Page 117 of Scarred Redemption

“Yes. Let me see if I can find a statement in the things you brought from the office.” I started going through everything while she continued walking the room.

“I love that picture.”

I barely glanced at what she was looking at. “That was taken at Christmas.”

She pulled the photograph into her hand. “Very sweet.”

From where I was standing, I could see enough of the photograph to be reminded of a wonderful time. “I hope we have more.”

Hope’s eyes were directed elsewhere. “What is this?”

She held out something for me to see. I left the phone on the desk, moving toward her. As soon as I took it into my hand, I had a feeling I knew and it scared the hell out of me. Maybe I was crazy, but right now, I would take Maxsim’s advice and be extra cautious. “I don’t know. Why don’t we go grab something from the kitchen.”

Hope knew me well enough to realize when something was wrong. “I could use more wine. Not for you.”

“No,” I said, placing the object on the bookshelf. “Not for me.” Before we left, I snatched my phone, my heart racing.

I made it to the kitchen without hyperventilating. Keeping my voice down, I moved closer. “I think that was a listening device.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“No, I’m not. I’m going to step outside and call Maxsim. Then we just act normal. Okay?”

“What about the men outside?”

I thought about what he’d said to me about instinct. “No matter what happens, don’t answer the door.”

“Got it. But you’re scaring me.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m terrifying myself.”

CHAPTER 24

Maxsim

Thirty minutes earlier…

By the time twilight had fallen, thick clouds had rolled in, the humidity surprisingly high given the temperamental storm.

A brief rain shower had blanketed the area, leaving behind mist and a light fog. The air was as unsettled as I felt, the phone call from the vice president of the Dixie mafia, while anticipated, had put me further on edge.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Sergei asked the question from beside me where he was riding in the passenger seat. I’d insisted on driving, which was a clear indication of how on edge I’d become.

“Meeting with him or protecting him?”

“Both. I don’t like this. I don’t care that a couple men have swept the area to ensure we’re alone, I have a bad feeling about this.”

“You double checked the information.”

“You bet I did.”

I had no intention of telling him I had a bad feeling as well. There was always a chance of being backed into a corner, but the risk was necessary given the number of players involved. “I don’t care that the Butcher my father considered a friend is buried six feet under and nothing but bones at this point, Sergei. What I do care about is the fact some asshole has decided to make me and my family a target. That’s unacceptable.”

The location where Zane Moore had been holed up was rural, the house located between Charleston and Beauford with only a few structures dotting the area for over twenty miles. Given its access to the ocean, many of the homes were used as vacation villas.

“We have about a dozen men on the outskirts and they’ll keep their distance as you requested. I wish you’d let me pull a few more in.”

I checked the rearview mirror. Calen and Damen were in the vehicle behind us, both with enough firepower to eradicate a small army.