Freeing Him: A Hart Brothers Novel, Book 2 (25 page)

“Make sure you leave no trace,” Drex says.

“As if.” Blake laughs.

“Just saying. Don’t want Colt to get pissed at me,” Drex jabs back. “We can’t afford to lose that connection with the FBI. And the last thing I want is to jeopardize his position.”

The GPS screen shows Langston’s compound.

“Gabby, what do you know about his home? Does he have guards? Dogs? Things of that nature?”

“No dogs that I’m aware of. We went horseback riding and I didn’t see any.”

“Armed guards?”

“I didn’t see any armed but I saw men roaming around.”

He turns to his other men and says, “They’re armed.”

“Quite the showplace,” Huff remarks.

“Uh, yeah. It’s huge.”

“Does he have an office in the house?” Drexel asks.

“Yes, first floor, straight down the main hall to the left.”

Then he asks, “Can you give us a rudimentary layout of the house?”

He hands me a sketchpad and I go to work. When I’m finished, I tear off a sheet, hand it to him, and keep drawing. When I’m done, I say, “This is the basement, where the wine cellar is located.”

He arches his brows.

“It’s also where the cages and rooms are located. You know, where Langston did all his abuse to the three boys when they were young. I’d like to get evidence of this when I’m there. I want to nail him for this.”

“Gabby, it would be nice to nail him for every infraction but the main thing is to get him for the worst ones while we can.”

“Drexel, you don’t understand. I’m a victim of abuse myself. For years I was raped by Danny Martinelli, while my parents stood by and did nothing. I kept that dirty little secret to myself up until I met Kolson. I guess since I’ve been a victim, much like Kolson, I want to make Langston pay for what he did to those men when they were little boys.”

Drexel’s nostrils flare and he says, “That motherfucker.” He’s silent for a period and I can hear him breathing. Then he says, “I understand how important this is to you and that you want revenge. And I’ll make sure he pays for his crimes. It may not be the way in which you want, but he’ll get the message loud and clear.”

“Okay.” I’m not sure what all he means, but I’m not going to argue.

“Gabby, this is going to take the better part of the day. We need you to tell us every tiny detail you possibly can on what you know about Langston Hart. You may think it’s nothing, but we’ll be the judge of that.”

So I do. They record everything I said. They ask me questions to trigger memories of things Kolson has said. I recount what happened at the house party where we spent the night. The visit Langston paid to me at the office, my first visit to his home. Every encounter I’ve had with him, Kestrel, and Sylvia and in the most specific detail I can manage. I wrack my brain for anything I can remember, from the storm where Kolson freaked out to little things he’s said to me that I’ve filed away from early in our relationship.

It’s a tedious process, but necessary if they’re going to do their job successfully.

By the time we’re done, I’m mentally and emotionally drained. Gemini walks me over to a door and enters a code. We walk into a studio apartment.

“This is where you’ll be staying tonight.”

“Oh.” I look around in surprise. “I thought I’d be in a hotel.”

“We put our high-level clients in here. It’s safer that way. Then you don’t leave a credit card trail.”

“I see. Is that why you handled the cost of my plane ticket?”

“Exactly. I’ll leave you now so you can relax for a bit. I’ll come get you around seven for dinner. Make yourself at home and feel free to call anyone, but keep in mind that though our lines are secure, whoever you call, theirs may not be.”

Relaxing is the last thing on my mind. I find myself thinking about what Drexel Wolfe told me about himself. He’s an interesting man. Scary. Tough. Someone I wouldn’t want to cross. And I’m glad I came here. I don’t see him backing down to anyone. And the way he interacts with Gemini. Their relationship has me curious. She’s strong and dynamic. I can see how they would butt heads, but it would take a strong woman to stand up to him. He doesn’t appear to be someone who would do relationships well. He would railroad most women. Hell, he’d railroad most men with one look. But not her. His entire demeanor changes when he approaches her. Dinner should prove interesting.

A couple of hours later, Gemini collects me and I follow her to yet another part of the floor. She leads me through a set of double doors, but this time we go into an office where two matching desks await at the end of the room. There is a cream-colored couch dotted with colorful pillows, two matching chairs, and a coffee table plus a small dining table with four chairs. A small bar with four stools sits along another wall and what looks like possibly a bathroom behind it. Lovely artwork adorns the walls and beautiful Persian rugs in blues and grays are scattered across the floor. It’s all very posh with an entire wall of glass that looks out over the city. It’s dark now, but the lights are twinkling, the view spectacular.

Drexel is seated at one of the desks. He stands as I walk in. “We hope you don’t mind delivery tonight. We’ve been doing some work on your case so we thought we would just eat here.”

“No, that’s fine with me.”

They offer me a drink, but I opt for water instead.

Gemini passes out menus for us to pick from. “This is my favorite Italian restaurant, though you’ll probably disagree since you’re from New York,” she says.

“Honestly, I’m not picky. And Italian is my favorite.” I think of Kolson and the first time we went to Giuseppe’s.

Once dinner is ordered, Drexel reviews everything we discussed earlier. Then he informs me they’ve established a preliminary plan for me, but he won’t tell me anything about it.

“Why not?”

“Because that’s how I operate. The less you know, the better. The only thing I ask is that you keep Kolson and Case out of this. Clear?”

“Yes. That was my intention from the beginning.”

“Good. The fewer people involved, the better. One other thing. If we get enough to take him down, I would like to deliver this evidence to the FBI.”

“As long as it doesn’t incriminate Kolson or his brothers.”

“Fine. But Gabby, I should also tell you from what we’ve surmised, we think you’re in a very precarious situation,” Drexel says.

“What do you mean?”

“Langston Hart does not like to be played a fool. Right now, we think that’s what he believes you’re doing. You need to take great care. You have a bodyguard at all times. One may not be enough. A team is what we’d recommend.”

“Shit.” This is not what I expected.

Gemini looks at Drexel and he nods. “Gabby, I was wanted by terrorists not that long ago and an entire team of bodyguards was taken down, including big guy over here. It can happen. So what we’re saying is you need to take serious precautions here. Langston Hart has lots of connections and you don’t want to overlook anything. On your next communication with Kolson, you need to make him aware of this too.”

“Terrorists?” I ask.

“Long story. Drex and I met in unusual circumstances, you might say.” She chuckles.

“Jesus. And I thought my story was crazy.”

“We can outdo crazy any day of the week, can’t we, Drex?”

He half grins and agrees. Gemini’s phone rings and she happily informs us, “Food’s here. I’ll go get it.”

“You stay. I’ll get it,” Drex says.

She snorts a little when he leaves. “He’s not very talkative around strangers. But you get used to him after a while. One thing, though, he takes this business very seriously and going after bad guys is something he loves to do. So if he says he’ll get Langston Hart, he’ll get Langston Hart. He still has the military thing going where failure is not an option.”

The food is very good and when we’re through, Drexel says, “Gabby, you’ll hear from me hours before this thing goes off. Just be ready to move when you do. You’re positive you want to do this? Once the wheels are in motion, there’s no stopping it. Understand?”

“I’m sure. I will derive great pleasure in taking this man down.”

“Someone will knock on your door in the morning at six to take you to the airport. And remember what we recommend as far as bodyguards are concerned. Please consider that.”

“I will, and thanks.”

Gemini walks me back to my suite and tells me before she leaves that the security on this level is activated and I shouldn’t leave this unit unless there is an emergency. If I do, alarms will go off and wake the dead from here to LA.

“I’m glad you told me, not that I was planning on wandering around. Thanks for everything. Will I see you again?” I ask.

“That’s not yet been decided.”

“Well, then, if not, it was great meeting you.”

“Same here. I hope things turn out the way you want.”

So do I, Gemini, so do I.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Gabriella

Huff knocks on my door at the arranged time and escorts me back to the underground garage. When we get to the car, I ask, “Do you mind if we make an unscheduled stop?”

His head slants, his brows quirked in suspicion. “Where do you need to go?”

“The Mountain Air Center. Do you know where it is?”

“I’ve heard of it. An exclusive rehab facility, right?”

“Yeah. Kolson’s brother Kade was flown there yesterday and admitted for three months. He’s undergoing an intense recovery and rehab program. I’d like to check on him. I can take a cab to the airport from there, if you can’t wait. It won’t be a problem.”

“No, it’s fine.”

He programs the GPS in the SUV and we head over to the rehab center. Even though it’s early, there is someone to meet me because I let them know I would be coming this morning. The doctor in charge of the program says Kade’s check-in was routine, but that he is still having withdrawal issues. He has a long way to go and will most likely be here for the six months instead of three.

“Do you mind if I see him?” I ask the doctor.

“Under the circumstances, I think it’s best if you don’t. He keeps going on about seeing his brother, Kolson. The one who’s missing. I’m sure it’s only due to the withdrawal. They tend to ramble a lot, as you know. Seeing you may cause even more separation anxiety.”

“I understand. If you need me for anything, you know how to get in touch. And thank you for accepting him here. Try not to discuss Kolson with him. They were especially close—Kolson was his protector.”

“Thanks for letting me know that, Dr. Martinelli.”

I feel better knowing that Kade is in good hands, but also that they think his ramblings about Kolson are just that … ramblings.

Huff drives me to the airport and so many things crowd my mind as the plane carries me back to Philly. I pray that everything goes as planned.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Kolson

Where is Gabriella? I stop by the studio and she isn’t here. She isn’t at the penthouse, either. I wait up for her all night and she never shows. This morning I go to Case’s and he says he hasn’t spoken to her, but I can tell he isn’t telling the truth. He knows something and isn’t being honest with me. His eyes tell it all.

Sam acts like he knows nothing. He, at least, is telling the truth.

What is going on? She’d better be all right or I’m going after Langston. I’ll give it one more day and if she doesn’t show by tonight, that’s it. I go to Langston.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Gabriella

My arms are loaded down as I carry my messenger bag and a valise, plus my handbag. I fumble with my keys, stabbing one into the studio door lock. I don’t get the chance. The door swings open and a hand reaches out, jerks me inside, and I’m backed against the door and brutally kissed. A hungry mouth devours me, taking, possessing, until there is nothing untouched.

When Kolson releases me, we’re both lightheaded, air deprived, but wanting more. My hands pull him back to me and my mouth is the one that savages his this time. There is nothing like kissing Kolson Hart. He makes me forget there’s a world out there, a dangerous world, where both of us could get killed. He makes me forget my damn name. Mindless desire roars through me and all I want is more. But I’m not going to get it. At least not at this moment.

He breaks us apart and says, “Where the fuck were you? I stayed up all last night waiting. I went to the penthouse. This morning Case said he didn’t know where you were. What the fuck, Gabby?”

He’s angry, worried. How do I know? He
never
calls me Gabby.

“I went to Denver. Kade has checked into a rehab facility and I wanted to make sure it all went okay. He went on a private charter but I went on a commercial flight.”

“What? Why the fuck did you do that?”

“Calm down. Right now, Kolson. I’m not a moron. It was a well-thought-out plan.”