“Clean up the mess,” I say to Chaz. “Let’s go.”
With that done, we go about getting Felix.
33
Skye
It’s been four days. Each day, I expect Tobias to send me a message, yet each day, there is nothing. I continue to scour every law to figure out a legal loophole to get the easement for the property in Upstate New York lifted.
They are claiming the land should be protected for wildlife, and as far as I can see, the easement will pass. Which means the land won’t be able to be developed.
Something tells me there’s nothing I can do to make Felix not do something horrid that will make me cringe.
But I really have no choice but to tell him. A part of me wonders if this happens more than I care to know. Is this how he amassed his fortune?
Maybe this is important. I mentally note to look into all his business dealings in Reddington. I know he developed the mall there. Maybe I haven’t been looking in the right place. Maybe this is about the land. I’ll need to look into everything that happened that day.
Not now, though. The one good thing about all of this is I have access to his real estate dealings, and although there are not going to be any giant red flags, I’m sure if I find the purchase information on his properties, I can work backward.
At least, that’s my hope.
Today, however, is not that day. I’ll need to go back to Reddington to cross-reference.
Before heading to speak to Felix, I open the filing cabinet. Most of the business dealings are on the computer, but I noticed that his earlier files are also in the cabinets.
I thumb my way through them, looking for anything that stands out. I hit the jackpot when I see a file called Cypress Bay. That’s one of the strip malls developed in my hometown.
Grabbing the file, I throw it in my bag, close my computer, and place it in as well. I take the file and papers I printed for the current project, and then I’m off down the hall, ready to talk to Felix. Outside the cracked door, I stop. Hearing voices, I’m not sure whether I should go in.
Felix’s voice booms through the tiny space left open, and I know I should go. Instead, I listen.
“I don’t care what you say!” he screams before the room goes quiet. Someone must stop him from speaking, but I don’t hear the same voice from before.
“No! I don’t give a shit!”
Silence again.
He must be on the phone. Whoever he’s speaking to is probably trying to calm him down.
But who?
“Listen to me, you fuck. You wouldn’t be where you are today without me.” I hear the slam of the phone.
I take a step back. This is not the time. He sounds pissed.
“I don’t care what that fucker says. He’s a cocky, arrogant ass, and he can’t control me.”
“What do you want to do, boss?”
“I want to kill the bastard.”
“Which one?”
Felix laughs. It sounds deranged.
“Both. But let’s start with Kosta. He thinks he can hit my warehouse. He wants a war, and I’ll give him a war.”
“But—”
“No buts. I don’t want to answer to anyone. Hit the building. Kill everyone.”
My heart pounds in my chest. He’s going to kill Tobias. I have to do something. Tobias needs to know. He needs to prepare. A wave of nausea hits me. What if I don’t get to him in time? What if I’m too late?
Slowly, I move away from the door, being very careful not to signal I’m here. I make it look like I’m heading toward his office, not retreating.
When I’m a safe distance away, I turn and walk in the opposite direction, toward my office so that I can head to reception without anyone being tipped off.
Once I’m at reception, I turn to the pretty receptionist. “I have an appointment I have to go to.” I make sure to give an embarrassed smile, one that implies I’m probably going to a doctor or something. “If you happen to see Mr. Bernard, will you tell him I’ll call him with an update on his file?”
“Of course, Ms. Matthews.”
“Thank you.” I smile, trying desperately not to show any emotions that give my real feelings away.
With my spine straight, I walk toward the elevator, my heels clicking against the marble with every step I take. It sounds like war drums in my ear, making my heart pound to the rhythm. Once I’m inside the elevator and the door shuts, a puff of oxygen escapes my mouth.
The coast isn’t clear yet, so I stand perfectly still until I’m away from the watchful eyes of the camera in the corner. But once it’s stopping and I’m jetting out of the building, I pull out my phone. I dial Tobias, praying he answers. When he doesn’t, I swear my heart might explode from fear.
I try again, but nothing.
This is the moment I wish I had his sidekick’s number. Gideon. But I don’t. And I can’t even leave a message because his phone could be tapped. I don’t know what to do. A feeling I haven’t had in a long time clings to my skin.
Helplessness.
I’m utterly hopeless. And now I’m back in the storage closet. Bathed in darkness. Waiting for death. No.
I didn’t die then. And Tobias won’t die now. That’s when I start to run down the block, arm in the air, to hail a cab. If he doesn’t answer, I’ll go to him.
I just pray I’m not too late.
34
Tobias
“Any word from Felix? Did he receive the present?”
The present being his soldier’s head in a box . . . Courtesy of Gideon. I didn’t give two shits what we did with his body but seeing as Gideon wants to establish a name for himself once I’m out, I understand the move. It’s clear and decisive. You don’t fuck with me. And once I’m gone, you certainly don’t fuck with Gideon.
For the first year after this transition, Gideon will have to be extra lethal. That way, no one tries to steal the reins from him.
Now back in the office, I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. We are preparing for Felix to get the package. It’s being sent as we speak. By tonight, we should be at war.
“It hasn’t been delivered yet.”
“What’s taking so long?” I ask.
“Not sure.”
“Find out.”
He nods and then pulls out his phone and fires off a text.
“Boss?”
Patrick walks into my office.
“Yeah.”
“Ms. Matthews is outside the building.”
“And?”
“Should we let her in?”
I had forgotten about Skye. I haven’t seen her since the day I left her. Knowing Skye, she’s probably pissed off.
Things are pretty crazy in here. My men are everywhere, preparing and sorting shit. It is not a good time for her.
“Show her in.” I’ll meet her in the lobby.
Walking down the stairs, I’m rounding the bend when she comes into focus. She sees me and runs toward me, and my men jump into action. Guns raised. Grabbing her.
“Let me go,” she hollers.
“Get your hands off her.” I step up. Chaz drops his hand but not his weapon. It’s still pointed at her.