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Something about the seriousness in his face makes my stomach lurch. “What are you talking about? What have you done?” He moves back into the kitchen, and I follow. I’m not used to feeling so panicked and it causes a nauseous feeling in my stomach. “Albert?” I push, my tone serious.
“He was a liability and a threat to me. I tried to keep him alive for your sake but . . .”
I stare wide-eyed. “But what?”
“But it wasn’t working.”
My throat tightens and I instinctively rub my neck to try and ease it. “You hired a hit on him?”
“Don’t get sentimental on me, it’s business.” I glance around as rage replaces anything else I’m currently feeling. He gives an easy grin, trying to work out my next move. “Let’s not do anything crazy, Red.” He carefully takes the knife he was using to chop vegetables earlier and places it in the sink out of my reach. “Look, you wanted to retire, I’ve found someone to replace you, so I don’t need Archer. And keeping him alive would have caused me grief down the line.”
I take deep breaths, wiping my now sweaty palms down my jeans. “Give me back my phone,” I mutter.
“I’ve already given the word,” he tells me, placing my phone in my waiting hand. “It’s too late.”
“Pray I don’t get to Lauren before she ends his life, or you’ll be needing yet another replacement.”
He gives me a warning glare. “Don’t go against me, Red. It’s not worth it.”
“Because you’ll kill me?” I ask, arching a brow.
“Maverick signed off on this too. We were all in agreement.”
I slam my hand on the kitchen worktop angrily. “I wasn’t,” I yell. “You didn’t even bother to fucking consult me.”
“Because I knew you were too close. You’re not thinking with your head.”
I back away. Tears are threatening to fall, and I can’t let him see me like that. “Stay the hell away from me.”
“Rosey, don’t be like that. Business and what we do privately are two very different things.”
I scoff. “Fuck you, Albert. Fuck you, fuck your brother, fuck your whole damn family. You come near me again and I’ll make you my final kill.” It’s dangerous to threaten him, but I’m angry and . . . and I’m fucking hurting. The realisation makes me angrier, and I head for the door.
Outside, I try to call the burner phone back, but it rings out. I cry out in frustration. A minute later, Ollie calls me. I take a calming breath and accept his call. “Hey,” I say lightly.
“Why didn’t you tell me Grandma wanted to see me?” he shouts.
I groan. This is all I need. “What are you talking about?”
“I’ve just been with her. She was so upset that you told her she can’t see me.”
I frown. “How the hell have you been with her, you don’t even know what she looks like.”
“That’s all you have to say?” he cries. “You can’t stop me.”
“I’ll come home, and we can talk about it. I just have to find—”
“Don’t bother, I’m not there, and I won’t be there later either. I’m staying at my friend’s house. I can’t stand to be around you right now.”
“Ollie,” I snap, “don’t you—” It’s too late, he’s disconnected the call. I crouch low, holding my head in my hands and fighting back tears.
I take a deep breath and square my shoulders before rising to my feet again. I don’t want to call Mav. He agreed to Albert’s plan and didn’t bother to give me the heads up, so I can’t trust him. I decide to call my ex-handler. If I’m gonna find Archer, she might be able to help. I’ll deal with Ollie later.
“Long time no see,” she answers. “Business or pleasure?”
“Business.”
“Oakfield Hotel. Rooftop. Ten minutes.” She disconnects, and I head for the hotel.
