Rev (34 page)

“That’s very impressive Roman. I’ll drink to that.” I lifted my glass.

“So what’s the point here, Dean?”

I paused, finally making the smart decision to keep my mouth shut.

“Legacy, Dean, legacy.” Roman walked over to the huge, tall windows overlooking the crashing waves. “When you make a decision, when you take a course of action, just remember, it’s not just about you. There are greater forces at play, more important concerns than just yourself—things that you can only hope to be a part of.”

“Alright.” I took another sip of the Scotch and prayed that the next thing I’d hear wouldn’t be a gunshot.

“You messed up Dean. You caused a lot of grief because your self-control lapsed for just a moment.” Roman looked me over and then nodded thoughtfully. “But I get it. I understand matters of the heart as much as any other man.”

I took a deep breath of relief. There was a small chance I wouldn’t end up dead tonight. This was an incredible relief.

Roman continued, “But you really pissed off Ace. He wants you dead.”

“I’d imagine.”

“I can offer protection Dean.”

I chose my words carefully. “And what do you need from me, Roman?”

He smiled. “You’re going to spearhead a deal with the Russians. I’m doing business with a strange and dangerous man named Spider, and I need things to go smoothly. You do that, I let you go. You leave and you take Saylor.”

“Drugs now, Roman?” I shook my head. “That’s legacy?”

“We must all survive in this world. I’m sure you can understand that.”

“Right, but speaking of legacy, you don’t want her around? Saylor’s your daughter.”

Roman walked over to the decanter and poured himself another glass. “
STEP
-daughter, he emphasized. Astrid’s pregnant. I’m having a son.” He raised his glass.

I raised mine. “Congratulations Roman.”

“I don’t need Saylor here while I’m building on the Carmichael legacy. Astrid’s loyalties would be strained and compromised. So this is my solution. Do you accept?”

“I don’t think I have a choice.”

Roman grinned. “Now you understand legacy.”

Chapter 24

I pulled back from the door, scared for my life.

“Saylor, open up, I just want to talk.”

Ace bashed on the door. His voice grew louder. I rushed back to the bathroom to put on my clothes.

“If you don’t open the door, I’ll just break it down. Don’t be a pain Saylor.”

I pulled on my shoes and ran to the window. There was some huge guy standing right outside of Ace’s Audi in the driveway. I didn’t doubt that he’d knock the door down and force his way in. I thought about calling the police, but then I remembered Ace played golf with the local police chief every Saturday morning. It didn’t seem like I had a choice.

I opened the door. Surprisingly, Ace seemed calm and cheerful. He stepped inside and took a look around.

“It’s small. Quaint but charming.” He smirked. “So you’re into this sort of thing now.”

I looked down at my shoes, not risking eye contact. “How do you know what I was ever into Ace? When did you every ask?”

Ace put his hands up. “Whoa. Listen, we’re past that. Roman and Dean made a deal, so we’re all good. I just came by to give us a bit of closure—that’s all.”

“What do you mean, a deal?” I asked. I looked up at Ace, trying to extract more information from the situation. I hadn’t expected this.

“Dean’s taking care of something for Roman—security for a big deal. When he’s done, you guys are leaving the state and I’m officially Roman’s right hand man. I’m just here to say that’s all fine by me.”

“Wait, when is this happening, what’s going on?”

“Tonight.”

I walked into the kitchen and sat down. “So he’s out there now. I can’t even reach his cell…”

Ace plopped down on the couch, “Well, the whole team’s on blackout—zero outside communication. Just in case the Feds are listening or whatever. But hey”—he slapped his hands together—“you really have a thing for Dean, huh…”

I looked right at him. “Yeah, I do.”

For the first time ever, Ace looked, well, honest. “Yeah. I figured. Well, listen… I get that we never had that. I just... I’m wishing you the best.”

“I appreciate that, Ace.” I walked over to where he was sitting. “Listen, you want some tea or something.”

He smiled. “Yeah, you know, that’d be great.”

I walked out to the kitchen and heard him get up and walk out towards the dining room.

“Nice view,” he said loudly.

I finished heating the water and poured out two cups. “All we have here is some old tea that was probably here before Dean bought the house, so I hope you don’t mind that it’s stale.” I walked into the dining room and put the cup on the weathered, old table.

Ace turned around. He was standing over the heap of packed bags Dean kept by the door out to the porch. “Guy’s got his routine, huh? Have to say I never really understood Dean…maybe misjudged him.”

“That’s possible,” I noted, raising my own cup to my lips and taking a sip.

“Well, listen Saylor, I’m not here to take up your time. I just wanted to make my peace.” Ace walked out to the kitchen and I followed. “I’ll be on my way.”

“What about the tea?” I asked.

Ace looked back before he slipped out the door. “Nah. I’m all set here.”

He left and I thought the toughest part of my evening was over. But then I got a call from my mother. Her water broke and she was heading to the hospital with Roman. I could hear him over the line. I heard him say he didn’t want me there. I heard him freaking out, a mix of excitement and anxiety in his voice. But my mother wanted me there. It was my baby brother. I had to be there, even if they only let me see him for a brief second. So I asked my mother to send someone to give me a ride. And despite Roman’s reservations, she assured me they’d be there in fifteen minutes. I couldn’t believe the night I was having.

Chapter 25

Saylor wasn’t at Roman’s house. I’d gone home, and she wasn’t there. I wanted to call her, but I couldn’t. Too much was riding on this, so I couldn’t risk fucking it up.

I stopped by my house and grabbed my bags. I always kept some gear packed near the back exit in case some shit came up. I really fucking hoped I didn’t need it. I hoped things went smoothly with this Russian drug dealer. But I knew from experience that life was never that easy.

I unzipped the bag and checked to make sure the automatic weapons were ready to go in case of the worse.

Of course they are.

I checked them every week, disassembling, cleaning, and testing each and every piece. I hadn’t used them in the last two years. I hoped I never had a reason to.

He was by far the ugliest guy I’d ever seen. His wrinkled pug face was small and vicious. His bare lips crimped in the most horrible smile. His teeth were a pale blue under the light of the full moon.

I extended a hand. “Spider. Pleasure to meet you.”

He grinned, sharp teeth gleaming. “Ya, ya. You have money?”

I signaled the two guys behind me and they unloaded a series of duffle bags from the truck we’d driven. I looked around, keeping my eyes open. We were in the middle of the Green Swamp Preserve. Soft ground, not many points of entry for unexpected guests. I wasn’t particularly worried about local police or feds.

But I was sweating this guy Spider. He seemed way too at ease for the first transaction. So I couldn’t help but wonder when he put his hand up and shook his head.

Why’s he making trouble? Something’s up…

“I check all this,” he said. He called one of his guys over and pointed to the heap of black duffel bags near the truck.

I immediately knew things were about to go south, but I didn’t have the time to respond. Spider’s guy immediately went for my bag, running an electronic surveillance scanner over it.

It’s a set-up.

The scanner beeped and Spider smiled. His muscle-bound goon reached into my duffel bag and withdrew a small black plastic square. I stepped back and ducked behind the truck.

That’s when the gunfire started and the two men I’d brought with me were instantly shot down. Somehow, I was able to get the truck started and back out just in time. I drove home. I had to find a way to reach Saylor, and we both needed to leave immediately.

Someone planted a government issue GPS tracker in my bag. Which meant we were both in even more danger than I’d anticipated. Not to mention, I’d just lost $10 million of Roman’s money and failed to deliver my end of the bargain.

If there was ever a time to haul ass…

Chapter 26

I hardly saw my little baby brother. The moment I came into the hospital, Roman made it clear he didn’t want me there. My mother invited me in, just for a minute, to hold him in my arms. And when I felt his weight, his tiny breaths, all I felt was sadness. Because I knew he was more a captive than I was. There was nothing I could do. He’d grow up in a world he had no say in. He’d never have the choice to opt out. I guess that’s what Roman meant when he preached Legacy.