“I don’t know where Arianna Becker is,” Damien lied arrogantly. He turned his head to the side as he stared at the other man.
He didn’t see the appeal that Vince held for men and women. He was a little too gruff, too uncivilized. His suit was cheap, and so was his haircut. He took in the bandages on his hands. He’d hit something until he bled, Damien could see. He tried not to smile, but he liked to see his inferiors frustrated. It made him feel so much more powerful. He didn’t mind giving over some of that power to Arianna; she was his equal after all.
He tapped one of his fingers to his lip thoughtfully. He remembered the way Arianna tasted in the ocean earlier, salty and sweet at the same time. He wished he could tell Vince; but he was sure he’d know soon enough. He looked down at his watch and wondered if the know-it-all was sitting at his desk at that moment tracing his cell signals.
“If I had the lovely Ms. Becker, I wouldn’t have her someplace you would find her.” Vince heard the challenge in Damien’s voice. “Until I wanted you to, that is.”
Vince wanted to tear the man apart, starting with his dick. He had sex with her. Vince knew it. Vince had pictures of the kidnappers, but he didn’t need to show them to Tremblay to see his reaction. He already knew they were dead, and looking at Damien Tremblay, staring into his eyes, he knew the man was capable of killing them. That meant he was capable of anything.
Vince picked up the folder to leave the room. But Damien had to get one more barb in. “You shouldn’t have taken your eyes off her, Agent Argento. If she was mine I’d never leave her in a situation where another man could touch her.”
“You bastard,” Vince yelled, and lunged at him. But Damien expected it, and he moved to avoid Vince, then punched him hard with the heel of his hand in his chest. He followed that blow with an uppercut to Vince’s jaw, also with the heel of his hand.
Vince crumbled to his knees. He’d never been hit that hard in his chest, not since he played football. It took the air out of his lungs, and hurt like hell. He couldn’t have blocked the follow-up punch if he’d even seen it coming. He saw stars after the hit to his jaw.
“I know karate, taekwondo, jujitsu, and muay Thai. You shouldn’t start a fight you can’t win, Agent Argento” Damien warned, then took his seat again.
Vince had never been so humiliated. He allowed the man to goad him into a fight he knew Vince would lose. He did it intentionally. Thankfully before Vince could embarrass himself further the door opened, and a lawyer entered the room.
“I don’t think I’ll need you after all,” Damien said as he walked around Vince and out the door. “Send my office the bill.”
Vince stood after the door closed, and hit the brick wall. His hand hurt like hell and it started to bleed again. He hoped to God that Jordan found Arianna soon, before he really hurt himself.
Damien laughed the entire way back to the hotel. He was sure the cab driver thought him insane. He didn’t care. The look on Vince’s face, when he was on his knees, was priceless. Damien’s plan was working perfectly. He hoped he timed it right. Allowing them to have his cell number would bring them a little closer to the island, but he needed to be back there before Vince arrived. He thought he might have to leave Hong Kong early. He would cancel his meetings for tomorrow and reschedule them. The next time he left the island would be after Vince found them, with or without Arianna.
Arianna was asleep when Damien returned. It was after 1:30 in the morning, after all. One of the islanders was his boat driver. He could navigate the sea around the island in the darkest night. He expected Vince would arrive at the island before noon, if Jordan was as good as he thought. If not, Damien would have to figure another way to lead them there.
She rolled over when he opened the door. He could see her in the muted light from the short hallway outside. She smiled when she saw him. His heart melted. She was everything he expected her to be, and more. She was so worth the wait. He wasn’t lying when he told her he would have stopped his mother from killing her. He would have done whatever was necessary to keep her alive.
He just wished he wouldn’t have given in to his lust for Helena. He wished he would have kept himself pure for Arianna. If he’d known of Arianna before he met Helena he would have. But they had been married for five years and had two kids before Arianna became his mother’s soldier.
She was in his bed now, he thought as began to undress. And when Vince arrived he would know if she really loved him, or if she was just playing a part. If she loved him, if she chose him, he would never let her go. If she left with Vince she wasn’t worthy of him anyway.
“Bon soir,” he whispered as he pulled off his pants.
“Hi,” she sighed as she gazed up at him. He was so beautiful, she thought as she stared at him. Maybe too beautiful. “I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow.”
“I knew I wouldn’t be able to think about politics while you were here alone in this big bed,” he lied sweetly. “I rescheduled my meetings for you.” That part was true. She lifted the sheet, welcoming him into the bed beside her. If she was acting, she was damn good at it.
“We won’t need this much bed, will we,” she giggled as he slid on top of her.
“Oh, I think we can find a way to use all of it,” he said right before he lost himself in her kiss.
“That cell phone number traces all around Asia,” Jordan complained. “I can track it to every capital and major city. He’s been everywhere.”
“Where did he use it on Sunday,” Vince asked specifically.
“At the police station.” Jordan didn’t even try to sound unemotional. Every bit of distress and anguish he felt came out. “But it’s not just about where he used it. A phone can ping a tower even if it’s not in use.”
“So what tower did it ping?” Vince was losing his cool too.
“Near Phuket.” Jordan waited for Vince to respond, but he didn’t. Jordan hadn’t seen Sam since they left the house separately that morning. It was nice having him around. He was good company, and a great sounding board. His intellect was extremely high, Jordan checked. He had an IQ of 145. It was not nearly as high as Jordan’s, but still impressive. He wouldn’t have to explain to Sam. “Phuket is in Thailand.”
Jordan finally had his epiphany, although Sam had mentioned it days ago. “SIB search private islands in Thailand. I want to know if any of the islands are owned by someone associated with Damien Tremblay.” If this was all it took to find her, Jordan was going to be so angry with himself.
After less than two minutes SIB answered. “Koh Ratchaphruek is owned by William Tremblay.”
“I’ve found Arianna.” Jordan’s voice was full of disappointment.
“That’s great,” Vince yelled. “You found her.”
“I should have found her days ago.”
“We know where she is. That’s all that matters. I can go get her,” Vince exclaimed. “Where is she, I’ll head to the airport now.”
“Get on a plane to Phuket. From there you’ll have to get a boat. They’re on a private island.”
“I’ll need guns,” Vince groaned. “I’ll call you when I’ve arranged it.”
Chapter Thirteen
“You can’t just go onto someone’s private island with guns, within a sovereign country,” Dutton argued. “I won’t allow it.”
“He’s been to that airport every evening since Arianna was taken.” Vince’s anger slowly reared its ugly head.
“Did he use his passport,” Dutton asked again. He knew the answer was no, Jordan had already told him. Jordan arranged the conference call. He knew they both needed to explain this to Dutton.
“No, sir, he didn’t. But the cell phone that he used in the police station pinged off towers in Phuket, Thailand, nearly every evening. Unless Damien Tremblay stole someone’s cell phone, he’s been travelling to Thailand after his meetings in Hong Kong.” Jordan’s logic couldn’t be argued with.
“He said he didn’t have her,” Dutton reiterated.
“He also said if he had her she wouldn’t be found until he wanted us to. That’s why he used his cell phone instead of using mine. He wanted us to track him.” Vince explained.
“It just sounds so…” Dutton couldn’t say what he wanted to Jordan and Vince. The fact that he wanted to join the DHS after his mother died set off red flags with Dutton. But the president wanted to placate Tremblay, so he gave him the job. So now, it seemed, he only wanted the job to set up a kidnapping of a federal agent. This was a very delicate situation indeed. “Take whatever you need. I’ll call the Thai and make sure they don’t interfere. Maybe they’ll even help.”
Sam stopped by to bring Jordan dinner. He couldn’t get over how thoughtful Sam was. He knew, in the back of his mind, he was only doing it to get close to Arianna. He was being so nice, and so helpful, Jordan might allow him into their home. Vince would love that.
“You found her,” Sam said, and raised his hand up to high-five Jordan. Jordan stared at him for only a moment, then slapped his palm. Apparently geniuses didn’t high-five each other much. “That’s awesome!”
“You were right, when I was drunk. You told me to look at private islands. I swear I’m never drinking again.” Jordan had never been so angry at himself.
“Yes, but you’ve found her now. Vince will get her. She’ll be back within the week,” Sam assured him.
“You’re invited for dinner when she gets back,” Jordan said.
“Just the four of us?” Sam had tried so hard to be included he could hardly believe it was about to happen.
“Just the four of us,” Jordan agreed.
At 9 am the next day Vince was on a boat headed toward the island. He had two FBI agents, enough ammunition for an army, and three Thai state police officers with him. He had to hand it to Dutton, when he wanted something done it got done. He really hoped he didn’t need the guns, but he was glad he had them. He couldn’t let Damien humiliate him again, especially not in front of Arianna. Just knowing that he was going to see her made the blood pump through his veins faster. He was going to ask her to marry him, and only him. He was totally done with their arrangement. It would be him and her, or nothing.
Sam went out to a bar near Jordan’s office to celebrate. They were at a crucial point in the rescue mission, Sam knew. He would have one drink, two at the most, to calm himself down and be ready to help out if Jordan needed him.
And if she wasn’t there, Jordan would really need him. He hoped Vince came back quickly if Ari wasn’t on the island. He didn’t think he could handle Jordan alone.
“So, counselor, I haven’t seen you around much lately,” Selena said as she sat down beside him. She always looked so perfect, Sam noticed. Her makeup, her hair, her designer dress; all perfect. But there was just something about her that Sam couldn’t accept. She was a whore, just like Vince. The worst part was she didn’t care who knew. If she was a little more discrete about it, he might be able to accept it.
“I’ve been spending a lot of time with Jordan Stewart,” Sam admitted.
Selena smiled. Sam knew that smile. She’d seduced Jordan for some reason. Poor kid was no match for her. And she probably thought he and Jordan were sleeping together too.
“He’s been crazy missing Arianna,” Sam corrected her. “We aren’t having sex.”
“You’re not missing anything,” Selena said as she rolled her eyes.
“We’ve found Arianna,” Sam stated. “She’s on Damien Tremblay’s island. Vince is going to get her now.”
“That’s interesting,” Selena nodded. “Why are you sitting here drinking?”
“Courage, I guess,” Sam shrugged. “I’m a little nervous.” He finished the drink and nodded to Selena. “Have a good evening. I’m going to.”
Selena pulled out her phone as soon as he left and searched for Damien Tremblay’s number.
Damien received the text via email. The satellite internet wasn’t the best in the world, but it was better than nothing. He barely knew Selena Davies; he’d met her once, twice maybe while his mother was in jail. Why would she text him to let him know that Vince was on his way to the island?
He carried coffee out to Arianna on the deck facing the back side of the island. They watched the sunrise together, and Arianna didn’t want to come back inside. When he brought her coffee he could see why. She was asleep on the comfy lounge chair. He returned late last night, and didn’t let her go back to sleep. He teased her relentlessly. He needed to feel that control, especially if it was the last time they had sex. Before he let her find her release, he rolled over onto his back and smiled. “Your turn,” he offered. She ecstatically accepted, and teased him beyond reason. He was ready to throw her on the bed and fuck her brains out of her pretty head when she crawled on top of him. Her body was astonishing. Watching her ride him was like poetry in motion. Every muscle rippled perfectly, every curve bounced seductively.
He sat down beside her, and watched her sleep. She was about to make him the happiest man in the world, or… He didn’t want to think about or. He would have to find another way to make Jordan Stewart miserable. He was sure he was up to the task.
The driver of the boat called out to the passengers that they were approaching the island. Vince suddenly felt the urge to pee. He usually did right before a raid or a gun fight. He remembered when he was in Iraq, going out on missions. When they were told to ready their guns the first thing he thought of was a bathroom.
He was so nervous he couldn’t stand it. He was sure Arianna was on the island. If she wasn’t, they would have to start over again. Jordan might have a nervous breakdown, but Jordan wasn’t his problem. His focus had to be getting Ari off that island uninjured.
Jordan wished he could listen in, but there were no cell towers to ping out in the middle of the ocean. He wasn’t nervous, not at all. He knew in his gut Arianna was on that island. This was a chess match, Jordan realized, between Damien and himself. Damien had taken Jordan’s queen. But unlike in chess, Jordan was going to get his queen back. He had so much confidence in Vince and himself as a team. They were indivisible, and undefeatable. Sam was right; Ari would be back within the week.
Kosum woke Arianna when she made her way out onto the deck. Her tone, her rushed words; Arianna might not know what she was saying, but she knew something was wrong. Vince had found them, Arianna realized. Thousands of butterflies were released into her stomach, and every one of them was trying to rip her guts out. “What’s wrong,” Arianna asked as Damien stood.
He offered her his hand, and she took it. She stood up beside him, and he grabbed her and kissed her. So many emotions were exchanged between the two of them with that one kiss. All of Damien’s hopes for a future with Arianna, all of the love that Damien had refused to show anyone else was concentrated in that one kiss. Arianna was nervous, hesitant. Her hands shook and her legs hurt just to stand. Damien wrapped his arms protectively around her. Arianna’s hands went up to his chest; she didn’t know whether to touch him, or to push him away. It was coming down to this one moment among all of the perfect moments they’d shared.
Damien pulled away gently, and his eyes burned into hers. “A boat is approaching the island,” he said. The confusion showed on her face. She tucked her head onto his chest, under his chin. Her lips trembled. Tears came to her eyes, and she squeezed them tight. “It’s probably Vince Argento.”
He didn’t have to say it. She was sure it was. “Hurry and put a dress on,” he ordered her. “Wear something pretty, chouchou.”
She ran down the spiral staircase and shut the door to her bedroom. She’d never hyperventilated before, but she was sure this was how it felt. She fought for each breath, and her lungs hurt when she inhaled and exhaled. She leaned against the door for only a moment, then ran to the window to stare out it. She could barely see the boat on the horizon. She hurried to her closet and threw on the light blue sundress that matched her eyes. She quickly washed the tears off her face, and brushed her teeth. Her dark hair was wild a
round her face and shoulders. She picked up her hair brush, but the knock on her door stopped her.
She ran back to the window and saw the boat approaching the pier. She could see one man on the boat, taller than the others, with dark hair and dark skin. She inhaled deeply once, twice, and the door opened.
“It’s time,” he said.
She turned and nodded. She tried to act composed, but it was hard to do when her knees were knocking together. She walked toward him, taking in his casual khaki pants and the green polo shirt that turned his hazel eyes emerald. His golden hair and white skin shined under the lights. And his smile as he held out his hand to her would have made her knees weak, if they weren’t already.
Then she noticed something else; the automatic rifle strapped onto his shoulder. She’d never seen one like it; it could be Russian or Israeli, she wasn’t sure. She bit her lip to keep it from quivering. She took his hand. She noticed the automatic pistol on his hip. She’d shot one often. It was a Glock.
How easy it would be to take it and shoot him, and run to Vince. She shook the idea out of her head, and followed him down the glass steps and out the front door, past the pool, and onto the path toward the beach. She could see the men from that vantage point, disembarking the boat and walking down the pier where they had fished the day before. They laughed together as she caught the biggest fish, then they swam as the cook fixed it for their lunch. They ate by the pool, then showered together before he left. Life with him was idyllic.
Her shoulders shook as her feet touched the sand. She knew he felt it.
Vince did not expect to see Arianna walking toward him holding Damien’s hand. He remembered when he met her, how he thought to rip his heart out and hand it to her; because if she didn’t want it he would never give it to anyone. He wished he would have done it then, because falling so hard for her, then seeing her holding hands with another man, hurt even worse. He stared at their hands clasped together. He couldn’t even look at her face. He couldn’t look. He couldn’t…
The Executioner 2: Love, Lies, and Revenge (The Executioner Series) Page 13