Page 25 of Her Mercenary
“There, in my car, wherever. I can’t be inside all the time—the fucking noise, man. The drugs ... it’s constant.”
I nodded, understanding the wear of being undercover twenty-four hours a day. The vital need for a few moments of solace, a respite from the ungodly world we chose to enter.
“When this is done, I’m gone,” Lucas said. “Back home for some time off. I leave in two days, which means that’s how long you have my help here. You’re on your own after that.”
I sat up, pinning him in the rearview mirror. “The transport isn’t supposed to happen for six more days, Lucas.”
“Conor will be here by then, which means I will no longer exist to you, anyway.”
“Not unless I need you.”
This time, he pinned me. “My daughter is due to have a baby within the week. I’m leaving, Roman.”
I inhaled. After a moment, I nodded. “Understood.”
“Is your company on the ready if you need them?”
“No.”
His brows raised. “Do they know you’re here now?”
“No.”
Truth was, not a single person at Astor Stone, Inc. knew where I was or what I was doing. Neither my boss, nor my teammates.
After Samantha had been declared dead, I was expected back at the office. My decision to go rogue on the case was an act of rebellion that would not only get me fired, but probably killed, by the hands of Astor himself.
No one disobeyed Astor Stone. Only me, when my entire life had built to this moment.
Lucas shook his head but bit his tongue.
“How are the operations at the lodge?” I asked.
“The lodge is a shitshow. The men are nervous; everything has to be perfect. For most of them, it’s their first time to meet Conor. Very big deal for them. And you, for that matter. They are always nervous around you.”
“How many guards total?”
“Four as of last night. They take shifts guarding the house. Two on at a time, while the others go into town for food or whatever. Then they switch.”
“Did you see her?”
“Your American? Samantha?”
“Yes,” I hissed between clenched teeth. Something about hearing her name on his lips ...
“Yes, I’ve seen her.”
“What condition is she in now?”
“Since you saw her yesterday?”
“Yes.”
“Well, she’s alive.”
“Define alive, Lucas.”
“She’s in decent shape.”