The Talented Mr. Rivers (18 page)

Ed held something a little bigger than a phone in his hand. He studied the screen and after a few minutes nodded. Will knew then they were checking for listening devices or searching the room somehow. That made sense. What didn't was that the room appeared to be clean. That could only mean that Ed needed new equipment. Either that or Seth had quickly shut off whatever needed to be shut off to preserve this cover story.

With that out of the way, Will could concentrate on Gatt again. “Haven't you heard? I'm supposed to be dead.”

“Yes, that.” Gatt smiled but the gesture looked hollow. “The first thing we'll do is shake some of that Rivers money free from Peter. I'll also restore your staff and the guards. I'm afraid Peter has been too busy hiding to handle the family's affairs properly, but you won't make that mistake.”

How helpful of him. Will almost wondered if Gatt could deliver on all those promises. Getting money for a dead man was the interesting one. “You're worried about Pentasus's clients.”

“There are other suppliers, but I'm confident we can reestablish trust. They just need to see that Pentasus is fully operational. These people trusted your father and Stacia. Now they'll trust you.”

Will leaned against the back of the couch. “You can make that work?”

“Consider it my partnership gift to you.”

Will admired his ability to stay on task no matter what. So, Will tried another tactic. His main job centered on stalling long enough for Peter to get there. The team couldn't afford for either of them to be tipped off and run. Gatt and Peter excelled at hiding underground, which meant they needed to be dragged into the light, and this might be the only chance.

But they still had business to hammer out. Real or not, Will had to sell his role. “I didn't actually accept your proposal yet.”

Gatt's fake smile slipped. “I assumed that's why you used the communication device we provided. I'd hate to think this is a courtesy decline.”

“Nothing so dramatic.” Will balanced his hands on either side of his legs. Dug his fingers into the top of the couch in an attempt to burn off at least a little of the energy surging through him. “But we do need to come to an understanding before we start.”

“I'll take that as a positive sign that you know what you need to do for the company, and that includes working with me.” Gatt folded his arms in front of him and nodded. “So, what is it you need?”

“I am in charge. Always and completely.” Will waited an extra bit to let that order settle in. “No negotiation on that point. We are not equal nor will we be.”

Gatt's body language changed. He switched from smooth, almost relaxed, to tense. Ready to pounce and rip apart anyone in his path. “Of course.”

“No, I really need you to understand this.” Will stood up because suddenly he wanted to be on his feet and ready. He blamed Hunter. As Will watched, Hunter stalked around the room, sticking close to Ed and never taking his gaze off Gatt or his man. “We both know this is about you seeking a large piece of Pentasus. A very large piece.”

With each word, Will saw Gatt's mouth flatten more. The strain showed on his face and pulled at the corner of his eyes.

“There's no question we can come to terms.” Gatt wasn't looking around the room and mentally tearing it apart now. No, Will seemed to have his full attention.

“But I can't spend my days worrying you'll undermine me and my orders as I work to rebuild my father's legacy.” Will glanced over his shoulder as Ed shifted and moved slightly out of his peripheral vision.

“Understood. Trust in a partnership takes time to build.” Gatt sounded so reasonable.

Will knew better. With this guy a partnership would always be in flux and susceptible to his need to control. Not that Will planned to spend even one second truly mulling over the terms. Right now his bigger issue was with Ed and his insistence on hovering right behind his shoulder. Will was not a fan of being stalked or having people shift outside of his line of sight. Apparently neither was Hunter because he all but growled.

Will turned and stared at the bodyguards. “Gentlemen, it would also be helpful if you two didn't look ready to kill each other at every turn.”

“Ed knows how important Mr. Cain is to you,” Gatt said.

Hunter's gun came up. “Then he shouldn't stand behind him.”

“Ed, you're making my new partner nervous.” That's all it took from Gatt for Ed to shift into Will's view and move almost even with him. “There. Is everyone satisfied? Can we go on to the plan for moving forward?”

Will was about to answer when the door burst open. Peter slipped inside. He held a gun as he shut the door behind him.

Bang. Bang.

The sound was so much quieter than expected that Will didn't know what had happened at first. Then he saw the silencer and the rage behind Peter's eyes. That had been a kill shot.

The crashing thud had Will spinning to the side. Ed no longer stood next to him. He was on his knees, listing to one side. For a second his body swayed, then his gun dropped and cracked against the floor. Ed followed, falling into a heap without making any attempt to break his fall. Just slipped bonelessly down and landed in a sprawl by Will's feet.

It took another second for Will to see the blood soaking through his dress shirt and the hole where his heart should be.

The whole scene unfolded in a few seconds. But Peter had their attention now. Only Gatt didn't hold a weapon, but Will was pretty sure he was carrying. It was the panic part he seemed to be skipping. Gatt had all the emotion of a guy licking stamps.

Peter's gaze traveled around the room and landed on Gatt. “Now the meeting can start.”

It took all of Hunter's control not to shoot Peter right in the forehead. Any other time, any other guy, he might have. Mission parameters called for Peter to be brought in, but Hunter knew that exfiltration often led to an unnecessarily high body count, and Will would not be one of them.

Hunter also didn't want to be the guy who killed Will's brother. They might be estranged and their sibling relationship all screwed up and twisted, but they were family. Even the people he didn't expect it from often picked blood over anything else.

He kept one hand on the gun and held up the other in an attempt to get everyone to focus on him and keep from shooting. “Let's all calm down.”

“Are you in charge?” Peter swung the barrel of his gun first in Hunter's direction, then pointed it at Will. “Is that how you're running this meeting, baby brother? Letting the help take over?”

Everything this sack of shit said made Hunter itch to pull the trigger. But Gatt wasn't firing and Hunter needed to know why. Seth also needed time to get his men in place and take out whatever shooters waited. The goal remained the same. Top to bottom, bring in as many of them as possible. Clear them off the streets once and for all.

Will didn't drop his gun. Didn't even flinch. “His job is to protect me.”

Seeing Will in control fueled Hunter. Fisher's crack about putting Will before the mission had hit too close. Hunter had never sacrificed the work for good sex. Never would, but Will was more than that now. Still, the answer couldn't be that Will came before the lives of all those people Pentasus would destroy. That Pentasus survived because he'd developed these unwanted feelings he couldn't kick. But with Will staying solid, not panicking, Hunter's job got easier.

“I thought that's what you needed me for, or was the whole ‘I just want to go to school' thing an act?” Peter asked in a mocking tone. “I'm starting to wonder exactly how capable you really are.”

Will's fingers tightened on his gun. “Very.”

“Now might not be the best time for a family argument.” Hunter's goal was to warn Will, but he was fine if Peter got the hint, too.

Gatt didn't need another opening. If he saw weakness between the brothers, he'd strike. His clear plan was to wipe both of them out eventually. As far as Hunter was concerned, any suggestion that Will might not be helpful to the cause in the present situation was a huge mistake.

“Agreed. But it is interesting you would show up now, Peter.” Gatt took a step in Peter's direction. Still didn't show any weapon but taunted anyway.

Hunter guessed that meant Gatt knew something no one else did. For the first time Hunter appreciated having a team. And Seth had better be working all of this out right now.

“Is it?” Peter's arm lowered. Not the whole way down, but low enough that his gun aimed at stomachs and not heads. “Why are you surprised? Will works for me.”

“Is that true? Because the way I see it there is more than one Rivers heir in the room. Either can take the lead.” Gatt barely moved but ended up standing next to Will. “I'm betting on your baby brother in this game.”

Peter smiled. “Who do you think invited me here today?”

“Gentlemen.” Will had everyone's attention now. “Have either of you thought that maybe I don't want a partner at all? That luring you both here was my way of removing the competition once and for all?”

Easy.
Hunter stood two steps back from Will. His fake position as bodyguard required it. He could dive in if needed. That didn't mean he wanted Will to invite more wrath.

But Gatt didn't seem impressed. Truth was, he looked almost bored as the tension spun up around him. “I planned for that contingency.”

Peter snorted. “You aren't the only one who came here with reinforcements.”

“Oh, really?” Gatt shifted to the side and small red lights blinked to life on Will's and Peter's chests and stomachs. Five or six each. Guns trained on them. Shooters right outside, maybe in buildings across the street, ready to fire and unconcerned with the people in the street below.

Gatt gestured to the window and Hunter's gaze followed. He swore under his breath. He knew he should have kept the curtains closed no matter what Gatt wanted or what Seth had said about that being a possible entry point for his men. He'd been knocked off stride, so wrapped up in trying to work out every angle in his mind and the ways to keep Will safe that he'd missed an obvious one.

“You may have brought your guards, but my men are everywhere.” Gatt wasn't hiding his satisfaction. For the first time his smile looked genuine. He seemed to be enjoying the power play. “Guns on the floor. Now.”

“Fuck.” The word slipped out before Hunter could call it back.

“Don't feel bad, Mr. Cain. No bodyguard would be able to protect Will from all those guns aiming at him right now. Your one would be useless.” Gatt folded his hands together in front of him. Looked every inch of the man in charge of this show. “But we don't need to end the meeting in a bloodbath.”

Instead of dropping it, Peter raised his gun and pointed it right at Gatt's head. Stood only a few feet away and looked ready to fire. “I could shoot you now.”

“And my men would eliminate all of you, storm the building, and others would step up in my place to take over Pentasus. Others of my choosing. You would still lose. There isn't a scenario in which you win.”

Hunter believed him. The identities of the “others” weren't clear, but Gatt showed no telltale signs of panic. He didn't fidget, didn't break eye contact. If he was sweating or nervous, he hid it well. The man was pure ice despite the very real possibility he was about to die.

“You made alternative plans,” Will said in a firm voice.

“One must always have a contingency.” Gatt held up both hands. “This is the last time I'll warn you before I give the signal. Lower your weapons, and that includes you, Mr. Cain.”

That was not fucking happening. “No.”

Will's knees bent as he set his weapon on the floor. His gaze shot to Hunter. “Do it now.”

Fine.
He had others, so he'd put this one down. It killed him to do it, but he did.

He only hoped Gatt skipped a pat-down. He had to know there were more weapons than what he saw. But having all those guns ready to fire for him outside, and probably in the hall, might make him cocky. That's how these things tended to work. People got too comfortable.

“Listen to your boss.” Gatt barely spared Hunter a second glance before he turned his attention back to the Rivers brothers. He pushed Peter's gun so it aimed at the wall. Then Gatt took it, which required some wrestling because Peter wasn't going down easily. “Now let me explain how this is going to work.”

Peter shook his head. “You aren't in charge.”

“I actually am.” Gatt was fully in control now. His voice rang out through the room, sure and confident. “As planned, your brother will step up as the new Pentasus figurehead, but that's all he will be. I will run Pentasus. And so long as Will doesn't disappoint me, he can remain alive and enjoy a portion of the money that rolls in.”

Which would make Will Gatt's prisoner, and Hunter would not let that happen. But those red lights hadn't disappeared. Men still waited for Gatt's command. Seth's people, wherever they were, hadn't gotten to the right spots and handled them yet.

The choreography of this had to be dead perfect, despite the lack of planning. So, Hunter continued to play his role. He could reach for the second gun behind his back or the one by his ankle. Duck and grab and get a shot off without trouble. But for now he bided his time.

“And Peter?” Hunter asked, trying to draw the attention back to him.

“Good question, Mr. Cain.” Gatt reached inside his suit jacket. He pocketed Peter's weapon and took out one of his own. It was the first time he'd held a gun since he walked in. “There is no scenario under which he leaves this room breathing.”

A stark silence filled the room. Hunter's heartbeat pounded in his ears. He was pretty sure he could hear the others breathing. Will kept looking around, and for the first time Hunter worried he might bolt or do something else really dangerous.

After scanning the room, Gatt's gaze settled on Will. “Would you like to do the honors?”

Hunter couldn't believe Gatt would hand Will a weapon, but he sure as hell hoped so.

Then Will lifted his hand. “One problem.”

Gatt frowned, clearly not happy his big scene had been interrupted and no one was cowering. “What's that?”

“You're not the only one with men stationed outside.”

The lights on their chests blinked off, almost as if on command. It took a second for Hunter to react. One second too long. Gatt got off a shot.

Hunter lunged. “Will, get down.”

Will was moving, but his arm jerked back. His other hand went to his shoulder and blood seeped through his fingers. Instead of seeking cover, he stumbled. The back of his legs hit the bed and he went down on the mattress.

Gatt aimed again, firing as he ran toward the back of the couch. The first shots went wide, but that didn't stop him.

Hunter heard gunfire from every direction now. It echoed around him as the familiar rumbling sound of the secret door snuck underneath the noise. The pinging of bullets and shattering of a lamp had him dropping lower. He crawled toward the opposite end of the couch. Shoot Gatt in the back of the head to take him down. That was the new plan.

But Hunter couldn't get there in time to stop another round of shooting. He aimed for Gatt's arm, hoping to break his shot. But Gatt was ready to fire again, and Will had no cover. Will rolled, but with his injured arm hanging to his side, he seemed to move in slow motion. It looked like he might be able to drop off the edge of the mattress in time. Then Peter was there, right by Will's side, tugging on his good arm.

Footsteps thundered in the background and the sound of male voices shouting rose above the firefight. Hunter ignored it all and focused on his prey. He dove, hitting Gatt in the side just as he fired off another shot. Hunter slammed Gatt into the floor and their bodies bounced against the hardwood.

Sirens started to wail and Hunter could hear screaming. Another anguished yell sounded from the bedroom area as the stuffing in the furniture kicked up around them and a table tipped over.

Hunter's mind flashed to Will and he frantically tried to remember where he'd last stood and if Gatt could have gotten him. Then the barrel of Gatt's gun whipped around. Hunter didn't hesitate. He fired one shot straight into Gatt's temple, taking him out for good.

Then he was up and moving. He could see Seth was there, bent over someone. Bodies on the floor. Legs not moving. Blood pooling as Fisher and another man Hunter didn't recognize scrambled inside through the hidden entrance and Zach stormed in the front door with even more men.

Chaos reigned and Hunter's mind splintered. He couldn't get his legs to work as a stark terror hit him. Will wasn't on the bed. At least two of the tangled legs on the floor belonged to him.

Hunter moved then. On hands and knees, he raced over to Seth and shoved him out of the way. Ignored the paleness of his face and worried frown. Then Hunter saw everything. Will sat there holding his brother, cradling him, almost rocking back and forth.

Blood streamed down Will's arm but he didn't seem to notice. All of his focus was on Peter, who was sprawled on Will's lap with his chest moving in short staccato breaths as he fought for air. The bullet had clipped him in the chest and the blood was everywhere. It had soaked through his clothes and through whatever Seth had pressed to his chest.

“I need medical.” Seth was shouting into a microphone. “Now.”

He's alive.

The thought kept running through Hunter's head. Gatt's last shot had hit Peter, not Will. Hunter couldn't feel anything but relief. It soared through him, making him dizzy.

His arms almost gave out, sending his upper body crashing to the floor. But somehow he managed to lock his muscles. He kept moving, rushed right up to Will's side and touched his leg. Anything to form a connection and feel the warmth of his body. Hunter's hand shook and his chest ached, but they'd made it. Somehow.

He didn't understand what had happened. The last few minutes blurred in his head. People filled the room, moving in and out. Hunter searched for the right words to say to Will but his brain wasn't functioning at optimal speed. All he could do was celebrate as Will's hand tightened on Peter's.

Two men swooped in. Hunter reached for his weapon, but Seth held up a hand to stop him. “Medical.”

Will sat there as the men moved Peter off him. They yelled directions and a gurney loaded with supplies was wheeled in. Will's hands fell to his sides, palms up and stained with blood. He didn't even seem to notice Seth working on his arm. He stared at his brother, looking lost.

Pain shot through Hunter. He wanted to help but didn't know what to do. “Will?”

Will's head slowly turned until he was looking at Hunter, eyes half glazed with confusion. He didn't blink. “I saw Seth outside. He gave me a signal.”

Hunter wasn't sure what Will was talking about, but he moved up and leaned in closer. Lifted his hand and touched the side of Will's face. Anything to offer comfort while the noise and shouting echoed around them. “We stopped them. It's over.”

“We killed Peter.”

The sound of Will's voice, the sadness filling it, crushed Hunter. “Will, no. You can't think that way.”

Will shook his head and his voice sounded hollow. “I should have run. Not tried to find you.”

The words sliced through Hunter. He half expected to see blood pouring out of him. “We were inevitable.”

“You're wrong.”