by Geri Foster
He knew that was wishful thinking. He refused to quit Falcon. He loved his job, and he excelled at it. Besides, Frank needed him. He also took a certain amount of satisfaction knowing he made a difference. Often a big difference. He saved lives.
They just weren’t meant to be, he surmised. They could never make a go of it, and he refused to be nagged to death. Other women put up with their lovers’ jobs. So, if she really loved him, why couldn’t she? She wanted everything her way.
He knew that to be a lie. Haley had always been a kind loving person who cared about his safety, but she used her concern to build a wall between them and refused to do anything to help him knock it down.
He took out his phone and called Frank to bring him up to speed, so he could pass it on to Greg.
Frank answered on the second ring. “You two are in another hotel? Do I need to remind you that it’s important you keep your head in the game?”
“Shut up, Frank. Besides, you have nothing to worry about. Not after your little chat with Haley.”
Frank chuckled. “She told you, huh?”
“Yeah, and I have to say, I was a little surprised you’d rat me out like that.”
I didn’t rat you out I just didn’t lie. When a woman asks how serious this job is, I’ll give her the truth. Like it or not, the work you do is dangerous. Some women can’t handle the long periods of separation and it’s better they know what to expect from the very beginning. Lie about it, and men find themselves in the middle of a messy divorce a year later. If a woman can’t handle our jobs, it’s best to know that from the beginning.” He snorted. “Besides, you’re not good at lying. She’d never believe you were a salesman.”
“I cared for her.”
Frank sobered. “I know you did and I am sorry it didn’t work out, but if she can’t take your job, she can’t take you.”
“Yeah, I guess you’re right.”
“My being right doesn’t ease the pain. If I can make this right, Garrett, let me know.”
He hung up and thought about Frank’s words. He had been right on, and the time had come for Garrett to move on.
For good, this time.
Jim sat at the bar sipping his double whiskey when a man came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and looked directly into the dangerous eyes of none other than Ditmir Gashi, known on the street as ‘The Albanian’. His heart skipped a beat or two. He was mean as hell and Jim owed him money.
He hadn’t heard back from El Hashem yet, so he hadn’t been paid yet. Jim knew he was in deep shit with The Albanian and his goons. The damn bastard would rather kill a man than eat.
Jim held up his hand. “I know, I know, you want to get paid. Well, so do I. It ain’t happening until I find out more about my client. He’s unconscious and might die.”
“I gave you over a million dollars in weapons. I want my money,” Gashi gritted out, his gold tooth flashing in the dim light. “We had a deal.”
Gashi’s two muscle men, Edvin and Gjon moved closer. Jim swallowed hard, the sharp taste of whiskey still on his tongue.
Jim smiled nervously. He knew better than to fuck with these assholes. “Have I ever stiffed you before, my friend? When I get the money, you get the money.”
Gashi grabbed Jim by the shoulder and dragged him off the stool, he hit the cement floor hard, spilling his drink.
The Albanian yanked him up by the collar and pulled him close to his face. “Listen to me, you hick son of a bitch. Tomorrow you pay me or you’re dead.”
Jim ran his hand over his mouth. “I won’t have the money by then, so you may as will kill me now.”
The Albanian took out a gun and pressed it against Jim’s forehead. “I have no problem with that. Now get me my money.”
“I’ll try, but I need more time.”
Gashi shook him until Jim thought his teeth would fall out. “I didn’t make you wait. You asked, I delivered. Now, I want the same from you.” He shoved Jim down and stood over him with his fists balled. “I’m not one of your flunkies you can jack around. I’ll kill you, fat man.”
After they left, Jim crawled off the floor, using the stool for leverage, and finally managed to sit down. He was embarrassed Mindy had seen him being strong-armed by the damned Albanian and his two goons. Ditmir Gashi was a scary bastard, and Jim wasn’t foolish enough to think he didn’t mean what he said.
Mindy wiped the bar and removed his glass, trying to keep her face calm by ignoring what had just happened. “Let me buy you a drink, Jim.” She grabbed a fresh glass, poured a good two fingers of scotch, and dropped in an ice cube. “My treat.”
“No, no.” He didn’t want any damn charity from her. He’d been embarrassed enough. He’d pick up a bottle on the way home. He stumbled out of the place, surprised at how dark it had become.
Once in his pickup, he peeled out of the gravel parking lot and took out his phone. He dialed the man he’d spoke to earlier.
“Hello?”
“This is Jim. I need that fucking money for those guns or I have to dump the whole shipment...tonight.”
“We’re still trying to figure out what to do about El Hashem. He’s still critical.”
“You better wake his ass up and get me the money by tomorrow or I know a Russian who will gladly take them off my hands.”
“No, don’t do that.” He paused and lowered his voice. “I don’t have the money and El Hashem hasn’t revealed to me where it is.”
“What if he dies? You have no way to pay.”
“I’ll find a way. I promise.”
“I can’t pay the damned Albanian with your promises. I made a deal with El Hashem that I’d have everything he needed for whatever he had planned. Now, he’s on his deathbed and I’m stuck with a cache of weapons I can’t pay for.”
“I’ll try to wake him and find out where to get the money.”
“You better or I’m finding another buyer.”
Haley rested her head against the cool tile of the shower and let her tears flow. Garrett’s scathing comments hurt so much she could barely keep her knees from buckling. He didn’t understand. He wasn’t the one waiting patiently for her to come home while wondering if she were dead or alive for days on end.
She let warm water beat against her back and tried to ignore that little voice in her mind that told her she’d acted rashly. And yes, yes, yes, she had wanted him to quit working as a Falcon agent.
She thought he’d realize how serious she was when he saw she’d packed up his belongings and promise to change to keep her. Boy, had she been wrong. She’d over played her hand. The man never said a word, just picked up his things and walked out, closing the door behind him.
He never even argued with her. No harsh words, no threats, no recriminations...nothing. She told him to get a job locally or they couldn’t stay together. She could tell he was pissed, but he just nodded, grabbed his things, and left. Drove away without a backward glance; and she was baffled at his obvious anger.
She’d tried to call him a few days later to talk, but he never once picked up or called back. She texted and left voice mails, but everything when unanswered. She’d even called Zoe to see if she knew anything. The woman was surprised to learn they’d broken up because Garrett was...Garrett. He showed no signs of being bothered by anything and had been offered, and accepted, a new assignment.
Haley went so far as to go where he’d said he lived before moving in with her, only to discover no such person had ever lived there. He’d lied to her. Haley could only assume he’d done this all before and it made her angrier.
A loud knock on the door brought her upright.
“You okay in there?”
“I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”
She turned off the water and reached for a towel. She wondered why the concern, he had his own bathroom. She wrapped a towel around her hair and stepped out to find him standing in the middle of her room, holding the shopping bag in his outstretched hand.
�
�I thought you could use these.”
She turned away, well aware that she only had a towel wrapped around her. “Thank you.”
“You okay,” he asked, brows wrinkled. “You look like you’ve been crying.”
“No, got shampoo in my eyes.”
“I see.”
Silence filled the room, especially the space between them.
“Go to your room,” she looked away. “You must be tired.”
“I’m not the one who pulled an overnight shift at the hospital.”
“Then if you’ll leave, I’ll get ready for bed.”
“Okay, tomorrow we’re out of here at dawn.”
“Just knock on the door.”
He turned to leave. “Okay, see you in the morning.”
“Garrett?”
He stopped and turned to face her. “Yeah?”
“Why did you lie to me about where you lived.”
He stared at her, and even with her bold glare, he didn’t flinch. “There’s a lot about me you don’t know.”
“But why lie?”
“I have my reasons.”
“I guess I never really knew you, did I?”
“Not as well as you thought you did.”
He turned away again.
“Does anyone know you?”
Without looking at her, he shook his head slowly and left the room, closing the door behind him.
More confused than ever, she pulled a tee shirt out of the bag and a pair of bikini underwear and slipped them on. Flipping back the sheets, she crawled into bed and tried to ignore the tears that spilled from her eyes and dropped onto the pillow.
She prayed sleep would claim her quickly because she didn’t want to toss and turn while he slept like a baby in the next room.
After talking to Jim Douglas, Nagi went into the room where El Hashem lay dying. He had to try harder or their trip to America and his friend’s death would be in vain. “All of you must leave. I have to speak with El Hashem.”
A man stood. “He is too sick. He must rest.”
“Allah sent us on a mission, all of us. El Hashem’s destiny is no longer ours. The time soon approaches when we must act and know what to do next.”
“It is not for you to say.”
Annoyed at the man’s insolence, Nagi said, “Then you speak with him and find out what we are to do. Every minute we stay here we risk being captured. We must complete our mission or, like El Hashem, die trying.”
“He trusted all of us.”
“Then stay and listen. But remember, El Hashem kept things to himself because he didn’t want to chance one of us would talk if captured.” Nagi paced the room, his hands clasped behind his back. “El Hashem is wise and courageous. He is the man Allah chose to lead us. Now things have changed. Let’s both ask him what he wishes us to do.”
The man agreed, albeit begrudgingly.
He strolled to the couch and knelt by his friend’s head. He gently shook him. “Zareeb, can you tell me what you want us to do?”
His friend blinked as if confused and unsure of his whereabouts. “What’s happening?”
“You’ve been injured, my friend, and I’m not sure you will survive.”
His hand instantly went to his midsection. “I feel great pain.”
“Yes, I fear the worst, but we must know why we are here. What is it you wish us to do. What were Allah’s instructions.”
El Hashem closed his eyes and exhaled slowly, with a groan at the end. “I...we must...”
“We must what? What are we to do?”
El Hashem pressed his hand to Nagi’s cheek. “You must be brave my friend. For Allah demands much from you.”
“What? What does He want me to do?”
El Hashem arched his back and groaned as his eyes rolled back in his head. Nagi feared he had died. Then his eyes slowly opened.
“Preston McCoy. He is the man you should contact. He has the plan. His number is on the bottom of my shoe.”
The tall man ran into the other room and over to the front door where they’d all taken off their shoes.
“He’s right. Look, a phone number.”
Nagi grabbed the shoe and read the ten numbers. So, this was the contact. Preston McCoy was the American who would be helping them, not Jim. McCoy was the man with the answers.
Nagi leaned over his friend. “I will do as Allah instructs. I will take your place as leader to see His will is done, or give my life.”
“You must act quickly. Time is of the essence.” He looked around. “Where is the woman doctor?”
“She managed to escape.”
El Hashem frowned. “That’s not good. You must find her for she is very valuable. She is a big part of our mission.”
Nagi grew confused. “I will kill her. You have my word.”
“No, you need her alive.”
Those were the last words Zareeb El Hashem said. His chest stilled, and his mouth grew slack, his arm slipped off the side of the couch and his head turned.
“Goodbye my friend.”
Chapter Eleven
Garrett stood outside Haley’s bedroom and wished he had the courage to open the door and talk to her. He didn’t, though, because he’d gone to a great deal of time and effort to keep his life private and protected.
Frank knew, and so did a few other people, but he couldn’t afford to allow too many people in. While he was on his last mission, before he and Haley split, he’d decided on the way home to explain exactly what was going on. Why he’d resisted allowing her into his life.
He wanted to go into the room and make love to her. To hold her against his chest and feel the strong beat of her heart. He wanted to confess his love, his devotion. But how could he when there was so much out there she could never understand. And if she knew, would she still accept him?
There was no way of knowing and Frank had advised him to think carefully before confessing all. He’d found women to be both fickle and analytical. If Haley knew his secret, she might not even want to be around him.
He quietly opened the door and peered into the darkened room. Enough light shone in for him to see that she’d been crying. No doubt, she considered him a liar. A man so shallow, so insecure, that he couldn’t even tell her where he lived.
He moved inside and sat on the edge of the bed. Slowly he ran his hand down her arm, relishing the feel of her warmth.
“Garrett?”
“It’s okay, Haley. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“Please stay. We don’t have to make love, I just need to be held.”
He stood and removed his clothes, then slipped between the covers only for her to immediately roll into his embrace. She smelled delicious and the warmth of her surrounded him.
He wanted her. Wanted to make love to her like he’d never been able to before. But not tonight. Not until the secrets between them had been exposed. Then she could judge for herself. He wouldn’t deny her that.
She deserved the truth.
“I’m sorry we couldn’t make it work,” she muttered against his neck. “I want you to know I love you. I’ve always loved you. I wish I’d been stronger.”
“Shhh,” he whispered. “Let’s not talk now. It’s late.”
She shoved away from him. “Do you hate me, Garrett?”
He shook his head. “No, I could never hate you.”
“But I hurt you.”
“You did, but I survived.”
“I don’t want you to just get by. I want you to be happy.”
He looked down at her in the dim light. “Only you can make me happy, Haley. Every minute I spent with you I was glad we were together.”
“Can we fix this?”
He brushed her hair away from her face. “Maybe. If you don’t ask me to quit my job.”
She sighed and snuggled closer
For tonight, he’d just enjoy the feel of her, bask in her warmth and touch. Then, if it were meant to be, they’d settle things between them. He closed his e
yes and within seconds fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.
Jim stopped by his neighborhood liquor store and bought a fifth of vodka. He’d drink himself to sleep tonight so he wouldn’t worry about tomorrow. He didn’t want to think this might really be his last day on earth, and it would be if that damn Ditmir Gashi had anything to say about it. He’d made a deal he’d knew from the beginning might be a mistake. When the foreigner came to his place of business and talked about looking for someone to sell him some serious firepower, Jim had been reluctant and wary.
But the guy kept coming back, day after day. Always raising the amount of money he was willing to pay for what he wanted. And he wanted plenty. More than anyone was legally allowed to have. Even him, and he had a gun dealer’s license.
Jim wanted to keep saying no. He didn’t want to do business with a bunch of ragheads, but the money became too tempting. And God knows he could use the cash. His gun range took a big hit after a crazy man had gone berserk and shot up a bowling alley, killing several children. Things had been pretty tough.
Then politicians started griping about guns and shaming people who wanted to buy them. Jim decided to keep a low profile and closed his gun range for a week, until things cooled down.
Business was finally getting back to normal. While other ranges had computerized and enhanced their businesses, Jim needed every dime he made to live. He didn’t have the most popular location in Baltimore and being close to D.C. didn’t help anyone selling guns.
He climbed the stairs to his apartment and opened the door. Darkness greeted him, and he waited until he got the lights on before going inside. He didn’t put it past Gashi to kill him just for shits and giggles.
Besides, Gashi had enough connections in the area to find a buyer nearby, but he wouldn’t sell to anyone from the Middle East. Sergio Malakoff wouldn’t allow that. In case of a terrorist attack, he didn’t want anything to lead back to him. Jim didn’t worry about that. As soon as he got paid and unloaded the weapons, he planned to leave for Florida.