her way to a doctor’s appointment, a rival gang kidnapped her. In the attempt, everyone died. Including Macey. Or so everyone thought, including her husband, Ronin.”
The realization drew a low whistle. “She chose being dead over being married or attempting a divorce?” The reason why hit him a second later. “She has two daughters. His, I assume.”
“She was pregnant when the helicopter crashed.”
“Does this Ronin guy know she’s alive?”
“No idea. But I imagine seeing you, someone from her past, triggered her into acting.”
“She tried to make me forget.” For a second, he saw bodies in the trunk of a car. Then another flash of Macey slamming it shut. “She knew Taotie.”
“Who?”
Ted shook his head. “A neighborhood thug.” She’d killed Taotie and Eddie, but not Ted. Why?
A flash of orange in the window caught his attention. A glance had him gaping in disbelief at the flames licking at the windows of his dojo. Fuck.
There went his business, his home. Good thing he had insurance. Bad thing he currently had nowhere to live.
Because of Macey.
At this point, some would have chosen to be angry. She’d come into Ted’s life and fucked it up: drugging him, killing people associated to him, and now burning everything he owned.
Yet he saw the desperation in each act. The fear.
He couldn’t resist, he had to do something. “I want to help her.” Despite what she’d done. Because of it. A woman who would fight that hard shouldn’t do so alone.
“Let me see if her handler is interested in borrowing your services.”
“I don’t need money.”
“If we tell them that, they’ll say no for sure. They can be prickly in that sense.”
“Do what you have to. I want to help.”
It turned out there was no argument needed. Once Ben reached out to Portia’s handler, she was delighted to have Ted on board, and contacted him directly.
He answered the unknown number. “Hello?”
“So, you’re the Ted who completely ruined poor Portia’s life.”
Way to pour on the guilt. “Not on purpose. Who is this?”
The smooth reply was, “Call me Mother. After all, you’re about to become my son-in-law.”
“Excuse me.”
“A little bird told me you wanted to help.”
“I do.”
“Excellent. Then stop talking and listen. Once we hang up, you’re to go straight to Portia’s house and demand she give you the counter-remedy.”
“She has one?”
“Of course. We didn’t develop this forgetful serum for nothing. It’s often used by our agents in the field in case they’re ever captured or questioned with a truth tonic. Can’t have them blabbing secrets, now can we?”
“I’ll remember everything?”
“Yes. Now if you don’t mind, we don’t have much time. She’s preparing to flee as we speak.”
“She’s in danger?” The thought kept him focused.
“Very, which is why having you along playing husband and father will be perfect.”
“I hardly look like the twins’ father,” he remarked, his recollection having the girls with Asian features.
“Because you were infertile and adopted. You’ll have time to work on that story during the cruise.” Marie then went on to tell him the entire cover story. In a nutshell, he was going on a vacation with Macey/Portia and her kids. His job was to act as an extra layer of protection.
If Portia didn’t slam the door in his face.
“What are you doing here?” she snapped upon seeing him.
“Hey, Macey. Portia. I don’t know what I should call you.” But seeing her triggered yet more memories. Of her cradling his head right after she’d drugged him. Remorse or wishful thinking?
“Go away. I don’t have time for this.”
“Can’t leave. I’m here to help you.”
“Oh, hell no, you’re not,” she muttered before turning her back and marching into another room, a phone to her ear. “Mother! Don’t you dare hang up! Argh.”
With Macey gone, Ted eyed the steely-eyed and haired woman at the door.
He held out his hand. “Hi, I’m Ted.”
“That’s what I figured,” she said, eyeing him in his trendy clothes, the only thing he’d managed to find in Mark’s closet. His packed bag held more of the same. “Joanna. Aunt. Former special forces. Hurt my girls, and they will never find your body.”
The threat might have intimidated someone else, but it actually brought a smile. He didn’t have to pretend to be meek anymore. “Also former special forces, and now a freelancer for hire.”
The gaze turned appraising. “I hear BBI vouched for you.”
“I work for them from time to time when I’m not teaching people martial arts basics.” He still held out his hand. She eyed it for a moment and then gave it a firm squeeze.
“Good