“I doubt he’ll come here to get it.”
“From the looks of the equipment we found, this guy isn’t stupid. He’s going to want leverage to ensure he gets the money he wants.”
“Leverage?”
“Collateral,” Rick said.
Hunter shivered. “You mean Gabi?”
“Or Hayden,” Rick said.
“Hayden is taken care of.”
It was Neil and Rick’s turn to offer looks of confusion. “He’s on a plane right now with his real parents. My brother will keep his head low until I tell him otherwise.”
“One less potential hostage,” Dennis said from the desk.
The word hostage wasn’t one Hunter wanted to hear, even if he knew that’s exactly what all this was about.
He pointed to a dark corner of one of the monitors. “What’s that one?”
“Reserved for your cars.” Dennis clicked, brought the image of the front seat of the town car, clicked again to view the front seat of his Maserati.
Lights from a car pulled into the frame of the front gate.
Dennis turned up the volume and they witnessed the surveillance together. Hunter didn’t recognize the new guard at the gate, but he spoke with the driver of the car.
Looked like their dinner had arrived.
The guard didn’t open the gate, simply paid for the meal through the bars, took the food, and thanked the delivery man before he took off.
Solomon retrieved the bags, said something about bringing the man back a plate, and then walked down the drive and into the house. Back inside, Andrew took plates from the cupboard.
Should I wake Mrs. B.? Solomon asked from the monitored image.
Andrew looked past the other man before Dennis cut off the audio feed.
“I try my best to disconnect any private conversations. Can’t guarantee it,” Dennis said.
“Privacy will have to wait,” Hunter replied.
“I will click in and record every telephone call. It takes a few seconds to amplify the opposing conversation. If our guy calls, I need you to signal me and turn off any removable noise.”
“Wave and turn down the TV. Got it.”
Neil went on to point out that the bathrooms and walk-in closet weren’t monitored.
“Looks like you have everything covered.” And it did. It also helped to know that every man in the house, sans himself and Andrew, were armed. If this were to go on for any length of time, he’d rectify that, too.
Rick took his jacket off the back of the chair. “I’ll be back in the morning.” He nudged Dennis’s arm before pointing to the screen. “Chinese food sounds good. Hope Judy’s game.”
He took the stairs two at a time as he left.
Hunter walked Neil out at a slower pace.
Neil placed a hand on the top of his car as he opened the door. “My wife is going to want a report on Gabi.”
Hunter blew out a breath. “You’ve spent more time with her today than I have.”
“I noticed.”
He tucked his hands into his front pockets, leaned back, and studied his shoes. “Have you ever found yourself in a self-made hell and have no way of digging out without someone getting hurt?”
Neil cracked a smile. “I’ve been to war.”
“I’d do it all differently if I could, Neil.” So differently.
Neil’s silence made Hunter look up.
“Would you take a bullet for her?”
“Yes!” There was no hesitation.
Neil extended his hand. “Barring any unexpected activity, I’ll be here tomorrow.”
Hunter slipped into the room as quietly as he could.
He tried to stay away, told himself she was better off alone than by his side. He couldn’t stand the thought of Gabi thinking the worst of him.
She’d been crying before she fell asleep. Her eyes were swollen and black smudges lived under her eyes.
One look at the cast and he cringed.
He removed his shoes and moved to the bed. Fully clothed, he sat carefully before settling his back against the headboard, his feet on the bed. He lifted the pillow holding her arm and carefully placed them both on his lap.
He wanted to make this right. Wanted to make them right.
At this rate, Gabi was destined to walk out of his life just as quickly as she’d entered it. Only she was taking something with her that was more precious than money.
He felt like a thief when she shifted in her sleep and moved closer to his side. He didn’t have a shred of decency as he relaxed into her unconscious presence. It was all borrowed time, time that would have to take him through a coming storm.
“I do care, Gabi,” he whispered to her sleeping frame. “Please don’t walk out of my life.”
She sighed in her sleep and Hunter closed his eyes.