Page 101 of Lawbreaker

“Why aren’t you in contact?” Tanner asked without thinking.

“I want her to get that career she’s spent her life working for,” he said tautly.

There was a pause. “So you made the choice for her,” he guessed.

“Look,” Tony said wearily, “I’m older than she is. I’ve got a background that no sensible woman would want to live with. Even without the career thing, she deserves better,” he added flatly.

“Shades of my parents,” Tanner said.

“What?”

“My mother was famous,” he replied. “She had to choose between my father and a career. Given the choice, she didn’t even hesitate.”

“The circumstances were different,” Tony said.

“Not that much,” Tanner replied. He laughed softly. “Why don’t you ask Odalie what she wants?”

“She’s spent her life working...”

“Just ask her, Tony.”

There was a smoldering pause.

“On that note, I’ll hang up,” Tanner said. “But please, double that scrutiny. James will be out for anybody’s blood he can get. Don’t let it be Odalie’s.”

“I’ll take care of her,” Tony promised.

At least, he thought when he hung up, she was somewhere that he could protect her. That was a blessing. Maybe he’d think about what Tanner said.

Phillip James was high on cocaine, but even higher when his top agent, Peters, gave him the news.

“I told you having a tail on her would pay off,” James exclaimed. “Where is she going?”

“Nassau,” Peters said. “If I leave now, I’ll get there before she does.”

“Get on the plane. Take her to some little motel, off the beaten track. Take two of the new agents with you,” he added. “Tell them she’s an industrial spy or something. Hold her there until I make arrangements,” he added, his face flushed with delight.

“Boss, her dad’s rich and he’s got political ties.”

“No threat at all,” he scoffed. His face hardened. “Now I’ll make Tanner Everett pay for what he’s trying to do to me. I’ll get his sister and then I’ll go after his wife. I’ll kill everyone I can get my hands on!”

Peters felt sick. The man was obviously out of his mind. Someone would pay for these bloody vendettas, and he was willing to bet it was himself James would throw under the bus for them. He was trapped. He’d have to do what he was told. But if he could find a way, he’d try to save Miss Everett. Pity to hurt such a pretty young woman.

“Get going!” James shot at him.

“Yes, sir. On my way.”

“And don’t you forget what I’ve got on you,” James added in a soft, cold tone. “I can put you away for twenty years.”

Peters took a long breath. “Yes. I know that.” He went out and closed the door behind him.

“What the hell do you mean, you can’t find her? You didn’t have somebody watching?!” Tony raged.

Ben held out both hands, backing up a little, just in case. It had been a long time since he’d seen the boss this mad. “I did have people watching. I always have people watching. The guy went to the bathroom, that’s all. She must have gone out while he was indisposed...”

“Indisposed.” Tony ran a hand through his thick black hair. “James is out there just salivating at the thought of getting any one of the Everett women in his hands for revenge, and we’ve got one missing, and we can’t find her!”

“I’m working on it,” Ben said. “I’ll have something any minute!”