Page 59 of Heart of a Devil

Chapter

Thirty-Three

SEBASTIAN

Shit. My heart jackhammers in my chest, and I don’t have time for small talk with Meredith as she passes me the bag. After nodding my thanks, I leave.

“How do you know?” I ask, climbing into my car and starting the engine.

“I’m here right now, keeping the place under surveillance. I’m a distance away, but I can see it clearly with binoculars. They’ve both been shot in the head, and their bodies have been dumped outside the house, like he’s leaving us a message. I think we have to work under the assumption that Volkov knows what’s going on.”

“You think? Of course he fucking does, why else would he have them killed? Shit… We need to think. Are Caroline and Nicky still in there?”

“I don’t know. About ten minutes ago, four SUVs sped past, but the windows were blacked out so I couldn’t see inside. Could be he’s moved them, could be he was sending out soldiers. I think we need to plan for the worst here, my friend. Volkov didn’t get where he is today by showing restraint. If he’s found out, it will be scorched earth, and nobody who has touched this will be safe. That includes you, and that includes?—”

“Lauren and Samantha.” Slamming my fist down on the dashboard, I let out a roar. I need to get to them right now. I need to keep them safe. Caroline and Nicky matter to me, but I won’t be any use to them if all I can think about is my girls being in danger.

“Keep calm, Sebastian. We don’t really know what has happened yet. I suspect a leak at the courthouse or possibly in your team.”

“No fucking way! I trust every single man at Archangel with my life.”

Even as I say it, doubt creeps in. Is that really true? Most of them, yes, but there is one that I’ve had persistent questions about. Could it be Taylor Grant? Does he even know enough to tell? We’ve kept Irina and Vladimir’s involvement on a strictly need-to-know basis, but there’s always a way for information to get out. Torres showed us that. I shelve the questions for now—I have bigger things to worry about.

“Do you think he knows everything?” I ask.

“We need to assume so. The couple was shot, but that doesn’t mean they weren’t tortured beforehand. If that’s the case, then Volkov will be aware you and I are involved and know which law firm was involved. He’ll want to send a message, prove he isn’t weak. He probably suspects someone is watching, which is why he left the bodies in clear view. I’m going to try to get inside the house later, see if Caroline and her boy are there.”

That’s a dangerous move. “You sure?” I ask. “You need help?”

“It’s probably best done with stealth. I’ll be careful, and I’ll call if I need a blunt instrument. I just need to know he’s not… playing with them.”

We are both silent for a moment, picturing the horrific scene. My rage builds, and although he sounds calm enough, I know Sasha feels the same. “I need to make my people safe,” I say quietly. “Once that’s sorted, I’ll be with you and we’ll dowhatever needs to be done. Just stay alive in the meantime, all right?”

He actually laughs, the crazy Russian bastard. “Better men than Ivan Volkov have tried to kill me, Sebastian, don’t worry. Now go do what you have to do.”

My next call is to Gabriel, who’s at home with Samantha and Max. We decide the best thing for him to do is stay there because the place is a fortress. He’ll see anyone coming from miles away and is confident he can look after his family. Not once have I doubted Gabriel’s ability to look after Sam, and I’m not going to start now. “What about you?” he asks. “And Lauren?”

“Don’t worry.” I maneuver in and out of traffic. “I’m on my way to her now. At least it’s the weekend, so there’s nobody in at the law firm. Nick’s away, isn’t he? Not that anyone else is likely to be a target, but maybe let him know. And contact the lads, will you? This is why we pay them to be on call. We need everyone in on backup, even Taylor.”

“What do you mean,evenTaylor? He’s fucking good in a fight.”

I beep my horn angrily at some twat in front of me daring to drive at the actual speed limit. “I know he is. Look, I can’t explain it, but something about him feels off, all right? But yeah… Okay. We need them all.”

“We do. I’ll start ringing round now. And I’ll see if I can persuade Sam to go down into the basement.” The basement of their home is essentially a panic room, which she hates—she wanted a cinema room instead.

“Good luck with that, pal. My advice? Sell it to her as keeping Max safe from harm. She’s more likely to go along then. I’m going to get Lauren safe, then see what I can do to help Sasha find Caroline and the boy.”

“I wish I could come and help you.” There’s regret in his voice, but we both know where his duty lies.

“No. Your job is to protect Sam and Max. I’ll keep you updated, okay?”

After what feels like a whole day, I finally reach Lauren’s place. My messages have been going to voicemail, and I’m halfway to panic when I run up the stairs. Last time I did this, I found her battered and bruised, traumatized by Torres even though she’d taken him down. Volkov and his men won’t be as easy to defeat, and my heart is in my mouth as I stand before her door. It’s locked, but I have a key now, and I don’t hesitate to let myself in.

“Lauren. It’s me. You okay?” I shout as I walk inside. There are no sounds of a struggle—in fact, the only sound is the cheesy dance music she likes to work out to. Sure enough, I find her in the living room, her Lycra-clad ass toward me as she jumps out of a burpee. Any other time…

She whirls around, her face coated in sweat, and gives me a huge smile. “Hey handsome. Didn’t expect you ’til later. What’s wrong?” She can tell straight away, of course, that this isn’t a social call. She’s more finely attuned to my expressions and body language than anyone else.

“You need to pack a bag,” I say, taking her arm and leading her toward the bedroom. “We need to get to the cabin.”

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