Page 29 of Lethal Salvation

“No, it was a misunderstanding. I just want my life back, and Carter and this whole hideous nightmare to end.”

“Let’s formulate a plan to make that happen.”

“We need to get to Carter and Marsha, that’s the goal. We should plant some hardware of our own.”

“Carter is having a black-tie ball at his home a week on Friday. Damon and I always get an invite. We don’t go but we always get the invite to go.”

Hurricane nodded and Gideon found himself liking the man more and more.

“You should both go.”

“We can’t send them in alone and expect them to plant the bugs.” Lotus shrugged.

“Lotus and I should go as their dates. If we can distract him, it might give you guys time to get in and see if you can find anything useful. Carter already believes Gideon and I are dating so it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch for me to go with him, and Damon is known for his beautiful dates.”

He knew it was her job, but it didn’t stop the instinctive desire to want to keep Nadia as far away from Carter as he could. He rolled his lips between his teeth in an effort to keep the words from slipping out.

“That’s a great idea, and in the meantime, Watchdog can do a deep dive into Macey. There has to be a reason Carter wants this deal and we need to find out what it is.”

“I already found a link.” Watchdog remarked.

Everyone turned to the computer monitor and Gideon let out a breath now that the urge to flat-out refuse the plan to go to the damn stupid party passed somewhat.

“Well?” Bás asked throwing his hands up as Watchdog just looked at them.

“Oh, yeah, sorry. So, the owner of Macey’s is Tarquin Green. He’s old Texas money. His oldest son is set to take over Macey’s at the start of the next financial quarter. Turns out he ran in the same circles as Marsha when they were kids before she changed her name.”

“That makes sense, but we need more than that.”

“Let me finish. Tarquin has a daughter, Melissa, who’d fit the timeline for when Marsha went into the facility.”

Gideon leaned forward. “You think the daughter, Melissa, is the one Marsha gave birth to?”

Watchdog nodded and turned to Bein to continue. “Snow and I have been doing some digging and Melissa’s birth certificate says his first wife is the mother but that’s impossible. He didn’t meet her until Melissa was almost two months old. There is also a strong resemblance to Marsha.”

An image popped onto the screen and Gideon sucked in a breath at the sight of the woman who was the spitting image of the one who was ruining his life.

“Holy shit!” Reaper exclaimed.

“Yeah, that’s what we thought. I think it’s entirely plausible she’s Marsha and Tarquin’s daughter. We just have no clue how he ended up with her in his care and what his involvement is with Project Cradle now.”

“Bein, you and Val head to Texas and dig in. Find out whatever you can. Perhaps stage a meeting with Melissa and get us some DNA so we can confirm our theory.”

“Will do, boss.”

Bás turned to the rest of them. “We should leave you in place if your cover is still good, Duchess. But maybe play up the attraction between you and be seen out so Carter buys you as his date. That motherfucker is suspicious so, Lotus, you’ll need to do the same with Damon.”

He pinned Gideon with a gaze. “You think you can get Damon on board with this?”

He nodded. “Yes, he wants this over as much as I do.”

“Good.”

Bás shoved his hands into the pockets of his leather jacket. “Call your dad and tell him you’ll do as he asks, but that you want to meet with Carter at your office to discuss it first. When Carter arrives, tell him you want in on whatever deal he’s making.”

Gideon began to pace, shaking his head as his skin itched with the desire to deny Carter anything.

A hand landed on his forearm, and he stilled looking up to see Nadia watching him.