Claim Me

Chapter 18

18Lucas

“It’s done,” I say, entering Esguerra’s office. “Your in-laws can go home tomorrow if they’re so inclined.”

Over the past week, we’ve exterminated the remnants of Sullivan’s crime family, and the CIA has finally agreed to let Nora’s parents return to their home. After the media nightmare we caused, it took promises of major favors, but Esguerra’s contacts came through for us.

“You got the police chief as well?” Esguerra asks.

I nod, approaching his desk. “His body is dissolving in lye as we speak. He was the last of the moles—Chicago PD is now squeaky clean and vermin-free. Other than a few CIA higher-ups, nobody knows your in-laws were involved in this mess.”

“Excellent.” Esguerra rubs his temples, and I see that he looks unusually tired. Like me, he’s been working nonstop since our return from Chicago. He doesn’t have to put in these hours—I’m overseeing most of the logistics of the cleanup—but work seems to be his way of coping with the miscarriage. “I’ll tell Nora. In the meantime, I want you to assign another dozen men to watch over her parents for the next few months. I’m not expecting any trouble, but it’s best to be safe.”

“Got it,” I say. “You might also want to tell them to stay away from crowded places for a while, just in case.”

“That’s a good idea.” Esguerra gives an approving nod. “As long as they’re able to return to work and resume their social lives, they shouldn’t mind the restrictions too much.”

“I’m sure you’ll miss them,” I say drily. Nora’s parents have been our reluctant guests for the last two weeks, and I imagine Esguerra must’ve found their disapproving presence wearing.

To my surprise, my boss chuckles. “They’re not so bad. You know, family and all that.”

“Right.” I try not to stare at him but fail. Esguerra’s changed; it’s obvious to me now. When I first met him, the word “family” would’ve never passed his lips. And now he’s putting up with in-laws who can’t stand his guts and bending over backward to keep his young wife happy.

It’s both amusing and unsettling to observe, like seeing a jaguar playing with a house kitten.

“You’ll understand someday,” Esguerra says, and I realize my expression must’ve given me away. “There’s more to life than this.” He waves at the flatscreen monitors behind him and the stack of papers on his desk.

“Are you going to give it up then? Walk the straight and narrow?” I say, only half-kidding. Esguerra is certainly wealthy enough to do so. His net worth is in the billions; even if he never sold another weapon, he could live like a king for the rest of his life.

Still, I’m not surprised when Esguerra shakes his head and says, “You know I can’t do that. Once in this life, always in this life. Besides”—he bares his teeth in a sharp smile—“I’d miss it. Wouldn’t you?”

“Definitely,” I say, and we share a moment of grim understanding.

The jaguar may play with the kitten, and even love said kitten, but he’ll always be a jaguar.

As I leave Esguerra’s office, my phone vibrates with an incoming message. I open my email, and my lips curl in savage anticipation.

Message decoded, the email from the hackers reads. A confirmed UUR black site is located twenty-five kilometers north of Kiev. They seem to be in the process of covering up their tracks, but they’re not fast enough. We’re getting closer to the two field operatives. Hope to have more news soon.

At the bottom of the email is an attachment. It’s a grainy satellite photo with an X marking a spot on the map where, I presume, the black site facility is located.

We have a place to start.

“Hi, Lucas,” a softly accented female voice says, and I turn to see Rosa approaching from the direction of the main house. She’s dressed in her usual maid’s outfit, with her dark hair pinned in a sleek knot. “How are you?”

Rage surges through me, but I manage to say calmly, “I’m fine.” Her casual friendliness grates on me like chalk on glass. I’m tempted to string her up in the shed and interrogate her this very moment, but it would be smart to wait a little longer. Taking a steadying breath, I mimic her friendly tone and ask, “How’s everything with you?”

She shrugs, her eyes dropping lower for a moment. “You know. Day by day.”

“Right.” Despite everything, I feel a swell of pity. Though the bruises on Rosa’s face have faded, I remember how the girl looked after the club, and some of my anger cools.

If I believed in karma, I’d be inclined to think she’s already been punished.

“How are your ribs doing?” she asks, looking up at me again. There appears to be genuine concern in her gaze. “Are they still hurting?”

“No, not as much as before,” I say, my anger easing a little. “It’ll be at least another month before I can resume training normally, but I’ve gotten to the point where I can breathe without pain.”

“Oh, good.” Rosa smiles, then asks nonchalantly, “Any news on your escapee?”

My fury returns in full force; it’s all I can do not to wring the girl’s neck. “Why, yes,” I say silkily. “I have just found her.” It’s a lie—I have no idea if the location the hackers uncovered will lead me to Yulia—but if Rosa is working with UUR, I want her to panic and reach out to them. “In fact,” I add, deciding to really frighten the maid, “I’ll be going after Yulia as soon as I drop off Nora’s parents.”

“Oh.” Rosa blinks, and I see a shadow pass over her face. “That’s good.”

“Yes, it is, isn’t it?” I give her my blandest smile. “I can’t wait. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to check up on our new recruits.”

And before she can respond, I turn away and head toward the training field.

If I stay in Rosa’s presence a moment longer, I’ll kill the girl with my bare hands.