Precious Cargo

by Brenna Zinn

  “So how did you two manage to leave the hotel without Mazure?” Mila asked, leaning over the armrest of her seat into the aisle. Yure sat in the seat directly across from his daughter. Laramie in the space near the window.

  “It’s a long story,” Laramie replied. “Let’s just say it involved pulling some strings and thinking outside of the box. Major Mazure is no longer an issue.”

  “Is he dead?” Duke wanted to know.

  “No, but he probably wishes he were.” Laramie focused his gaze on Duke’s, silently conveying a promise to provide details later.

  “Speaking of stories, I’m hoping you can fill me in on how you know Dmytro Kozak.” Duke leaned forward to look at Yure. “Respected Ukrainian diplomat and local mafia boss. I’m all ears.”

  “Ah, yes. That is an interesting story.” The old man sat back in his seat and stroked his beard. “Many years ago Kozak’s son and two other men were captured while supposedly raiding a Soviet Union military arsenal. At Kozak’s urging, I helped negotiate a deal to have the men released from a Siberian internment camp.”

  “Kozak asked me to tell you his debt is paid in full.” Mila smiled at her father. “He saved our lives.”

  “Then we are indeed even,” the old man said. He turned his attention to Duke, his expression suddenly serious. “I have already talked to Laramie, but I need to talk with you.”

  Duke shifted in his seat, straightening his shoulders. “Yes, sir. What can I do for you?”

  Yure took a moment, as though carefully collecting his thoughts.

  “As Major Mazure is no longer available and may very well end up in a Ukrainian jail if he survives, I am in need of a new head of security. I hope you will consider the job.”

  The unexpected offer rocked Duke in his seat.

  “Me?”

  “Yes.” The old man leaned forward, hands clasped in his lap. “I need someone who has considerable experience safeguarding people. A person who can find good men to join my security detail, train them, and lead them. Someone in whose competent hands I can place my personal safety, as well as my daughter’s. I have no doubt that you are that person.”

  Mila turned away from her father and looked at Duke. She placed her hand over his.

  He started to ask Yure why he wasn’t asking Laramie, but deep down he already knew the answer. The old man was a smart diplomat.

  Duke held Mila’s gaze. “Darlin’, do you have any thoughts about this offer? It would mean I’d be around for a good long while.”

  A bright smile spread across her beautiful face, causing her freckled cheeks to rise nearly to her sparkling eyes.

  “I love the idea.” She leaned closer and kissed him. “And I—”she started and paused. Her eyes searched his. The sweet pink he loved so much stained her cheek. “And I love you.”

  Oh, yes. Damn if it wasn’t one of the best days he’d had in a long while.

  Where to find Brenna Zinn

  Check out my website http://www.brennazinn.com

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  Books by Brenna Zinn

  Iron Rods – Book One in the Strip Club Series (Available March 2016)

  Unmasked Secrets – Book Two in the Strip Club Series (Available September 2016)

  Touched by Midas

  Dagger’s Edge

  When A Lady Meets A King

  His At Last

  Going Down

  Private Showing

  Mi Toro

  The Sea Prince

  Don’t Miss All the Omega Team Stories

  Hot Target by Jordan Dane

  The Lion by Cerise DeLand

  Before the Bang Shift by Mandy Harbin

  Texas Stand-Off by Sable Hunter

  Buffalo Undercover by N. Kuhn

  Keeping Karen by Heather Long

  The Soviet Connection by Kate Richards

  Assisting Aimee by Susan Stoker

  Hot Rod by Sabrina York

  Precious Cargo by Brenna Zinn