Chapter 266 Raul's Text
Luka's P.O.V.
I watch Dakota and the others leave to find Raul and the kids, but something doesn't feel right. I no longer have the cloud over me that the drugs caused or the constant thought of when I would get my next fix, so I'm beginning to see things more clearly. Rain is talking with Nikolas, and I hear Sam and Valentina talking in Sam's room. I need to see Noah, but I don't want Rain out of my sight. There have been too many people getting kidnapped lately.
"Nikolas, please excuse us for a minute." Rain looks at me, confused, but doesn't hesitate to take my hand and leave the room.
"What's wrong?" she whispers.
"I'm not sure. I believe we have all overlooked something, but I can't put my finger on what it is. I want to talk to Noah." Rain looks concerned as we enter the office. I shut the door behind us, relieved to see that Noah and Kylie are alone.
"Noah, have you found out anything else about Raul?" I ask as we sit across from him and Kylie.
"Nothing more than what I already told Dakota. I tracked his phone and sent Dakota the address.. Did you have something specific you wanted me to look for?" he asks.
"Are you able to look at his phone records to see who he's been in contact with? I want to see if we recognize any of the people he has called or texted." Noah begins typing on his laptop and frowns.
"This is going to take a minute. He has the information on his phone encrypted. Most people may encrypt their computers, but many don't think about encrypting their phones," he says.
"Why would he do that? Is he safety conscious, or does he have something to hide?" Rain asks.
"He likely has something to hide," Noah replies as Tyler and Shea walk into the office.
"The police are gone. They really wanted to go into the negotiation room, but once they saw the padlock on the door and that there were no windows, they couldn't think of a good reason to go in. Is there any news from Dakota about Raul and the kids?" Tyler asks as he sits in a chair and pulls Shea onto his lap. I still find it amusing that just about everyone Dakota has rescued or invited to stay in the compound has found love with someone here. I look at Rain and know that she's the reason I was able to get through the drug withdrawal and stay away from them. I want to have a future with her, but that won't be possible if I'm focused on getting high.
"I tracked Raul's phone and sent the address to Dakota. Luka is having me look at Raul's phone to see if he's been in contact with anyone we know. His phone is encrypted, so it's taking a little longer than usual, but I should be in soon," Noah replies.
"Do you think we should clean out the negotiation room and make it appear to be just a storage shed in case the police get a warrant to search it?" Shea asks.
"Not yet. Dakota may be bringing Raul back, and we'll need it for him. After that, we may clean it," Tyler answers her.
"I'm in his phone now. I'm going to have Kylie look up the numbers he called and texted to see who they belong to while I look over the contents of the messages." I look at Rain as Noah and Kylie get to work.
"I'm sorry this messed up the time we were supposed to spend with Nikolas," I whisper.
"Don't apologize. Everything with him has been moving really fast. I'm still trying to figure him out. I'm so used to being let down by people that even though I am his biological daughter, I don't fully trust him yet." I wrap my arm around her, and she places her head on my shoulder.
"I love Dakota, but sometimes her heart is too big. She wants to help everyone she can, which is good, but sometimes, I believe she helps the wrong people who prey on her kindness. I hope I'm wrong, but I think someone here is being deceitful." Rain looks up at me, and I glance at Tyler and Shea. They both nod in agreement at what I said.
"I agree. The compound has had a bit of a revolving door lately, which has made me a little nervous. I know Dakota has her reasons for letting people stay here, and for the most part, I agree that they are good people, but not all of them," Tyler says.
"So, which of you is going to say something to her about it?" Shea asks, looking from Tyler to me.
"I think we like living too much to ever question Dakota. She can be scary as hell one second and sweeter than sugar the next," Tyler replies. We all laugh, knowing he is right. Dakota may have let a lot of new people into the compound, but we know she never does anything without a reason.
"I'm glad she let me stay here. I was surprised she brought Aubrey here. However, I see that Dakota was right about her, too. She has changed. Ari and I have been best friends for years, and being with Aubrey was the worst mistake he had ever made. I thought she was rotten to the core, but I was wrong. I've noticed there's something almost innocent about her since she's been staying here," Shea says.
"She was a surprise to me, too. I barely recognize her anymore. She's not trying to flirt with anyone or work an angle. She seems genuinely happy to be here and not under the pressure she was before. If anyone can get through to people, it's Dakota. She believes everyone has a good side, and she'll give most people a chance to prove it. However, if they betray her, they are as good as dead," Tyler replies. He's right. I don't know Aubrey well. She tried to flirt with me, but I was so into drugs that I didn't pay her any attention. I did hear the rumors about her from the other families, though.
"Uh, guys, we have something you need to see." We all stand and look over Noah's shoulder.
"There are texts going back for months of Raul plotting with this person. They had it all planned out, including getting close to both the Kondratis and Buccheris. They want to eliminate both families because they think they have lost their focus," Noah says as he shows us the texts.
"Whose number is that?" I ask. Before he or Kylie can answer, there's a loud crash and a gunshot. Tyler, Shea, Noah, and I pull out our guns, pulling Kylie and Rain behind us as the office door bursts open.
"Never mind, Noah. We have our answer on who the rat is."