Page 49 of The Wolves Come at Night

“Get on a plane and get the hell out of there, right now.”

“Is this a warning or an order?”

“She’ll shoot you where you stand, and no one will blame her for it. Get out of the country, now.”

“I can’t. Game is here. He’s taken Richard’s daughter.”

It wasn’t often Thierry Florian was shocked into silence. Finally, he said, “Go on.”

“Santi didn’t tell you? Pity. The girl’s gone missing. I thought I’d help retrieve her.”

“You thought you’d help how, exactly? By going to Nashville and murdering the captain of their police force?”

“You are no better than Game, thinking me so rash. I’m not here for that. I’m here to avenge Richard’s death. I thought perhaps to touch base with the woman, assess the situation, but I can see you do not feel this is a good idea.”

“No, I do not. You’ve had your acts of revenge, Angelie. On me. On your uncle. On all who wronged your family. You’ve agreed to abide by the rules set forth in our agreement. I must insist you do not make Captain Jackson one of your…diversions.”

“You really are serious, aren’t you?”

“I am serious. You can’t hurt her, Angelie. She is one of us now.”

A small fire lit in her belly. “Excusez-moi?” she snarled, not bothering to hide herself. A tourist stumbling up the street gave her a curious but drunken look. Angelie ducked her head and marched farther into the dark of the alley, fury boiling in her veins.

“Jackson is going to join Macallan. Which means she is now your ally.”

How dare he. How dare he? Bringing Jackson into their organization? Actually making them compatriots? It was preposterous. It was unfair and ridiculously stupid. Of course he would not do such a thing. Not to Angelie.

“You’re lying so I won’t kill her right now.”

“Why would I lie to you? You’ve known I wanted her. She’s agreed. Now, tell me what’s happening? Why was I not informed about Richard’s daughter?”

“That is not my problem,” she said, trying to regain control. “I am retired.”

“You’ll be retired when you’re in the ground, and not a moment before. As is evidenced by your current location and the outreach you’ve been doing. Everyone is buzzing. Now tell me what’s happened.”

Damn him. She laid it out, simple and straightforward, leaving out nothing, finishing with “Game wants our attention. I intend to give it to him. If only for Richard’s sake.”

Thierry was muttering expletives in French in his elegant way. “Santi is with you?”

“No. I have him guarding the widow.”

“You need backup.”

“I am aware of how to do my job, Thierry. Besides, if what you say is true, I’ll have it.”

A pause. “Jackson.”

“Oui. If you are serious, and she’s actually going to join our ranks, then she’ll have no choice. Once she knows why, and who, she’ll work with me.”

“Is that why you’ve gone to the US, Angelie? To recruit her yourself?”

“No. I came to get the child, and to vanquish an enemy.” She didn’t bother to elaborate which one.

“I am in the country as well. We should meet.”

“No,” she said simply, and hung up.

She could not play this game with Thierry looking over her shoulder. She had to locate Game, and she had to retrieve Richard’s daughter. Nothing else mattered now.