Chapter 36
Janus
I don’t need to say much more to Eagle, he understands things instantly.
The jet hasn’t even come to a complete stop when I’m running down the steps and onto the pavement.
He knows he has to stay put for the time being, and be ready to go, just in case the worst has happened.
I run through the airport as fast as I can, jumping in between people and jumping over luggage trolleys that are in the way.
I hail the nearest taxi available, tell him where I want to go, and hand him about a thousand dollars in cash for him to step on the gas pedal.
The sooner I can get to the loft, the better.
Hopefully, I’m in time to stop Dani from doing something foolish on her own, and—more importantly—tell her that I love her.
I have a lot to apologize for.
I’ve been an idiot, and it wasn’t fair to her.
My doubts about her and us clouded me in ways I never knew emotions could.
But I can’t deny what is happening between us any moment longer.
My heart is pumping so hard in my chest that the wave of adrenaline is, for the time being, sedating the headache that my hangover has been giving me since this morning.
Thoughts race through my mind at the speed of light.
What exactly do I say?
Will she even listen?
Should I rehearse some speech or just wing it?
And then, I can’t help but wonder if she’ll even be there.
I don’t want to focus on the negative or the worst-case scenario, but Dani has never exactly been known for her patience.
Even in South Sudan, with Manticore backing my play, she was always in a rush to get to the next interview. To get the next piece of the story.
She’s an idealistic woman with a fiery passion who just can’t just stand by, when she sees the pain and suffering of others.
I can’t really blame her on that.
I’ve done things in the past—thing I’m not entirely proud of—for the same reasons. And maybe someday I’ll tell Dani all of it.
But first, I need to see her and talk to her.
The taxi pulls up to the loft and I’m out the back door before it comes full stop.
My only thought is taking her in my arms and making this right.
I have to make this right.
The moment I walk through the door, I know she’s not here.
Her laptop is closed at her desk, papers scattered around it in her usual style.
Her makeup bag is still in the bathroom, and her go bag is still in the bedroom.
I do a quick search of it and notice that her pistol, taser, and mace are all missing.
That’s not a good sign.
Aside from those items missing and Dani herself not being in the loft, there’s nothing out of place.
But that doesn’t comfort me at all. If anything, it does the exact opposite.
My phone rings.
I don’t even bother to look at who’s calling and I just answer.
“Dani?”
“No, it’s me.”
“Leviathan, it’s not exactly the best time for a chat right now.”
Then my heart thumps up into my throat, and I remember the age old adage.
If Leviathan is calling, it’s not good.
“It’s about Dani, isn’t it?”
“Yeah.”
“She’s in trouble, isn’t she?”
“Look, Jackal. This isn’t good, so you might want to sit down.”
“I don’t need to sit down. I need you to cut to the chase!” I snap. I don’t mean to, but my worries are starting to get the best of me.
“Dani’s been captured.”
That lump in my throat falls to my gut and ties it into knots.
“Fuck! I shouldn’t have fucking left!”
“No, listen. There’s nothing you could have done. Tartarus was onto you the moment you guys landed in Istanbul. They didn’t know exactly where you were hiding out or what names you were going under, but they knew your faces. They just sat around waiting for you to slip up.”
“And when I left, they jumped.”
“Not quite. She tried to go in alone. They saw right through her disguise and grabbed her.”
“Fuck!”
I knew she was in over her head. And—like a selfish fool—I left, leaving her without someone to stop her from walking straight into the lion’s den.
“And Mahdi? Does Tartarus know about him?”
“Now? Yes. She used a couple of his people when she went in and Tartarus used their ‘enhanced interrogation techniques’ to extract the name of their employer.”
Danielle’s one thing, but Mahdi?
The man is like my brother, father, mentor, and best friend all in one.
“He needs to be warned right away.”
“Don’t worry, Jackal, I’ve already taken care of it. He knows that he’s a target and he’s taken the appropriate steps. He’s set up in a safe house. He said to tell you it’s the Pinafore”
Despite the grave seriousness of the situation, a lopsided smirk spreads across my lips.
Good man Mahdi. I knew you’d have this.
“Thank you, Leviathan.”
“What’s family for?”
That’s an awfully good question.
One that I’m certain I’m about to learn the answer to.
“I need you to do something else, Levi. Something important.”
“Well, if I know you—and I do—you’re going to ask me to reach out to Gryphon, Phoenix, and Manticore, aren’t you?”
Sometimes Leviathan is too smart for my own good.
In the wake of losing someone who means so much to me, I’m reminded of those that I have.
And how fortunate I am to have such a group of friends—such a family.
“Yes. Eagle’s still prepped and ready to go. If you send him a message, he can be in the air in no time.”
“Perfect. I’m in Prague with Griff and Kali. Manticore is already securing other arrangements to get to you. He said he should be there in about four hours, but no more than five.”
I can see a glimmer of hope shining at the end of a very long, dark tunnel.
“Now I need something else from you, Levi.”
I let out a heavy sigh—partly in relief and partly in mounting concern.
“Name it.”
“I need you to figure out where they’re keeping her.”
“Oh, that? I’m all over that like shit on Velcro,” he says with a laugh.
It’s a horrible joke, but it makes me smile all the same.
“Once you have the location, send it. I’m on my way to Mahdi’s. We’re going to put together a plan to get in, grab Dani, and get out.”
“What about the others being held?” Leviathan asks softly with serious concern.
“Get in touch with Hydra. She’s got the people who can look after them and make sure the proper authorities are involved too.”
“Hydra? Damn, haven’t worked with her in a while. But I’m on it.”
“Thanks Leviathan. Now let’s get my girl back.”