Resurrection, page 18
part #1 of Redemption Harbor Series
“He’s fine. And you’ll be fine too if you give me what I want.”
“You ruined my life. I’m not giving you shit.”
“You will do exactly what I want.”
Skye’s gaze narrowed. “You’d really kill him? He trusts you. You’re his friend, his mentor.”
He didn’t respond, just watched her, as if he was carefully choosing his words.
“How’d you find me?” she asked when he didn’t answer.
“Chatter. And…word is that you’re selling something you stole a while ago.”
“Because of you.”
No response. Damn him.
“You know what? Fuck you.” Skye nodded at Camila and started to pick up the metal case on the table. “Shoot him and let’s go. We’ll be able to sell this to someone else.”
“If you kill me, Colt’s dead.”
She stopped, her hand on the handle. “At this point I don’t know that I actually care. I’ve been on the run for months because of you. Living in shitty motels and trying to lie low. It sounded noble at the time, sacrificing myself for him, but I’m done with being a martyr. I’m getting the hell out of the country, and thanks to you I’ve got the perfect way to make enough money to do it.”
“If I don’t make a call in five minutes, Colt is dead.”
She lifted a shoulder. Even though she hadn’t heard that Colt was okay, she had to believe in the team, believe that they’d been able to rescue him. “So what? You’ll be dead too. Which means my problems are over.”
He paused and for a moment, she saw a brief flicker of panic enter his gaze. Good. She wanted him afraid. Wanted him to know what it felt like. “I’ll pay you double what you’re asking. And I’ll pay in clean diamonds. No wire transfer, no electronic trail. Easy for everyone.”
She paused, as if contemplating it. And she wasn’t surprised when Ben and Camila exchanged a look, as if this sounded good to them as well. They were damn good actors.
“Colt’s safe and Gianni’s guys are in custody.” Gage’s voice came through her earpiece, his words the only thing she truly cared about. Colt was safe.
Relief swelled inside her but she had to shove her emotions, her reaction back down and keep all her focus on the monster in front of her. With a new shot of confidence, Skye shook her head at Gianni. “We’re not going to another location so you can rip us off and kill us. No, we’ll take our chances with another buyer.”
“I’ve got clean diamonds on me. Tell your girl not to get trigger happy.” Slowly, he lifted his shirt to reveal a tactical vest. He pulled on something and she heard Velcro tearing apart as a small pouch separated. “A quarter of the gems are here. I’ll give this to you as a good faith payment—and so you can have them verified. You get the rest when we meet in a neutral, public location. One where no one gets trigger happy and we all walk away happy.”
Skye eyed the diamonds, annoyed that the FBI agent hadn’t felt the pouch when she’d checked him. That was rookie shit. “You already screwed me over once.”
“I did you a favor.”
You bastard. “How do you figure that?”
“You and Colt were never going to work out. You made him weak—and vice versa. I’ve seen your file. You’re skilled. Obviously. You managed to fake your death and stay dead with no one the wiser. Now you can start over with a lot of money, live the life you want with no constraints. No rules from the Agency.”
“Is that why you’re doing this? No more rules or constraints? Colt always said you were married to the job, that you were a patriot.” She snorted. “You sure had him fooled.”
Gianni’s jaw tensed. “I believed in everything I did—until they left my partner to die. He gave up everything for the job. They can all rot in hell. We doing this or not?”
She nodded slowly and tightened the pouch, scooping the gems up. “What are you going to do with the bioweapon?”
“Why the hell do you care?”
“I’m curious.”
“Sell it to someone else—a country who will pay very good money for this type of weapon. Someone you don’t have the balls to sell it to.” The derision, the complete loathing of her came through in his words and expression.
And that was all she needed to hear, because she’d done it. Got him to hang himself with his own words. Hell, she didn’t even have to signal anyone. The Feds would move in now. They wanted to scoop up Gianni now, to question him and find out who else he was working with, if anyone.
She hated him, hated this whole situation, but if it got Gianni locked up and Colt was safe, she could deal with this less than ideal ending. In an ideal world he’d be six feet under, but she could settle with getting her life back. “I’ll give you a number to contact me. We’ll set up a meeting tomorrow. As soon as these are verified.”
He nodded—and the world around them exploded in noise. Her ears rang as a bang and flash of light exploded from Gianni’s pouch.
Sonofabitch. Skye stumbled, automatically reaching for her holstered weapon as stars flashed in front of her eyes.
“Breaching now!” Gage shouted into her earpiece, the sound over pronounced as her ears rang.
Even though she could barely see, she ducked down behind the table, trying to find some sort of cover. White stars flickered in her vision, her head fuzzy as she tried to crawl toward the kitchen area. The male agent was in front of her, doing the same.
Pop. Pop. The distinctive sound of small arms fire.
Shit.
Dirt and debris crunched under her hands as she swayed while she crawled. Gianni had released a flash bang—one that should have been discovered in his body search. Either the female agent had made a rookie mistake or she was in league with Gianni. Skye was betting on the former.
Bang. The door slammed open from the front of the house. Backup had arrived. The stars were starting to clear from her sight—as a heavy, muscled arm wrapped around her neck.
“You stupid bitch,” Gianni snarled, yanking her to her feet.
She gasped as her airway cut off, stumbling as he pulled her back flush to his chest. Her vision was clear as she felt the muzzle of a gun press to her temple.
Ah, hell.
She didn’t want to die. There were so many damn things she wanted to do. To say to Colt. But an icy calm slid through her veins as she stared out at the scene in front of her.
The female agent was on the ground, blood pooling around her middle. Her chest was rising and falling. Oh hell. Three men dressed in full battle gear were fanned out in front of her. They all wore ballistic helmets and plate carriers and held M4s—all pointed at her and Gianni.
“Drop your weapons or she gets a bullet in the head.” His voice was surprisingly calm, but she could feel the tremor in his hand as he held the pistol to her head.
She wasn’t going to get out of this alive. But neither would he. Her only solace. She hated that she’d never get to tell Colt how much she truly loved him. Not some half-ass admission either. She also hated that he would mourn her again, have to suffer because she’d died. Man she hated Mark Gianni. “You’re going to die here,” she rasped out. Her throat was raw, sore and he wasn’t letting up on his hold.
“Shut up and drop your weapon,” he snarled.
She still clutched the pistol she’d pulled out earlier. And screw him. She wasn’t letting it go. She couldn’t twist enough to shoot him—not unless she shot through herself first. “Just shoot me now. Then they’ll fill you full of bullets. I might not want to die, but knowing that you’ll go down too… Shoot me, you pathetic coward. Shoot me and make the world a much better place.”
“Colt was in on this,” he snarled in her ear.
“Obviously, you dumbass. He fed you exactly what you wanted to hear.”
His grip tightened and she tensed, bracing for what she knew was coming—when his hold suddenly loosened. What. The. Hell.
“I’m putting my weapon down. I’m disarming myself now.” Gianni’s words were calm, smug. As he slowly lowered the weapon, she swiveled, pointing her own directly at his head.
She heard the clatter of his weapon hitting the floor as he slowly raised his arms. The satisfied glint in his eyes made all the hair on her arms stand up. What the hell was going on?
“They’ll never lock me up,” he murmured. “I know too much. Have too much to give them. You think I wasn’t ready for this possibility? I’ll end up in a cushy safe house—and you’ll never be safe from me,” he whispered.
She smashed her pistol across his face as two of the agents took over, twisting him and slamming him to the ground as they cuffed him. He’d just shot one of their own, so they wouldn’t go easy on him. But they also wouldn’t kill him.
Even if it was what he deserved.
Stepping back, she turned and ran right into Ben. “How’s Camila?” she asked.
“Shot. Twice. Both missed her vest. One shoulder and another lower abdomen. She’s being loaded up for transport to the nearest hospital now,” he said as he made his way to the front door.
Skye fell in step with him as more armed Feds moved in. Her part was done and she needed to see Colt. She’d check up on the agent later.
“You still with me, Gage?” she asked quietly.
“Yeah. Your boy is foaming at the mouth and about to start punching Feds to see you. Better get your ass outside.”
Her heart rate went into triple time as she burst out of the house and into the sunlight. It took her only a few seconds to see Colt standing next to a man wearing an FBI windbreaker. His arms were crossed over his broad chest, his jaw tight—until he saw her.
She wasn’t aware of moving, of sidestepping every single person in sight until she had her arms around his neck and his were locked around her. “I knew it was part of the plan, but when I saw you in that trunk, bound and unconscious…” She buried her face in his neck and inhaled deeply. “I’m sorry for what I did all those months ago. Maybe I could have found another way.”
His grip tightened. “Stop. You did what was right.”
She pulled back to look at him, but kept her arms around him. “I know it hurt you though. And if I thought you were dead…it would have destroyed me. I should have found a way to let you know. God, Colt, I’m so damn sorry for all the pain I caused you. And I’m sorry I’m such a coward about saying the L word. I love you so much it terrifies me. And I’m going to tell you every damn day. I love you.”
He shook his head, searching her gaze with his. “Stop. No more apologies. I wasn’t in your shoes. Marry me, Skye. Not next year or in a few months, but as soon as possible.” His voice cracked slightly and she was pretty sure that was a sheen of wetness in his eyes. “I don’t have it with me, but I have a ring. So this isn’t some spur-of-the-moment proposal. Marry—”
“Yes.” She didn’t even have to think about it and he didn’t need to ask twice. She threaded her fingers through his dark hair as she looked up at him, cupping the back of his head. There was a shitload of stuff they needed to figure out and a ton of paperwork and other crap they’d have to wade through. Especially her, since she’d faked her death. But none of it mattered. Only Colt did, and she could hardly believe that she had a chance at a life with him now.
The smile he gave her was so real, so disarming, it slammed through her entire body. There was a raw vulnerability there she’d never seen. He looked…happy. And she felt the same. No matter what, she knew their life would never be dull.
He leaned down, starting to kiss her, then he froze, his gaze snapping past her. She turned in his arms and stiffened when she saw two Feds in tactical gear frog-marching Gianni down the stairs.
The bastard spotted them immediately and still had that smug look on his face. She seriously, seriously wanted to wipe it off. Her hands balled into fists and she’d taken a step toward him when Colt launched forward like a torpedo.
She started to go after him, but knew he needed to do this. If he wanted to talk to Gianni, or maybe break his jaw, then she wasn’t going to interfere.
Moving like the lethal predator he was, Colt stalked up to Gianni and the two agents. One of the men held out a hand, as if to stop Colt. Skye stepped forward, but Colt raised his palms in a surrendering motion. Whatever he said seemed to appease the agent.
Both the armed guys took one step back as Colt leaned in to say something to Gianni. Gianni laughed in his face and said something back—and then Colt did exactly what she’d thought he’d do.
Moving lightning quick, he hauled his fist back and slammed it right into Gianni’s nose. Blood spurted everywhere as his head snapped back.
One of the agents lunged at Colt, shoving him back as the other man hoisted up Gianni’s now limp body. Colt shrugged the guy off and headed back to her, uncaring about anyone else.
Skye took her earpiece out as he reached her, loving him more than ever. “You ready to get the hell out of here?”
He nodded and slid his hand in hers. Feds were everywhere and she knew they’d have to head down to the local office to fill out paperwork, but there was no reason they couldn’t drive alone.
They stepped up to the back of the command center van, which must have moved in as soon as Gianni had gone inside the house.
Colt knocked on the back door and she wasn’t surprised when Gage opened it. “You ready to go?”
Gage nodded as Skye handed him her earpiece. He set it down on one of the work centers and jumped from the back of the van.
“Where are you guys going?”
Skye turned at the sound of Director Hernandez’s voice. Wearing a nondescript black windbreaker—no FBI one for him—and aviator sunglasses, he looked as he always did. Calm and collected.
“The Feds have this under control,” Colt said. “We’re going to drive to the local office, meet the head agent there and fill out paperwork. Unless you want us to stay?”
Hernandez just stared at Colt before his gaze slid over to Skye. She couldn’t see his eyes because of the sunglasses but she didn’t need to. He was beyond pissed at her. He thought she should have handled things differently, should have come to him. Maybe he wasn’t wrong. Hindsight was a bitch though. The only reason he wasn’t hanging her out to dry was because she’d assisted in bringing Gianni down and because she, and her parents, had given a lot to this country. He’d flat out told her as much before this op.
“I’ll meet you all there soon,” he snapped before turning away and jumping into the back of the mobile command center.
It didn’t take her, Colt and Gage long to find an unoccupied SUV to borrow. Once the three of them were inside, she finally let out a breath of relief. “I’m surprised you didn’t kill Gianni with that punch,” she murmured.
Colt snorted and gave her the strangest look. One she couldn’t begin to decipher.
“We going to pick up the others?” Gage asked from the back seat.
“No, but Savage texted me. He and Brooks are going to meet the others back at the hotel. We’ll go to them once we’re done with the paperwork.”
Every one of Colt’s friends had made the drive to Hilton Head—which really wasn’t that far from Redemption Harbor—and had been moral support while Skye and Colt dealt with Gianni. Though to be fair, Brooks and Savage had been more than moral support.
Brooks had set up with a scope from one of the nearby unoccupied houses, watching Colt and Gianni’s meeting point. If Gianni had pulled out a gun instead of a Taser, he’d be dead right now. Knowing Colt had that kind of backup had been the only reason Skye had been okay with this operation. Because she only trusted the Feds so far.
“Who were the security guys with Gianni? And where are they?” she asked. Gianni had sent Colt a file on the men he’d be bringing, when he hadn’t thought this was a setup. The guys had looked clean on paper, but she’d assumed he’d sent bogus information.
“Just hired guys. They had no idea what was going on. He gave them a bullshit story about why he’d tased me. None of them have criminal records. They were taken in for questioning and they’ll probably be charged with a few misdemeanors—maybe lose their jobs—but the Feds don’t give a shit about them.”
Leaning back against the headrest, she sighed. “Gianni looked so smug. He told me he was going to give them information so good they’d set him up in a safe house and he’d never see a day of prison.”
“He’ll be dead within three days.” Colt’s voice was ice-cold and he sounded certain of that fact.
Gage went still in the back seat. Skye didn’t respond or ask questions. If Colt was sure, there was a reason. And she wasn’t going to ask any questions now. Not in an FBI-owned vehicle. It was doubtful the thing was bugged, but this wasn’t the kind of conversation to have here. So she would wait.
Instead of responding, she reached across the center console and took Colt’s hand in hers, linking their fingers together. This was finally over. They could finally start their lives together.
Chapter 21
—She’s worth it.—
Three days later
Colt braced himself as he knocked on his boss’s door. Time to face the music.
“Come in,” Hernandez called out.
Stepping inside, Colt quickly scanned the room. Looked as it always had. Awards hung on the pale gray walls, but there was no actual art. A big desk, two bookshelves and a filing cabinet took up the rest of the space.
“Sit,” Hernandez ordered, not bothering to get up.
Colt sat, ready for whatever was to come. He’d made his choice, made a hard decision he knew would have ramifications. And he was willing to take the consequences. If he hadn’t been, he’d have been long gone and off the grid by now.
“Mark Gianni died last night.” Hernandez watched him carefully.
Colt didn’t even bother trying to look surprised. Hernandez would see right through it. “If you’re waiting for tears, there won’t be any.” His voice was dry.
