Tristan looked worried, more concerned than normal, and lately Tristan had been uptight ninety percent of the time.
“Something happen?”
“Yeah. Alberto Baldini tried to make another trade for his daughter. We’re not sure what he offered but it pissed off the Sarsarone organization. Baron is on his way to New York now but Patience called her fathers and told them he wasn’t optimistic. McKays are meeting with the Cartwells now and trying to decide what to do.”
“We’re leaving with Nory,” Sterling said, putting that out there at the wrong damn time.
“You’re what?” Reason sat straight up, pulling a sheet over his lap.
“I came to tell you myself.” Sterling looked harder, colder. In that particular moment, he was an operative through and through.
Most of the men working with Madden Nichols didn’t know the man behind their checks but Kellan had always suspected what he now believed was indeed true. Tristan was the voice for Patrick McKay. Concerned for his only daughter’s safety, Patrick had hired a team of operatives to pose as bartenders in his daughter’s club. Now, Tristan was going against the man who’d hired him and Kellan realized that would come at a price.
Patrick McKay was the devil when things didn’t go his way.
“I can’t imagine Kane letting you leave with Nory,” Reason said.
“He doesn’t know.” Tristan frowned. “And that’s why you have to go now.”
Jade sat up, pulling the comforter with her. “Nory can’t go on the run.”
“She is going on the run,” Sterling said. “We’ll meet you at the rest stop at the top of the mountain, Tennessee-North Carolina line. The women can say their goodbyes there.”
“You can’t do this.” Jade shook her head. “Kane and Peyton are the only family she can trust.”
“She trusts me and she trusts my brother.”
“Why not wait and hear Kane out?” Reason suggested.
“Because if we wait, he may get her killed,” Tristan said. “Kane is smart, but he’s not thinking clearly. He’s older now and he cannot protect her.”
“Plus, Kane still wants to believe in Alberto,” Sterling pointed out.
Kellan took a deep breath. He knew Sterling was speaking the truth there. For some reason, Kane often bought whatever Alberto was selling. He often made subtle comments about Nory’s father and how he’d do anything for her.
“You aren’t telling us everything,” Kellan said.
“You’re right. I’m not.” Sterling turned to leave. “Meet us at the mountaintop rest area in two hours. If you’re not there by nine o’clock, we won’t wait.”
As soon as he left, Kellan turned on Tristan. “Do you realize what you’re doing?”
“Yeah,” Tristan replied. “And I’ve talked to Madden and Trixie’s husband Brock about this. They’ll back me up. This time, the young guys are in charge. Kane and Joshua will have to accept that.”
“Then you’d better pray you’re entrusting Nory’s life with the right guys, man.”
“I am,” Tristan said. “Madden is going with the Taylors. Nory has one chance and this is it.”
Chapter Seventeen
“Nory!” Jade leapt from the front seat of the car and sprinted to her friend. Clinging to one another, Jade couldn’t help but say a quick prayer, hoping the guys at Nory’s side would watch over her and protect her.
“I’m sorry you got wrapped up in all this,” Nory said, taking her by the hand and leading her away from the fellows.
Behind them, Madden and the Taylor brothers met with Kellan and Reason, dividing up cash and talking over their plans. Jade tried not to think about the trouble they’d left behind them.
“Dad traded me.”
“What?” Jade stopped in her tracks. “No. He wouldn’t.”