The Path to Freedom (Task Force 125)

by Pietsch, Lisa; Gerow, Tina

  As they entered the sitting area, Sarah counted four men and four women. A perfect complement for the table set for ten in the dining salon.

  Three of the women were fairly dowdy and huddled together, chatting quietly in a corner of the couch. The fourth woman, a leggy blond appeared to be working one of the men over with a pout while the other three men enjoyed their drinks and cigars and looked on in amusement.

  Sarah assessed the three men and didn’t recognize any of them as Hassan. She became rather anxious to see the man and determined he had to be the tall one being worked over by the blond. The fact that he had his back to her was simply adding to the suspense and her nervousness.

  Let’s go, big boy. Turn around and show me what I have to work with.

  “Good evening, gentlemen,” Tony said to the three men standing to their left. “And ladies.” He nodded to the women on the couch to their right.

  Sarah turned to smile at the men, knowing full well her mission wasn’t to win a popularity contest with the hens. Charming these guys would inevitably add to her value as a showpiece. As she turned back to Tony, the tall man turned around and, to her amazement, he was magnificent! She smiled broadly.

  Oh, baby! Those photos didn’t do you justice. This job is going to be significantly less unpleasant than I expected. We’re going to hit the sheets and you’re going to spill some secrets, honey!

  “Tony. It is so good to see you. Salaam Alaikum,” he said loudly as he walked toward Sarah, eyes locked onto hers.

  Oh, you have got to be one of the most attractive men I’ve ever seen!

  He stood at least six-foot-three, had a well groomed, short haircut that could have passed for a military cut but looked stunning on him. His chiseled facial features were the kind that would make a New York modeling agent cry. He had high cheekbones and a strong rocklike jaw. The man could have been sculpture come to life.

  His eyes were a dark brown and so alert and focused they brought to mind those of a predatory bird. His jet-black hair, eyebrows and trimmed three-day beard and moustache only accentuated the power of his gaze. The only thing that served to soften his face was the sensuous curve of his lips. But once he smiled, his perfect teeth proved danger lay there as well.

  Sarah couldn’t help but be entranced with his beauty. Were it not for the touch of gray at each temple, he would be a dead ringer for a Chippendale’s dancer. His shoulders were broad and the chest under his black silk shirt and jacket, though not overly thick, was clearly well muscled. His suit jacket was unbuttoned, showing off his trim waistline. His smile captivated her like watching a cobra as it prepared to strike. So beautiful Sarah simply couldn’t take her eyes away from him.

  If Satan were to take a human form to sell condos in Hell, this one would do the job nicely.

  Hassan took Sarah’s hand while maintaining his lock on her eyes.

  Sarah smiled and took a deep breath, suddenly aware of the rise of her breasts as she saw Hassan gaze appreciatively down and then back into her eyes.

  He continued his gaze into Sarah’s eyes as he said to Tony, “You must tell me who this beautiful woman is and why on earth she is wasting her time with you.”

  Chris whispered through her earrings, “Smooth. I have got to write that one down.”

  No shit! And I am totally digging it.

  Sarah tried to remember not to let Chris’s peanut gallery comments interrupt her act. She smiled as Tony said, “Sheikh Hassan Abdullah Mohammed al-Rashid, allow me to present Miss Sarah Stevens, a gem I found in my recent travels.”

  “Such formality, Tony. Please, call me Hassan.” Gently winding her arm around his, Hassan smiled a wide, perfect smile. “Some day, my friend, you’ll have to tell me where you do your shopping. A jewel like this would make any man a thief.”

  “The Sheikh is very generous,” Sarah purred. “Thank you.”

  Stay cool, Stevens. Mmm… The Sheikh has got it going’ on!

  Sarah once again became very aware of how long it had been since she’d had sex.

  “Generosity, my dear, is not one of my attributes,” he whispered conspiratorially. “Come. Let us get you a drink.” He led her toward the bar.

  This job definitely beats twelve-hour shifts on the Law Enforcement Desk at Nellis! Ooh-ya!

  The bartender stood behind the bar and seemed suddenly anxious as Hassan and Sarah approached.

  Hassan leaned his elbow on the bar and gazed into Sarah’s eyes. “Name your desire and it shall be yours.”

  You’re damned right. Once this is all over, I’m going to own you, fella. Don’t worry, I’m sure it’ll be a hell of a ride before it’s all said and done.

  “White wine, please,” she said to the bartender as she retrieved a gold cigarette case from her purse. “May I?” she asked Hassan.

  “Of course, my dear. Allow me.” He quickly produced a lighter inlaid with mother of pearl and what appeared to be diamonds. Sarah held the flame steady and drew seductively on the cigarette while looking into Hassan's eyes.

  He wants me.

  “What a beautiful lighter.”

  “I would make it a gift to you but that would deny me the pleasure of serving you.”

  Chris mumbled in her ear again. “I have to write this shit down.”

  “What does a guy have to do to get a drink around here?” Tony asked as he walked up behind Sarah and slipped his arms around her waist. “Martini, please,” he said to the bartender. “Now Hassan, this one is mine. I’ll not have you stealing her away like you did every woman I dated in law school.”

  “He exaggerates. He only dated one woman at Harvard.” Hassan waved his hand dismissively, the predatory light still in his eyes. “And she was nothing like you.”

  The bartender handed them their drinks and nodded dutifully to Hassan. “What is the Sheikh’s pleasure this evening?”

  “The Sheikh’s pleasure will not be found in a bottle tonight.” Hassan looked hungrily at Sarah, who remembered that she was supposed to be infatuated with Tony and played the part.

  The Sheikh’s pleasure will not be found this evening. He’s going to have to work for it.

  Hassan led Sarah and Tony over to the three men and introduced them. “Gentlemen, I would like you to meet my very old and very dear friend from college, Tony Neviani and his lovely friend, Miss Sarah Stevens.”

  Gazing into Sarah’s eyes, he said, “May I present my business associates Jaleel and Khalid, and my eldest son Khalil.”

  Jaleel and Khalid seemed annoyed at having been interrupted only to be introduced to a woman, but Sarah sensed a distinct deference to Hassan in their manner.

  Khalil, who looked like a younger, less muscular, version of his father, smiled and held out his hand to shake Tony’s and then Sarah’s. He spoke with a slightly English accent. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

  “My son is visiting for the weekend before he begins his studies at Oxford University.” Hassan beamed.

  “A fine school. I’m sure your parents must be very proud,” Sarah said brightly.

  Hassan answered. “His father is simply pleased he did not pick Yale. As for my ex-wife, she knows nothing of such things and prefers it that way.”

  Sarah suspected his answer was to inform her not only of his pride in his son but also of his availability. She also noticed the other women in the room were not included in the introductions.

  The three huddled in the corner seemed unaffected, but the blond had taken up residence at the bar and flirted shamelessly with the bartender who seemed just a little uncomfortable with the attention.

  Hassan glanced toward the bar and quickly excused himself from the group. He strode over to the blond and whispered something in her ear as he unobtrusively waved his hand toward the window.

  Within seconds, Kadeem, the cockroach, appeared and escorted the blond out of the room.

  A small woman, dressed in kitchen whites appeared noiselessly at Hassan’s right elbow.

  He said something very
quietly to her, then she nodded, proceeded to remove a place setting from the dining table and then disappeared quickly.

  Hassan walked back over to Sarah’s side and announced, “Gentlemen and ladies, let us sit for dinner.” He gently took Sarah’s arm to lead her into the dining salon while Tony walked quietly behind.

  So far, so good.

  Hassan walked to the head of the table and seated Sarah immediately to his right.

  She nodded in thanks as he pulled out the chair for her.

  Tony sat in the chair to her right.

  As Hassan seated himself, Sarah stole a glance at Tony who smiled back and gave Sarah a conspiratorial wink.

  During the course of their dinner, Hassan was the perfect host.

  Had Sarah not known what she was there for, she could and would have quite easily fallen for his charms. He was everything the other men in her life hadn’t been. The man was attentive, devastatingly attractive and when he turned on the charm he made her feel as though she were the only other person in the world.

  But why couldn’t he be Vince?

  Hours later, after the final course was finished and Sarah was thoroughly intoxicated with Hassan’s charms, Tony gave her the signal she’d been waiting for.

  She batted her eyes at Hassan. “Thank you for a lovely evening. If you’ll excuse me?”

  Hassan let his hand fall gently onto Sarah’s. “No, thank you for gracing my humble table.” Then boisterously, he said, “These men are boors. I would leave, too, if I could.” Standing, he drew her hand to his lips with a meaningful glance. “Sleep well.”

  Sarah stood and tried not to be surprised when the other men stood to watch her go. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed the other women moving away from the table as she did.

  Once in her cabin, Sarah unpacked the MP3 player and speaker Chris had her bring along in case Hassan had the staterooms wired. She turned it on and played it loud enough to muffle anything she might say, but not loud enough to disturb anyone outside the cabin. She then swept the cabin for bugs and cameras just as she had been trained to do during mission preparation.

  Satisfied the cabin was clean, she undressed, drew a hot bath and enjoyed the luxury of the jasmine-scented bubbles.

  Chris’ voice interrupted her thoughts. “Are you alone?”

  Sarah stretched her legs and watched the bubbles slide off. “Yep.”

  “I heard a bath. Are you naked?”

  Sarah chuckled, closed her eyes and sighed. “Mmm-hmm.”

  “Oh, that’s nice. I’ve got to remember to put a camera in the next set of jewelry I fit you with.”

  “You flatter me. Think Coco Chanel’s early accessories. Lots of pearls.”

  “Noted. Did you check for cameras and sweep for bugs?”

  “Yeah. All clear.”

  “Are you ready for the dirt on the goon squad upstairs?”

  Sarah closed her eyes and laid her head back on the cool marble. “Send it.”

  “Okay. Kadeem is the bagman. He does the dirty work like settling up with Hassan’s female friends and sending them on their way.”

  “Funny, I watched him do that tonight.”

  Chris continued. “He also handles all of Hassan’s financial accounts. Jaleel is a bodyguard of sorts. He’s known for being none too bright, especially with the ladies. We expect him to be the first one to spill information around you. He’s quite the chauvinist, so feel free to work that handicap.

  Khalid is likely to be completely unaffected by your charms. He’s a Muslim extremist and wanted by the U.K. in connection with the London Underground bombings. He likely does not approve of Hassan’s lifestyle, but we suspect he gets too much financing from the guy to complain.

  Khalil is clean so far, except for his unfortunate relationship to Hassan. He graduated from Eaton with outstanding grades, plays soccer, visits his mother often and seems like an all around good boy. Don’t underestimate his intelligence or loyalty to his father though.”

  Sarah sank deeper into the hot bath. “Understood.”

  “Hey, I’m just curious. Do his lines work on you?”

  “Yeah. He’s good.”

  “Of course he is. Evil bastard. There are guys kicking themselves for not thinking of using those lines on you first. Goodnight, babe.”

  “Goodnight, Big Daddy,” she whispered in her most seductive voice.

  Chris chuckled. “God, I love it when you call me that.”

  If only you were Vince.

  Sarah reached for the thick cotton towel waiting on a warming rack. She toweled off quickly and then slipped on her robe.

  A light knock sounded at the stateroom door.

  Sarah tied her robe as she walked to the door.

  When she opened it, Kadeem presented a folded garment to her and bowed slightly. “With the Sheikh’s compliments.”

  “Thank you very much,” she said sincerely as she took the soft, white silk bundle.

  Kadeem turned and scuttled briskly away.

  Sarah closed the stateroom door and brought the bundle to the bed. She unfolded a stunning white silk caftan, embroidered with gold thread.

  She quickly dropped her robe and slipped the caftan on over her head. The milky white fabric slid over her skin like water. Although the embroidered hem barely touched the arches of her feet, she felt as though she were still naked as the delicate fabric cascaded from her breasts and lightly touched her hips with a gentle reminder she was indeed clothed.

  I’m so in. A man doesn’t give a woman a garment like this and not expect to see her in it. How convenient he should have a supply of such things. This guy is good.

  The stateroom door opened.

  Sarah turned around to face the door and heard a long, low whistle.

  Tony’s jaw dropped but he managed to say, “Well, I wasn’t expecting this, but I accept.”

  Sarah smiled. “Flatterer. Hassan sent it. You like it?”

  “Oh, baby. I don’t know if I should thank him or be pissed. All I can think of is…wow.” Tony growled as he rolled onto the bed and propped himself up on one elbow. Then he perked up, “Hey, with the light at this angle, I can see all your secrets.”

  Chris’ voice sounded inside her ears again. This time he sounded urgent. “What secrets? What are you wearing? What’s going on in there? Damnit, Vince, why didn’t you let me put in a camera? How come Tony always gets to bunk with the babes?”

  Sarah heard Vince’s unmistakable voice in the background. “Because one, a geek with a camera is a dangerous thing, my friend, and two, Tony can control himself with the ladies. We all know you’d be a blubbering idiot in that bedroom.”

  “And you wouldn’t?” Chris accused.

  “Don’t go there.”

  I want to go there.

  The sound of Vince’s voice made Sarah giddy and she laughed out loud. For such a serious operation, this was becoming altogether too comical for her. If this was any indication of what working with these boys was going to be like, she was ready to sign on for the next twenty years.

  If she couldn’t have Vince, knowing he wanted her, too, would be enough…for a while.

  When she finally managed to stop her nervous laughter, Sarah slid under the covers. “Goodnight, gentlemen,” she whispered one last time. She fluffed her pillow and closed her eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Sarah woke to the sound of a motorboat moving away from the yacht. Tony was already awake, showered and dressed when she sat up and remembered where she was.

  Tony stood in the bathroom doorway wearing white cotton slacks and a blue T-shirt. “Good morning. Casual cruise attire today, darling. I took the liberty of laying a few items out for you.”

  “Mmm, thank you.” She ran her fingers through her hair.

  “Hassan likes to take his breakfast on the aft deck. You should join us there when you’re ready.”

  “Yes, of course. I’ll be up as soon as I dress.”

  Tony left the room and Sarah began
preparing for the day. She walked into the bathroom and saw the outfit Tony laid out for her.

  Tony Neviani, Harvard graduate, millionaire and valet. How lucky am I?

  She stepped into the white mini skirt and threw the pink, silk, short sleeved sweater on over her head. She stared at herself in the mirror.

  I’ve got to say, the Very Sexy Bra certainly is.

  She brushed her long, wavy, brown hair until it shined, checked her pearls and then applied her lipstick and gloss. Sarah slipped her feet into a pair of Chanel sandals on her way out the door and made her way to the aft deck hoping there would be something akin to espresso there.

  Sarah strolled through the main salon and out to the aft deck. There was a large table for ten under the shade of the upper deck, but Hassan and Tony sat at a smaller table for four in the morning sun. They drank coffee, chatted, and laughed amiably.

  It’s show time!

  Sarah slid her sunglasses and smile in place before she sauntered over to them.

  Hassan stood and smiled as soon as he saw Sarah. The man was positively stunning in a light blue silk shirt and white trousers.

  “Good morning.” He pulled out a chair for Sarah to sit in. She couldn’t help but notice the top three buttons of his shirt were undone and revealed enough of his well-defined chest to cause her to anticipate going there. He must have noticed her staring because when she glanced up, he smiled at her.

  Tempting. Very tempting.

  “Good morning and thank you for the beautiful gift.”

  “Yes, thank you,” Tony added.

  Hassan sat in the chair to Sarah’s right as Tony smiled at her from the chair on her left.

  Sarah leaned over to kiss Tony on the cheek. “Good morning, darling.”

  Tony glowed. “Morning, darling.”

  Hassan smiled. “It was just a token to welcome you. A gift should be far more substantial for a beauty such as you.”

  Sarah quickly lit a cigarette. “Will the others be joining us?”

  “My associates left late last night and my son left early this morning to visit some friends for the rest of the weekend.” In a low almost growl, Hassan stated, “I am completely yours for the rest of the weekend.”