Page 29 of Degrees of Control
“Today was too close. Alfreita’s men were looking for a shot before the copter came in or were sending a pretty significant message.”
“Neither makes a damn bit of sense if their goal is to come after the product they think we’ll be moving,” Carlos says.
“Exactly, they can’t do that if we’re dead. Jay will get it sorted it out. In the meantime, I am taking Katarina home where our teams can keep her protected,” Chase says as he pulls the door open wider.
“I was just coming up to check on you,” Chase says, leading us back upstairs to our suite. He’s barely closed the door to our room before he takes me into his arms. “You must have been scared to death. We’ll get to the bottom of it,” he says, stroking my hair, holding me tightly against him.
“I overheard you and my dad talking. Why doesn’t he want you running the intel operations?”
“Baby, it’s a long story. Right now, I am taking you home where my teams can protect you. Jay will have us up in the air within the hour,” he says.
“What about my mom?”
“She’s welcome to join us. Why don’t you talk it over with her. I need to take care of a few things before we leave. I’ll meet you downstairs once you’re done,” he says, taking my face in his hands and kissing my lips tenderly before he leaves.
I finish packing and go downstairs to talk to my mom. She is reading a magazine and looks up as I come in and take a seat beside her, pouring myself a cup of coffee from the carafe on the table. The smell of the french roasted coffee wafts under my nostrils and I breathe in its scent.
“Your dad just told me what happened,” she says.
“What did he say to you, because to be honest I’m still not sure what the hell happened.”
“I think you know as much as we all do. Your dad said there’s no reason Alfreita’s men would want to harm anyone connected with that shipment. He’s conferred with his head of security, and they’re investigating, but it’s best if Chase takes you home,” she says.
“You won’t come with us?” I ask.
“No Sweetie, I need to be with your dad right now,” she says, as Carlos walks into the kitchen.
“Katarina, I am sorry about what happened today. I promise you, we’ll get to the bottom of it,” he says, taking a seat next to my mom as Chase walks in.
“Morning, Karissa,” he greets my mom. “Carlos, Jay’s all set. The helicopter will put down in a few minutes. He’s been working with your head of security and they have the joint meeting of our groups scheduled later this afternoon. You’ve got a couple teams in Belize that are having communication difficulties, so he’s working to rectify that before we can scramble the channels,” he says. Carlos lifts his eyes in question, glancing between my mother and me, but says nothing.
Chase scans his cell, and I know it’s time to go. We say our goodbyes, and I hug my mom, conflicted at leaving her behind and the apparent discord between my dad and Chase. The helicopter is much larger than the one we’ve been using between home and airports. It is a sleek bright blue model, which proudly displays the Prestian emblem on its side. As we step into the cabin, I am shocked at the design. It is customized with white leather seating, around what appears to be a coffee table of sorts and is completely walled off from the front of the helicopter. Jay is the last one in and closes the door.
“Is this your dad’s helicopter?” I ask, wondering again at the opulence of the lifestyle.
“No, Baby, it’s mine,” he says, smiling widely. “I thought the increased frequency of travel between Chicago and New York warranted it. The design will be much more comfortable and it’s soundproof, so no need for the ear plugs or headsets,” he says.
“Chase, it’s like a mini living space. A coffee table?” I ask.
“I think the designers needed a space to store things,” he says, lifting the lid to display the collection of iPads, wireless keyboards, walkie-talkie looking devices, and GPS bands.
I reach for the remote and a push of the power button engages the large monitor in the corner overhead. “It appears you’ve spared no expense,” I say, taking in the plush leather seats, mini-bar and all the amenities of his limos.
“It’s only money, Katarina. Don’t let it bother you,” he says.
“We’ll be off the ground shortly, Chase,” Jay says, taking a seat in the leather chair across from us.
“I want a detailed report from each of the teams with a play by play of what transpired, along with a thorough gap analysis including mitigation strategies on my desk by tonight,” Chase says.
“Already working on it,” Jay says.
“Good. I didn’t know you had the helicopters on standby,” Chase says as we lift off. The tone of his voice makes me look up.
“I can give you a more in-depth brief once we get the team’s reports compiled,” Jay says. Chase’s jaw is set and his eyes are hooded and controlled. He appears on the verge of saying something, but does not. The tension between the two men is unmistakable.
Our helicopter has just lifted off and is climbing over the Larussio property, clearing the tree line when I notice the shadow of another copter quickly approaching. “Chase, the helicopters,” I shout, as another one flanks our left side completely surrounding us.
“Baby, they’re with us,” Chase says, unbuckling our seatbelts, putting his arm around me and pulling me close. I look to the left and right of us cringing at the sight of men with guns in each of the helicopters.
