Code name omega, p.15
Code Name: Omega, page 15
Sadly, he’s going to be disappointed.
“I need a favor.” Short, to the point. “I need money.”
Ethan sighs, and I can imagine him rubbing the back of his neck. Ethan has worn the weight of the world on his shoulders running Blackburn Farms since my parents quietly retired and left all operations to him. He rubs at his neck a lot.
I don’t wait for him to grill me and launch into my pitch. “I want to repair the barn for Dr. Schoen. I’m confident the investigator is going to rule this as arson, because… well, it was. And when that happens, the insurance won’t pay.”
“So you want to rebuild the barn for her?” he asks.
“It’s my fault it happened,” I murmur, my heart heavy with the disastrous fallout of my actions. “I have to do it.”
Ethan is silent a long moment as he considers this. The one thing I have going for me is that my oldest brother is big on personal responsibility, so my intentions will appeal to him. But I also know him… he’s probably trying to figure out how he can use this to get me home.
I’m surprised when he doesn’t offer a solution that will benefit him and Blackburn Farms. “What did you have in mind?”
“You loan me the money, and I’ll pay you back at eight percent interest when I access my trust fund.”
Yes, I have a trust fund. A hefty one that was seeded with five million dollars on my birth. It’s obviously appreciated to a lot more in the past twenty-seven years, but I cannot touch it until I’m thirty. Ethan was able to access his eight years ago, but he doesn’t use it. He lives in the main house and makes a ridiculous but well-earned salary as the farm’s CEO.
“I’ll loan you the money, no interest required, and you can pay me back when you have access to your trust.”
I don’t respond but rather hold my breath—I know there’s more coming. That’s a shockingly generous offer, and no business-minded person would ever make it. Ethan is a businessman, and it means he wants something.
So I wait for what else I might have to give.
When the silence extends, I start to sweat. It’s going to be big… probably a requirement I come home, which is impossible. I’ll have to ask Trey next as he accessed his fund three years ago. But he’ll want to consult Ethan, and I’ll end up in the same place. Trey wants me home too.
Oh, if only Wade had his trust—he’d gladly offer a loan and would never require me to give up my current dreams.
“Abby?” Ethan says, his voice hesitant. “Are you there?”
“Yeah. I’m just waiting to hear the rest of your terms.”
“There aren’t any other terms.” I jolt in shock, sitting straight in my chair. “Just pay me back when you have access to your trust.”
“I don’t understand,” I stammer.
“I don’t understand what you don’t understand. Do you want the money or not?”
I should rush to accept, but I can’t miss an opportunity to try to understand the enigma that is my oldest brother. The man who carries the entire family on his back, is rigid in his control and outlook, and never has time to consider other people’s feelings. “Of course, I want the money. But I want to know why you aren’t making me jump through hoops for it.”
A pause, and I know he’s rubbing at his neck again. I know I’m giving him a headache. Another sigh. “I can’t make you do anything, Abby. You’re your own person.”
It’s the closest he’s ever come to implying that perhaps I can lead my life away from the farm without further recrimination from him. Perhaps a tiny bit of understanding?
Or maybe he’s just giving up on me?
Regardless, I never look a gift horse in the mouth. “I accept, then. Thank you, Ethan.”
“You’re welcome,” he says, and he sounds like the Ethan I remember from a very long time ago.
Years, even.
When he was carefree and idealistic and fun to be around.
A rush of love makes my heart ache. “I’m sorry I ran you off. That was rude.”
“Yeah, well… so was showing up unannounced and demanding you return to Kentucky.”
I smile to myself. “It’s definitely the stubborn, hotheaded Blackburn genes. You got the lion’s share, of course.”
Ethan laughs, and it warms me to my soul. I don’t know when I last heard him find humor in something.
“Will you at least come visit soon? Maybe Dad’s birthday?”
I bite at my lower lip, torn over an answer. Ethan’s opened a door I wouldn’t have bothered to peek through. The pressure to return to the family fold is through my parents, united in their efforts to keep their brood close to maintain our legacy. My parents love deeply. Maybe a little too deep and have a hard time letting go. Ethan’s been the one who’s had to enforce their wishes and has been the one riding my ass.
It’s with regret that I have kept him at arm’s length. “I don’t know if I can handle Mom and Dad trying to guilt me. And it will happen, then there will be a big blowup, and then it’s likely I’ll never return.”
“I won’t let it happen. I’ll talk to them.” Still, I hesitate, and he says, “We miss you a lot, Abby. Please come spend some time with us.”
Well, damn. Tears immediately spill in warm streams down my face. “I miss you all too.”
“Then we can expect you for Dad’s birthday?”
“I’ll try to make it work,” I promise. “Dr. Schoen will be back by then, so it shouldn’t be a problem.”
“That’s good.” True happiness in his voice, but then he turns businesslike again. “Let me know how much money you need. I can have it wired directly to your bank.”
I give him my routing and account numbers. I don’t have a solid estimate for repairs, but Ethan has built his share of barns. He promises an amount that should be enough but told me to call if it isn’t.
I’m thrilled when he hangs up, and I shoot a quick text to Kellen that I have funds for the repairs. He doesn’t know I have access to that type of money, so I get an immediate response. What the fuck? How?
One laughing emoji back and a promise to fill him in when he’s able to call me, I put my phone down and consider grabbing a yogurt from the fridge. Christy said she’d bring me a sandwich, but my stomach rumbles with hunger. I ran out of the apartment this morning without eating. Having to walk both Bubba and Princess separately put me behind on my morning routine, but I’ve gotten to love these dogs so much, it doesn’t matter.
The front bell rings as I’m walking to the fridge, and I immediately do a U-turn. While we don’t get much walk-in traffic or emergencies, we keep the doors unlocked just in case.
As I move past my workstation at the long counter, I glance at the video monitor Kellen set up beside it. It shows all the cameras on the property, but this view is set to the front door.
I don’t look at the screen, not expecting it to be anything nefarious, but when I see it’s Levi Hellman who’s walked through, my blood runs cold. He has a leash in one hand and a gun on his hip.
Glancing back at Princess, I consider whether I can get her and Bubba out the rear exit, but when I look at the screen, I see Levi moving toward the swinging doors that lead back here.
Without considering the timing or if it’s even possible, I bolt for the door in an attempt to latch it before Hellman reaches it. I can see his figure looming closer via the round glass windows, and his face peers through. He sees me coming at the door, knows my intention is to keep him out, and he bursts in like an angry bull.
I skid to a stop and back up a few feet, noting the gleam in his eyes and the tight set to his jaw. His nose is swollen and both eyes are blackened, and I take a moment to just relish the damage Kellen did to him.
His gaze moves to the dogs, now standing, presumably brought to their feet by the disturbance of the slamming door. My heart breaks when Princess’s tail goes between her legs, and she slinks backward.
Bubba is vigilant, though, his eyes pinned intently on Hellman.
“I want my dog back.” My gaze swivels to Hellman, and he thrusts out the leash. “Give me back my bitch, bitch.”
I scurry backward, putting myself between him and Princess. Bubba doesn’t move a muscle, but I notice the hairs on his back rise slightly. “You can’t have her.”
Levi takes a threatening step forward, and Bubba issues a low growl. His lips peel upward and he takes one… two… three steps toward Levi. This isn’t Bubba’s forte—he wasn’t trained to be a protector. But he’s definitely figuring out there’s danger, and he’s letting it be known he doesn’t like it.
My heart drops into the recesses of my stomach when Levi pulls the gun from his holster and points it at Bubba. “You call that dog back, or I’ll shoot him.”
I don’t call Bubba off but instead step to the right and put myself between the gun and the dog. “And I’ll have you locked up. You need to leave right now, and I’ll forget this happened.”
“I’m not leaving without my dog,” he snaps.
Bubba growls again, trying to move around me. I reach out and slip my fingers around the dog’s collar, murmuring to him. “Easy, boy.”
Levi takes a huge step to the left and aims the gun at Bubba again. “You have ten seconds to put that dog in a kennel, or I’m going to shoot it.”
“You wouldn’t,” I gasp. “You’re in my place of business.”
“And I’m just here to pick up my dog from the vet when this vicious dog tried to attack me,” he drawls.
If the idiot bothered to look around, he’d see the cameras Kellen installed on the inside. I could even point them out in the hopes he’d be deterred, but part of me is afraid this guy is off his rocker and he’ll do whatever the hell he wants.
We might have a fight over Princess, but I don’t want Bubba getting hurt. It would kill Kellen.
“Come on,” I say, leading Bubba to one of the large post-op kennels. He goes in without complaint, and I latch it.
As I turn around, I see Hellman has holstered his gun and is already advancing on Princess who trembles and cowers in the corner.
“No!” I yell as I bolt toward him. I grab onto his arm that holds the leash. “You leave her alone, you fucking monster.”
Hellman cocks his free arm and swings at me, the back of his hand catching across my cheekbone. The hit is hard enough that I stumble and fall onto my knees on the tile floor.
Fuck, that hurt.
By the time I’m lurching up, he has the leash on Princess and is dragging her across the floor. She’s terrified, trying to jerk away.
“NO!” I launch myself at him again, so furious at this bully that I want to pummel his face in with my fists. I feel strong enough to do it, too, but he swats me away like a gnat.
I reach for his arm again, intent on biting the shit out of him when he wheels on me. “You’re fucking batshit crazy, lady.” He swings again, slapping me open palmed across the face.
My bell is rung good and truly, and my legs buckle as my vision dims. I stagger, grab hold of the counter, and watch helplessly as Hellman drags Princess to the swinging door.
“No,” I bleat pathetically as I try to run toward them. My legs give way as my head spins and spins and spins. I fall face-first to the floor, the impact clacking my teeth together.
Lifting onto hands and knees, I take a few deep breaths before I attempt to stand. It’s like I’m drunk. My face is on fire from the slap, my cheekbone stings with a new bruise, and my jaw hinge throbs.
I stagger to the swinging door, through it, and to the glass door leading out. Hellman’s vehicle is pulling out of the parking lot, and Princess is lost to me.
CHAPTER 17
Kellen
I stand ramrod straight, hands clasped in front of me. I hate the fucking black suit I have to wear, but my job today for this small VIP affair is to look like I’m protection. I’ve even got the earpiece so I can communicate with Ladd, on assignment with me.
He walks the opposite perimeter of the room, looking serious and imposing. He never cracked a smile when I told him a dirty joke five minutes ago, but I heard the snort through the earpiece.
This event doesn’t require our security services. But it’s a young congressman freshly elected, and he loves taking advantage of the perks that come with the job. Because he’s low on the totem pole and doesn’t rate high enough for government protection during a private luncheon with lobbyists, he raided some slush fund to hire Jameson. According to Kynan, this is done all the time. “Be prepared to take these boring assignments. They pay the electric bill.”
In addition to the luncheon today, Ladd and I will be escorting the congressman to a black-tie gala tonight, then the job is done.
Of course, this particular assignment wasn’t given to me. I volunteered after turning down an opportunity to work a black ops mission running out of our embassy in Turkey. We were going to be joining forces with a Navy SEAL team to facilitate a hostage exchange.
Under ordinary circumstances, I would’ve jumped at that job. But with Abby a part of my life now, and since Hellman has proven to be a psychopath who’s willing to kill innocent animals, I’m afraid to go too far away. Bebe has assured me she’s working as hard as she can to follow money trails, and she even sent me an encouraging text this morning that she was “on to something.”
We’ll see.
I step from the private dining room to stand just outside the doorway. If someone wanted to rush in and attack the congressman, they’d have to get through me. But the only thing set out before me are tables of lunch patrons chatting amiably as they eat.
I pull my phone from my breast pocket for a quick look at my texts. And yes, I’m looking to see if Abby sent anything. We’ve consistently texted every day when we’re not together. Sometimes they’re funny quips, sometimes they’re dirty, and other times, it’s sweet.
My favorites are notes along the lines of Just thinking of you, or Hope you’re having a great day.
The tripping of my heart when I see Abby has indeed messaged should be all the indication I need that I’m falling hard for this girl. I grin as I start to read, but the smile slides right off my face.
I don’t want you to worry, but Levi Hellman came into the clinic today. He took Princess. I couldn’t stop him. I’m fine and I’ve not called the police since she’s technically his dog. I’ll fill you in later when you can talk.
Rage builds inside me that Hellman would do something so bold when I warned him to stay away. It was ballsy, given the clear evidence that we’ve added security cameras, but he obviously didn’t care.
That’s how sure he was of himself that Abby wouldn’t call the police.
“Fuck,” I mutter, leaning right and looking into the room. Ladd’s gaze comes to mine, and I hold up my phone, indicating I need to make a call and then flash him five fingers—I need five minutes.
He gives me a thumbs-up, and I step away from the private dining hall into an alcove. I can still see the doorway but have a bit of privacy.
I dial Abby, and there’s surprise in her voice when she answers. “Why are you calling? Aren’t you working?”
“I’m on a break, but you didn’t think I’d call when I got your text?”
She sighs. “I really didn’t want to bother you. I’m fine.”
But that right there… I hear something in her tone. A slight crack in the confidence. “Abby… what’s wrong? Did he do something?”
“Yeah, he took Princess, and I couldn’t stop it.” Her voice quavers. “I’m upset she’s back in that hellhole and I can’t get her out. I love that dog. But otherwise, I’m fine. You’ll be back tomorrow morning, and we can discuss it, but there’s really nothing you can do. Princess isn’t yours.”
“Ours,” I correct her.
“Ours,” she whispers back. “Please… go back to work. Don’t worry about me.”
“Okay.” My tone is breezy and accepting. “We can talk about it tomorrow.”
We disconnect, and I immediately call Kynan. No fucking way am I accepting what she told me. She’s more than just upset about Princess—she’s shaken up about something else.
Kynan answers, and I need to make this as succinct as possible. “I’m seeing a woman—her name is Abby—she’s a local vet.”
“So I’ve heard. You need to bring her to the next get-together.”
“I will. But she’s gotten herself into a bit of trouble, and I need to get back sooner rather than later. I think Ladd can handle this assignment—”
“We’ve been paid for two agents, and two agents is what they’ll get. However, tell me what the trouble is, and I’ll help you figure it out.”
I don’t have much time, so I lay it out straight. I tell him about meeting Abby and Hellman, about me taking Princess, stopping Abby from sneaking back onto Hellman’s property to take more dogs and getting shot at, and the barn fire.
“That’s why you needed a recommendation for barn repairs?” he asks.
“Yeah… but I thought it was over. I went out to his place, and I impressed upon him it’s in his best personal interest to stay away from Abby.”
“Did you draw blood?”
“Yes.”
Kynan curses and asks more questions, focusing on how this hasn’t made it to the police yet.
“Abby stole Princess, and he shot at us. We both stand to get in trouble, so the police aren’t an option, especially since Abby has an arrest.”
“She what?” Kynan exclaims.
I tell him about her protests in front of Pet World, the restraining order, and the subsequent arrest. Kynan actually chuckles, but he gets my point why our hands are tied.
“I’m worried he’s going to do something else to Abby,” I say, the ultimate reason for my call.
“But he has the dog back,” Kynan points out.
“And nothing has happened to him. I think that will make him bolder. He hates Abby. I just have a bad feeling he’s not done with her. Can you send someone to stay with her until I get back?”
Kynan gusts a breath of frustration. “I’ll switch out with you. I’ll send Bebe over now to stay with her and put Malik outside to watch over things. Then I’ll head your way and cover the evening dinner, and you can come back here to handle whatever you need to handle.”
