Beau
She had to find Antoine Lemonte. It was her number one priority. They needed to get their lives back. Never had violence been an integral part of her life but for the family that had cared and accepted her without question, she would be willing to kill anyone posing as a threat.
People had been coming in and out of their office. Dr. Hope was hovering nearby. And maman had been busy contacting people. Dominic's father was preparing the ransom. One billion worth of gold bars and diamonds. Fucking asshole! The bastard was greedy.
I will find you. Incited by pure determination, her fingers were a blur on her keyboard, eyes glued to the screen. She played the audio louder, isolating other sounds, all that remained was Antoine's and his background. Hearing it initially, her conclusion was he was in an enclosed room. Minimizing the volume of his taunting nonsense, Beau concentrated even more. And replayed the sound.
A faint scratch of noise registered. It was a train passing by. She played it again and counted. If he sent the video this morning most probably it was recorded at dawn.
Hacking the database for schedules for train stations, she began to cross-reference the time and routes. It should be between 2 AM and 5 AM. He was somewhere between Alamo and Van Ness. Think, Beau. think!
She stopped and took a deep breath. Playing the audio louder, she closed her eyes. There! It was definitely a plane.
Most likely he had rented a private jet and it was hidden on an isolated hanger. It was part of his escape plan.
San Francisco airport. It has a private take-off and landing field.
And he thought he was clever. Huh! Not one man on this earth can beat her brains. Well, except for her baby boy growing in her belly.
"I know where he is." Everyone stopped what they were doing and turned to her. Waiting for her to speak.
"Rafael, right?" The tall heavily muscled Mexican supermodel-look-a-like nodded his head. Pfft! Dominic was hotter.
"Yes, Mrs. Vasiliy." Not in the mood to correct him, she just snorted. She won't deny it either.
"San Francisco airport. He must be on an isolated hanger with his private jet. Since my husband is not here, we need to send men to scout the area. But they have to be very very quiet so they won't spook him."
"I will do it myself." Okay. It was a good idea. She knew the Cartel leader was eager for his pound of flesh.
"Okay. Gather everyone. I will brief you on the critical points." He was reluctant to follow orders from a woman, he was looking at her so intently, jaw clenched. A few seconds later, he barked orders to his men and they surrounded her table. Good.
Maman moved closer and hugged her tightly. Even Lizzie joined them to seek comfort.
They can do this.
________________
Antoine Lemonte
"Frère,"
"Listen, I have a big investment coming in. I need your help."
"How big?"
"One billion worth of gold and diamonds."
"Merde! How did you come by it?"
"I kidnapped Dominic Vasiliy's sister."
"And I told you not get in any sort of trouble, petit frère."
"It's the only way for us to lead the underworld. Once we have enough wealth, we can buy a country and build our own army."
"It is still a lot of shitload for us. The Butcher will hound us to the ends of the earth."
"He won't. I plan to marry Dinara Vasiliy and we can share her. I know you also have the hots for that bitch."
"Hmmm, that's something to look forward to. Where are you now?"
"San Francisco Airport. I have a private jet ready. And I have a C130 for the cargo. The drop will be happening today. We will be rich, frere."
"Do you need more men?"
"No. I have enough. Just have our place ready."
"I will. See you, soon."
"You will, frere."
He omitted to tell his brother about Rafael Montero. He shrugged, he'd be long gone before his nemesis could catch him.
Antoine had loved once. Maria. She betrayed him. And the man he looked up to and treated as his father had chosen a weak heir over him. He wanted to kill them all then and there.
But he bided his time. Forming his own gang. During one of his arms deals, he found his older brother and they became a team. They had brute force. What they lacked was money.
The 100 million they got from the Monteros was long gone because of wrong business partners and bad investments.
He and his brother will be filthy rich soon. Dialing another number, the phone rang several times before his call was picked up.
"Jordan, bring Dinara here."
"And the ransom?"
"Don't worry, you will have your share." I'll kill you as soon as I get my hands on my slave.
"Okay." The man's voice quavered. Antoine frowned.
"Has she regained consciousness?"
"Not yet. What's your location?"
Could he trust this man to do the job? He had no choice.
"Here's my address."
_________________
Mexican Cartel
Rafael Montero
One driving force had kept him sane all these years. Revenge.
He lived and breathed for that one purpose. Kill Antoine Lemonte. Kill all those involved in the Montero massacre.
Rafael's heart and soul had long deserted him. After today, he no longer cared if he'd live or die. He had served his purpose. He would happily join his family in peace.
From his scope, he could see about twenty men surrounding the area. All heavily armed. The coward bastard was nowhere to be seen but the new tzarina assured them he has not left the premises. Still waiting for the mafia princess and her ransom.
He and his men were less than a mile away from the private airfield where Antoine's C1-30 was parked outside a hanger. His private jet must be hidden inside.
Preparing his assault rifle, a handgun tucked inside his black leather jacket, he waited for Dominic's signal.
'We are moving in.'
Fucking about time!
***
He was stealthily moving fast despite his size. With a silencer on his rifle, he was shooting with precision at his enemies. He could hear them dropping on the cold concrete, bullets between their eyes.
They were covering the flank, while Dominic and his men the front, making sure Antoine couldn't make his escape.
Another man tried to shoot at him. Fuck! The bullet whizzed past his ear. He dropped to the ground and scanned the area.
'They have a fucking sniper. I'll take care of it.'
'Copy that.'
Hiding behind a car, he scanned the roof. A glass glinted from the distance. There! Focusing his scope, aligning the rifle site, he released the safety and pulled the trigger. The man fell from the roof with a thud.
'Clear.'
'Good. I'm moving in. Cover me.'
Fuck! The butcher was as crazy as they come. They had the same devil may care attitude. But Rafael had to make sure, he drew the first blood, and most importantly, he had to make sure The tzar would go home to his wife in one piece.
A Family was sacred to him, especially with the pain he had suffered from his loss. Too bad, he would never have his own.
Almost there. Most of the enemies were dead. Some of their men were injured but they'd live.
Then an explosion thundered from inside the hanger. Fuck!
'Dominic! Alec!'
All he could hear was the screeching sounds of the comms. 'Shit!'
Not caring for his safety, he entered the darkened confines of the room despite the smoke, he could hear deep pained groans and he ran towards the sound. He halted at the sight before him.
Antoine was pointing a Colt at Dominic and Alec was nowhere to be found.
"Do you think you are better than me, Mafia King?" He roared. Eyes darting left and right.
"You lost fucker! All your minions are gone." The tzar was looking at him in the eyes without flinching.
"No! I have your sister!"
"Ah. You mean Jordan had my sister? That fucker is gone. He sang your praises before I killed him." Dominic spat. His gray eyes dark pools of hate.
That enraged Antoine even more and with a deranged growl, he raised his hand and pulled the trigger.
Fuck, no! The Mafia King didn't deserve to die.
Then the air was stirred by two distinctive gunshots.
Fuck!
______________