by Delta James
“Probably,” he admitted, laughing and pulling her closer.
Suddenly, a chill ran through her, and she shivered.
“It’s all right, Zara. I’ve got you. Everything is going to be fine. We’ll get it figured out and taken care of.”
“Sometimes, I think I’d just like to forget the whole world exists and stay here with you…”
“And then others,” he said, laughing, “you wonder when I’m going to fall asleep so you can slip away and do whatever it is you’re planning.”
Chapter 10
“How can you say that to me?” she asked in an indignant tone, sitting up and drawing away from him.
He laughed. “Because I know you. I don’t doubt that you enjoyed our latest tryst, but I also know you’re up to no good. My guess, and the righteous indignation in your tone confirms it, is that you thought you’d blow me, have me fall asleep then slip out of our bed and go wherever it is you think will get you the story.”
“I-I…” she stammered.
“You should know a couple of things. The first is I disabled the Range Rover. That leaves you with the motorcycle. While it’s good for a quick getaway, there are very few places it can go that I can’t follow in the Rover. And my vehicle is tougher and faster than yours. I will catch up with you before you ever get to the Rover in the crofter’s hutch. The second is when I do, the first thing that happens is I take my belt to your pretty backside and lay a series of welts across it. Then I’ll fuck you so hard you won’t be able to walk the next day. But you will never, and I mean never, get to where it is you were going or finish what you were planning to do.”
Perhaps if he’d found a different way to express himself or hadn’t looked as pleased, she might have been able to accept what he was saying. But he hadn’t done either of those things. Zara rolled away from him and ran into the other room.
The bed creaked as he sat up. “Zara, you’re naked. You might want to get dressed before you try to ride that motorcycle.”
She quickly found what she was looking for. Snatching up the gun, she spun on her heel and sprinted back to the bedroom. Leveling the gun, she confronted him wordlessly. She comforted herself knowing she had turned the tables on him and would be giving herself the .time she needed to make her escape.
“Put the gun down, Zara. We both know you aren’t about to put a bullet in me.”
“I’m not sure about that, but you aren’t paying attention.” She squeezed the trigger. As if in slow motion, Noah sprang from the bed only to have the tranquilizer dart sink deeply into his thigh. “But in this case,” she continued in a soothing tone, “I don’t have to. Sweet dreams, Noah.”
Noah growled as he sprang forward, but the powerful sedative took effect almost immediately, and he slowly sank to the floor in a puddle by her feet. Zara gingerly stepped over him and got dressed quickly. She grabbed a pillow and a blanket from the bed and approached the doorway. Ensuring he was still out, she lifted his head and placed it on the pillow before covering him up. Zara kissed his cheek as she left him.
She stopped long enough to pull out the power cords to the communication system. Zara had no interest in doing it any damage, she just wanted to slow him down. Praying the tranquilizer would keep him knocked out long enough to give her a good start, she found his wallet and took all of his cash and his company credit card. She’d book her first flight using it. She had no doubt once he was awake, he’d deactivate the card. Zara also grabbed his cell phone. That, too, would only be useful until he woke up.
Running toward the outbuilding where the motorcycle was kept, she thought briefly about trying to let the air out of the tires in the Range Rover but nixed the thought. It probably wouldn’t buy her as much time as it would take to do it. She peeled back the disguised tarp and unplugged the motorcycle from the charger. She grabbed the helmet, fit it securely on her head, and hit the electric starter. The bike leapt to life, and she could feel its power as she motored out to the front of the cottage. The place really was lovely, and she would always have fond memories of it. Since there was no one after her, she opted to take the drive and head toward the road.
Once she could determine exactly where she was, she’d make a plane reservation for the closest airport to Paris with a connection to Marrakesh. In a perfect world, she’d have gone through several airports to try and confuse the issue, but airline security was tight these days, and she knew speed was more important than stealth when dealing with Noah.
Zara read the road markers and laughed. He was right; their bolt hole was in the middle of nowhere—the most western coast of Wales. She booked a flight from Cardiff to Paris with a tight connection to Marrakesh in Morocco. She remembered Noah had tossed his cell phone out when they were in route to the safe house. She assumed that meant the one she had was secure. She called ahead to alert Ghazil she was coming and to let him know it was imperative to keep that information to himself. The two had built a relationship of sorts over the years and trusted one another.
“Zara! This is not your usual line. Whose phone have you stolen, you bad girl?”
She laughed. “Noah Taylor’s. I need to speak with you about some rumors I’ve heard. Deep cover only, and I won’t take more than an hour of your time. I’ve booked a flight and should be there about four this afternoon.”
“I’d love to see you. Only problem is I’m not at home. I’m on vacation.”
“Ghazil, the phone I have is state-of-the-art secure.”
He laughed. “I assumed that. I know you would never compromise me. I’m still on vacation. I’m in Greece, on Mykonos to be specific. Why don’t you re-route here, and we’ll meet for dinner? The place is full of tourists, so we can have dinner in my room if you like.”
“Ghazil, that would be lovely. I’ll see you about eight. I want to get in and get out before Noah catches up with me.”
“How did you run afoul of the Wild Mustang Security Firm and, more importantly, Noah Taylor? Not a man I want banging down my door.”
“He’s decided I’m in danger…”
Ghazil laughed again. Zara always forgot how much she actually enjoyed the man. “Has he met you before?”
It was her turn to laugh. “It gets worse. I’ll give you all the lurid details when I get there.”
“Lurid? Oh goody! I love lurid. I’m at the Kensho Psarou. Kiss, kiss.”
He rang off, and Zara just shook her head. As she rode, she decided to leave her flight booked to Marrakesh. She would fly to Paris then take a small commuter plane that wasn’t exactly on the radar of most people to Greece. From Athens, she’d either try to connect with another commuter plane or take the speed ferry to the Greek island of Mykonos.
She drove on toward the airport. There was no doubt in her mind that as soon as Noah woke, he’d hook up the communication system and alert his team she was on the run. She hoped they wouldn’t be too hard on Finn. Finn knew Ghazil by reputation but didn’t have a personal connection with the man. If Wild Mustang came up with Ghazil, they’d head for Marrakesh. That should give her all the time she needed to meet with Ghazil and get back to mainland Europe. She’d have a little over an hour in flight to Paris to plot her next moves.
***
Noah woke with a throbbing head. His system did not process tranquilizers well. They made him feel hung over.
“Damn it, Zara,” he shouted as he came to and lifted himself off the floor.
He used the doorframe to help stabilize himself as he got to his feet. He looked down and smiled. At least she’d tried to make him comfortable. Maybe he’d return the favor when he caught up with her by offering her a pillow to sit on after he welted her ass. He hated to take the time but figured a quick shower was the best way to shake off the residual effects of the sedative.
Once he was dressed, he walked into the sitting room and snarled. He sat down and began reconnecting the comm system. This was another piece of naughtiness Zara would pay for.
“Yo, Noah! I thought we weren�
��t going to talk until the team reconvened day after tomorrow,” came Thom’s voice on the other end of the line.
“There’s been a little change in plans. It seems my woman has decided to go rogue.”
Noah heard Thom trying to stifle his laugh and failing miserably. “That’s not good.”
“It won’t be for her when I catch up with her. I need you to track what she used my credit card for. Check airlines first. Then I’m going to need a safe house somewhere in Europe. Preferably isolated.”
“This really isn’t sounding good for her. Can I ask how she got away?”
“Sure. She shot me.”
“Jesus! That bitch…”
“Watch it,” he growled. Then, in a more modified tone, he continued, “That’s my woman you’re talking about, Thom. I might think about calling her that, but nobody else better do it.”
“Sorry. Do you need medical attention?”
“No. She used a tranquilizer. I took a shower to clear the fog. My head is killing me, but I’ll be fine.”
“Your card is coming back with a report. She is in transit from Cardiff to Paris. Do you want us to try and intercept her there?”
“I don’t think you can get there in time, do you?”
“No, but I can put out a BOLO and see if we can’t get the Sûreté to pick her up.”
“I don’t trust those guys, and I don’t think they’re good enough to pull it off. She’s been doing this a long time and was with a guy from NATO intelligence for several years. He gave her some interesting skills.”
“We might be able to get there to snatch her, but it would be iffy and probably not go very smoothly.”
“Does she have a connecting flight?”
“Yes, to Marrakesh.”
“Gotcha!” For the first time, Noah felt like he would be able to stop her from getting herself killed.
“Does that mean something to you?”
“Yeah. She’s headed for Ghazil Assaraf. She’s used him in the past for deep cover.”
“Don’t you know him?”
Noah laughed. “I do. And, in fact, the firm has used him successfully on several occasions and has him on a general retainer. Shit!”
“Now what?”
“She took my secure cell. Can you patch me through to a number via a secure line?”
“Puhleeze, do not be insulting.”
Noah grinned. “Sorry. I know better. I’m just worried about Zara.”
“What’s the number?”
Noah gave it to him and was quickly speaking with Ghazil.
“Ghazil? Noah Taylor. How are you, my friend?”
Noah could hear laughter on the other end of the line. “I was having a lovely, quiet vacation in Mykonos, but it seems to be getting more interesting all the time.”
“Mykonos is never quiet,” chided Noah. “And if you think it’s interesting, my sweetheart must already have talked to you. I would remind you she doesn’t pay you, and the firm has you on a rather large retainer.”
“There is no need for your reminder, and I’m glad you called. I have been debating on whether or not I should call you as Zara did share with me she was on the lam from your firm, and you in particular.”
“What’s to debate? That should have been a clear call for you to make.”
“She promised lurid details, and you know how much I love steamy, erotic stories.”
“Knock it off, Ghazil. As I just reminded someone else, that’s my woman you’re talking about,” snarled Noah.
“N-Noah, I didn’t know…”.
“I didn’t mean to bite your head off.”
“You’re worried about her.”
“I am. She could be way in over her head. We were going to talk to you anyway. When is she scheduled to meet you?”
“We’re to have dinner tonight about eight in my hotel room at the Kensho - Pasarou. I have one of the rooms with a panoramic view of the ocean and private rooftop seating area. It’s yours if you like.”
“Thanks, Ghzail. I’m going to connect you back to Thom. He’ll get all the particulars from you and set you up in a different hotel. The firm will pick up the tab.”
“That would be very nice, Noah. I appreciate that.”
“But, Ghazil? That’s my woman, and she’s in danger. You do anything to alert her that I mean to catch up with her there, and you’ll answer to me.”
“My dear Noah, the moment you referred to Zara as your woman, I had no intention of getting in your crosshairs. I shall be the soul of discretion. In fact, if I might, if you’re in need of a safe house close by, I have a small place on the Amalfi Coast where you might take refuge. I can give the coordinates to your man, Thom.”
“Ghazil, you are a true gentleman, and both the firm and I appreciate your assistance.”
“It is my pleasure to hasten the course of true love,” he said poetically.
Noah snorted but reconnected him with Thom. Having gotten a credit card number to use, Noah chartered a private flight directly from a small airport closer to the cottage than Cardiff to take him directly to Mykonos. It should let him arrive a couple of hours before Zara.
Noah pulled his things together and got the cottage ready for the next user. He reinstalled the starter relay in the Range Rover and drove to meet the chartered jet. The flight was uneventful, and he used the time to write and send a report back to the firm. He shook his head. Not only was he never going to hear the end of falling for Zara, once she was safe, they would take fiendish delight in needling him about letting her get the drop on him.
When he landed, Thom had a new secure cell phone for him, plus credit cards and a luxury SUV. Noah landed and picked up his new equipment. He had asked that Thom not disengage the cell phone. He didn’t want Zara stranded without any way to call for help.
Noah spotted Ghazil immediately at the small bistro in Little Venice. He was surrounded by adoring women. Ghazil was usually surrounded by adoring women. It was part of his persona. Most didn’t know Ghazil was gay. Not that there was anything wrong with that, Noah just felt badly that most of those who thought they knew him, didn’t know him at all.
“My friend,” he called as he saw Noah and shooed away his newest entourage.
“Ghazil.” Noah sat across from him. “Again, my apologies for snarling at you earlier. I am more than a little annoyed with Zara.”
“I’m not sure whether I am envious of her or not.”
Noah smiled. “I’m not sure if you should be or not either. My biggest concern right now is keeping her safe. How much did she tell you?”
“Not much at all. Just that she wanted to talk to me deep cover and had managed to make the radar of your firm, and you in particular.”
“What have you heard about Fariq Abdal’s organization?”
“Nothing good. They say one of his men went rogue and Abdal had him killed. Then there was a small altercation in Las Vegas that was quickly hushed up. Abdal has disappeared, and one or more of his lieutenants is looking to take over.”
“The altercation was a simple K&R gone bad. The brother of the photo-journalist, Finlay Reid. She’s a friend of Zara’s. After we got Finn back, she went to Zara and got her involved. Springer sent a hit team after Zara. I snatched her, and we ended up at one of our safe houses.”
Ghazil shook his head. “No, it wasn’t Springer. I’m not saying he wouldn’t have done it, but he’s too busy trying to see if he can snatch Abdal’s operation. If anyone is trying to tie up loose strings, it’s Abdal himself.”
“That can’t be. He’s been in our custody since Vegas.”
“Twenty-four/seven? Unless you have eyes on him at all times, believe me when I say it’s not only possible, it’s probable. Was the ransom monetary in nature?”
“No. Information on a thumb drive in exchange for Finn’s brother.”
“Finn’s brother?”
“Yes, he’s an international banker, a glorified accountant. He stumbled across something and, when Timon Springe
r found out, he moved against him without Abdal’s approval.”
Ghazil shook his head again. “That, too, is not possible. Timon was a lackey. I doubt he ever had an original thought to call his own. He would have been following orders.”
“We figured that…they came from his brother.”
Ghazil laughed. “Not possible. They hated each other. Abdal kept them in different parts of the world to keep them from going at each other’s throats.”
“Then who?”
“My guess? Abdal himself. If Gerold Springer has been amassing support and connections, then Abdal would have known. There is very little in the arms trade Abdal doesn’t at least know about. Most of it, he arranges himself. Abdal could have been doing this to set Gerold up. Abdal has had a money man in his back pocket for years. He was grooming him to take over the business. The accountant wouldn’t be Christian Reid would it?”
“It would indeed.”
“Is he a guest of the firm?”
“He is, but not kept under lock and key…why?”
“Christian Reid deals in takeovers and hedge funds. I don’t know for certain, but I’ve been keeping my eye on him. I didn’t know his sister was Finlay Reid, although, looking back, I should have. He’s Abdal’s heir apparent. If it wasn’t possible for Abdal to send the hit team, then it was Christian Reid.”
“So the whole K&R was some kind of ruse?”
Ghazil nodded. “That would be my guess. They used that poor fool Timon to lure his brother out in the open so Gerold could be dealt with in a way that kept it quiet that he’d ever been disloyal.”
“But why would Reid involve his sister?”
“Was it supposed to be handled by your firm?”
“No. She was given instructions to tell no one and to take the drive he’d hidden at her place to a rendezvous point and exchange it for Christian.”
“There must be something in the information that makes them think they are vulnerable. Be very cautious. A hit on a well-known journalist is not something Abdal would undertake unless he was very worried.”
“Ghazil, my old friend, you have proven invaluable to me. Along with our picking up the tab for your vacation here in Mykonos, you will find a nice little bonus added to your monthly retainer.”