Jamie held up his hand. “Do we expect to stage a rescue tonight?”
Grant nodded. “If the opportunity presents itself. I’d like to keep you and Vaughn here in reserve though.”
Vaughn grimaced. He wasn’t a fan of this new trend in the division of responsibility, but he got why it needed to happen.
“Uh...” Melody frowned at her phone.
“What is it?” Grant asked.
“Ashton just sent me an event notice. Dinner reservations at... I think this is the restaurant on the first floor.” She passed the phone to Grant.
“Fucking hell,” he muttered.
There was no way they could allow Ashton and Carla to dine out of the condo. They were here in secret only because Ashton had insisted and leveraged his long-time support to tag along.
“Can you handle this?” Grant handed the phone back to Melody.
“On it.” She stood and wove through the guys toward the stairs.
“Okay.” Grant shook his head. “Where were we?”
“Jamie and I are saying back,” Vaughn said.
“Yes.” Grant wagged his finger at him. “I know we’ve all put in a full day, but we need to push into the night. We knew going into this job it would be difficult seeing as we have no resources in this country.”
Grant launched into how they were dividing the manpower, the gear they’d take with them and where they’d like to begin their search. Vaughn only half-heartedly paid attention. His focus was on the second floor landing where Melody stood facing off with Ashton.
The man was in a snazzy, light gray suit. He towered over Melody, but she wasn’t the kind of person who backed down. They each shook their head, the disagreement continuing.
This wasn’t looking good.
Ashton struck Vaughn as the kind of man used to getting what he wanted. If anyone was going to convince him otherwise, it would be Melody.
Carla stepped into sight and everything else faded away. She was in some kind of legging and long, sparkly top get up. He watched her slide her arm into the crook of Ashton’s elbow and shake her head.
Shit.
He pushed off the wall.
Perhaps Melody needed back up.
Vaughn edged through the guys then crossed the condo in haste and took the stairs two at a time. Maybe it wasn’t his place to get involved. Or maybe he was just the guy to wade into this. His objectivity was shot.
Carla gestured with her right hand. “It’s a private room downstairs. We’ve already ordered.”
“How many people will see you?” Melody’s gaze bored into Carla, but she didn’t seem to care.
“A server. We were very specific about our instructions and wish for privacy.” Carla sighed and looked at the ceiling. “You can’t keep us cooped up in here.”
“We’re going,” Ashton said.
“And possibly getting yourselves abducted in the process?” Vaughn stepped into the ring of people. “If that happens we’re going to focus on you and Carla. There won’t be any effort to find Jared because we will be focused on you.”
Ashton glared at him. “It’s a private dinner.”
“How about this?” Carla placed her free hand on Ashton’s chest, as though she needed to hold him back. “What if you sent someone downstairs, and they brought the food into the private room, hm?”
Melody opened and closed her mouth before shaking her head.
They were losing this battle.
She glanced up at him. “Vaughn, give me a security assessment on the restaurant, please?”
“On it.” He darted a look at Carla, who wasn’t meeting his gaze.
That grated.
Even after all they’d said he still didn’t know where he stood with her.
Vaughn turned and went down the stairs. He grabbed the surveillance laptop and did a quick inventory of the cameras they had covering the place.
“What’s that all about?” Grant asked him.
The others had dispersed and most were pulling on gear.
“They want to have dinner downstairs in a private room with Jamie or I acting as waiter. That last bit was a concession they made.” And it didn’t sit well with Vaughn.
“Should be okay. The private dining room has its own entrance from inside the building. It was part of the building specs.”
“You think it’s okay to green light this?”
Grant shrugged. “It’s not like they’re wanting to go somewhere flashy and make a big scene. We gotta pick our battles.”
Vaughn thumbed upstairs. “Is that your official ruling, because Melody wanted a security assessment.”
“Yeah. Let’s not piss them off more than we have to. This isn’t going to be an easy job.”
“Got it.” Vaughn waved Jamie over and caught him up on what was going on.
It sucked, but Vaughn wasn’t going to be the one waiting hand and foot on Carla while she had dinner with Ashton. Vaughn’s rational brain was entirely disconnected when it came to her. At least Jamie would get to go out and see something besides the condo.
The one thing Vaughn didn’t like was that he wouldn’t have eyes on the private dining room or anywhere in the restaurant. Only the exterior.
He held back and let Melody and Jamie explain the deal to Ashton and Carla. She didn’t look at him once and all he could do was stare at her, committing everything to memory. The way her hair fell in soft waves down her back. The hint of make-up as opposed to the full face she’d worn on day one. Both her lose silvery top and black leggings glittered. It was her shoes and body bag sized purse that he couldn’t get over. The high heels would make moving fast impossible and a bag that large would slow anyone down. But what did he know?
Vaughn made himself go to the bathroom just to be out of Carla’s presence.
Why the sudden insistence ongoing out to eat?
Ashton had been single minded about whatever would get Jared back faster. It stood to reason that creating a security situation like they were doing wasn’t in line with Ashton’s goal.
Was Vaughn reading into this?
He shook his head and washed his hands before leaving the bathroom.
The smell of cooked meat greeted him and his stomach rumbled.
Food had arrived.
The rest of the team was gearing up in dark clothing suitable for the street.
Jamie, Ashton and Carla were gone. Probably for the best.
Vaughn went to the table and his post for the night at the laptop. “You guys have fun out there.”
“Let me know when you want to trade jobs.” Nolan slapped hands with him.
Vaughn nodded. He might just take his buddy up on that if this job went on much longer. Those solo night hours were killing him.
He pitched in a hand, assisting in getting the team out of the door faster, then grabbed a sandwich for himself and dropped into a chair across from Melody.
“Sorry about stepping in like that earlier,” he said.
“No, actually, I should thank you.” She blew out a breath. “Ashton’s not the easiest client to deal with.”
“Jamie radioed up yet?” Vaughn picked up an ear piece and turned it on.
Melody gestured to her left ear. “They just got appetizers.”
“You keeping tabs on the others?”
She pointed at her right ear.
“Ouch.” He winced.
She shrugged and smiled.
This was her job.
Vaughn tapped the comm. “How’s it looking down there, Jamie?”
“Boring. Smells amazing.”
“Yeah, well, maybe you can get something to go?”
“You read my mind.”
Vaughn chuckled and killed the line.
That same question tickled the back of his mind.
He chewed his thumbnail, his dinner forgotten, and turned the question over in his mind. But there was no satisfactory answer.
“Mel?” He tabbed through the video feeds, looking for something out of place.
“Hm?”
“Ashton’s been completely behind doing whatever he needed to so this went as smooth as possible. Why push on dinner?”
She spread her hands. “He wanted to get out? The food is better? I don’t pretend to understand wealthy people. Something bothering you?”
“Yeah. Maybe I’m just paranoid after...?”
“I think we’re all overly cautious.” She gestured at the surveillance laptop. “Want me to keep an eye out while you go walk around?”
“Would you mind?”
“I’d rather listen to your gut than be caught by something that could have been prevented.” She turned the laptop to face her. “Go.”
“I’ll be back in fifteen, twenty minutes.” He pushed to his feet.
“Gear up. Just in case.”
His gut knotted up a bit more.
In minutes he was ready, weapons and gear concealed under a light jacket. The halls on their floor were empty and quiet, save for the rich aroma of some sort of incense.
He took the elevator down to the first floor and spent some time walking the lobby, peering out onto the street, before heading toward the restaurant.
The ground floor of the building reflected what he’d seen above. Miles of marble, chrome and glass. The color pallet was decidedly beige and brown when it came to the walls and furnishings.
He turned a corner and the hair on the back of his neck rose.
The door to the private restaurant entrance stood open.
Vaughn strode forward and tapped his comm. “Mel? Do you have eyes on the entrances to the restaurant?”
“I do.”
“Who opened this door? How long has it been open? Jamie—”
“Checking on the clients now,” Jamie said before Vaughn could get the question out.
Vaughn jogged down the hall.
A figure stepped through the door and locked eyes with Vaughn.
Jamie.
“Food hasn’t been touched. No sign of a struggle,” he said.
“Mel?” Vaughn snapped.
“I’ve got an exterior camera. Someone’s shining a light at it,” Melody said. “East side. Small street.”
Vaughn bolted forward and crashed into the exit doors, shoving them open.
A black car accelerated away from the curb.
“They have to be in that car,” Melody said. “Recalling the team.”
Vaughn didn’t think. He ran.
Carla was in that car.
SUNDAY. EMPTY STOREFRONT, Beirut, Lebanon.
Carla tugged at the sweater and shifted in her seat. When they’d agreed to this meeting, they hadn’t considered where it would take place. Now she wished she’d done more than a momentary search.
Most of the buildings they past were dark. The storefronts were covered in paper. Not many pedestrians came or went. The few cars they passed were older model and beaten up. Desperation hung in the air like a rancid odor. Of course these people hated Ashton what with the way the news reported his involvement in the oil deals.
The hired care eased to a stop.
“Is this it?” she asked.
“I believe so.” Ashton leaned forward and began speaking with the driver in Arabic.
Carla pulled the scarf up over her head. Lebanon wasn’t a restrictive country when it came to how women dressed. She could wear most anything she pleased and not cause a stir. However, the man she’d spoken to sounded older. It was a guess, but she was willing to assume that whoever he was, he was more conservative. And that was why she’d snuck down a cardigan, a scarf to wear over her hair and closed toed flats.
Even Ashton had changed a bit. His tie and jacket were gone, and he’d rolled his sleeves up. Trying for a more casual appearance.
Whatever it took to identify with these people.
“Come on.” Ashton reached over and squeezed her hand.
Here went nothing.
He got out and held the door for her while she lugged her purse out after her. It weighed a ton what with the notebooks and tablets she’d bought with her. This might be the most stressful meeting of her life.
Ashton took her hand, and they walked to the corner. The streets in all four directions were dark and there wasn’t any other traffic.
“Where do we go?” she asked.
“This way.” He turned them right, down the smaller street.
Another darkened storefront like many other was on their right. Except this one had an open door.
She glanced up at Ashton.
Was this a good idea?
“Stop worrying. Vaughn will get the email any minute now.” Ashton squeezed her hand.
That wasn’t what she was concerned about at all. To keep the team abreast of what they were doing, but unable to stop them, Carla had drafted an email explaining their absence and goals, then scheduled it to send a half hour after they departed the restaurant.
She hadn’t counted on Vaughn sprinting after the car.
He probably thought she’d been kidnapped.
God, she’d done okay not thinking about that and now she had his face back in her mind’s eye.
“We can do this,” Ashton whispered.
“I’ll go first.” She stepped in front of him.
“Carla—”
She strode through the darkened shop front into the empty interior. Even the shelving units had been stripped down to peg board. Marks on the floor showed where shelves used to be.
A lantern sat on a back counter, shedding just enough light to chase away the darkest shadows.
Ashton snatched at her hand. “Don’t do that.”
“Don’t pretend it’s not smart. Come on.” She pulled him forward to the light.
As they neared the counter she spied an archway leading into the back of the shop. The dark curtain shifted, but there was no air. She snatched up the light and held it up.
“I see you,” she said.
The curtain drew back, and a man stared at her.
He wasn’t imposing or scary. He was maybe as tall as her when she wore heels, so not even six foot. His face was...kind. If she saw him on a street and needed help, she’d ask him before anyone else.
“Hello,” she said.
“You aren’t alone,” the man said.
“It’s just the two of us.” Carla glanced up at Ashton, who’d gone silent on her.
“The car?”
“Oh. Well, we hired a car service to drive us here. No bodyguards.” She let go of Ashton and held up her hand. “I have a lot to show you.”
“This way.” The man nodded into the back of the shop.
Carla glanced up at Ashton, but he was still staring at the man.
She hoped they were all on a plane by midnight.
“Come on.” She tugged on Ashton’s arm and led him forward.
She followed their host through the arch and into the back of the shop. The space was large and well-lit. A single table and four chairs were set up under the brightest light.
“Where is Jared?” Ashton came to a stop behind the chair across from their host. The anger radiating off him was potent enough to have Carla squirming.
“Safe and comfortable.” The man sank into his chair.
“Prove it.”
The man stared up at Ashton. “No.”
“I think we should stick to what we agreed we’d talk about,” Carla said before Ashton could react. She set her purse on the table and pulled out a tablet, one for each of them.
“I looked at what you sent.” The man crossed his arms over his chest.
“Before we get started—hi.” She held out her hand and smiled. “I’m Carla.”
They were all people here, and it was clear to her some of them were hurting. They all needed to remember that there were lives at risk here, and not just Jared’s.
The man glanced from her face to her hand. For a moment she thought he would ignore her, but he finally gave her a small shake.
“Farez,” he said.
�
��Farez. It’s nice to meet you.” She gestured at Ashton. “You know my partner, Ashton.”
Ashton surprised her by offering the man a firm handshake.
Pleasantries performed, it was time to get down to business. She eased down onto the metal chair, her hands and underarms sweating.
“Did you have questions about what I sent over?” she asked.
“How do I know it’s real?” Farez crossed his arms over his chest. “How do I know you didn’t doctor those reports to say what you wanted them to say?”
“Can you use the internet?” Ashton asked.
“Ash,” Carla hissed.
“It’s a fair question.” He perched on the edge of his seat and leaned forward. “Do an internet search. Go on. See what others who aren’t your local news or government say about this deal. I’ll wait.”
Farez’s frown deepened.
Carla jumped in. This wasn’t getting off to a good start. “What Ash is trying to say is that, the picture you’re getting of the situation surrounding the oil deal is different from how others see it.”
“Do you know what this shop used to be?” Farez glanced around the empty space.
Carla glanced at Ashton.
“No,” Ashton said finally.
“This used to be a toy store. I bought presents for each of my children off the shelves here. I knew the people who owned the store. Our families have known each other for two or three generations.” Farez unfolded his hands, letting them rest on his thighs. “They were forced to close.”
“Toy store...” Ashton picked up his tablet and tapped at it. “Here it is. Without sharing too much personal information, they were swimming in debt. The store was upside down. I paid off the debts in exchange for the property.”
“Farez? Remember, we discussed that many businesses in this area have been suffering.” Carla glanced at Ashton. “On the outside it looks bad, I know—”
“What are your plans, Mr. Khoury? You tell me that you’re helping us, but all I’m seeing is a greedy land grab. How is this supposed to help those of us still struggling to hold on?”
“Glad you asked. Carla?”
She was ready for this. She laid the tablet on the table and tapped an image.
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