by C. J. Miller
Hyde looked repulsed by the idea. “I don’t want them to be suspicious about what happened last night.”
“Won’t they see your ankle?” Finn asked.
Hyde shifted the fabric of her dress. “I hope not. If they do, I’ll cop it to a sprained ankle and blame my clumsiness. I’ll say I woke up in the middle of the night for a drink and fell. Unfamiliar surroundings.”
Finn didn’t like the look of the injury and he didn’t like that she was planning to walk on it. “Let me get you some ice.”
She nodded. It must hurt badly if she was willing to accept help. Finn wrapped ice in a towel and brought it to Hyde. He knelt on the floor at her feet and set it against her ankle. She reached to hold the towel, and their hands brushed. The connection lit a fire through him. Why was she fighting this so hard? Their attraction was strong and persistent. Ignoring it was only making him burn hotter for her.
“When will you talk to me about this?” he asked.
She blinked at him. She didn’t ask what he was referring to. They knew. “When I can.”
It was the best answer he had received from her and he didn’t push. She’d tell him the truth eventually and he was prepared to deal with whatever she said. Whatever had happened, he would be supportive and helpful and perhaps kill the person who’d hurt her.
* * *
Hyde and Finn drove a dune buggy to Barnett’s compound. Hyde was in heels, intensifying the ache in her ankle. Though the ice had helped, it was swollen. Hyde reached to it, rubbing. She would be careful not to draw attention to her injury at Barnett’s house. The more questions, the more likely she would be caught in a lie.
Finn parked outside Barnett’s compound. He stepped out of the buggy and circled around to help her. Hyde leaned on him, grateful he had taken her arm on her injured side.
“These steps,” Hyde said. The last time they had taken the stairs, they hadn’t bothered her. Now, putting her full weight on her ankle—in narrow heels—was killer. The heels had gone perfectly with her floral-printed wrap dress. She should have forgotten about fashion and worn comfortable sandals.
“You can do it,” Finn said.
Hyde hid the pain. She had been in worse agony. Her time in prison came to mind. This shouldn’t be a big deal.
They reached the front door and it opened before they knocked. They were escorted to the dining room. The doors that lined the walls had been opened, letting in a soft breeze that smelled of sun and sand. Sheer white curtains had been pushed to the sides and they billowed, waving in a random pattern, keeping time with the wind.
Finn poured her a cup of coffee from the carafe on the table and she accepted it gratefully. They kept their conversation about the artwork in the room and general pleasantries. Every word they spoke was likely being listened to. At least with the conversation staying on neutral ground, avoiding difficult topics was easy.
Barnett and Ruby arrived ten minutes later holding hands. Ruby was wearing a green dress, low cut in the front with a short, full skirt falling to her knees. It was the most conservative clothing Hyde had seen Ruby wear.
The woman sat across from Finn and Hyde, but Barnett stood. He took a sip of his water and stood to the right of his chair, forcing Finn and Hyde to turn to face him. “Finn, I’ve enjoyed having you and Alexandra here. Our discussions lead me to believe we could have a very lucrative business together.” Clasping his hands behind his back, he paused, watching Hyde and Finn.
If he was trying to make them uncomfortable, he was succeeding.
“Cheers,” Finn said, lifting his cup to Barnett and breaking the awkward silence.
“I have requirements for the people I work with,” Barnett said.
Ruby was staring at Barnett, her hands folded on the table. Hyde watched her eyes. She looked bored.
Barnett sat, angling his chair toward Finn and Hyde. “I will not waste your time further. You need to prove your loyalty to me in order for us to continue with our plans.”
Hyde had been holding her breath and let it out slowly. She dreaded the words that would leave Barnett’s mouth next. Proving their loyalty could mean anything.
“I need five million dollars from you. We’ll call that your buy-in to my venture, some start-up capital.”
Five million was a relatively small amount for someone like Barnett. What was the purpose of requiring the money?
Barnett waited, as if wanting a reaction. Hyde blinked at him and hoped her expression was appropriately vacant.
“I don’t want the money from your personal accounts. You’ll need to prove that the money is stolen,” Barnett said. The corners of his mouth lifted. He was enjoying this.
Hyde had expected a catch. Giving him the money was too easy.
Barnett tapped his finger on the table. “I want the five million to be accompanied by a dead body.”
Hyde and Finn exchanged looks and Finn patted her hand as if reassuring her. Money was one problem they could solve using the technology skills available to them through the West Company. Killing someone was another matter.
How was Finn planning to play this? Reasoning with Barnett seemed unlikely. Finn could explain that he didn’t get his hands dirty and killing was out of the question.
If Barnett refused to compromise and Finn refused the loyalty test, this was finished.
“View this as an opportunity to take out the competition or other obstacles in our way. I’ll fly you from the island to Florida. You’ll have seventy-two hours. If you choose not to return, I’ll send an assassin to ensure your silence on this matter.”
Finn and Hyde killed as a last resort: to stop heinous activity, to stop a terrorist or to stop a mass murderer. They did jobs that others wouldn’t do for the greater good. They had a personal code of honor and that code said nothing about killing for sport.
“I’m not an assassin for hire, Barnett,” Finn said.
“You’ve killed before,” Barnett said.
“Not on someone’s command.”
“If a situation arises over the course of our business that requires you to do something unpleasant, I need to know that I can count on you to handle it,” Barnett said.
Finn leaned forward, setting his elbows on the table. “I can handle it. I wouldn’t be at this table if I couldn’t. What about you, Barnett? What sign of loyalty will I have from you?”
Barnett appeared amused. “What do you want? You know what cards I hold.”
“I have influence on the East Coast. It’s why you brought me on. If you have enemies you want handled, you need to handle them on your time,” Finn said. “I can get your product where no one else can. Why do we need bodies to pile up? I don’t like involving the authorities in my business, and a murder investigation will do that.”
Finn was playing a good angle, appealing to the logic and business side of the arrangement.
“I consider this nonnegotiable. But I will make you the same offer. I’ll give you a body if you want it and I’ll steal five million, too.”
Not what Hyde was hoping Barnett would say.
Finn remained quiet. He rubbed his jaw. Was he considering this? If he said no, Barnett may kill them. Limited their options. But they couldn’t murder someone on Barnett’s say-so.
“I’ll give you the five million and a body,” Finn said.
Barnett broke into a grin. “Excellent. I’m thrilled to hear this.” He handed Finn a piece of paper. “These are the identities of the men you may choose to kill. Pick one.”
Hyde’s stomach turned. Ruby appeared unfazed. She must know that Barnett was a murderer. She would have a much different reaction if this were the first time she had heard this request.
Finn lifted a brow and looked at the list. “You have a number of men on this list who will be challenging to reach, much less to kill.”
“You have resources. Use them,” Barnett said.
Finn pointed to the list. “Julio Ramirez? What’s your quarrel with him?”
Hyde was familiar with the name and his work. He was a lifelong criminal with a vast history of drug trafficking, murder and theft.
“He’s tried to move in on my territory. He’s too greedy and unreasonable. I can’t have it. Every person on that list is in my way. Think long-term. If we want our venture to be rewarding, we need to get obstacles out of the way. Those men are obstacles,” Barnett said.
Barnett was using Finn to take out a rival. How did that play into their business arrangement? Barnett could have taken out a hit on Ramirez without involving Finn. He must derive some satisfaction from forcing Finn into a difficult situation. More than that, Barnett would have leverage over Finn, evidence of a murder he committed to release to either the authorities or the dead man’s gang.
“I’ll handle it,” Finn said. Finn stood and extended his hand to Hyde. He drew her to her feet. “We need to get moving. If I have three days, I’ll make use of them.”
Finn and Barnett exchanged curt goodbyes.
As they left the house, Hyde couldn’t read Finn. He was walking quickly, a snap in his step, his brows drawn together and his shoulders tense. Processing what Barnett had said would take time, and speaking of the situation was too dangerous. They would need to be off the property before they discussed their options.
“Alexandra!”
Hyde turned at the sound of Ruby’s voice. “Hey, Ruby. Sorry to depart so abruptly.”
Ruby flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Are you sure you don’t want to stay for brunch? We have a new coffee I’d love for you to try.”
Hyde wasn’t sure how to answer that. It was almost like Ruby was pretending the last five minutes hadn’t happened and her boyfriend hadn’t just asked them to kill someone. Was denial how she stayed with Barnett? Guilt and sympathy mushroomed through her. “Sorry, Ruby, next time.”
Ruby glanced at Finn. “Are you going with him? You could stay on the island with me while Finn deals with this.”
Ruby’s eyes were pleading with Hyde, and compassion twisted in her gut. Staying to protect Ruby had merit, but Finn needed her. Either he would choose to end the mission and flee for a safe place where Barnett could not find them or accept the mission and go after one of Barnett’s targets.
Hyde set her hand on Ruby’s arm. “I’m going with Finn. We travel together.”
“I told Reed that he could trust you. I don’t know why he wants to involve you like this,” Ruby said.
Finn put his arm around Hyde’s waist. “We’ll be back. You heard Barnett. Three days.”
Ruby opened her mouth as if to say something and then snapped it shut. She leaned toward Hyde. “I told him the money was enough.”
A multimillion-dollar theft would be enough for most. The dead body was a gruesome twist. How did that make Ruby feel? She knew about Barnett’s demands on the people he did business with. What else did she know about his enterprise?
Hyde debated saying anything more. She couldn’t trust Ruby to maintain her confidence, but she wanted to give the other woman a way out. “When the flight leaves the island, you should come with us. We could go to a spa while the men work and get some rest and relaxation.”
Finn’s eyes twitched. She was going off script and he didn’t approve. Involving Ruby would complicate matters, especially if Barnett blamed Hyde and Finn for Ruby’s disappearance.
Ruby shook her head. “I already asked Reed if I could visit my family.” She bit her lip, and tears sprang to her eyes. “He says we have things to do here.” Ruby blinked and wiped at her eyes, smearing a small amount of eyeliner to her temples.
Hyde squeezed Ruby’s hands. “We’ll be gone three days. Maybe less.” Though Hyde had no idea how they would accomplish Barnett’s ridiculous request. She had doubts that Finn would want to. If they went that deep with Barnett, the line was blurring and they were venturing into a morally questionable area.
Finn looked at Hyde. “We need to go.”
Hyde said her goodbyes to Ruby and they walked away from the compound to their dune buggy. When they were a good distance away, Finn stopped and looked at Hyde. “Ruby has to stay on the island. Do not invite her to come with us again. I was afraid she would take you up on your offer.”
Hyde glared at him. “She doesn’t have to stay here. I could help her hide. Once she’s on US territory, I have contacts and assets to help her.”
Finn ran his fingers through his hair. He didn’t get rattled easily, but Barnett’s demands were over-the-top. “You can’t. Barnett would blame us.”
“Are you still planning to do this?” Hyde asked. She was expecting him to call it off.
“What choice do we have?” Finn asked.
Plenty of choices. “We could not do it.”
“You mean, we could quit.”
Barnett had presented the tasks as an ultimatum. “Yes.”
Finn let out a low growl of frustration. “If that’s what you want to do, I won’t force you to be part of this.”
Finn was bent on continuing down this path. Could she leave him alone when he might need her help now more than ever?
* * *
Alone in their villa, and after checking for listening devices, Finn grabbed his bag and tossed in the items he’d need for an operation. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Hyde had been quiet on the drive. She was packing slowly, folding and rolling each article of clothing before placing it in her suitcase. Finn didn’t know if she was working up the nerve to abandon him or if she planned to stay on the island to protect Ruby. Both options riled Finn. He needed to know she was safe.
“I don’t know how well we can fake someone’s death and I don’t know if I’m prepared to kill. Even if it is someone like Ramirez.” Hyde looked pale when she spoke the words.
Involving her in another mission tangential to this one was how mercenaries and spies were caught in this life. No mission existed without ties to a dozen others. Like their relationship, it quickly became complicated. Hyde and Finn’s relationship had started as a no-strings-attached series of flings and had escalated into what they had now. Finn didn’t have a word for their current situation. He cared for her, his affection for her was strong and yet they were standing on opposite sides of an impenetrable wall.
“I don’t know what’s feasible in three days.” She sighed and punched her suitcase. “This is why I want out of this game. I don’t want to work ops. They go askew and we have no way out. If we quit, Barnett will send a hit squad to take us out. If we move forward, we’re the hit squad.”
The heaviness of her words landed on his shoulders. He looked at the list Barnett had given him. “We have five names here. The only one I recognize is Ramirez. I don’t know enough to decide how to proceed.”
“Get the list to Abby. See what she knows,” Hyde said.
Their contact at the West Company might offer some ideas.
Within ten minutes, they were on the phone with Abby, discussing their options. Of the four other names on the list, three worked in law enforcement. Those agents and agencies were being alerted to the threat. The remaining two names were criminals, one whose location was unknown.
“We could get one of the agencies to cooperate with us and fake a death,” Hyde said.
“Those agents are unlikely to have five million dollars to steal,” Finn said.
“Then this is a trap,” Hyde said. Barnett had given them a list of five names, but only one was possible.
They had no options. They were hunting a criminal.
Chapter 6
Pamilla, Selvan
Hyde checked that her head scarf covered her hair, and she stayed close to Fi
nn. He was wearing the light-colored, loose-fitting linen clothes common in the region. They had to get from the airport to the mountains and make the journey to find Julio Ramirez.
They had already burned twenty-four of their seventy-two hours planning and preparing and traveling to Selvan. They had good intel that Ramirez was in the area, hiding in a remote mountain lodge.
Ramirez ran the drug trade in the area. His business was international. The West Company had received the necessary authorization from the American government to shut Ramirez down and had provided information on the target. He would be stopped and his business torn to shreds. They couldn’t kill him unless he posed a direct threat to them. The West Company was working to find a body that could double as Ramirez. The one benefit in their favor was that Ramirez was relatively unknown by law enforcement and for anyone, including Barnett, to confirm his identity was a difficult task.
Hyde mentally sealed herself against the heaviness in her chest. Ramirez was scum of the earth. He killed addicts who couldn’t pay their debts to him and he ruthlessly cut down competition. In a town near where he lived, he kept the poorest under his thumb and lived high on the hog from the profits of his business.
“You look like you’re going to kill the next person who glances in your direction,” Finn said.
Hyde lowered her head. She had forgotten where she was. “I was thinking about our subject.” His picture was burned into her brain. He had a long face and small eyes, clean-shaven except for a small patch of hair below his thin mouth. Short, stocky, with prominent neck and arm tattoos. He kept his dark hair long and tied at his nape with an orange strap.
“Sick piece of crap, isn’t he?” Finn had read the same file.
It was rare for her to have someone to discuss operations with. Usually, she took the lead on missions and when she hired operatives, she doled out small bits of information as needed. In this mission, she and Finn were equals. “I’ve dealt with people like him for ten years. For every one I stop, ten more begin their enterprise. I’m tired of dealing with people like him. I’m tired of dealing with liars and killers and cheaters. I can’t promise that I won’t go berserk on him,” Hyde said.