ordering his own daughter’s death? He rubbed his hand across his jaw. His father had been obsessed with the family business and had never forgiven Brett for his choices but he knew his father couldn’t put out a hit on his own child. Beyond frustrated, his fist hit the table in front of him. He looked up to find Charles beside him with a stern look on his face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  “You tell me Mr. Vanderholm,” Brett said, in an accusing tone.

  Lauren stirred from her sleep.

  “Tell you what, Agent?”

  “Why you ordered your daughter’s death?” Brett drew his gun.

  Lauren jumped from her seat.

  “Brett, have you lost your mind?”

  She went to move toward her father, but Brett held her back.

  “Well, Mr. Vanderholm, are you going to explain why you just made a phone call to Nick Mendez informing him of Lauren’s whereabouts and that you demand he finish the job?”

  Brett’s tone grew louder with each word as he demanded answers.

  Lauren looked confused. She glanced back and forth between her father and Brett.

  Charles calmly took a seat. He appeared completely relaxed as though he’d done nothing wrong.

  “Agent Donovan, I have no contact with this Nick Mendez. I only know the name because my daughter told me this was the man connected to John’s death and the attempts on her life. It is extremely rude to listen to another’s conversation. You have assumed without asking who I spoke to in my private office.”

  He sat back and continued with confidence.

  “If you must know, I was on the phone with my lawyer. I always inform him of any potential threat to the family business or name. And for finishing a job that was regular business talk. Business must continue even under circumstances such as this.”

  Charles did not flinch. The tone of his voice remained confident, yet Brett was trained to detect lies. This time he was certain Charles was covering his ass. He looked back at Lauren.

  “Yes, my father’s lawyer’s name is Nick. Satisfied?”

  There was anger in Lauren’s eyes as she pushed past Brett to join her father. He knew he had to regain her trust in order to protect her. At the moment it was his word against her father’s. Brett knew what he had heard and Charles’s exact words.

  Brett took a quick breath and held out his hand. “I’m sorry Mr. Vanderholm. My assignment is to protect your daughter at all costs.”

  Charles stood and shook Brett’s extended hand.

  “I respect a man with integrity. We’re on the same side. We both want Lauren safe.”

  Charles gave his daughter a barely-there hug and announced his return to his office until they landed.

  “May I ask where we are going, sir?”

  Charles turned with a solemn look.

  “Our summer home in The Hamptons; enjoy the light lunch provided by the staff. We land in a half-hour.”

  Without another word, Charles retreated to his office. Brett had to come up with a plan. His only help was Rick. Lauren kept to the opposite side of the plane without a word to Brett. He knew damn well she was pissed at him for the accusation. Brett messaged Rick their destination and a request for back-up.

  A limo waited for them on the airstrip. Lauren walked with her father. Brett followed. An uneasy feeling stirred in his gut. No one spoke on the short ride to the summer estate in East Hampton. Brett took note of the quiet neighborhood. Though they arrived late at night Brett still assumed it to be quiet during daylight hours. Most homes here were only used in the summer months. Brett wondered if this was the reason Charles chose the summer home. The silence in the limo broke when they stopped in front of an elegant estate.

  “I’m sorry Lauren, but there will be no staff at the home. The earliest I could arrange for staff is tomorrow afternoon.”

  “Will you be staying?” Lauren asked her father.

  “No. I have business in New York I must attend to. I’m sure Agent Donovan will protect you.”

  Brett heard a touch of sarcasm in Charles’s tone. His gut told him that Charles didn’t even care if his daughter would be protected. Charles remained in the limo. Lauren waved good-bye to her father and walked toward the front door. Brett made eye contact with Charles but didn’t speak, then stepped out of the car and closed the limo door. What a cold man .He followed Lauren. He hoped Rick found proof of the connection between Charles and the Mendez family. Then he had to convince Lauren and get her away from the home where she felt safe.

  Brett walked into money. He thought his family had left him a substantial inheritance. He stood in amazement. His sports bag dropped to the floor. Lauren stopped before she climbed the staircase and turned.

  “A little overwhelming at first but it’s a beautiful home. I desperately need a long soak in the tub. Make yourself at home.”

  Her tone remained cold. His job to convince her of her father’s involvement with the Mendez family would be difficult. Brett grabbed the piece of paper from his pocket. Charles handed him the alarm codes before he left the limo. After he set the alarm he picked up his bag and began his search for a drink.

  ****

  Lauren turned on the water and lit a few candles. She removed the clothes from the second-hand store and tossed them in the laundry hamper. She wondered if she should burn them. Then she looked at the shoes she’d just taken off. Never in her lifetime did she think she’d wear flip-flops. But Brett was right about their comfort. That thought only made her think of Brett and the past couple of days with him. The one heated night they shared. Then she remembered his accusation that her father wanted her dead. Lauren stepped into her bath and sunk into the bubbles. The warm water surrounded her body and began to relax. Her eyes closed. She thought of Brett and their night in that run-down motel. Then she remembered her guilt afterward. She should be mourning her husband not crawling into bed with a stranger. So much confusion raced through her thoughts. Her sadness for the loss of her husband, her feelings for Brett she tried hard to deny and the fear for her life.

  The water cooled and the bubbles dissolved. Still confused, Lauren stepped out and reached for her robe. She sat at her dressing table and brushed her hair. She swept it up into a French-twist and applied a touch of make-up. Lauren dressed in black silk top and matching silk shorts. She wanted to crawl into bed and hide under the blanket like she did as a child when she’d just had a nightmare. Her stomach told her not to. She slept on the jet and missed the food prepared for her. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep anyway so she decided to head to the kitchen. She took the west wing staircase at the end of the hallway that led straight into the kitchen. She hoped she didn’t run into Brett. She wasn’t ready to talk to him.

  “How was your soak in the tub?” Brett asked as she entered the kitchen.

  Damn! Why didn’t I just crawl into bed? “Fine,” Lauren answered quickly.

  She knew the one-word-answer seemed cold. She sighed heavily.

  “Sorry. I don’t mean to sound rude. I’m just tired, scared and angry.”

  “You have every right to feel that way, Lauren. There’s a hit out for you and I’ve accused your father of being involved.”

  Brett dipped the spoon he held into the sauce. He stepped closer to her.

  “This may help. Honestly, I am one hell of a chef. One that has promised to feed you a couple of times now.”

  He smiled. The smell drifted into her senses and drove her stomach wild. She took the
offering and smiled. The taste aroused her senses and she forgot her recent thoughts.

  “I take that as a yes?” Brett inquired.

  “Perfect. I’m starving.”

  Brett poured her a glass of wine and escorted her to the table.

  “Your dinner will be served momentarily.”

  Lauren appeased her hunger with a few bites before she broke the silence.

  “Brett?” Her tone called out question time.

  He set his fork down and looked up.

  “Yes.”

  “What makes you think my father is involved? I know he’s not the loving devoted father, but I’m sure he wouldn’t want me dead. That’s just absurd.”

  Brett sighed. “I know what I heard outside his door. I can recite the exact words to you. If you still believe he was speaking with his lawyer, then maybe I’m wrong. Still. I’m waiting for Rick to get back to me with information to prove it.”

  “What were his exact words?” Lauren asked him.

  She needed to know. She thought her father loved her but she knew business always came first. Brett reached for her hand. His thumb rubbed the top of it as he looked into her eyes and conveyed what he heard, word-for-word. Lauren gasped. She pulled her hand from Brett’s and stood. She walked into the sitting area off the kitchen and collapsed into the leather chair in front of the fireplace.

  Brett followed her.

  “I’m sorry Lauren. I played along with your father’s version of the phone call he supposedly had with his lawyer. I want him to think I believe him. We’re not safe here.”

  He knelt down before her.

  Her eyes filled with tears of sadness but mostly of fear.

  “Do you really believe my father wants to have me killed?”

  Brett nodded. She didn’t want to believe her father was capable of this. She trusted him.