Chapter 48 The Trap Tightens
JASON'S POV
I was sitting in the clubhouse when Marcus came in with his phone in his hand looking excited. "You are not going to believe this."
"What?" I asked.
"The cops hit two of Corvin's locations in the past three days," Marcus said. "Major raids. Seized millions in product. Arrested dozens of his guys."
I sat up straighter. "How do you know this?"
"My contact in the police department," Marcus said. "He says the raids were based on detailed intelligence. Like someone on the inside gave them everything they needed."
"An inside informant," I said. "Corvin must be losing his mind."
"He is," Marcus confirmed. "My contact says Corvin has been making calls all day, doubling security. Installing new surveillance. He is in full paranoia mode."
I thought about that. Corvin, with an informant, was dangerous. He would be looking for the leak, and when he found it, he would eliminate it without mercy.
"Do they know who the informant is?" I asked.
"No," Marcus said. "Rourke is keeping it very secret. But based on the type of information they got it has to be someone with access to Corvin's private files. Someone in his inner circle."
My stomach dropped. "Someone like his wife."
Marcus looked at me. "You think it is Caitlyn?"
"Who else would it be?" I said. "She lives in his house. She has access to his study and Rourke approached her weeks ago. I saw them talking."
"If it is her, then she is in serious danger," Marcus said. "She does not forgive betrayal. Especially not from family."
I felt cold fear spreading through my chest. If Caitlyn was the informant and Corvin figured it out he would kill her. Pregnant or not. Wife or not. He would kill her and make it look like an accident.
"I need to talk to Rourke," I said and pulled out my phone.
"What are you going to do?" Marcus asked.
"Find out if Caitlyn is working with him," I said. "And if she is then we need to get her out before Corvin figures it out."
I called Rourke's number. He answered on the third ring. "Cross. What do you want?"
"I heard about the raids on Corvin," I said. "Good work."
"I did not call you to discuss active investigations," Rourke said.
"Is Caitlyn your informant?" I asked directly.
Silence on the other end.
"Rourke answer me," I pressed. "Is Caitlyn working with you?"
"I cannot discuss that," Rourke finally said.
"That means yes," I said. "Does Corvin know?"
"I do not think so," Rourke said. "But he is suspicious. We moved up the timeline. We are planning to extract her within the next forty-eight hours."
"That might not be fast enough," I said. "Corvin is in full lockdown mode. He has doubled his security, he is watching her every move. If he figures out she is the leak before you can extract her she is dead."
"I know," Rourke said and I could hear the concern in his voice. "That is why we are moving fast but we need to be careful. If we tip our hand too early Corvin will know something is coming."
"And if you wait too long Caitlyn will be dead," I pointed out. "You need to get her out now."
"It is not that simple," Rourke said. "We need to coordinate with multiple agencies and get warrants approved. Make sure everything is legal so Corvin cannot get off on a technicality."
"Legal does not matter if she is dead," I said.
"I am aware of that," Rourke snapped. "But I am doing everything I can. You need to trust me on this."
"I do not trust anyone when it comes to Caitlyn's safety," I said. "That is my kid she is carrying. If something happens to her because you were too slow I am holding you responsible."
"Noted," Rourke said. "Is there anything else?"
"Yeah," I said. "Let me help. I can get to Corvin in ways you cannot. I can create a distraction while you extract Caitlyn. I can do something."
"Absolutely not," Rourke said. "You are a wanted criminal Cross. If you get involved it compromises everything. Stay out of this."
"I am already involved," I said. "Caitlyn is the mother of my child. That makes this my business whether you like it or not."
"Then stay out of the way and let me do my job," Rourke said. "I will get her out safely. You have my word."
"Your word does not mean much if she ends up dead," I said and hung up.
I sat there thinking. Rourke said he would get Caitlyn out within forty-eight hours, but that felt like too long. Corvin was suspicious now. He was looking for the leak and it was only a matter of time before he connected the dots back to Caitlyn.
"What did he say?" Marcus asked.
"He confirmed Caitlyn is the informant," I said. "And he is planning to extract her within two days. But I do not think we have two days."
"So what are you going to do?" Marcus asked.
"I am going to watch Corvin," I said. "And if it looks like he is about to hurt Caitlyn I am going in whether Rourke likes it or not."
"That is a bad idea," Marcus said. "Corvin has an army protecting him. You cannot just walk in there and take his wife."
"Watch me," I said.
I grabbed my jacket and headed for the door. Marcus called after me. "Jason do not do anything stupid. Think about this."
"I have thought about it," I said. "And I am not letting Corvin hurt her. That is my kid and I will burn down his entire operation if that is what it takes to keep them safe."
I got on my bike and rode toward the Corvin estate. I knew I was being reckless. Knew that going after Caitlyn could blow up the entire investigation but I did not care. She was in danger and I was not going to sit around waiting for Rourke to save her.
When I got to my usual spot overlooking the estate I pulled out my binoculars. The house was lit up and I could see multiple security guards patrolling the grounds more than usual. Corvin was definitely in lockdown mode.
My phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. "This is Rourke. Stay away from the Corvin estate. You are going to blow the operation, let me handle this."
I did not respond. I was not going anywhere, not until I knew Caitlyn was safe.
Another hour passed. Then I saw something that made my blood run cold. Corvin came out of the house and got into his car with two of his men. They drove away fast like they were in a hurry.
Where was he going? And why did he leave Caitlyn alone with just the security guards?
Unless he was going somewhere. Unless he was going to someone. Someone who could help him figure out who the leak was.
I needed to warn Rourke. Needed to tell him that Corvin was on the move and probably planning something, but before I could call, my phone rang.
It was Marcus. "Jason you need to get back here now. We got a problem."
"What kind of problem?" I asked.
"The kind where Corvin's men just showed up at the clubhouse looking for you," Marcus said. "They know you have been watching his house and they are not happy about it."
I felt my stomach
ach drop. Corvin knew I was watching. Which meant he knew I cared about Caitlyn. Which meant he could use her to get to me.