Page 24 of Dreaming
“Were you alone?”
She nodded. “I don’t believe there are serious injuries inside but there’s a lot of panic. My people are on the way but you need to keep my name out of it.”
“Understood.”
More emergency personnel rocked to a stop at the curb in front of the bar.
Nia walked to her trunk, shrugged off the Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms jacket, removed her weapons, and locked everything back in the safe.
Getting in her car, she sent her boss a text.
My cover is blown. I’m not leaving Chicago so figure it out.
Then she started the engine and drove home.
Chapter Nine
Ignoring the two vehicles that flanked her Jag on the way home, Nia parked in the garage and walked quickly through the house to her office. She pulled up the secure conference line on her laptop and waited.
A woman’s face appeared. “Nia, girl…”
“How did they track me? Every protocol was followed. Every motherfucking protocol!” She pressed her fingers to her temples. “I’m not leaving Chicago.”
The woman sighed. “Nia. The syndicate sent five men for you. They were prepared to take you in a public place. The lives of several dozen people were nothing to them. They wanted to send a message.” She leaned forward in her chair. “Next time, they’ll send a dozen. I have to get you off the grid until the smoke clears.”
“I’m a fucking accountant…!”
“No, Nia. No. Don’t lie to yourself now because of a man. You shake down the biggest criminals in the world and take what belongs to them. The situation in Malaysia was deeper than anyone thought…”
“We followed the protocols,” Nia said again softly.
“I know. Every motherfucking one. That doesn’t change the fact that your cover in Chicago is blown. We have people on your mom and sister. We have to bring you in, Nia.”
Leaning on her desk, Nia gripped her hair. “Is he alright?”
“They roughed him up and beat the shit out of his bouncer. A couple of guys tried to be heroes…that didn’t end well for them but they’re all alive. We’re taking care of everyone. You arrived barely three minutes after they invaded the bar. There would have been a lot more deaths otherwise.” There was a long pause. “When you’re deep, see the shrink.”
“I’m fine.”
“Honey, you killed four men tonight. You’re not fine. As you said, you’re a fucking accountant who happens to be a rather excellent shot.” Her smile was gentle. “You’ve been hitting the range?”
“Every chance I get. After that shit in Johannesburg…I never wanted to see someone die protecting me again.” She shrugged. “The mathematics of it…” Her voice trailed away.
“You’re a natural.”
Nia stared at nothing. “I guess.”
“There are two teams on your house. Lock it up and prep to go under while we smoke out the rest of these assholes. I’m bringing in some extra people for assistance on site.”
“Who?” Nia asked with a frown.
“You know them. They’ll be careful with your man, Nia. They won’t jeopardize anyone important to you.” Her boss winked. “I heard you showed the ATF creds at a bar.”
Sighing heavily, Nia replied, “I was going to use DEA but figured it was too B movie.” She met the other woman’s eyes through the screen. “Any cell phone recordings?”
“None. Like I said, you got there shortly after the perps. There were security cameras at the bar that back up to a closed server. We’ll have to gain access to wipe them. Your image can’t circulate.” Nodding, Nia tried to wrap her head around the night. “I’m sorry, girl. Give me six months and I’ll drop you back in your life.”
“My life won’t exist in six months.”