Page 10 of Brutal Truths

As Lane disconnects, I turn back around and set my phone face up on the desk, holding it with a firm grip.

I fix Cort with a hard look. “Why would your Russian friends go after Isabel’s guards?”

Silas whistles under his breath as Cort’s eyes bug out, his shoulder lifting in a useless shrug.

“First, they aren’t my friends. And who’s Isabel?” His expression tells me he’s lost.

Silas, however, isn’t. He shifts in his chair, resting his ankle on his knee. “I’m ready when you are, just say the word.”

My phone rings and I grab it. “Speak.”

He taps the desk. “Put it on speaker.”

I shouldn’t, but if I don’t, he’ll get suspicious.

“I’m putting you on speaker.” After placing the phone back on the desk, I push the button. “Now speak.”

“She’s not here.”

My chair flies back, slamming into the cabinets behind me, as I stand. “What do you mean she’s not there?”

“Just that. She’s not here.” Realizing I’m about to snap, Lane offers a more thorough explanation. “Ryan’s checking her tracker, but so far, it hasn’t been activated. That means one of two things. Either she didn’t have it on her or they found it and tossed it. He can ping it, but has to call that in. We ran out of the house in a hurry. Both men left without grabbing backup phones. Marty’s brother took his, and Ryan’s not sure where his is. It wasn’t where he’d put it before crashing.”

“Hold up. If they don’t have their phones, how can they check the tracker?” I don’t like this. “Does that mean the three soon to be dead men have their phones? And if we activate it, does that mean they’ll see and know we’re onto them?”

“Web access. Pauly’s letting them use his backup laptop to log in. And Ryan says that if the fuckers have their phones, they can’t use them. They locked down tight with a twelve-digit access code that changes daily and is sent down from the king’s guards.”

I feel slightly better, but not much. Basically, he’s telling me I’m the only one who can call it in, but if I do that, I’ll be exposing myself.

“Isabel gave me her brother’s contact info in case I needed it. I’ll make the call. Do what you do and leave nothing to chance. If you find anything, ring me.”

I end the call and pick up my phone again, dragging my thumb through my contacts until I find what I’m looking for.

It rings and rings before cutting to voicemail. I slam my phone on the desk with a groan.

“Didn’t answer?” Silas fishes his out of his pocket and rises. “Keep trying. I’ll call for backup.”

He points at Cort, finger rigid. “You’d better hope nothing happens to her. He’s far meaner than I am.”

Cort tracks him out of the room before looking back at me. “She’s important?”

“Very.” When it rings again, I answer immediately. “Speak freely.”

“Got it.” Pauly rattles off all the information he has. “Marvin grabbed her as soon as she emerged from surgery. Moved her straight to the garage where his other friends were waiting. Your girl didn’t go quietly. Nearly got away, but luck was not on her side. They tossed her into an SUV. This all went down about an hour ago.”

“Destination.”

“Your faith in me gives me warm fuzzies.” He snickers, but only for a second. “It took me a minute, but I’ve located it. They’re heading north toward Kirtlington.”

Trent owns a place in Kirtlington.

Soulcombe.

With over three hundred acres of land, Soulcombe is secluded. Its vast wooded grounds offering privacy most would pay a fortune for. A large equestrian estate sits on one side of the property, where horses are trained for wealthy polo enthusiasts. But that is only a fraction of what really happens there.

Far from the spectacle of the family-friendly polo matches, on the opposite end of the estate, there’s a darker side. One reserved for those willing to pay for exclusive access.

I’ve been there a few times. Trent conducts business there he can’t risk in London. But you don’t just drop by without an invitation. Mine hasn’t come, but I’ve never been one to wait. If this is where they’re taking Isabel, I’ll be inviting myself. And I won’t be ringing the doorbell when I arrive.