Page 112 of The Brigadier

I wasn’t certain how long that would be and with every passing second, the raw fear was increasing.

When we both heard footsteps, I pulled his little head closer, praying he would remain quiet.

It took a few minutes until Maxim walked into the room. I sensed he was looking around, scoping it out. We were quiet as church mice and I was certain the person I assumed was Maxim was going to walk out.

But the footsteps headed toward the closet and it was all I could do to keep from screaming.

Which was exactly what Damien did as soon as the door was flung open.

CHAPTER 30

One hour earlier

Nikolay

“You’re doing great, Tanner,” I said, even if I was losing patience. I shifted my head from one side to the other, the strain in my neck severe. Fortunately, we hadn’t been at this long and it was obvious to me he’d been thinking about whatever details might help.

“Like hell I am. The soldiers were even masked when they pulled me from the trunk, tying me to a chair so things could be explained to me.” Tanner was finally holding a whiskey in his hand. The intent was for him to relax.

“Okay. Who talked to you? One of them?”

“The first time, yeah.”

“And the second?”

Tanner’s hand was shaking as he took a gulp. “The one where I was promised the world?”

“Yeah, that one.”

Time was running out. I felt it. It had only been an hour or so, the trucks arriving to take the various cargo boxes away. Vadim and I had been astounded by the number of boxes and the quality of merchandise inside. What we’d also gleaned was that a good portion had been stolen and if my instinct was right, from various syndicates.

Whoever was doing this was trying to be king of the hill.

But there was no way in the world it was a single syndicate. None. It would take coordination of at least two. We were running out of candidates there too.

“From a distance. A spotlight was placed on me and I could swear the voice was disguised,” Tanner said.

“What was said?”

He recited the offer made, which included a top position within the organization that had been left unnamed. I believed he was telling me everything he knew, which sadly might not be enough to help. I would have recommended we simply wait at the warehouse and they’d come running but I knew better.

They would either try to hijack the trucks or follow them to where they were being taken,

“While the voice might have been disguised, are you certain you didn’t hear anything that might have seemed… out of the ordinary?” Vadim asked.

“I don’t think so, sir. The two guys were very cautious in how they spoke.”

“Two guys,” I repeated. “You’re sure about that? Sometimes those voice boxes can really make you think you’re hearing double.”

“No offense, sir but we were trained in the military not to let a voice box like that fool us. I used to be the best at finding odd inflections even when the assholes spoke through them.” Tanner looked from me to Vadim.

I tried a different tactic to refresh his mind. He knew more. I could feel it.

“The doctor came?”

He brightened up immediately. “Yes, sir. They’re fine. Just dehydrated and exhausted. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate what you did and I’m sorry. I know that will never be enough and you will never trust me. I understand, but to go this far to save my family is unheard of. You are someone I will admire and respect no matter what happens.”

A retort was on the tip of my tongue, but he was doing his best and Chantel had been right. “You can thank the woman I hope to have in my life forever. She has an entirely different way of thinking and doing business. She allowed me to believe that yes, everyone deserves a second chance, especially given what the bastards did to you and your family. Just don’t fuck it up. There won’t be a third.”