Dmitry’s phone buzzed and he frowned when he saw its caller ID. He walked over to the balcony attached to the dining room and answered his phone.
“This is not a scheduled call, Belov.”
“Things got a little out of hand, but I’ve rectified the situation.”
Dmitry felt tension coil through his spine. “What happened?”
“Our man got greedy, and Blake had apparently pissed him off in an earlier encounter.”
“Explain.”
“Instead of harmless mischief, he took it too far. He had a temper, and I think he wanted to strike back against Blake. Idid more digging into Marko’s file because something about him didn’t sound right. Turns out the man’s a megalomaniac, but I’ve already set him loose.”
“Tell me Ms. Kincaid is unharmed.”
“She’s fine. But there was a shootout.”
It took all of Dmitry’s willpower not to burst into a string of expletives.
“I took him out,” Belov continued. “He was threatening Ms. Kincaid, thinking because we’re concerned about protecting her that he could get more money out of us.”
“The fool. So Blake knows something is up?”
“That is correct. The man’s not stupid. He’ll be leaving town soon.”
“You know this for a fact?”
“No, but I’m keeping an eye on the place.”
“Good. I despise messy, but if the end result is the same, then I’m good with that. Keep me apprised, Belov.”
Dmitry ended the call and rubbed the phone on his chin contemplatively. His eyes drifted to Zorin. His Pakhan was a patient man. That was how he’d become one of the most notorious Russian arms dealers in the business. Zorin weighed his options, preferring to let his competitors make the mistakes, and then he would swoop in for the kill. Dmitry must tread carefully. One misstep could find him in the company of the former security chief—cold in the ground, buried in some field off the beaten path.
15
It was almostmidnight when Nate and Sam walked through the doors of the B&B escorted by two Iron Skulls members. They looked weary from the drive, but their eyes were watchful. Nate walked up to Travis and clapped him on the back.
They exchanged chin-lifts. No words required.
Nate’s eyes shifted to where Caitlin stood. He walked over to her, hugging her tightly. “You okay, sweetie?” Nate whispered.
“I’m good.”
Travis, knowing it was irrational, still couldn’t help himself from reacting when Nate’s arms lingered around Caitlin longer than he liked. He pulled her from his friend’s embrace.
Nate grinned at him and shook his head. “Let’s talk outside. Fill me in on what’s going on. Sam, stay with Cat.”
The younger man nodded and immediately moved to Caitlin’s side.
When they made it to the backyard, his best friend said, “Looks like you need a remedial class on how to be low key and invisible.”
“Fuck off, Reece.”
“Oh, see here, Blake,” Nate shot back. “You need me.You’re insanely in love with your wife, and it’s been clouding your judgment. First day in a small town and you go on radar with a motorcycle club, and now, you’ve instigated a shootout involving the Fuego gang. What the fuck?”
“Caitlin’s a magnet for trouble,” Travis muttered.
“Or maybe her husband couldn’t keep himself detached enough not to let her run circles around him.”
