Armored Hearts (The Town of Pearl 7)

“She wasn’t the one they were after. They were sending a message to her friend, Storm and his team’s woman. She’s Porter Jones’s sister,” Ford explained.

“It’s a no-brainer. Let’s do it. She needs us and we’re capable of handling all aspects of this including her medical condition right now,” Grey said.

“So are we all in agreement?” Ford asked them and they all nodded their heads and said yes.

Fenton just stared at the picture of India and so did Flynn.

“What’s the plan? What do you need me to do?” Fenton asked and Ford nodded his head. Ford Acknowledged Fenton’s professionalism in conceding to do this last job because it was the right thing to do. Hopefully it didn’t become more complicated than it appeared to be.

* * * *

“Are you sure you can handle things, Dmitri? I’m scared. I caused her to get hurt,” Aspen confided in Dmitri over the phone.

“You didn’t cause this, Aspen. Iakov and Andrei are assholes with no respect for any one and especially not women. They did this because they knew it would get to you,” Dmitri replied, trying to console her.

“It did get to me,” she told him.

“You need to be strong and to listen to your men. They’ll protect you and keep you from harm’s way. Do what they say and I will take care of India. You know I would never let anything happen to her?”

“Of course, Dmitri. One day you’ll make some woman an amazing husband.”

“Not me, Aspen. There’s no woman out there for me. I’m not the commitment type of man, you know?” he asked and chuckled.

“You may just be surprised what kind of man you are, when that perfect woman comes along and brings it out in you. Thanks, Dmitri. I owe you big time.”

“And I will collect one day.”

Dmitri disconnected the call and then called Ford. Everything was set. They were minutes away from the airport and his men were securing the area, making sure that none of Andrei’s men were there.

He thought about what Aspen said. About him making a woman a great husband one day. He never bothered dreaming of things like that. Not in this life. Not being a made man, and not when he had the enemies he did. He could never place a woman in such danger. Besides, his heart was locked up and hidden deep inside where no one could get through. Sometimes, by his own actions, he wondered if he even had a heart.

He cleared his mind and focused on the plan. India needed protection, and Ford and his team were definitely going to.

Chapter 3

“Grey, did you clear everything with Wyatt and the guys from the department?” Ford Montgomery asked as they waited for the private jet to land.

“Sure did. He offered any assistance we might need in securing the package,” Grey responded.

“It won’t be necessary,” Ford replied firmly. Trust was something earned, not automatically given. Ford and his team didn’t trust easy at all. They were quiet, diligent in their professions and whatever jobs they engaged in. This was a special case. Silas was a good friend, a fellow soldier, and trustworthy. He had a similar personality to Ford and they didn’t share any personal information. Ford knew Silas had a sister who lived in Chicago and who was wealthy from working in the business field. Something to do with fashion and technology through computer software development.

“You sure she’ll be comfortable back here in the van?” Grey asked as he looked at the makeshift gurney they’d set up back there. Victor’s report was sickening. The poor woman was beaten and had nearly been killed. Seeing her before picture and how attractive she was made his stomach ache. Despite the reports of her injuries, Ford didn’t know what to expect and nor did Grey.

The sound of the radio going off indicating that the plane landed. It was time to move into action. They waited for the plane to stop before they headed closer with the van and parked right alongside the exit ramp.

Ford got out and met Victor. They shook hands.

“She’s out cold from the painkillers. Dmitri is carrying her down. I’ve got the men unloading some luggage of hers with clothes and things. Anything else you need, just contact us on the burner phone.”

“You got it. We’ll take care of her,” Grey said.

Ford and Grey looked up as Dmitri carried a woman down the stairs from the plane. She was dressed in baby blue lounge pants, a matching sweatshirt, and thick socks. Her long platinum-blonde hair cascaded over Dmitri’s arm and blew around in the soft breeze.

They motioned toward the van and Grey got inside and helped Dmitri set her down on the gurney.”

“Holy fuck,” Grey said and Ford gulped down the emotions he felt at seeing India. The woman was swollen and bruised everywhere.

“I hope Silas is planning on killing the fucking piece of shit that did this. You let him know if he needs help, I’ll fly out immediately. Wherever, whenever,” Grey told Victor and Ford.