Dash, p.15
Dash, page 15
Wade sighed over the phone. He could practically hear him shaking his head at the suggestion.
“Warn your mom about the situation…the entire situation. And don’t think I’ll be keeping this from either of your brothers.”
“Like they can tell my mom what to do,” Nick scoffed.
“I’ll want to clear it with Mase and Jazz before giving the final go-ahead, but reach out to your mom and see if she’s even willing to do something so crazy. This case is getting all FUBAR,” Wade grumbled.
“Any more instructions, boss?” Ax asked.
Nick looked up when he heard the strain in Ax’s voice. He was looking at Nick like he wanted to kill him. The morning had gone so well, and now it looked like they might be back to fighting.
“Keep me apprised,” Wade said.
“Ten-four,” Ax said before disconnecting the call.
They sat there looking at each other. Jett stood from the seat next to Nick and patted him on the shoulder before heading out of the room without a word. Traitor. Nick stood as well.
“Your mom could be in danger if she comes up here,” Ax growled.
“I can do my best to make sure she’s not. If she knew a girl was in the clutches of a monster and was about to be thrown into the game of Russian roulette they call the foster care system, I’d be the one in danger for standing by and letting it happen.”
“That girl’s not ending up in foster care,” Ax said.
“You gonna adopt her?”
Ax pressed his lips into a thin line but didn’t respond.
“She has no one else. There’s no family out there looking for her, ready to keep her safe.”
Ax’s jaw worked. Nick was sure they were both thinking about how lucky Cherie was to have someone looking for her day and night.
“Fine,” Ax ground out. “Call her, but warn her to keep quiet and that we’ll have to sneak her in.”
“Agreed. I’ll do whatever it takes to keep my mom safe.”
Ax snorted at that, but Nick let it be and got up to leave the room.
“I’m going to go get some clothes for Ramona. I’ll be back in a bit,” Nick said.
“Check for tails. Maybe let them tail you so can see if you can figure out who’s watching the building and from where.”
Nick nodded and left before Ax could question him further. He replied to the text Ax’s mom had sent him, then sent a secure email to Max to see if he could help figure out who was watching the building.
Next, Nick called his mom, then his dad. He didn’t tell his father what he’d asked his mother to do. It didn’t matter that his parents had been divorced for years. His dad thought he had a say in his mom’s life. He refused to have his dad anxious about something he had no control over.
He got a frantic call from Bray—and likely Mom did too—but ultimately, Sam and Jazz left the final decision up to his mom, so she bought a ticket.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ax
Ax paced the office for twenty minutes before breaking down and calling Max. He was edgy knowing that Nick was going to offer for his mom to come visit them.
“Sin City,” Max answered.
“Sounds more like a porn shop than a tech shop,” Ax said.
“It’s a habit.”
“It’s funny. Why’s ‘Sin’ your handle, anyway?”
“It’s not as cool as it sounds. A couple guys in college called me a Super Intel Nerd. It sorta stuck.”
“Hmm, such nerdy beginnings, and yet in the end, it sounds so sexy.”
“What can I do for you, Ax?”
Ax sat back from his desk and looked down at the patterns in the wood. He didn’t want to tell Nick’s friend that he didn’t agree with Nick’s decision to pull his mom in.
In truth, Ax was a little jealous of Nick’s trust in his mom to make her own decision. Ax would never allow his parents to play even a minor role in what he was doing. He’d lost his sister, and that was enough.
He was also envious of Nick’s selflessness, though he might be a little less likely to offer if he’d lost someone the way Ax had. But he was putting Ramona’s mental welfare before any selfish desire to keep his mom far away from danger.
“I need you to check into how many men Campbell has watching this building.”
“Already on it. Nick emailed me and Wade approved everything. I have one target following Nick as we speak.”
“As we speak?”
“Yeah. He’s going to the pharmacy nearby to get some things for your visitor. Then he’ll come back, and I’ll watch the target and all other angles while Nick sneaks out the back to make sure the back delivery entrance is a safe route to come and go.”
Ax relaxed back in his seat as relief filled him. Nick was taking every precaution. It was smart. Ax needed to have more trust in him.
“Nick needs to learn to keep his team in the loop,” Ax said.
“Oh, I think he just feels comfortable asking me for things. We’ve known each other a long time.”
“I get it. I’m glad he feels comfortable, but we all need to know what’s going on.”
“We’re both new to this protocol. We’ll learn. My instinct is to always help or fix, especially for Bray and Nick.”
“I’m glad they have you, Sin. Just let everyone else know what’s going on. We’re in precarious situations, and sometimes not knowing can put someone in danger.”
“You’re talking about Kiev,” Max sighed.
“No. I’m talking about unknown situations. We’re constantly facing the unknown, so we all need every bit of intel that’s available.”
“That’s fair,” Max said. “I’ve been analyzing security footage for all three-hundred-sixty degrees around the building. I’ve only seen two cars parked on the street at opposing intervals that are probably surveilling. There’s nothing to indicate anyone is watching the service entrance you’ve been using to slip out.”
“That’s basically what we figured. Campbell doesn’t see us as a threat. He’s just watching his ass, making sure we are who we say we are.”
“Looks like. Either way, I have the license plate and the name of the owner. His driver’s license photo looks like the guy trailing Nick.”
Something inside Ax tightened at the thought of Nick being tailed without backup. Nick could most definitely take care of himself. Then again, Ax had once had those same thoughts about Cherie.
“The guy following Nick… Does he have a military background?”
There was a flurry of clicking before Max answered.
“No. Petty crimes. He does own a gun—well, probably more than one—but he has a concealed carry permit in Nevada.”
That didn’t make Ax feel any better. Nick could hold his own one-on-one, especially against some paid thug, but a gun? Ax blew out a breath. Nick was an excellent shot. Ax had watched him, had looked at the logs at HC. The army taught soldiers how to avoid being shot. He just hoped Nick had listened that day.
“Okay, Nick’s heading back to your building,” Max said.
“And the tail?”
“He’s pretty obvious if it’s so easy for me to spot him, since I don’t have military training.”
“Can you shoot?” Ax asked, wanting to keep Max on the line until Nick was safe inside the building.
There was laughter floating over the line.
“I’ll take that as a no,” Ax smiled.
“Do FPSs count?”
Ax laughed, and it was a laugh that helped relieve all the tension in his body. He was going to have to teach Max how to take care of himself.
“First-person shooters definitely do not count. Video games don’t teach warfare. When we get back there, I’m going to ask for your help with something. In return, I’ll teach you how to defend yourself and how to shoot.”
“You’re going to teach me how to fight? That’s sweet, Ax, but you have no idea how clumsy I am. There’s a reason I only swim for exercise. It’s safe.”
“Clumsy or not, I’ll teach you some defense moves and how to handle a gun.”
“Show me some moves first. After you see me in motion, you won’t want a gun in my hands, I promise. What did you want my help with?”
Before Ax could even begin to answer. Max was clicking away and jumped back into the conversation.
“Nick’s in the front door. Tail’s back in his car.”
Ax breathed a sigh of relief. Nick would probably pop into the apartment to drop off whatever he’d bought. Ax decided he was going to send Jett with him when he went back out. Ax could handle Ramona on his own. The girl hadn’t even woken up yet—or if she had, she hadn’t left her room. He was just about to say goodbye to Max when he continued on.
“And he’s out the back. The man in the car’s on his phone to someone. Think you can get Jett down there with a tracker so we can see where he goes?”
“Sure.” Ax sighed.
He couldn’t send Jett after Nick when they had the perfect opportunity to find out more about Campbell’s operation.
“Great. I’m going to go back over the video surveillance and see what I find. I won’t let Viv walk into a dangerous situation.”
“Viv?”
“Nick’s mom.”
Ax nodded, even though Max couldn’t see him.
“And when you get back, you can try to teach me how to fight and I’ll help you with whatever you need, even if you fail epically in the teaching department.”
“It’s a deal,” Ax agreed as he ended the call.
Ax sent Jett out to track the car. When he came back up, Jett brought the bag Nick had apparently dropped off with the concierge when he came through the building.
Taking the bag, Ax knocked on Ramona’s door. He heard some rustling around in the room, but it took a while for the door finally open. Ramona was wearing the shirt Nick had given her the night before, but Ax also caught glimpses of the dress she’d worn from Campbell’s house hanging just below the hem.
“Can I come in for a moment?” Ax asked.
“Do I have a choice?”
“Not really.” Ax shrugged.
Ramona flounced away from the door, leaving it open for him to walk through. She went over to the window, staying far away from the bed.
“We picked some things up for you.” Ax set the pharmacy bag on the bed, and Nick’s out now picking up some clothes that will be more comfortable for you to wear.”
“Comfortable or revealing? Because no matter what guys think, they are not the same thing.”
‘I’m pretty sure Nick will get you some things that are comfortable. I didn’t exactly tell him what to buy, but he figured you’d need your own things.”
When there was no response, Ax took a moment to look around the room. She’d obviously been up when he’d knocked, and he wondered what she’d been doing with no access to a computer or a phone. The corner of a book was peeking out from under her pillow.
Since her back was turned, Ax eased over to the top of the bed and gently lifted her pillow enough to see that she’d been reading Anne of Green Gables. The sight of that book slapped Ax in the face with the reality that Ramona was just a child.
After replacing the pillow, Ax decided to give her a little hope. He didn’t have approval to tell her who he was just yet, but it looked like she was innocent in all this.
“You said something yesterday that had me curious,” Ax said.
“Which thing would that be?”
He smiled at the lack of enthusiasm in her tone. She was such a teenager.
“You said your mother was missing before you ended up with Campbell. Was she taken as well? Maybe I could find out if she’s available for—”
Ramona whipped around and looked at him.
“Don’t,” she said as tears gathered along her lower lashes.
“Don’t what?”
“Don’t try to play the nice guy to get me to like you. You’re not going to find my mom. You’re not going to do anything but use and abuse me.”
“Damn, I love your spirit, kid,” Ax said. “You remind me of someone who was very important to me.”
“Past tense. Did you run her off or kill her or something?” Ramona said.
She was trying to be a little shit, but the accusation hit too close to home. He hoped Cherie was still alive. From his perspective, she wouldn’t be better off dead, but if she’d ended up somewhere that was horrible and she’d… Ax shook his head.
“I’m not going to make promises I can’t keep, but if you give me her name, I can see if I can at least find out what happened to her.”
Ramona looked at him for a very long time. She reminded him of a feral dog hiding in the bushes. Ax was holding a big juicy steak and she was trying to decide if she trusted him enough to come out of the bushes to take a bite.
“Lluvia Ruiz. Her name is Lluvia Elaina Ruiz.”
Ax put on his best poker face. Max had been right. Chances were that this girl’s mom was dead, and she now had no one in the world to protect her. That wouldn’t do…not at all.
Then he remembered Nick and what he’d offered. Nick had felt that protective surge for Ramona that Ax was feeling now. They’d find a way out for her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Nick
“Nick?”
Nick turned at the sound of his name. Ax’s mother stood by the front door of the coffee shop on the street level of the mall. His heart hurt for her when her face fell with the realization that Ax hadn’t come.
“Mrs. Guttierez,” Nick said.
“Please, I asked you to call me Cella.”
“Cella, I didn’t tell Ax I was meeting you. I told him you texted me, but he was too busy with work to even wonder what the text said.”
Nick looked around and realized that even though he’d zigged and zagged, even though Max had said he wasn’t being followed, and even though he’d circled the large shopping mall twice to be sure before going inside, he didn’t want to risk being overheard. He couldn’t risk Ax’s family being tied to what they were doing.
“Can I get you something?” Nick asked as he guided her to an open table in the back corner.
“I’ll have a vanilla latte, if you don’t mind.”
Nick got her a single shot and himself a double. He watched everyone walking by the window as he waited for the coffee. He tried to relax when no one even glanced in.
“Thank you,” Cella said, when he handed her the coffee.
“It’s not a problem.”
They each took a sip. She gave him an awkward smile.
“I know you were hoping I could be some sort of bridge between you and Ax, and I wish I could, but he barely opens up to me.”
“He’s always been self-contained.” She covered his hand with hers. “He’s always covered hurt with jokes.”
“He still does.” Nick smiled.
Cella gave Nick a knowing look, one he couldn’t return. She was looking at him as some sort of prospective mate for her son. There was no way Ax was thinking long-term.
“Ax has a laser focus,” Nick said. “He works all day and spends all night searching and researching.”
“He told you?” Cella gripped his hand hard as her voice went high with surprise.
“About Cherie? Yes and no. He didn’t come out and tell me was happened. When he gets anxious and worried, sometimes he gets drunk. He’ll say her name and talk about her a little. I had to divine who she was, since he’s bi, but I figured it out.”
“I feel like I’ve lost two children. Diego is all I have left, and he’s sick of my hovering.”
Nick nodded, because he’d seen the argument.
“Ax is angry with me. He blames me, and there’s nothing I can do to apologize.”
From what Nick had seen, Ax was too busy blaming himself to blame his family. Nick turned his hand over, so his palm was against Cella’s, and he gave her hand a squeeze.
“Why would Ax blame you?”
Tears pooled so quickly in her eyes that it surprised Nick. She shook her head and used her free hand to wipe them away.
“It might be my fault. I was married before I met Nando. My ex-husband is powerful in Honduras. What if he found me? What if he took Cherie?”
“Is she his daughter?”
“No, but Ruby… I left him as soon as I found out I was pregnant. I couldn’t let my child become like him if he was a boy or endure him if she was a girl. So I ran. I had a friend who married an American, and she told me to just get to Mexico.”
She grimaced at a memory but went on.
“I sent her every cent I had. It was a gamble, but I had to try. I secretly sold what I could and took any money I’d stashed away for emergencies and sent it in chunks to her. I sold all my jewelry and sent that money to her as well. I took nothing with me. You see, my husband was in the military, and they would check me before I left the compound.”
Nick wondered if she was telling him a secret that even her children didn’t know.
“I had the clothes on my back and enough money for groceries. I used that to buy a change of clothes and a bus ticket. Every town I stopped at, I would contact my friend and she would wire me some money to get to the next place, so I wouldn’t have to carry cash with me.
“I was sure he’d find me and drag me back, but I had to try. When I got to Mexico, she was there with her husband. They had some documents to get me over the border. She said I just needed to make sure to have the baby in America so he would be a citizen.
“I stayed with her in San Diego, but I began to worry it was too close to the border. I met Nando through my friend. His brother had sponsored him to come from Mexico. He was so unlike any man I’d ever known.”
Cella smiled, probably at a memory of her husband. Nick stayed quiet and allowed her a happy thought. After a moment, the smile fell away.
“He was looking for me. My husband was looking for me. He had tracked me to Mexico but didn’t find me in California. I panicked and began to pack, but then I went into labor. Nando was there. He was there from the first day Ruby was born. He listed himself as the father on the birth certificate because he had his green card. He promised me that if anything happened, he’d raise Ruby.”
