Page 53 of Extraction
Nicole kept her eyes on the window while I began to channel my head into my new character. I was Dan from LA and worked in international trading. I figured it was something that would catch their attention. I knew enough to carry on a decent conversation from when I was Eric, so I shouldn’t get tripped up with any of their questions.
When we arrived, we were stopped at the gate, and once Nicole showed her invitation, we were let through to drive down a very long driveway. The house reeked of drug lord. Their homes were always big, grand, totally over the top.
“Very John Gotti,” I whispered. “Have you been here before?”
She opened her purse and pulled out a small mirror. “Just once a long time ago.” She snapped her mirror closed and kept her gaze out the window. “Let’s just say I’m breaking a promise to myself by returning.” I wondered if that was the place she first met Bruno.
We pulled up, and I acknowledged Keith’s glance in the mirror before he stepped out and opened our door.
“Ready?” I asked her.
“Yeah.” She waited for me to step out and offer her a hand. She had slipped into character instantly. She was good. Her smile was wide, and she looked pleased to be there. I slid my hand down her back and rested it above her tailbone to show ownership, as one would with such a beautiful woman on their arm. The second we stepped out of the limo, I knew they’d be watching us. Nicole might be welcome here, as she was with the American press, but I was an unknown American, and there’d be plenty of questions and speculation. These were dangerous people, and they wouldn’t hesitate to kill. We had to tread very carefully.
We showed our invitation again as we stepped through the security. The moment I spotted the champagne flutes I grabbed two and snagged a napkin off the tray. I handed her one and pretended it dripped on her dress.
“Shoot, sorry.” I used the napkin to shield my hand as I slid it into the side of her dress to activate the camera. Her smooth skin and the curve of her breast caught me off guard, and I paused for a moment at the sudden warmth that went through me.
“Thanks.” She smiled up at me as I removed my hand and took a small sip of the drink.
I did a sweep of the guests and was shocked to see I knew some of them. Well, Eric did.
She raised her glass to her mouth as she spoke. “Sully is coming up behind you. He’ll be a hard sell.”
“Copy that.” I loved a good challenge.
“Well, if it isn’t our latest escape artist.” Sully lifted a brow at Nicole. “May I say, you look lovely.”
Nicole leaned in for an air kiss, and as she stepped back, I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her to me. She played along well and ran her hand over mine.
“Sully, this is Dan Brandel from LA and my date for this evening.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at me. Her hand ran down my chest as she leaned in.
“Nice to meet you, Sully. You have quite the house.” I shook his hand as he studied me.
“Thank you. It’s nice to meet you too.” He tilted his head back a little as if to raise his nose. “What is it that you do?”
“Let’s just say I have a knack for moving people around.” I hoped that comment might intrigue him.
“Is that so?” He smiled like he was impressed. “Perhaps we should talk more later.” Perfect.
“I’d like that.”
He looked at Nicole, and she jumped right back in.
“I wasn’t running, Sully, but I wasn’t about to be babysat by one of Bruno’s greasers who thinks he can hit me whenever he feels like it.”
“Are we talking about Nando or Bruno?” He made a poor attempt at a joke, but she handled it like a pro.
“Both.” She chuckled darkly. “How is our mutual friend doing?” She made a face. “You do know the man is completely unhinged.”
“I will not comment on Bruno’s mental state, Nicole. He is very upset that the child hasn’t been located yet.” I knew Nicole felt my flinch at his words, but I kept my face unfazed as Sully watched me closely. “You have disappointed him with your lack of information. I’d be careful if I were you. You of all people should know he’s out for blood.”
“He just hates to lose.” Nicole waved a hand as if to brush off Sully’s remarks. I wished I knew more about their past. I could sense there was a lot being left unsaid.
“That, he does.” Sully sighed dramatically. “Well, I’d say there is more at play here than just the whereabouts of the child.”
“Meaning?” She nonchalantly brushed an invisible speck from her dress.
“Oh, you know, this and that.” He waved her off, but I felt her hand flex on my back as if she understood what he might mean.
