Page 55 of Tangled

“While I sympathize with your inclination to make this right by eliminating those who did wrong, again, we are heavily outmanned and outgunned.”

“This isPhoenix.There has to be a gun show going on somewhere in the Valley today where I can buy a high-power sniper rifle over the counterright now.”

“Again, I understand the attraction of hunting varmints. I also used to put down coyotes who were going after the calves and chickens. However, I don’t think there’s any way to do that and keep Jian and Anjali safe.”

Tears drew hot stripes down Colleen’s face. “If I plan violence, I won’t be so terrified for her. I don’t want to think about what they might be doing to her right now. Sergey bought himself a trafficked teenager to rape, and I helped her escape. If he hurts Anjali in revenge for that, I will hunt him downforever.I don’t care if I die. I don’t care if I go to jail. I will hunt him downforever.”

Tristan wrapped his arms around her, pressing the side of her face against his chest where she could hear his heart beating. “If he hurts Anjali or Jian, I’ll hunt him and all of his bratva down with you. But for right now, if we can get them out safely, that has to be our first priority.”

An iron fist crushed her heart. “When he kidnapped us, I could figure out how to plan and get away. Ihatethat he has Anjali. Ihatethat I’m not there to smash him in the face or jump in front of her. She picked me up when my parents tried to sabotage my college and helped me put a plan together. She helped me study and pass differential equations. She just happened to have leftovers and brought them over for me when I got sick and had to buy a prescription and didn’t have enough money for food. She’s been my sister when my family turned their backs on me. I can’t let anything happen to her.”

“Nothing will happen to Anjali,” Tristan said, rocking Colleen as they sat on the bed. “I won’t let anything happen to her, no matter what it takes.”

31

Mary Varvara Bell

Tristan

The small hotel room was just a king-size bed and a bathroom, so Tristan had to wait until Colleen went to take her morning shower to make the phone call.

In any other circumstance, he would have stared at his phone for a good minute before he made the call, preparing, but Colleen could bequickin the shower.

He flicked back through his contacts.

Mary Varvara Bell.

When she’d called him a few days earlier, he’d saved the contact out of habit.

Tristan tapped the screen and held it to his ear. He needed to phrase his request and information in general terms because anyone could be listening in on their phone call.

A man’s voice answered the phone. “Yes.”

“This is Tristan King. I’m in the middle of a project for Ms. Bell, and I would like to speak to her.” He considered, then added, “If you would be so kind.”

“Dr. Bell,” the man corrected.

“Right. I’m sorry. Dr. Bell.”

“You shouldn’t have called this number,” the man said, his voice dropping. His accent was newscaster American, from anywhere and nowhere.

Tristan dialed up his British accent, keeping his words crisp. “I understand, and I wouldn’t have unless the need were dire.”

“What is it concerning?”

“Two of my associates were kidnapped and are being held by the Butorin organization. I was wondering if you could help.”

“That is not the nature of our project with you.”

“If you can help recover them, I can produce the requested stock at the close of business on Wednesday, which is two days earlier than anticipated.”

Tristan had no idea how he was going to do that.

The other man paused.

The pause lingered.

He said, “I’m putting you on hold.”