“Do I look like I fuck around?”
* * * *
Brandon was going out of his mind. Kurt had been the one to spot Juan Jahno and his men at the house. They’d had no other choice but to call in the Feds and since some of Kane Cartwell’s agent pals had already been in the area at the Baldini home, officers and agents had arrived on the scene in time to make some noise.
To Brandon’s great disappointment, that’s about all they’d accomplished thus far. They hadn’t done anything at all to help his brothers and the woman he loved. So far, their biggest concern apparently had more to do with how Juan Jahno, a man on America’s Most Wanted List had somehow made it across the border more than six weeks ago.
“Is there any chance your woman has a hundred million dollars in a bank vault in the middle of town?” Two agents stood at the back passenger door.
Brandon and Liam studied one another briefly before they said, “No.”
The doors slammed in the back and opened in the front. Zak and Kurt were then questioned. “Are you sure?”
“Positive,” Kurt said.
“I have to go along with what they say here, but I have no idea what she’s worth,” Zak said.
The doors slammed again. Kurt and Zak immediately turned around.
“Are you sure she wouldn’t have that kind of money somewhere?” Kurt asked, keeping his voice low. “Her father ripped off the mob, remember.”
“She doesn’t have that much money,” Brandon said, filled with uncertainty. Why would the Feds ask such a question?
“You’re not so sure,” Kurt said. “I’ve been reading your blank expressions all my life. Damn it, Brandon, if you know something—tell them. Information could save her life.”
Brandon pecked on the window and one of the agents opened the door. “Yes?”
“Why do you ask?”
He smirked. “Your woman just gave us the break we needed. She’s taking Mr. Jahno to a bank in downtown Erwin, a bank where she claims there is one hundred million dollars in several safety deposit boxes.” He rubbed his hands together. “Our guys are on their way now.”
The resonating sound of the slamming door apparently set off alarms and reminded Brandon of what Coco and her sisters had recently started chanting like a prayer.
He could still picture Coco at the bank, putting some jewelry in one of the safety deposit boxes. She grinned that sexy little knowing grin and dug in her purse. Retrieving a handgun, she set it on top of the jewelry boxes and said, “In case someone is ever stupid enough to ask me to come here to retrieve cash and jewelry. I’ll be prepared.”
He could almost hear her laughter and see her precious smile, that innocent smile, that careful loving smile, a smile that would soon fade forever if she had to wash blood off her hands. “I am my father’s daughter, Brandon,” she’d said. “Just as you are your mother’s son.”
Brandon tried, and failed, to leave the vehicle. “Damn it! Why do you have safety locks on this thing!”
Kurt and Zak swapped a glance.
“I’ve gotta get out of here,” he said, knocking on the window.
The agents standing guard at their vehicle glanced over their shoulder before motioning for the senior agent in charge, a man who had failed to rush forward at any given time when Brandon had needed to speak with him.
“What the hell are you doing?” Kurt asked, turning around.
“Hang on,” Brandon said, pushing the agent aside when the back door opened. “Hurry up! We have to get to the Erwin Savings and Loan!”
“Mr. Blazier, we already have agents placed at the downtown branch. Ms. Baldini is already in route.”
“With Juan Jahno?”
“And his men. She somehow negotiated the release of your brothers in exchange for the hundred million. Our agents are talking to your brothers now.”
Brandon grabbed hold of the agent and guns were drawn around him. “What don’t you understand?” His voice ricocheted off the hills. “She doesn’t have a hundred million dollars!” He shouldn’t have to tell federal agents that the bank in downtown Erwin probably wouldn’t hold that much in its safety deposit boxes. “What she has is a loaded gun and I am one hundred percent certain she knows how to use it!”
Chapter Seventeen