Authors: Ella Grace
“I risked her anger because you two need to know what she’s going through. It’s up to her if she wants to tell you more.”
“She had them for years after our parents’ deaths. We all did to some degree.” Savannah shared a worried look with Samantha. “Ours stopped…we thought hers had, too.”
Samantha snorted. “That’s because she told us they had.”
“She probably didn’t want us to worry.”
Ian held his tongue. Though not worrying her sisters might have been part of it, that wasn’t all. He’d heard too much, held her too often after a bad one to believe that concern for her sisters’ feelings was the only reason she didn’t tell them.
They entered the living room where Zach and Quinn were pouring coffee and chowing down on the food that April had picked up at Faye’s. With everything that was going on, no one had taken the time to eat.
Ian grabbed a ham biscuit, swallowed half of it in one bite and then washed it down with a cold glass of orange juice. “So who’s going to make the call to Marsh?”
Zach took one last gulp of his coffee. “I will. And he better have a damn good explanation.”
“You think he’s been playing us?” Quinn asked.
Zach placed the cellphone on the table. “I don’t know jack-shit anymore, but I do know I’m tired of playing it his way. We could’ve easily lost Sabrina today.” He punched in a number and then hit the speaker button.
Marsh answered on the first ring. “That was a close one.”
“You want to tell us what the hell is going on?” Zach said. “You were coming after Sabrina to take her to Silva?”
“I was trying to prevent her from being taken.” An explosive sigh almost rattled the phone. “Listen, the man’s gone off his rocker. I figured he would but not this bad. He’s a control freak and has lost control on several fronts. I expected erratic behavior, but I think he’s about to lose it completely.”
“Maybe you’d better tell us what else he’s lost control of.”
“His wife and kids have disappeared.”
“Someone took them?”
“No…not exactly. They’re in a safe place.”
“Your doing?” Ian asked.
“A member of my team. She was inside…undercover, too.”
“Why didn’t you tell us about her…about these other things that are happening?” Savannah asked.
“There was no need. Your part should’ve been over. Would’ve been over if Ashley hadn’t come back to him.”
“Fair enough, but it’s gotten out of control,” Ian growled. “Sabrina could have been taken today.”
“I agree,” Zach said. “And I’m not going to have my family or my town terrorized. This has to end.”
“Look, I just need a couple more days. Besides, you have no viable proof that Silva is even remotely related to Ashley’s death or the threat against Sabrina. It’s your word against his. It wouldn’t have a chance in hell of standing up in court. We need more.”
“Maybe so, but between my contacts, as well as Zach’s and my sisters’, we can make it uncomfortable for him,” Savannah said.
“And it’ll get you nowhere. You’ll either piss him off or most likely amuse him. Have patience. My people—”
“Your people have two days,” Zach warned. “After that, we’ll do what we have to do.”
After a long, tense silence, Marsh expelled another harsh breath. “I’ll let them know. How’s Sabrina doing? Looked like you clocked her hard, Mackenzie.”
Ian’s stomach turned. He’d have that memory in his head forever. “She’s fine. She’s resting now.”
“I really didn’t expect to see her running down the middle of the road, ready to give herself willingly to Silva. Girl’s got some grit.”
Yes she did, Ian thought, but unfortunately she also had a wild, impulsive streak that overcame commonsense far too often.
“Her family means a lot to her.” Lame words for the powerful emotions he knew she felt about her family. They were everything to her.
“I’ll do my best to see that no one else gets hurt. Sorry it’s come down to this.”
“Do what you can,” Zach said, “and do it fast.”
“Will do. I’ll let you know of any new developments.”
The instant the call ended, Zach was up and issuing orders. “We’re not going to wait around while Marsh and his people get their ducks in a row. We’ve got to be proactive. Be ready for whatever might come our way.”
“And that’s why you should use every weapon you have, which includes me.”
Ian frowned over at Samantha. “What are you talking about?”
It was apparent that Quinn already knew what his fiancé meant because he stood, shaking his head slowly. “Hell, no, not in my lifetime.”
“Or mine.”
All eyes turned to the doorway where a determined looking Sabrina stood. The blooming bruise on her cheek stood out in stark contrast to her too pale face. “Pretending to be me is not an option, Sammie. If it becomes necessary to go after Silva that way, then it’ll be me playing me.”
More frustrated than he’d been in ages at the stubborn woman he loved, Ian glowered at her. “I thought you were going to sleep.”
The defensive shrug she gave told him what her words wouldn’t. She’d had another nightmare.
“No one’s going after Silva,” Zach said. “It that understood? We’ll find another way without putting anyone at risk.”
“What are we going to do then?” Both Savannah and Samantha went to stand beside Sabrina. It was a united front of Wilde women.
Zach glared at his wife while Quinn shot daggers at his fiancé. Ian joined the two men, his determined gaze focused on Sabrina. She would not be putting herself out as the sacrificial lamb again. This shit had to stop.
Little did they know that as the Wilde women faced the men who loved them, another man had already decided their fate.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chicago
Silva’s estate
Robert paced back and forth in his office. His breath came in spurts and pants, his skin was clammy and cool. He was alone. Having his men see his fear would make him look weak. They needed to see his strength, his unwavering resolve. And that was why he’d ordered everyone out because dammit, he was afraid.
Someone was trying to destroy him. Not that it was an unusual occurrence. He’d been living outside the law and avoiding legal consequences for as long as he could remember. It was his birthright. Inheriting the family businesses and making them thrive was an obligation he took seriously. His grandfather and father had been skilled but somewhat backward when it came to branching out. They’d both been eliminated by competitors. Robert didn’t intend for that to happen to him.
He had taken what his family had made and expanded, quadrupling his wealth. He’d worked too long and too damn hard to allow someone to destroy what he had created.
Who was the culprit? He had thousands of employees all over the world. He wasn’t well liked, but he was respected and feared, which was much more important. Yet someone, somewhere didn’t fear him enough. That someone had to be stopped.
His troubles had begun with that private investigator, Sabrina Wilde. She had obviously helped set this up. Who was she working with? No way in hell was she doing this alone.
He should’ve had the bitch killed instead of bringing her to his home to play. She’d been a sweet little treat. One he’d intended to enjoy before he made her disappear permanently. That had been his mistake, but one he would rectify. He would bring her here, make her reveal the traitor, and then eliminate her.
Losing his pets was an inconvenience. The women were unimportant and easily replaceable. Besides one of them had come back to him and he’d showed her exactly what she was worth.
And Lauren? He’d have another chance at her someday. No one could stop Robert Silva when he set his mind on his goal.
The disappearance of Erica and his children was another matter—a gravely serious one. More than an inconvenience or minor irritation, it was an embarrassment. If a man couldn’t control his family, then how could he be expected to oversee a multi-billion dollar business? His reputation was at stake. He had to get them back.
Robert continued to pace back and forth, his temper rising with each step. How dare anyone do this to him. He was Robert Silva, feared by all, revered by many. He had contacts. Paid people high up in the government to look out for him. And not just this government, but several others as well. He could leave the States right now…take his business to a half-dozen other countries where he would be welcomed with open arms. Did the idiots think he had no contingency plan? No way out? He would show them. Would show them all. He was Robert Silva. No one got the best of him. No. One.
The timid knock on the door was an irritant. Any other time, he would’ve refused to answer until the man’s fist was bloody and he’d learned his lesson. Today he had bigger fish to fry.
“Enter!” Robert said in his most commanding voice.
The door opened as timidly as the knock had sounded. Who was this insipid little wimp? He had a mind to shoot the spineless creature the minute he showed himself. How had he hired such a weak—
Lewis French stuck his big head inside. His pock marked face, with its giant pug off-kilter nose, droopy eyes, and extra thick lips, was both repulsive and intimidating. He was one of Robert’s toughest men. The mournful expression on his ugly face told Robert something dire had happened.
Dread washing through him, Robert barked, “What’s wrong?”
“Two of your warehouses, the one in Detroit, the other in Colombia have been raided.”
Robert fell back into a chair, vaguely glad there had been one to catch him. Those warehouses were two of his largest. A new product shipment had been due to go out this afternoon.
His mouth felt numb, his limbs frozen. “Did they….” He swallowed to clear his dust dry throat and croaked, “Had the shipments left yet?”
Sorrow in his eyes, Lewis shook his head. “They got it all. I’m sorry, sir.”
A tidal wave of fury roared through him, sweeping away the numbness and shock. Only a handful of his employees knew about those two warehouse locations. Even the warehouse managers didn’t know the real name of their employer. He held this information as close to his chest as any tightfisted poker player. Which one of those six men had given him up?
Lewis cleared his throat. “There’s something else.”
Hell, what could be worse than this? Almost half his empire had been seized. He wasn’t ruined, but he was damn well bruised and bloodied.
“What else?”
“One of your contacts called. I took the message cause you didn’t want to be disturbed. He wouldn’t wait until I got you so you could talk to him. I—”
“Get to the point, man!”
“A warrant is being issued for your arrest.”
Shock brought Robert to his feet. “That’s not possible. Just not possible. I’ve got too many people looking out for me to even let that happen.”
“Some people are talking, sir. Revealing secrets.”
“People? What people?”
“Your wife.”
So that’s what had happened to the bitch. He felt a trace amount of humor. “She doesn’t know a damn thing. If that’s all they got, then there’s nothing—”
“They have more, sir. Said there were two men that were talking, too—Frederic Richie and Lionel Wilson.”
Those two men were supposed to be dead. He had ordered their deaths himself. And one man was supposed to carry out both executions.
Robert gripped the edge of his desk, and with great effort forced a mild tone. “Ask Marsh to come in, would you?”
Two minutes later, Marsh entered as cockily as he always did. That had been one of the reasons Robert had trusted the man so much. He didn’t show the fear that most of his other employees showed. Robert had liked that arrogance…trusted it. Thought with that kind of attitude there’d be no way the man would ever betray him.
“You wanted to see me?” Marsh said.
Robert leaned back in his chair, let his eyes roam up and down. The man was not only a traitor, he’d gotten lazy. The bulk beneath Marsh’s shirt was much thicker than when he’d first started working for him. The idea that this man believed he was so safe that he even allowed himself to get sloppy and out of shape was an added insult.
“I have one question for you. Did you sell me out to the highest bidder or are you an undercover cop?”
Surprise, then alarm flickered in the other man’s expression. If Robert weren’t so infuriated by the bastard’s betrayal, he might have enjoyed the moment.
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about, Mr. Silva. I’ve neither sold you out nor am I a cop.”
“Then tell me why Lionel and Frederic are talking to the authorities instead of feeding the fishes? And how did the Feds get to my wife?”
If he’d had any doubts before, they were immediately washed away by the grim knowledge in Marsh’s eyes. “I see someone’s been talking.”
“You’re not going to deny it again?”
“What’s the point?” Apparently hoping to distract him, Marsh said, “You’ll be in jail before nightfall” and went for his gun.