THIRTEEN
The clacking of the rails threatens to lull me to sleep again, but I force my eyes open and stare out at the city flying by me.
Pittsburgh.
So fucking close to home. Yet somehow, I still feel a million miles away from Jade.
Every day, hour, and minute that passes only makes me more certain of what has to happen. Destroying Tarek isn’t enough. His entire network needs to go up in flames.
But first…Jade.
The money in my bag, minus a few bundles that went to the vet, is going to be put to good use as soon as we stop in Philly. I managed a few hours of sleep between Chicago and here, enough time to somewhat recover from the backroom surgery I had last night.
And time to plan.
Tarek will be expecting me by now, so I can’t storm in there gun’s blazing, as much as I want to. My fingers are practically itching in anticipation of finally wrapping around my brother’s throat and watching the life drain from his eyes.
He deserves nothing less than the worst of the worst. And I’ll make sure he gets it…once Jade is safe.
Throbbing in my arm reminds me I’ll be somewhat at a disadvantage. But I’ve overcome worse. Seven years in the Special Operations Battalion in Albania exposed me to more death, destruction, and insane situations than most people could possibly imagine.
It also trained me to expect the unexpected and find a way to get the upper hand. Tarek may be anticipating my arrival, but there’s no way he can understand or expect the type of blitzkrieg I plan on unleashing on him and his men.
The time it will take to make the arrangements will tick by slower than the miles on this train trip, but it’s a necessary delay to ensure I can get her out safely.
I pull out the burner phone I bought in Chicago and make the call I pray I don’t end up regretting.
A familiar gravelly voice answers. “Hello?”
The tightening in my chest is unexpected. I never thought I’d be so fucking happy to hear it.
“Lorenc…it’s me.”
Silence lingers over the line momentarily.
This could go one of two ways. Either he’ll hang up on me and immediately tell Tarek I’ve contacted him, or…he’ll offer any assistance I need.
Obviously, the latter would make things a lot easier for me. Especially because I know I’ll be coming face to face with him when I reach Philly. A friendly face and assistance are much needed right now. But Lorenc has always been loyal to my brother, just as much as I was before I left.
“Fuck! Are you okay? Where the fuck are you?”
I sigh and look toward the passing city again. “Okayish. And on my way there.”
“Shit. Do you have a fucking death wish?”
At one point in my life, I would have responded yes. When Rea came into our lives, I was nothing but a shell of a man. I’d done so many unspeakable things, I was certain there was no soul left to be saved. But one small smile from the green-eyed angel assured me there was still a heart beating in my chest and something alive deeper inside me.
Something that is clawing at my ribcage trying to get to her now.
“No, but I have a plan.”
A long, drawn out sigh reaches me through the phone. “I was afraid you'd say that.”
My chest burns and I rub it absently and immediately regret moving my left arm. “Are you gonna help me or not?”
We’ve been through a lot together. More than any one person should ever have to experience both in the military at home and working for Tarek after we made it to the States. Lorenc has always been my friend and my confidant, and I know disappearing with Jade, without giving him any warning, was a real punch to the nuts. But I couldn't call him. I couldn't say a word to anyone because even a whisper of what we were about to do would've been a death sentence for everyone.
I'm counting on him hating my brother as much as I do, even if he was always loyal. But it's been two years, and I've no idea what's been happening since I left. For all I know, they could be best buddies at this point.
“Of course, I'll help you. Your brother's turned into even more of a maniacal psychopath since you've been gone. Swear to God, that guy is unhinged.”
Which is exactly what I’ve been worried about. “Have you seen Jade?”
“Who the fuck is Jade?”
“Oh shit, sorry, I mean Rea.” I had to force myself to think of her by her new name. A slip of the tongue could have been enough to reveal our true identities. It’s hard to think of her as anything but Jade now. She became Jade, and I became Griffin when we left Philly. Konstandin and Rea died the day we fled.
“No, he hasn't been back here after he grabbed her. He's keeping a low profile, but I have a few ideas where he might be. It's not like him not to have guards with him…just another reason I believe he's not thinking clearly anymore. Even after word got to us of what happened in Montana and in Chicago, he still won't tell us where he is to offer him protection. It's like he's become fucking paranoid that everyone is out to get him.”
He should be paranoid, but paranoia is not going to be enough to stop me from reaching my goal—his head on a fucking stake.