Seize (St. Martin Family Saga: Emergency Responders) Book 2: Erotic Romance (12 page)

“I’ll present him with the papers and suggest he sign.”

“That’s a death mission.” Gloria’s eyes were intense and unwavering.

“I think we should ambush him at work.”

Mia’s suggestion, her
we
, was never gonna happen.

He cupped her shoulder and pulled her toward him. “I want to get something clear right now. There is no
we.
It’s still just me, alone.” He rubbed his upper lip with a finger. “And right now I’m gonna go take a walk so I can clear my head.”

Outside, he inhaled deeply, cherishing the sense of relief he hadn’t known he wanted and needed. The thought of confronting Nicolas Renaud at work wasn’t a bad one. He’d read enough about the guy to know that he had a commercial real estate business that served as a respectable cover for his covert illegal activities. For the most part the business was legit. It had even been investigated, and every little thing had been on the level. That was key because it meant he operated legally during working hours. If Augie did in fact confront him at work, Nicolas wouldn’t be able to fight or kill. Further, enough had been compiled on the guy—enough of his suspected crimes south of the border—that were he to step foot on American soil, he’d be arrested and consequently jailed for a long time. Augie could use that information to threaten Renaud from ever coming to the States after the Brown sisters. Hell, the whole crazy thing just might work.

His mind filled with images of Mia’s slim curves, wavy long hair, sincere lavender-gray eyes, and those hard, pointed nipples that made his mouth water. She even had a couple of crooked bottom teeth that he loved. He’d watch her lips when she spoke just hoping for a peek at those teeth. She had him hot and bothered by just standing in a room.

Shit, he had it bad.

He laughed at himself. And then he laughed at the memory of her carrying a fish and a rod. The way she captured and gutted that fish amazed him more than anything he’d ever seen a woman do.

He lit a cigarette and took a few drags to get the tobacco pumping through his system. His part of the plan was new, but the original rules would apply for the girls. If he wasn’t back within the hour, they’d take off in the car. The more he considered the plan, the more he thought it was foolproof. The guy would sign or he wouldn’t. Either way, Mia would make it safely to Louisiana and to her sister and Clay.

He stomped the cigarette out at the door. Tomorrow he’d be ready to confront Nicolas Renaud. Tonight he’d sleep—without the nightmares.

Chapter 11

“No way!”

“It’s not open for discussion, Mia. You will let Gloria drive you to the States if I’m not back within the hour. Promise me.”

“I will promise no such thing.”

“Will you have my concentration divided then? I’ll be so worried about you I might get hurt or worse. However, if I had your word, I’d be able to focus on the mission.”

Gloria smirked, aware of his intention.

Mia frowned. “I hadn’t thought of that.”

“Promise me.”

“I promise to go to the States with Gloria.”

“And you’re sure you don’t want the nine?” Gloria held up a holster.

He shook his head. “Won’t need it.” He grabbed the folder that held the divorce documents and exited the car.

The glass building was shaped like an egg. From across the street, the designer mullioned windows shone metallic and black in the sun. It was quite the impressive and imposing structure, and Augie wondered if Renaud chose to rent office space in the building based on that fact alone. Inside he consulted the directory. Renaud Property Management was on the thirty-fourth through forty-second floors. The CEO occupied room 42 A-B.

Cameras were everywhere. One of two things was going to happen: Thug One and Thug Two would identify him in a matter of moments and chaos would ensue, or they wouldn’t make an appearance and he’d be able to ease into a conversation with Nicolas.

The elevator whisked him with remarkable speed straight to the penthouse offices. A nicely subdued ping alerted him that the door would be opening. The elevator exited into a lobby, the soothing background music in stark contrast with his mood and the blood rushing through his veins.

A woman behind the counter stood at a computer.

“Good morning. May I have your name please?”

“Fletcher Smith.”

“I don’t have you on the schedule, Mr. Smith. Did you have a meeting with Mr. Renaud?”

“Er, no, I don’t have a meeting.”

“Is there something I can do for you?”

“Tell Nicolas I have information regarding Everleigh.”

Her brow hitched. “Please have a seat.” She gestured toward a set of black couches. “Mr. Renaud will be right with you.”

She bounded across the marble floor in her well-fitted suit, heels snapping all the way to another office. The sound of shoes silenced immediately behind the frosted glass.

A moment later the efficient snapping advanced toward him.

“Mr. Reynaud will see you now.”

He stood and offered his sexiest smirk to the overly blond woman. She held her eyes down, her hands clasped in front of her. How sweetly reserved.

Augie wondered what she knew of her boss’s other businesses.

He entered an office with thick, plush, and expensive beige carpet, more black couches, a coffee table, and large windows overlooking the city. In the center of it all, at a mammoth desk crowded with files and papers and other office shit, sat Nicolas Claude Renaud. Expensive dark blue suit and tie. Dark hair, dark eyes, trendy facial stubble. Handsome, but a total dick. His fingers rummaged through papers and he seemed somewhat frantic and disorganized. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his jaw ticked. He scrubbed his face and started digging through a different stack of papers.

“Goddammit Francis I asked you for my fucking passport.” He yelled without looking up from his papers.

Papers fell from the desk as he clumsily searched for something he could not find.

Augie started speaking. “The Brown sisters have been safely freed from your grasp, ensconced in a place of their choosing. Though
ensconced
may be the wrong word as they are not in hiding. That is, they are not hiding from you.”

“Who the fuck are you?”

“I’ve been hired to serve you with divorce papers.”

That did the trick. Renaud stopped searching, and his black eyes squinted at Augie, a stare so intense, blinking was out of the question. Augie gave back as good as he got. He held the folder on top of his hand, steady as a rock.

“I have the papers here for you to sign. Uncontested, of course. Your connection to the Browns ends now.”

Renaud’s neck went tight, and a thick vein funneled down the side and pulsed to life. He pushed his chair from his desk. “If we’re not together it means one of two things: we’re both dead or I alone am dead. Either way, somebody dies.”

“That can be arranged.”

Renaud wiped his face with his hand and stood. Tall and fit, he was a good match for Augie.

“The thing is”—Augie scratched his brow with his thumb—“they are in the States. Where there’s a file an inch thick on you. You cross the border, you’re going away for a long time. Your hands are tied, so sign for the divorce. It’s time to move on.”

“If I can’t have her, I don’t want anyone else to.”

“Marriage to you hasn’t stopped her from moving on. Clearly it’s stopping
you
in your tracks, but she’s moved on. Completely.”

His intense dark pupils were unnerving. Augie’s breath caught and even though he’d trained long and hard to remain cool, he felt a bead of sweat drip down the back of his neck. Would he survive this? It could go either way. Would Renaud blow? Would he concede? Augie stood steady, giving nothing away.

Please, God, if you’re listening, I’d like to do this for the Browns and for Clay.

Nicolas exhaled through clenched teeth. “Damn bitch isn’t worth it. She’s always been a lousy fuck.” He stretched his neck from side to side, popping the tendons. “You do understand, she’ll get nothing.”

“I understand.”

“What claims has she made?”

“Claims?”

“A clean break for uncontested divorce is granted when one party admits to receiving mental or physical abuse. What has she accused me of?”

“Both mental and physical abuse.”

Renaud leaned over the desk and scanned the document.

His sneer gave Augie chills.

“You seem quite nonthreatening. What’s your role in all of this?” He stood to his full height and squared his shoulders.

“Obtain and file the documents and ensure the Brown family’s protection. And it’s more a partnership than a role. I’ll protect them until I die.”

Renaud’s brow cocked. “You’re the muscle? Do you really think I’m going to let you calmly remove her from my life?”

“She’s already removed from your life. At this point it’s all formality.” Augie remained calm. When he was calm he was clear. He’d been told before that he appeared nonthreatening, but he’d always accomplished what he intended, so it worked for him. “The men you hired to go after her sister probably don’t see me as a non-threat.”

He smirked. “That was your work? You seem connected. Are you just resourceful or do you have actual power?”

Augie’s eyes narrowed. Something was amiss. “Connected?”

“Connected, you know, as in making records appear or disappear in the legal system.”

“I’m connected.”

“You know I’m not going to fold without a fight.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets and sat on the edge of his desk, legs stretched in front of him, tapping nervously.

Had Augie thought he’d give up his search for Eve just like that? He’d hoped, but it didn’t look likely. Still, if Augie was reading the signs right, he seemed willing to bargain.

He had to have some ulterior motive for granting the divorce. And Augie intended to discover what it was.

“I work in law enforcement, and my father is a US senator. What do you want?”

“I want to disappear.”

“I don’t follow.”

“I want out. Can you make me disappear?” Renaud’s face contorted and his lip curled back as he inhaled shallowly. His composure waned and he seemed almost frantic.

Augie scrubbed his face and then crossed his arms over his chest. “The National Crime Syndicate runs deep and far. I could try, but I’ve heard it’s damn near impossible to go undetected.” Augie knew if anyone could make this guy disappear, it’d be his father. “I’ll see what can be done.”

Renaud signed the papers, placed them in the folder, and handed it to Augie. “If you don’t follow through, I’ll find one or both of those women and I will kill them.”

Augie believed him. The man looked frayed. He ran a hand through his hair and his lip twitched. He was obviously more afraid of the syndicate than he was of Augie.

Augie took the folder. “I’ll be in touch.”

He’d taken the same efficient elevator back down and almost exited when something didn’t feel quite right. He stood at the elevator threshold, peering into a dimly lit garage. Gloria and Mia waited across the street with the car, but he felt in his gut that something unwanted also waited for him.

He backed into the elevator and rode up. It stopped on the twelfth floor, but that floor was under construction. He depressed ten buttons rapidly.
Keep calm, Roy
. He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. Deep lavender-gray eyes filled his thoughts. Her fresh untouched face and smooth dewy skin calmed his mind. The image of her ripping the guts from a fifteen-pound walleye made a smile break across his face. She’d been there to bring him out of the nightmares before they crescendoed, as they always did, leaving him floundering in fear and a cold sweat.

The elevator door opened and closed at each stop. He pressed the door-close button, but received no reaction from his action. He continually pressed.
Come on, dammit.

He’d give his life in exchange for Mia’s. She was fresh, she was pure, she was life. He’d lived his and it wasn’t so pure or good. Mia’s pleas haunted him. She didn’t want him to kill the man even if it made her life better.

Renaud burst onto the elevator, sweaty and disheveled.

“What the fuck!” Augie fell into a defensive position.

“Close the goddamn door!”

They stood, one man on each side of the elevator, frantically tapping buttons.

“Fuck, they’re coming; somehow they got through border patrol and passed through my checkpoints.”

“Who got through your checkpoints?” The door finally closed.

“Lombardi’s foot soldiers are here. All of my security team was on alert and trained to identify these men. Since they’re in I can only assume my team is dead.”

“Lombardi? Antonio Lombardi?” Augie recalled his research on Nicolas. His father was a Lombardi and Antonio was Nicolas’s half brother. Sweat dripped down the sides of Nicolas’s face. “So do you want to explain why your brother sicced his dogs on you?”

“They’ve been sent here to kill me.”

The door opened and Renaud took off running while Augie watched his retreating back. Trying to regain his bearings, he shook his head. Using the elevator wouldn’t be smart given the circumstances. Unless Renaud was putting on a performance for his sake. Still, the man seemed genuinely terrified.

Stairs.

Augie ran down the hall, looking for the fire exit. He turned and skidded to a halt. Four men whaled on Nicolas. Augie swiftly made his way toward the mass of men, but stopped when a wicked-looking knife gleamed under the fluorescent lights as it was unsheathed. Nicolas was repeatedly stabbed. Nothing could help him now. Augie backed away slowly, undetected. He gripped the folder tight to his chest. As he backed up, he bumped a decorative console table and his presence went undetected no longer.

The sick sounds of Nicolas’s blood gurgled in his throat before he choked and was silent. Augie looked from man to man. He pivoted, knocked the console table into the space behind him, and took off in a sprint down the hall.
Fucking stairs! Where are the fucking stairs?
There! He saw the icon and halfway kicked and twisted the knob to open the door to the stairwell. He jogged and slid down fourteen flights of stairs, round and round like a rat in a maze.

Finally he pushed a door open and tumbled out into the grand marble entry, his lungs wheezing, but he didn’t stop. He ran across the lobby and out the front door into the sunlight. He could just make out the white car Gloria drove. His focus was so intent on the car, he didn’t notice the man barreling toward him.

Heavy footsteps thudded around him as more men scrambled, closing in around him. One, two, three … He counted four men as fists pelted his side and face. With no real chance to defend against them, he focused on accepting each blow. Repeated blows to his ribs made it more and more difficult to breathe. He could no longer see out of his left eye and felt as if his face had been lit on fire. He crouched to get his face out of the path of the destruction and spotted the folder. He snatched it up and held on as he curled into a ball and maneuvered out of their immediate circle using a combination roll and jump move he’d learned from some martial art.

Sirens wailed in the distance, and he ran on clumsy legs. A large man lunged toward Augie, arm extended.
Fuck
. Dizzy and faint, Augie felt the earth spin. Wetness ran down inside his shirt, and a burning seared him. He traced his hand over his stomach and side, stopping when he felt the coolness of steel.
Fuck
! He’d been stabbed in the gut.

He fell to his knees and then his world went dark.