I ignored the flashing light on my phone. It’d been flashing for over a week, which was when I’d last seen Avery. And though she’d called a few times soon after we’d argued, I’d let her phone calls go to voice mail, and after a while, she’d stopped calling.
It was clear she felt bad about putting my family in danger, but it was also clear that she thought she was in the right, even though she didn’t quite grasp the magnitude of just how complicated a situation this was or just how dangerous Stubbs and his family were.
Yet our problems went well beyond this latest issue in our relationship. She’d always been too good for me—and she didn’t deserve to get dragged into my mess of a life. Because as much as I would have liked for my life to be uncomplicated and free of danger, I didn’t know that it would ever be. And she deserved so much better. Maybe this was the universe’s way of giving me an out and keeping her safe.
The flashing light beckoned for my attention, begging for me to listen. And it wasn’t just the one voice mail she’d left. There had to be at least three or four.
My finger twitched over the buttons as I debated whether to listen to her messages, knowing that hearing her voice would either weaken my resolve to keep my distance, or would just piss me off further, since I still couldn’t get over the fact that she’d let the Feds get involved. I supposed I should be grateful that I hadn’t caught any heat for my part in stealing the plans, and I had no doubt that it was her doing. But it still wasn’t enough to quash my frustration with her, even if I could already see my anger waning.
In the end, I dialed into voice mail, on the off chance everything had gone to hell with Stubbs and the exchange of Chameleon. Her voice filled my head...her apology and an update. Stubbs and the buyer had been arrested, and they were now executing warrants that should take down Stubbs’s men and his brothers. All their accounts would be seized, making it difficult for them to get any funds or leverage to come after me or my family.
Well, that was something, anyway.
Not that I believed things still couldn’t take a turn for the worse. I had no doubt that Stubbs had offshore bank accounts and could still hire someone to come after us, if he really wanted to. The only thing that might save us was that his diminished power likely meant that it wouldn’t be worth the hassle for someone to come after us, since they would then incur the wrath of my family, which was something most would rather avoid.
I texted my brothers with Avery’s update on Stubbs, and though the worst of it was likely over, we were all still in defensive mode, knowing that it would be premature for us to let down our guard. Of course, I’d also done one hell of a job avoiding any real conversation with my brothers, who were wanting to know how the hell the Feds had gotten involved. But what was I supposed to say? That I’d been betrayed by the only woman I’d ever loved?
And I did love her, despite everything. I just wasn’t sure this thing between us ever stood a chance—and at the moment, I was still too annoyed and frustrated to deal with anyone.
I should call her back...let her know I got her message. But instead of calling, I set aside my phone and pushed her from my thoughts, wondering how the fuck my life got so complicated. Mobsters, the Feds, threats to my family...I’d only ever wanted a quiet and peaceful life. And starting a family would be damn nice. But how the hell could I bring kids into such an unstable and dangerous life?
Never mind that Avery was the only person I wanted to have my children, and I wasn’t even sure if she’d speak to me at this point—nor was I sure I was ready to call her, even though I knew I should. Because, just like before, I was letting the gulf between us grow wider, instead of finding a way to bridge that gap.
A knock at my door had me wondering if Avery decided that she’d had enough of me ignoring her and dragging my feet, and had decided instead to come here and tell me I was being an idiot. My heart pounded in anticipation of seeing her, even though I was still annoyed and angry with her for lying to me.
Not that I should have worried. A quick glance at my security monitor was all it took to have me pissed off at her again, since I now had the Feds knocking on my door. I hushed the dogs since they were going nuts, barking their heads off the moment they realized we had company.
Knowing the agents likely wouldn’t go away until I’d dealt with them, I answered the door, making sure to block the entrance. I had no doubt they’d try to weasel their way inside to talk—and I was not in a talkative mood. Especially when they had likely pressed Avery to tag Chameleon even if she had to go behind my back to do it. “What do you want?”
“Dane Blackthorn? I’m Agent Rick Turner and this is my partner, Agent Dominic Faro. If we could have a moment of your time, we’d like to speak to you about Bruno Stubbs.”
They both looked so damn serious in their fucking black suits.
“Go for it.” Since I had no intention of letting them get comfortable inside, I stepped out onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind me to drown out the barking.
Turner, clearly the one in charge, frowned, his brow furrowing over his grey eyes. “Could we sit down somewhere to talk?”
“My dogs don’t like strangers, and since there’s more of them than all of us combined... Well, you can see how that could become a bit of an issue.” I leaned against the doorframe, crossing my arms in front of my chest, making it clear that any discussion to be had would take place with them standing on my front porch—and they should be grateful that there was a roof overhead that was keeping them out of the rain that was falling. “So what can I do for you?”
“Do you realize we could haul you in and charge you for the theft of military secrets?” Turner’s jaw tightened, but at this point, I didn’t care. “So a little cooperation on your part would go a long way in keeping you out of prison—unless you’re dying to hook up with Stubbs again.”
I gave him a nonchalant shrug. “Nothing’s stopping you from asking your questions or taking care of whatever you came here for. And if you could please get on with it, I’d appreciate it. My dogs are hungry and growing impatient.”
Faro’s eyes narrowed, and though it was clear he was annoyed, I didn’t care. “We’re going to need you to come in and give us a statement regarding your involvement with Stubbs and how he blackmailed your family. It’s just a formality, given that we have more than enough evidence to take down Stubbs and his entire organization, but we’d like it all the same.”
“Including his brothers?” If they hadn’t found a way to lock them all up, then the whole thing was pointless. One of them could still easily come after us.
“They’re already in custody, and they’ve all been denied bail. You’ll also be glad to know that Avery Hawke arranged the setup to nab Stubbs in a way that won’t connect back to you in any way. It’ll all appear to be a simple coincidence.” Turner’s eyes locked on mine, and if I had to guess, he was probably the one who’d been dealing with Avery.
“And what about Avery? Will you keep her safe?” Though that still felt like my job. Despite everything, I still thought of her as mine.
“Stubbs will never know that she was the one to tag Chameleon. We won’t let any harm come to her, though it helps that she’s left Seattle.” Turner relaxed a little, turning to go. “If you could come by in the next day or two and give us that statement, it’d be appreciated.”
Yet I barely heard a word after hearing that Avery was gone. “When? Where did she go?”
Turner tossed me a sly smile over his shoulder as he headed down the stairs. “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that. Goodnight, Mr. Blackthorn.”
Fuck.
I headed back inside and pulled out my phone to call her. Except this time, she was the one who wasn’t answering. I growled in frustration, doing a damn good job of ignoring the hypocrisy of it all.
I’d find her...no matter what.