Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
I decide then.
I can’t let Zeke bear the consequences of my actions. I need to get the drive to Girard and make a deal with him. I need him to vow to protect us all. It’s the only sane choice and if Zeke can’t see that, then I need to handle it even if it means betraying Zeke.
When he walks out of the study and down the hall, I wonder what he doesn’t want me to hear but rather than eavesdropping, I hurry to the fireplace and crouch down, reaching under that log and into the pile of ash. I grab the flash drive and Antoine’s card. I straighten, hearing Zeke return and shove both deep into my pocket. I wipe my hands on the backs of my jeans and clear my throat when Zeke enters.
“Go upstairs and pack, Blue. We leave within the hour.”
“Zeke, let me stay. Let me help you,” I try once more. I don’t want to lie to him. I promised I wouldn’t.
He shakes his head. “Go. I need to think.”
With a sigh, I walk out and go up to my room. I close my door. I sit on the edge of the bed, staring down at that card.
If I do this there’s no going back.
But there’s no coming back if I don’t do it either. So, I dial the number.
Antoine answers on the first ring. “Ezekiel. Good to hear from you. Guessing you’ve had a change of heart?”
I clear my throat. “It’s not Ezekiel.”
There’s a moment of silence on the other end. I hear Antoine Girard draw a breath. “Well, then, this is Blue, I believe. What can I do for you?”
My heart races. “I have what you want.”
“Oh, I know you do.”
“I’ll give it to you, but I need something in exchange. I need your help.”
“My help?”
“I need you to promise you won’t let anything happen to my sister or Zeke and Jericho or his family.”
“So, he doesn’t know you’re calling me.”
“No.”
“Naughty.”
“That’s the deal.”
“Well, sweetheart, I’ll look out for your sister, although your boyfriend has stationed guards already. As far as the St. James brothers, though, they’re more than capable of taking care of themselves.”
“No. Not after what he did. I need you to promise.”
“I’m intrigued. What did who do?”
I wipe a stray tear. “Zeke gave the Councilor the laptop but it’s empty.”
He whistles then laughs. “Well, that explains the excitement at the house.”
“I don’t have a lot of time. Will you do it? Will you promise?”
“I could come and take it from you. Then I won’t need to promise anything. I paid for it after all.”
“You won’t though,” I say, not really sure he wouldn’t. It’s not exactly a secret where I am.
“No?”
“He beat her.”
“Excuse me?”
“Ines. He beat her until he broke skin, and he made me watch.”
A loaded silence weighs the phone down. He cares about her.
“He calls it her Hour of Atonement,” I continue, not wanting to cause pain but needing to. “He lets those soldiers watch. It’s a whole sick ceremony,” I say, my voice breaking, my stomach turning. I push through though because I need Antoine Girard angry. I need him to act now because time is running out. “He has to be stopped.”
“And that’s why you’re coming to me.”
I nod even though I know he can’t see me. “Please. Don’t let him hurt them.”
“When I’m finished with the Councilor, he won’t be able to hurt anyone. Where and when am I picking you up?”
“He’s taking me to the airport. I don’t know which. Maybe private. I really don’t know. We’re leaving within the hour. We’re at the Bishop house,” I add, just in case he doesn’t know. “You need to get to me. I can’t get on a plane.”
“You want me to kidnap you?”
“I can’t get on a plane,” I repeat. “I won’t.”
“Blue?” Zeke calls out from down the hall.
“I need to go. You figure out the rest. I’ll bring the flash drive. If that plane takes off, it goes with me.” I disconnect the call and rush into the bathroom, closing the door just as Zeke enters the bedroom. I drop the card into the toilet and flush before splashing water on my face. I need a minute to calm my racing heart. To mask my betrayal.
“Everything okay?” he asks, studying me closely, when I walk back into the bedroom.
“I don’t want to go, Zeke.”
“I’m sorry, Blue. You have to trust me that this is best. You have what you need?” He gestures to the tote.
I nod although I’m not sure what’s in there. But it won’t matter anyway.
He picks it up. I follow him out the door.
“Where are you sending me?”
“Amsterdam, for now. Dex will travel with you. You’ll stay in my apartment, and I’ll come for you when this is all over.”
“If you survive, you mean,” I ask growing angry. “Why won’t you let me help you?”