Dolby(53)
Author: Maryann Jordan

Stunned at the words that came out of his mouth, she knew she couldn’t have written a speech as heartfelt as what he’d just said. And she couldn’t say anything to refute those words. They were wrapped around her heart as much as his arms were wrapped around her body. Nodding slowly, she said, “Well, alrighty, then. I guess they’re going to pay. But I have to throw this in there— I’m pretty excited about making them pay myself, although I’m not sure what I can do other than put them in my next book and kill them off.”

 

She watched his face morph from severe into a wide grin, making him even more gorgeous. Lifting on her toes, she initiated the kiss that he quickly took over, and ignoring the men just outside the room, they stood in the middle of the kitchen and became lost in each other.

 

She didn’t know how many minutes had passed until one of them called out, “Roger is on the move. Looks like he’s heading to the airport.”

 

 

 

 

 

24

 

 

 

 

 

Dolby grabbed Marcia’s hand as the others hurried back into the room. He wanted to protect her from whatever was going on, but he also wanted her to be a part of what was happening.

 

“What’s up?”

 

“He got a call to come to the airport. We’ve identified the plane in the other private hangar besides this one… Aleksi Milanov. Vladimir’s second in command. He flew in here just before the ship arrived at the dock.”

 

“My guess is that Vladimir has discovered something and called Roger in,” Poole said.

 

It took almost fifteen minutes of watching the tracer Landon had placed earlier on Roger’s vehicle to see it stop close by. Then they watched the screen as he climbed out of the vehicle and walked into the hangar that appeared identical to the one they were in. The short, stocky man stood for a moment, settling his suit coat over his bulk, covering the holstered weapon Dolby knew he’d have with him.

 

“Yep, that’s Aleksi,” Dolby said as a man stepped out to greet Roger.

 

Dolby hated seeing the fright in Marcia’s eyes. Taking both hands in his, he bent closer. “We know Roger has been skimming off from the money that he launders for the Bulgarians. As much as they paid him, that was a pretty stupid thing to do because these men were not the ones to steal from. And if he’s here, that means his trying to kidnap Angela will be the least of his worries.”

 

“What are you going to do?” she asked, her fingers gripping his arm tightly. “Shouldn’t Landon or the authorities handle this?”

 

“We want to see what they know and what they’re going to do about Roger. And see what evidence Landon can obtain. Don’t worry. He’s working with the embassy and Interpol’s National Central Bureau in Majuro.”

 

The gathering grew quiet as the voices could be heard.

 

Roger walked into the room and looked at Aleksi with shock on his face. “I was surprised to get the call from you. Is she here? Did you bring her?”

 

“My boss thought this was too important of a job not to follow through with. I’ve been in close contact with the Skrita Kralista since Hawaii.” Ignoring the question about Angela, Aleksi walked over to the counter and pulled out a flask.

 

Roger snorted. “It’s a little early to be drinking, isn’t it? Of course, if you’ve been around my wife, you probably need a drink.” He swung his head around, repeating his question. “Is she here?”

 

Aleksi downed his drink in a large sip, then turned around, his unsmiling face in a hard expression. “We have a problem. Actually, we have more than one problem. An error on your part. An oversight on ours. And then a choice you made that you will regret. My boss is not happy.”

 

Roger’s hands landed on his hips, and he scowled. “What the hell are you talking about?”

 

“I’ll begin with the error on your part. It seems you were uninformed that your wife was not going to be home that evening, and instead, another woman was there.”

 

“Wh… what?” Roger stammered, his eyes bugging.

 

Aleksi’s hand shot up, quieting Roger. “Unfortunately, our men did not realize the error and took the wrong woman.”

 

Roger's mouth dropped open. “Are you fucking shitting me?” He stalked forward, then turned and paced in the other direction. “Who the hell would have been in our house– oh my God. Her stupid little friend, Marcia. Christ, that’s who you took?” He barked out a laugh. “You won’t need to worry about her. She’s a mouse. Easily disposable. Are they still in California? Why wasn’t I told?”

 

“Now is not your time to ask questions. It’s your time to shut up and listen,” Alesksi growled before turning the flask up and slamming back another drink.

 

“The error was not discovered in time. This woman was taken and boarded on the ship according to the plan, and the only people who saw her once there were the man and his sister, that was hired just to see to your wife’s needs. She was a prisoner, kept in a room at the back of the ship’s clinic as agreed, but she still had food delivered to her several times a day. They were paid well to see that your wife was fed and her basic needs met. As it turns out, they gave her the opportunity to step outside one day. One of my boss’s men noticed the woman had dark hair… not blond. That was when I was contacted and had a man fly to Hawaii to board the ship there. He’s been keeping an eye on her until we receive further instruction.”

 

Roger shook his head, his expression still in awe. “So where the fuck is Angela?”

 

Aleksi took several steps forward, sending Roger backward. “We don’t know. She hasn’t been seen anywhere. So my guess is she must have made it back to your house, realized whoever was in the house was taken, and managed to contact someone besides the police. Just an hour ago, a small explosion occurred on the dock near the ship, and the woman was seen running from the ship. Two men pursued them only to be shot at. There’s no way your wife could’ve arranged that on her own, so we know she must’ve had assistance.”

 

Roger dropped onto the chair behind him, and with his elbows on his knees and his head resting in his hands, he groaned. “This is a fucking nightmare! I can’t believe Vladimir hired these morons to do what should’ve been a simple job. If Angela knows and is in hiding, that means somebody’s got to be looking for me!” He lifted his head and sent Aleksi a glare. “You can tell your boss that I hold him responsible. I won’t be continuing our association anymore!”

 

Aleksi walked over and sat in a chair facing Roger, his expression calm. “I think you forgot, Roger, that I said that you also made a choice you would regret. We transported the wrong woman, and she now poses a threat. But you, someone my boss trusted, made a very poor choice.”