Page 56 of Stolen Salvation

Reaper had made himself scarce and it was just the two of them. “Sorry I woke you.”

Bishop leaned forward and brushed a thumb over her cheek. “You’d tell me if something was up, right?”

“Yes of course.” She went to open her mouth again, but Duchess walked in.

“I have your orders.”

Charlie jumped up and went to Duchess and he frowned, wondering if he was missing something then put it down to it all being new and yet old, and Charlie being slightly anxious with her sister still missing.

Getting up he crossed the room and waited for Duchess to give him his orders.

“Eidolon is sending five men and Fortis another five, so that’s ten on top of our seven in the field and Watchdog on comms. Rykov is in Russia and still handling some business there but he should be back next month. For now, we have what we have, and it will have to be enough. Back up should be here by tonight but until then, I want full surveillance on the property from all angles.”

Kneeling, she pointed at the plans spread out on the floor. “Snow, Reaper, I want you here, watching the back of the property. Hurricane and I will take the left side that backs onto the forest. Lotus and Titan, take the front from this position just off the road, and Bishop and Charlie on the right.”

Bishop wasn’t thrilled to be given the right side where most likely less would happen but he’d follow orders.

“That’s it. Watchdog will handle internal surveillance by hacking the cameras inside and confirming what we think we know.” Standing she glanced at Charlie. “We all good?”

“Yes, Duchess.”

“Good, now get going and everyone stay on comms. I don’t want anyone moving on this until backup arrives no matter what you witness. Do you copy?”

“Yes, boss.”

“Crack on. I have to make a call first.”

Bishop wrapped an arm around Charlie and kissed her head. “We’re back, baby.”

Her smile was radiant, and he wished he had a camera to capture it for all eternity. This felt right, working together, being together. It was like his life had suddenly righted itself.

* * *

Waiting for the call to go through, Duchess wondered if he’d help her after their last conversation. Things had become very complicated between her and Damon since he’d found her and Gideon flirting. It had only been one kiss, but Damon felt betrayed and rightly so. They’d formed a friendship built on mutual respect and trust, and she’d lied to him about her attraction to his grumpy, growly brother.

“Yes?”

“Hi, it’s me.”

“I can read a damn phone screen, Nadia.”

“Yeah, sorry. Listen I know I have no right to ask, but I need a favour.”

“Go on?”

Damon was such a good man and she wished like hell her attraction was to him, not his asshole brother who’d made her turn into some simpering, submissive idiot when he was around. “I need you to keep Carter busy tomorrow night.”

“No, absolutely not.”

“Please, we have something, and I need to know he’s busy so we can execute it without having to worry about him.”

“Stop talking. I can’t hear this shit. I’m a fucking barrister for Christ’s sake.”

“I know and I won’t tell you any of the details but I really need your help, Damon.”

Duchess could hear him sigh down the phone and imagined him pinching the bridge of his nose with impatience. “I’ll try but I make no promises. Carter has been a little unstable the last few weeks. Do you know anything about that?”

“I might, but I can’t tell you anything right now.”