Page 81 of Hard Wired

Lana sighed into the phone. “Well, time has passed since the attack on your house, so I’ll need to speak to my contacts on the federal side of things to get everything arranged. There’s a process. I’m hoping it won’t be more than a week or two.”

“A week or two? Do you have any idea how much could happen before then? My uncle is already impatient. Who knows what he’ll decide to do to me in the next few days.”

“If there’s any reason to believe the Syndicate will make a move earlier, then we can speed things up. But nobody has touched you in almost two weeks. You haven’t told me anything to make me think danger is imminent. And if we try to move you too soon, the danger will probably become imminent—because the Syndicate will be paying attention.”

“That’s true.” Dominic thought of his plan with Sylvie to go after the Syndicate’s Russian hackers. If the Syndicate realized what they were doing, then the danger was going to get extremely real. But Sylvie had also asked him not to discuss that aspect of their plan with Lana.

“So, you’re saying if anything changes, you could move things up. Then I guess I’ll let you know. If I see anybody charging at my door with a machine gun, I’ll be sure to take a moment and give you a call.”

“I know it’s not ideal. If worse truly comes to worse, I’m sure Max could provide one of his own safe houses, though I’d have to get your bail conditions modified first to allow it.”

And then Dominic would owe Max even more. “Maybe. I’ll just take things one day at a time.”

“That’s wise. Let me get things moving, and I’ll be in touch. This is a good number?”

“Yeah, until I let you know otherwise. And if Sandford talks to you—”

“Then I’ll act like nothing whatsoever has changed. Don’t worry, I can handle it. I’ll also need contact information for your brother. Has Raymond agreed to go into protection?”

“Not yet. I’m trying to reach him, but it’s not easy to make sure our conversation will be secure.”

“Then get me his number, and I’ll see what I can do. You believe he’s in danger, and I assume you know what you’re talking about. If he needs convincing, I can be pretty persuasive.”

“I don’t doubt it.” Before she could hang up, he added, “Thank you, Lana. I appreciate this.”

“I’ve been wanting to help you for a while after what you did for me. You might be surprised just how many people are willing to give second chances. All you have to do is ask.”

Maureen squeezed his arm again.

“I’ll try to keep that in mind.”

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