“Try to get some rest. I’ll be back soon, hopefully with good news.”
Ries left the apartment and Stephanie went to the window, turning off the lamps and peering down as he and the rest of the security team began loading themselves into two dark SUVs. She watched them pull out of the parking lot, and once she could no longer see their tail lights, she wore her t-shirt inside out and headed for the elevator.
She started to step onto it but had a second thought.
Ries more than likely told the security guard in the foyer that she was staying behind. He might have even given instructions for the man to stop her if she tried to follow him. That meant she needed a different plan. The only other way to get to the ground floor was to use the stairs.
Stephanie took the elevator down to the second floor, and then she set the elevator to continue on to the ground floor while she raced to the stairwell and made short work of climbing down two flights. She waited at the doorway until the elevator doors opened.
Just as she had suspected, when no one exited, the lobby security guard became suspicious and went to investigate. Seeing her opportunity, Stephanie slipped from the doorway and quickly made her way to the nearest door, letting herself out into the early morning air.
The docks were several blocks away. She quickly made her way toward the beach grateful she’d worn her sneakers.
As she made her way to where the men had gone, she couldn’t help but think about the different side of Ries she’d seen tonight.
Instead of being the billionaire-playboy without a care in the world, he’d been serious and commanding. He’d been willing to delegate where it was necessary, and no one questioned his authority.
Her initial impression of him as a vapid tourist was wrong. Ries was clearly so much more than what she had perceived.
She recalled his strong insistence that she remain safely behind. Stephanie wasn’t used to anyone being concerned for her and she didn’t know how to process it.
Any other time, she would have felt as if her independence was being snatched away but that thought never crossed her mind. Instead, it felt nice to have someone who worried about her.
A feeling that she could most definitely get used to, given enough time.
10
Ries and Chrisheaded for the beach in the SUV. Carlos was a trained bodyguard driving to the docks. Ries took the gun Chris handed him, deftly checking the cartridge and then making sure the safety was engaged.
All three of the Kafatos brothers were excellent shots as well as proficient in various martial arts and fighting skills.
Ries watched the city pass by, processing the adrenaline rush of being in charge of a dangerous situation.
Ries wasn’t used to being the one people turned to in a crisis or dangerous situation; and yet, that’s exactly what had happened tonight.
Chris and the others had left the final decision up to him. It was a heady feeling, and one that Ries acknowledged he could get used to.
The air was thick with expectation and Ries felt a deep sense of unease the closer they came to the docks. He’d trained in the gym but never had he come close to having to use his training in real life.
The SUVs arrived at the docks and the security quickly exited the vehicles.
Chris looked to Ries for direction and he quickly delegated it back to his friend and head of security, grateful that Chris was willing to consult with him. Ries was relieved that he had someone better trained to handle the logistics.
Chris gave each man their assignment and they all dispersed, leaving Ries and him to take cover behind the guard shack at the edge of the pier. “We should be able to stay hidden there until it’s time to move. Are you ready?” Chris asked him in a hushed whisper.
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Ries was silent as they trained their eyes on the dock before them. As the sun began to glow below the horizon, several young boys started arriving. Some walked, some rode their bikes, two older-looking boys even arrived in a vehicle. They congregated silently at the edge of the dock, twenty feet from a security team member pretending to untangle his fishing nets.
Just as the sky lightened and turned from orange yellow to a brilliant white-blue, a man started walking towards the dock and the circle of teenagers.
Chris and Ries trained their eyes on the man who appeared to be their target. He greeted the children so quietly they couldn’t make out his words. One by one, he spoke to each child. He handedthem a folded bill and they took off, no doubt on a mission to once again search the town for signs of Ries.
When all of the boys had been paid and dispersed, the man stood and then gazed intently toward the road, no doubt looking for Piotr’s arrival.
Chris touched the com in his ear and suddenly the dock broke out into chaos.
The pretend fisherman drew his gun but the target saw him and fired back, ducking behind a group of pylons as the security team returned fire.
