Chapter 47

-Sebastian-

I stood there listening to their conversation to see if Bucky would elaborate more so I could actually get a clue on what was happening.

Jianna seemed to be genuinely concerned and confused with what was going on. Does she even know him?

I stayed where I stood, but I observed Bucky and Jianna, and I noticed a deep sense of familiarity between the two of them. It was as if their relationship had been through hell and back...

"Ash, can you tell Seb that I'll be taking J home?" I overheard Bucky say.

No. No. You can't take her home. What the fuck are you doing?

"Hold on, Buck. Sebastian told me to take her home," Asher replied.

Good. Good. Don't let him leave with my girl.

"I'm good, Ash," he replied. I saw him lean in close and whisper something to Asher, and Asher gave him a look of uncertainty, then sympathy.

"You owe me. And you tell me everything as soon as you get back." Asher relented.

"Deal. But it might be a while. I don't plan on leaving her side any time soon." Bucky responded.

Goddamit! I cursed under my breath. But I knew I didn't have a choice. Jianna wasn't going to let me near her.

As soon as I heard them leave, I came out of where I was standing and looked at Asher. He took one look at me, and he knew he was fucked.

"Where's Bucky?" I asked sternly.

"He just left, boss," he replied. Gauging my expression. I was furious, and he knew it.

"By himself?" I asked. If there is one thing I know about my men, their loyalty to me is unwavering, and I expect complete honesty. I knew Asher wasn't going to lie.

Asher hesitated for a moment before answering. "No, he took Jianna home," Asher replied, avoiding my gaze.

Asher shifted uncomfortably, avoiding eye contact with me. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself despite the rage bubbling inside me.

"And you let him take her?" I said, putting pressure on the bridge of my nose.

"He insisted, boss. And to be honest, they seemed pretty close. I didn't want to get in the middle of whatever was going on between them." he answered.

"What the fuck, Asher?" I exclaimed.

"I know boss. But I didn't know what else to do. I saw in his eyes that he was going to leave here with her one way or another." he said. "I was relieved when you convinced Bucky to join us. I would rather be on his team than against it. I saw what that man can do, and I, for one, would not want to be on the receiving end of that if I don't have to."

I knew he was right. Before Bucky joined my team, he was a ruthless mercenary sent to kill me by one of my competitors. He just about eradicated my whole team when I gave him an out. His reputation had preceded him, but I knew he wanted out of the game. I offered him a new life in exchange for mine.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. "Did he say where they were going?" I asked as calmly as I could.

"No, but he did take one of the cars," he replied.

"Which one?"

"The Mustang. You know he favors that one." Asher responded.

"Track them. I need to know where they're headed." I snapped.

"Will do, boss. But honestly, knowing Bucky, he already chucked that transponder out before they even left the house." Asher replied as he started walking towards the security office.

I'm sure he did. He's a professional, after all.

I took out my phone and started scrolling my phone book for Bucky's number and pressed **"call."**

As expected, the phone rang once and then went straight to voicemail. I then tried Jianna's phone, and that went straight to voicemail as well. I was getting angrier by the second.

I went into my room and started pacing. I'm trying to figure out how to track them both and get my girl back. And then it hit me.

I took out my phone and texted Asher.

*"Get me Vanessa's number."*

*"Vanessa, who?"*

*"Can you track a person's number through a bank account?" *

*"Of course."*

I typed in the number Vanessa gave me and sent it to Asher.

*"Give me a couple of minutes."*

After about half an hour, I heard my phone ping.

*"Took me a while. Her bank was in the Caymans, so it was hard to track, but here's her number."*

As soon as Asher sent me the number, I called the number, fully expecting it would be out of service, but it rang. And then it rang again.

*"Who is this?"* said the woman on the other line.

"It's Cross," I said coldly.

*"Ah. Mr. Cross. I remember you agreed to pay me a specific amount to let that little toy soldier go, but here I am, sitting in my living room, a few million dollars short.*

"Do you want to double what you asked for?" I said. I was desperate.

There was silence on the other line.

*"I'm listening."*

"I need you to find Buc...I mean James Barnes for me." I said.

*"Awww...Lost your little boy toy already? How predictable. Tell me. How did you lose him anyway?"*

"That's none of your concern, but if you must know, if you just did your job right, we wouldn't be in this predicament." I curtly responded.

Again, silence.

*"She found her?"*

Her voice had suddenly changed from condescending to concern. Vanessa knew who Jianna was. Was. Why didn't she disclose that?

"What do you mean? You knew her?" I asked.

*"I thought she's dead. James should've killed her a long time ago. That's why I had to get a fucking body double to make him believe that she was still alive. We erased his memories, but I guess it didn't stick when it came to... her."*

I don't understand what was happening.

"Why don't we meet up? I have many questions." I said.

*"Sure. But it's gonna cost ya."* she was back on her façade again.

I was silent.

*"Still there money bags? How's 30 million sound?"*

I was still silent

*"What? Can't afford it?"*

"Do you hear bargain? Same bank account?" I asked.

Vanessa made a sound that I took as an approval.

I took my phone off my ear and typed a couple of numbers, then brought it back up.

*"See you in 20." *And hung up.

I looked at my phone and sent a text to Bucky.

**"You can't have her." **