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CHAPTER 25
Maddox
Three fucking days.
It had taken that long to have a jet flown in to pick us up. I toughed it out several times before, but the lack of electricity and the fallen trees shutting down roads had made investigation basically impossible. We’d been back only a few hours and I’d finally gotten some sleep, although I doubted that I’d feel rested for days, maybe weeks to come.
If ever.
While the house itself had received only minor damage from the category three hurricane, the shoreline had been littered with debris, the water churning the entire time we’d remained. I’d dragged the body of the assailant into the deepest part of the forest, doing my best to bury him. I’d scoured his person, ensuring there were no traces of either Zoe or myself. I’d also searched the area, finding his vehicle a mile and half from the house. As anticipated, the assailant had been careful to avoidleaving even a single detail that might help shed light on the mystery.
That had kept my anger level high, my patience low and both Zoe and me on edge. I’d barely gotten any sleep, determined to keep watch over the woman who’d turned into perhaps the strongest young lady I’d ever met.
The events of the last few months had changed her dramatically, specifically the last week. She was no longer hiding behind rose-colored glasses, although I was grateful to see she hadn’t completely lost her verve for life.
She’d been able to laugh, to provide comfort and even fleeting moments of passion. But as soon as we’d landed, Francois coming to the airport, she’d resumed her dutiful daughter role without asking any questions or making any demands.
The lies would eventually consume us, although until I had a chance to clear the air with Arman regarding the supposed arranged marriage, I wouldn’t rest. Nor would I allow him to learn about our budding relationship. I rubbed my tired eyes, the bright sun slicing through the clear window adding to the ache in my temples.
At least Arman’s condition in the days of our zero communication had drastically improved, enough so he’d insisted on coming home the night before. There had been no sepsis, only a secondary infection masking itself as something more severe.
The fact he’d refused to remain at his father’s house was interesting.
It was also telling.
Whatever secret Arman held close in the dark reaches of his mind had something to do with his father. Maybe that’s why I’d tasked my soldiers with attempting to check into Jean Baptiste’s recent phone calls and whereabouts. It was risky and against protocol, but I needed to know what we were dealing with quickly.
What troubled me more than anything were the words the last attacker had thrown at me. My greatest nightmare? Shit. I had none, except for the anxiety about not being there when I was needed. That couldn’t have anything to do with why the assailant had shadowed our movements, he and his companions enjoying the game of cat and mouse. One thing was certain and not easy to allow to remain in my mind. This entire situation was about something I’d done or not done.
Other than talking with Zoe, I hadn’t mentioned it to anyone yet. I’d wanted time to process if nothing else. However, the clock was ticking and I was set to meet with Arman.
Zoe had told me what the last assassin had said to her and that had only added to the mystery. I had a feeling if we didn’t figure it out soon, there would be no method of redemption.
I glanced at my watch, the one Zoe had gifted me. After two days it had dried out from the water excursion, choosing to keep perfect time. While it was only three in the afternoon, it was five o’clock somewhere. Right? Chuckling, I moved away from the window toward the bar, fighting the strange series of nerves that had formed early that morning.
I wasn’t a good liar. Then again, I’d had very little reason to tell a fib in my life, priding myself on being truthful. Even to those I was preparing to exterminate. For some reason, the thought of expounding on my feelings for Zoe left a bad taste in my mouth.So, I allowed the anger I felt regarding being kept in the dark to fuel the fire burning deep within.
Arman’s house still showed signs of the tragedy, several windows boarded up, bullet holes in the walls in his office. I hadn’t been able to walk to the greenhouse and Raven and Gabriel had yet to return. I wondered if anyone would feel comfortable here again. I certainly didn’t.
As I was pouring a drink, I heard voices behind Arman’s closed office door. When it opened, I expected to see my old friend, not Tony. He’d tracked me down. Hopefully, that meant he’d discovered something useful. I was still uncertain about him, questioning his loyalty, although at this moment, everything about my life was being scrutinized.
“Hey, boss. I wanted to finish the conversation we started,” Tony said as he walked closer.
“Yeah, please do.” With the internet being down on the island, the only time I’d spent researching had been on the plane. Even that time had been limited, my ability to concentrate in the toilet.
“I confirmed what I was trying to tell you. Whoever you had dealings with in New York wasn’t the Lucas Marciano I was talking about.”
“And who were you talking about?” I turned to face him, leaning against the credenza.
“He was an assassin out of New York when I was there. At the time he worked for the Gambino family. He was one bad dude.”
“How are you certain it’s not the same man?”
He handed me a photograph of a much younger man. “Because the man I knew was a couple years younger than me. Didn’t you describe the man you saw as much older?”
“Sixty at least.” I took the photograph, my chest tightening. “Where is this Lucas now?”
“My buddy still living in New York mentioned he’s working for some bigwig rancher in Texas. That’s what he was told anyway.”
