Faceless (Sinister Secrets Book 2) by Candle Sutton (best motivational novels txt) 📕

“Maybe we question her in her home, rather than bring her down here? Make it seem more like a casual conversation and catch her with her guard down.” Questions to ask Orson had already started to fill her mind.

After a brief pause, Dak nodded. “How about you and Sid take that one? The rest of us will focus in on Cummings.”

Kevyn looked over at Sid, who grinned. “Ready whenever you are.”

She pushed up from her chair. “Then let’s go.”

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This was getting old.

Mitch tried to ignore Zane’s henchman who loomed in the corner like the grim reaper, but it was hard to do.

Especially since someone from Zane’s team watched every single move he made.

They read over his shoulder when he sent an email. Listened as he called his sources to arrange for deliveries. Verified all financial transactions.

There was no way he could get a message to Kevyn. Not with this kind of surveillance.

How long could they keep this routine up? Surely Tio didn’t plan to pay security to watch him indefinitely.

No, Tio was probably biding his time until Mitch outlived his usefulness.

This was a short-term arrangement. Most definitely.

Although the fact that Tio had created a makeshift office for him in the warehouse where he was being held made him wonder if there wasn’t still some room for negotiation.

Maybe he should forget about Kevyn. Join up with Tio, in whatever this was.

Yeah, he may not like it, but it beat the deadly alternative.

He returned his attention to the shipping manifest displayed on the screen and began translating it, using the code he’d personally developed.

Designer perfumes. Cosmetics. Handbags.

His contacts had come through on this shipment. It would be quite lucrative.

Tio didn’t have a clue how to read the code. He didn’t have the relationships with their contacts that Mitch had carefully cultivated.

Maybe, just maybe, he could convince Tio that he could be trusted…

The office door flew open, crashing back against the wall behind it with enough force to lodge the doorknob into the sheetrock.

Tio charged up to the desk like a rushing bull, nostrils flaring. Veins stood out on his forearms and his clenched fists looked ready for action.

“The FBI? The FBI!” Tio’s voice rose in tone to a near roar. “How could you?”

Cotton filled Mitch’s mouth.

There was only one way Tio could know about the FBI. He’d found Kevyn.

Still, he couldn’t admit it. “What about the FBI?”

“You’re talking to them!” Tio slashed his hand through the air. “Don’t deny it! I followed the blonde! Right to the FBI office downtown.”

Mitch swallowed, trying desperately to get moisture back into his mouth. “I–I don’t know anything–”

“Enough!” Tio jabbed a finger into Mitch’s chest as he towered over him. “I’m sick of your lies! That woman isn’t your girlfriend! She’s family!”

Sweat trickled down Mitch’s spine like mountain run-off in spring, leaving a cold trail in its wake.

Tio knew. He knew it all.

Could he bluff him?

One look at the murderous rage in Tio’s eyes killed any desire to lie. Tio would strangle him with his bare hands.

“Who is she? Sister? Daughter?” The words contained a biting tone that matched the sharpness of Tio’s eyes.

Mitch deflated against the chair. He’d really blown it. Now Tio knew about Kevyn and could use her against him. “I met her mother in college. When she told me she was pregnant, I thought I could do it. Be a dad. But when the baby came…”

All the memories of those days rushed back in.

The tiny hands, soft skin, tuft of white-blonde hair.

“We were both still in school. She left me in charge one day while she went to take a test. I thought I could handle it, but I couldn’t even change her diaper or get her to stop crying.” Funny how he could still remember the feelings of helplessness and inadequacy. Almost thirty-six years had passed since that day, but the memory hadn’t faded. “I was in over my head and I lost it. I left the next day.”

Tio crossed his arms over his chest, a scowl making his square jawline look sharper than usual. “So you ran. No surprise there.”

He wanted to deny it, but Tio was right. He’d never been one to stick it out when things got tough. His ex-wife would attest to that.

“That’s why you relocated to Seattle, isn’t it?” Tio’s eyebrows lowered. “It had nothing to do with centralizing our operations.”

“Centralizing made sense.” The argument sounded weak, even to his own ears. “Keeping offices in multiple ports all around the country? That wasn’t efficient.”

Tio’s glare deepened, as did the crimson splotching his cheeks.

“But yes, she was part of the decision.” He sighed. Might as well get it all out there now. “I’d hired several PIs over the years to help me keep tabs on her. Always thought maybe I’d reestablish contact, but I was too chicken. When she relocated to Seattle, I decided it was fate telling me to reach out.”

Tio swore. “You had to know she was a Fed!”

“Yeah, I knew.” He swallowed hard. “I thought I could keep her out of our business, though. Still do.”

A snort answered his statement. “Right. So why now? After stalking her for years, why reach out to her now?”

“I guess I felt like I was running out of time.” Mitch ran his fingers through his hair and forced himself to hold Tio’s gaze. It was the only way to convince Tio he was telling the truth.

Sort of.

A big part of the why now question had to do with Tio and whatever he was doing that involved kidnapping.

“You don’t get it, man.” Mitch’s words scraped through his suddenly raw throat. “My own kids don’t want to see me.