Page 23 of Degrees of Power
“I’m afraid tonight. Jay’s communication system picked up movement of Alfreita’s people and he wants us in the air.”
“He thinks we’re in danger here?”
“Just a precaution, Katarina, but we need to hurry. Get dressed quickly,” he says, taking my hand to assist me from the tub and handing me a towel.
“I already started packing so it won’t take long,” I say, drying off quickly before pulling on a pair of yoga pants and a cami, and slipping into my sandals.
“No time, Baby. Security will come for our stuff,” he says, handing me a long sleeve shirt, my purse, and laptop bag before leading me to the back of the closet.
“Chase?”
“I’ll explain later,” he says, pushing something behind one of the hanging suit jackets which causes the entire panel to open. “Come,” he says.
“Oh, my God,” I say as the door closes behind us and he leads me down a short hall where we are met by Matt and Sheldon as we reach an open elevator.
“We don’t have a lot of time, Chase. Jay is downstairs with the team and wants us in the air before they land,” Sheldon says.
“Alfreita’s teams?” I ask.
“Yes, Baby. They have men on the island and a few more heading this way,” Chase says.
“Did something happen?”
“Your dad and his family have cut off much of the product supply that Alfreita’s operation depends on. It’s all-out war now, I’m afraid,” Chase says as we get out of the elevator and Jay moves us steadily down another hall.
“The limo should arrive in two minutes,” Jay says, gauging the time on his phone. “He’s going to pull up and I want everyone loaded quickly. I’ll feel a lot better once we are in the air. Let’s go,” he says, pushing open the glass door we are standing behind as the long black limo pulls up. The doors are thrown open for us by the guards inside and we are quickly situated and on our way to the airport.
“We’ve got good ground support, but I have the Augusta in the air in the event we have issues,” Jay says to Chase.
“Did you connect with Carlos?” Chase says to Jay.
“Yes, his family has support in the air. I don’t think Alfreita’s teams will get through it, but lets not take any chances,” he says.
“Agree,” Chase says, putting his arm around my shoulder and pulling me close after he notices me peeking out the rear window. Black cars identical to those by our side are behind us as well. The thwap, thwap, thwap sound alerts us to the low flying Augusta that Jay has in position overhead as we make the fifteen minute drive to Oranjestad.
“Sounds like Carlos is running ops on this one himself,” Jay says to Chase, glancing up from his phone.
“I’d be doing the same thing if my daughter were involved,” Chase says, smiling at me.
“How are we doing for time?” Chase asks.
“Good, they were watching your room. They still have men in place and don’t appear to have noticed your departure just yet, but as soon as this plane takes off they’re going to know it’s you,” Jay says as we are escorted by a barrage of guards to the awaiting white Gulfstream.
“Buckle up everyone. The pilot has clearance to get this thing in the air ASAP,” Jay says as Matt and Sheldon take their seats next to him at the table by the windows and the pilot begins moving toward the runway. Chase and I are comfortably seated on the taupe- colored sofa adjacent to the floor-to-ceiling fireplace, which is emitting a soft blue glow for ambiance while Jay works on his tablet.
“The Larussio family must have some significant pull in that area. Alfreita’s planes just got rerouted and will need to await an in-air confirmation of alternative flight plans,” Jays says, smiling widely.
“Good going, Dad,” I say aloud.
“We’ve got a skirmish on the ground,” Jay says scowling.
“What’s happening?” Chase asks.
Jay glances fervently in my direction. “Katarina can hear anything that you need to share,” Chase says.
“They had troops positioned around your tower which is why we got you out before more of their support came in, but they must have gotten word of your departure and tried to storm the penthouse.”
“Shit, everyone okay?”
