Chapter 157

ROBYN

“Your chip,” Lex replied. I saw the hesitation in his eyes as he stole a glance at his son.

“So, I have a tracking chip in me,” I said, amused. “You know, earlier, while I was tied to a chair, I wished it were true.”

“Yes, honey.” He nodded.

“And it saved our lives. I don’t mind it.” I hugged him again. “Thank you.”

“You may kill me, but Abraham will live on,” Hanna proudly said.

“No one is gonna kill you. That’s too merciful for a thug like you.” Terzo kicked her on the foot where she was shot on the same side.

She hissed in pain. I didn’t even feel remorse for her. “You can’t kill a resistance—”

“You’re not a resistance, Hanna. You’re a murderer, a sex trafficker, an extortionist. All of you.” He pointed at the men now standing against the wall, their hands zip-tied before them.

“Look how quickly the tables have turned?” Moses chuckled, amused and proud at Terzo.

“You are criminals who feed their egos with the suffering of others, especially women.” He then pointed at me. “That woman over there is one of your victims, you, worthless pigs. If I were still the same man years ago, you wouldn’t hear a word from me. You’re already bloating at the bottom of the ocean, but that man you all thought you broke is a million better than me. You’re lucky he didn’t shoot her in the head.”

“And you, Hari. Jesus, what happened to you? What a disgrace,” Lex said.

“He killed Cali,” Spade told his father.

“Jesus Christ.” Lex turned to his son. “He killed Cali, his own daughter, for this caucus?”

“Yes.”

Terzo shook his head in amusement that puzzled me. When he walked towards the man lined up against the wall. He stopped before the European man in his fifties, with light blonde hair. “Is he what I think he is?”

“Vladimir Netzov,” Gant answered.

“Well, look at the mighty who has fallen from his grace. I’ll relay your regards to Vasilyev and Olezka.” It didn’t end there. He struck the man with the stock of his automatic rifle. “That’s my hi,” he said before walking away, gesturing at the woman who seemed to be in charge of the operation.

“Oh, my God.” I gasped.

“What is it, baby?” Spade asked, his hand came to my waist.

“Wait here.” I marched towards Vladimir. Once I was there, standing before the man who tortured a lot of women, I kneed him in the balls. “Where is Milena?”

He barely reacted. With blood dripping down his eyebrow, he smirked. “She’s dead. The bitch is dead.”

“You’re lying!” My chin trembled. I felt like I just failed Barbie.

“He’s lying,” said the woman with a thick accent behind me.

Goose bumps spread all over my skin. I swallowed hard and turned around. A blond woman with bruises on her face and arms was smiling at me. Her clothes were dirty but intact.

A dark-haired woman standing behind her shrugged.

“Are you Melina?”

She nodded and smiled.

I didn’t know how I ended up there, hugging her, shaking as I cried. “Oh, God. I never thought I would ever find you. Someone is gonna be so happy to see you, Milena.”

“Thank you for not giving up on me. I heard you paid someone to fine me,” Milena said.

“You’re paying for my service,” the other woman whispered to my ear. My guess, she was Katie.

I chuckled as I pulled her to hug her, too. “Thank you, Katie.”

Then another man in cuffs with a busted face and what looked like a dislocated arm, escorted by one of the men who came with Lex and Moses.

“Who’s that?”

“Aleksej Novalenko,” Katie said.

“Oh, God. The bregadier. Scratch that. The dog.” I felt like I almost grinned.

“Siciliano, are you done here?” the woman asked. Her voice was commanding, which pulled us all apart.

“One more thing.” Terzo went back to Hanna, who was already tended by the medic, crouched down, and looked right into her eyes. “You did all this for your dead husband, and you thought the Agency blew him up? And guess what? Haven’t figured that out yet?” He grinned.

“That’s enough, Siciliano,” said the woman.

“Good job,” Terzo said, standing up and said, shaking hands with Gant.

“He’s a—”

“Deep undercover,” Spade said, wrapping his arm around me. “That woman is Terzo’s handler, Kelsey Adams.”

I stared at him. “Have you known about him before?”

“No. Just figured when he didn’t shoot you.”

I took a deep breath and shuddered. I felt like even my soul was traumatized. “Please don’t kiss me with that mouth.”

“I will brush my teeth, wash my mouth with a gallon of mouthwash and antiseptic. Happy?” He tightened his arms around me.

I nodded. My heart was swelling. I was too emotional to say a word, or I would break down and cry.

“Baby, I don’t know what to say, yet I have a lot of unsaid words. When we were in those positions, watching you so terrified, I found myself regretting the things I should have said and the things I should have done, and all I wanted was to scream those words out loud.”

“Words aren’t necessary. Once you brush your teeth, all you have to do is kiss me. That’s your assurance that you’re still mine.”

“I’m yours, baby. So what are you gonna do with Milena? You can’t record her identity at the Kross Foundation.”

“Yes. We only arrested thirteen of this cabal. We have a long way to go,” Lex said as he joined us.”

“You’re right. She needs protection.” I looked at Milena still with Katie. “Where’s Barbie anyway?”

“Safe,” Spade said. “After Milena’s statement and check-ups, she can be with Barbie. At least Barbie will not give birth alone.”

I stared at him. There was still a remnant of fear and something else in his eyes, but other than that, he seemed okay. “Are you sure you’re not compelled to trick me right now and make me believe that it’s still you?”

He looked down at me and cupped my face. “I believe you said, I don’t pity you. I feel pity for the little Spade—”

I pressed my finger against his lips as I noticed Lex was watching us. “I was angry, but I believe it’s still you.”

“What’s the day today? I’m counting on the day when you’re off that thing. And I remember that you agreed to go to the—”

“Okay. Okay. Will you shut up now?” My cheeks burned. He wasn’t trying to embarrass me, but he made fun of me. Of all the things I’d said before, he chose that thing that mortified me in front of Lex, who didn’t mind. In fact, he was smiling at us.

“Do you believe me now?”

I threw myself at him and squeezed him into a tight hug. “I hope this is the last time I’d be in that situation, Spade. I’m just glad you’re okay. And we’re definitely seeing your therapist.”

“It’s over now, Robyn. You two need to get yourselves checked,” Lex said.

“I hate the hospital,” Spade muttered, patting the cut on his forehead.

“Too bad. You’ve been through hell, son. You, Robyn, and Sean need to stay at the hospital for a day or two.”

“Jesus. Where’s Sean?” Spade asked, searching for him, but I couldn’t find him, either.

“He’s been brought to the hospital as we speak.”

Spade nodded. Guilt flashed in his eyes as he looked at his father.

“It’s okay, son. You’re not perfect. I don’t blame you for not believing in him, and that he could change. He failed you several times. It’s understandable.”

“I’m sorry, Dad. I accused him of something, and I never thought he would be one of the people I just put their lives at risk.” He then swallowed. “I guess, he’s changed. He really does. He wanted me to take his own life so I could move on.”

“Don’t apologize to me, son,” Lex said. “Every one of us can change.”

“Wait.” I looked around. I should have seen Wave and Quinton with them, but I didn’t see them, and I was so scared to ask, but I needed to. “Are Wave and Quinton—”