find her. But…can you get her out?”
“I had a talk with Zeke and we came up with something that should work.” Without delay, Micah called the bodyguard, holding up a finger so Gisele would wait.
“Zeke…we’re on. I’ll meet you where we discussed. It has to be tomorrow, when it’s still dark out, say three.”
“I’ll be there,” the bodyguard said. They’d already been over how to proceed, once they knew where Catarina was, and whether it was feasible to get her out. “I’ve set things up. How far away is she?”
“Less than half an hour’s drive.”
“That’s a lucky break.”
Micah hung up, and answered Gisele’s unspoken question. “I’ll tell you about it once your mother is free,” he said, then squeezed her hand. “I don’t want to jinx it. This isn’t done until it’s done.”
Gisele looked so hopeful. “Oh, Micah, this means so much to me.”
“You can thank me when you see her.”
Gisele raked both hands through her hair and let out a breath. “Alek came through. It’s hard to believe. He did what he said…he helped me.”
“It looks that way,” Micah said. “Now I just have to do my part.”
*****
After dinner, they went to Gisele’s new condo, and she was pleased to show it to him. The décor was modern and upscale, even if the space was small. The slate-colored walls contrasted with the carpet, a weave of various hues of blue.
There were lots of windows, and the view of Vegas was stunning. The gas fireplace added character to the room. Plus, the high ceilings made the interior seem more spacious than it was. Gisele walked into the center of the room and spun around. “What do you think?”
Micah grinned. “It’s a great place, just right for you.” Then he frowned. “My hotel room is going to be lonely.”
Gisele sat on the curved sectional and looked up at him. “I didn’t think of that.” She bit her lower lip. “I guess we could trade off. I stay with you one night, then you stay with me the next.”
Micah laughed. “We’ll see.” He sat down and put his arm around her. “The most important thing is that you’re living on your own. I know you’ve wanted that for a long time.”
Gisele leaned her head on his shoulder. “I know I told you earlier, but I have to say it again. It means so much to me that you’re going to rescue my mother.” She lifted her head and looked up at him. “You’re taking a big risk.”
“It’s our only chance,” Micah said. “I don’t trust the mob to release her.” He held her a little tighter. “And we need Catarina with us in case we have to make a run for it.”
Gisele traced her fingertips over Micah’s strong thigh. “There might be another way.”
“I’m listening,” Micah said, giving her his full attention.
Gisele proceeded to tell him her idea, and how it would play out if it worked. “I thought of it when I was with my mother. She told me how my father tricked the mob, so maybe…”
“It’s possible…but you don’t have much time.”
Gisele looked at Micah, feeling a surge of hope. “At least I have a chance ,” she said. “That’s more than I had before.”
While Micah was rescuing her mother tomorrow, Gisele would have other challenges. But she would see it through. Everyone she cared about was at risk, and all that mattered to her teetered precariously. Yet she might have her mother back, something she hadn’t imagined.
Plus Gisele was with Micah, and she loved him so much. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing all they had, maybe even their lives. The future might be theirs, if Micah rescued her mother, and if her idea on how to evade the mob worked. Then they could be together, but only if Micah survived in the ring against Max Fromer.
The big fight was a crucial component to their plan, now more than before. Gisele needed Yuri at that fight if she had any hope of succeeding. With all eyes on the ring, Yuri would be temporarily out of action. And that was all
Sharon Kleve, Jennifer Conner, Danica Winters, Casey Dawes