by Anna Hackett
He had to do something to protect the woman in his arms.
“I have no idea where the amulet is. We did find a box but, yes, it was empty. Look, you want the truth…I doubt the amulet ever existed, and even if it did, it’s just an artifact.”
The woman shook her head. “Oh, we both know it’s much more than that.”
Beneath his hands, he felt Morgan’s body tighten. He realized she was awake, but not giving it away. He needed to tell her what was going on.
“So, you and your four goons are after the amulet. Look, it’s probably lost forever out there.” He waved a hand toward the churning ocean. “It was probably around the neck of some poor victim claimed by the sea.”
“I very much doubt some lackey was wearing the amulet,” the woman answered. “But I know they protected it. And I think you came ashore earlier today because you agree with my theory.”
Zach stiffened. “Can you put the gun away, please? And sure, tell me your theory.”
The gun didn’t waver. “Someone brought the amulet ashore.”
“There’s no way to prove that.”
The guard nearest to Zach kicked him. As pain exploded in his side, Zach grunted.
“Show some respect and answer the doctor’s questions,” the guard growled.
Suddenly, Morgan moved with the speed of a striking cobra. She grabbed the man’s ankle, and twisted it violently. The man yelled as he fell. A second guard rushed forward, but Morgan spun, and rammed her fist up under the man’s jaw. His head snapped back and she slammed a fist into his gut. He fell backward and landed on the first downed man.
“You hurt him, I’ll make you pay.” Morgan’s voice was low and deadly.
The blonde woman stepped forward, her gun aimed at Morgan’s chest. “I don’t believe you are faster than a bullet, Miss Kincaid.”
Morgan eyed the woman up and down and Zach saw Morgan tense up even more. “You’re Paris Wirth.”
The woman smiled. “You’ve heard of me. Lovely. And it is Dr. Paris Wirth.”
Morgan nodded. “I’ve heard you’re an unstable, thieving killer.”
Wirth’s smile morphed into a scowl. “Bitch.”
“I haven’t even gotten started yet,” Morgan said. “Oh, I also know that Silk Road pulls your strings.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Wirth said. “And it is an honor to work for a forward-thinking group like Silk Road. Now, I want the amulet.”
Zach caught Morgan’s gaze. They had to get away from this woman.
“Now, Dr. James,” Wirth said. “You are going to help me find the Phaulkon amulet.” The woman’s gaze flicked to Morgan. “But Miss Kincaid, I think you’re just going to be a dangerous problem I don’t need.” She took another step forward and lifted her gun to aim between Morgan’s eyes.
Fuck. Zach moved fast, shoving his body between Morgan and the gun. “No!”
***
Morgan’s heart was lodged in her throat. She grabbed Zach’s shoulders, frightened that at any second she’d hear the gun go off.
She was terrified that he’d die in a hail of bullets, just like her father. That she’d be forced to watch all that vibrant life and cheeky charm drain from his eyes.
Zach threw an arm out in front of her. “Morgan is simply hired security. Killing her gains nothing and certainly won’t guarantee my help.”
She went still, watching his face carefully. He was…smiling at Wirth.
“You are an educated woman,” he told Wirth. “I can see that. I’m interested to hear your information and theories.” Those dimples flashed. “Perhaps if we pool our intelligence, we can find the amulet. Together.”
He was…flirting with the woman? A sour taste filled Morgan’s mouth.
Wirth smiled, color in her cheeks. “I’d like that. I can see you’re an intelligent man with similar interests to me.”
He nodded. “Exactly. Morgan here isn’t really into history. She’s hired muscle.”
“It must have been tough for you to be stuck with uneducated people who can’t match your intellect.”
As Zach nodded, an arrow shot through Morgan’s chest.
“Morgan’s been an interesting diversion.” He glanced at her and she searched his face for any hint of truth. This was all for Wirth’s benefit, wasn’t it?
But she saw nothing but polite apology on his handsome features. Ice slid through her and she wiped her face blank of emotion, pulling inward.
Stay alive. That was all that mattered right now. He didn’t look her way, his gaze seemingly glued to the pert Dr. Wirth.
“But we’re civilized people,” Zach continued. “There’s no need for bloodshed. I’m sure Morgan will not step out of line.”
Paris Wirth made a small noise and lowered the gun. “Fine. But—” she skewered Morgan with a hard stare “—you step out of line, and I’ll put a bullet in Dr. James. Then I’ll make you watch him bleed out—slowly and painfully.”
Morgan’s hand flexed.
“That’s how your father died, isn’t it?” Wirth said with a sly smile.
Morgan surged forward, but Zach grabbed her. As soon as she got the chance, Morgan was taking this woman down. She jerked away from his touch. “Let me go.”
“Do you understand me, Miss Kincaid?” Wirth asked.
“Understood.” Morgan pushed the word out from between clenched teeth.
Zach shifted, but Morgan couldn’t bring herself to look at him. He was exactly what she suspected. A big fat liar.
Morgan did what she did best, and kept her gaze on the danger in front of them. Zach might not be the man she’d thought he was, but it was her job to keep him safe. Even if she wanted to hurt him herself, she’d keep him safe.
Zach cleared his throat. “Dr. Wirth, I really don’t understand how I can help you find the amulet—”
“Please, call me Paris.” Wirth held up a hand, then jerked her head at her guards. One of the goons moved forward, nudging Zach toward a nearby cave.
A second guard grabbed Morgan’s arm and pushed her forward with a shove. He had a graze on his face from where she’d knocked him over, and his dark eyes promised retribution.
Surely, she and Zach would have been missed by now. Declan would be looking for them.
They were forced to the mouth of the cave. It looked similar to the one they’d explored today, just a little larger. The guards marched them up to a rock wall.
A flashlight clicked on, illuminating the wall.
Morgan stared at the smooth rock. What the hell did this woman want? A miracle?
Then Zach made a sound. She turned and saw his face, and the amazement etched on it. For a second, she stared at that handsome face she’d admired so much over the last few days. Pain stabbed at her and she turned back, and this time, she spotted the inscriptions engraved on the wall.
“I can’t decipher them,” Dr. Wirth said. “But you can, can’t you, Dr. James? It’s Greek, isn’t it?”
Morgan stared at the markings. From what she could tell, the carvings appeared to be a strange mix of different languages. She could identify Greek symbols, but that was it. She sucked in an anxious breath.
Zach didn’t take his gaze off the inscriptions. “I need something to write on.”
One of the guards shoved a notepad and pen at him. He started scribbling. “It’s not just Greek. There is Thai mixed in there, and Indonesian, too. Phaulkon was fluent in them all, and was known for his own form of note-taking.”
“What’s it say?” The woman pressed closer.
Morgan was tempted to smash her nose in.
“There.” Zach held the pad out triumphantly. “This message was carved by a man named Luang Sri Wisan.”
“Who was he?” Morgan asked.
Wirth smiled smugly. “He was one of the deputies to the Siamese ambassador aboard the Soleil d’Orient.”
Zach nodded. “It also appears he was given a secret mission by Pha
ulkon. His job was to protect the amulet and hand it over to the King of France.”
“Phaulkon was a fool to send it away,” Wirth said.
“We may never know why he sent it away, but it says here that Luang Sri Wisan was found by locals who recognized the stone in the amulet.” Zach’s brow creased.
Morgan frowned. “Why would Malagasy locals recognize a stone in an amulet from Indonesia that was carried by a Siamese man?”
“They said it had to be returned to the Temple of the Ancients,” Zach said slowly.
“Ancients?” Morgan prompted.
“Perhaps the Vizimba,” Zach suggested. “The Malagasy believe the Vizimba were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. But legends about them vary from region to region. Some say they were smaller in stature, others say they were pale-skinned, and others say dark-skinned. Some even believe they were supernatural monsters.”
“Oh, there were people here before the Vizimba,” Wirth said with another smile. “Where does it say the Temple of the Ancients is?” Eagerness was stamped all over her face.
Zach stared at his notes. “It says it’s north. In the forest of stone.”
Morgan frowned. What the hell did that mean? She tried to sneak a look out of the cave. Come on, Dec. She looked back and her gaze snagged with Zach’s.
For a second, they stared at each other and Morgan quickly looked away. She’d known better than to be taken in by a charming adventurer. She knew she was an acquired taste. She didn’t have a string of degrees or a smooth, charming manner. Her chest tightened and she fought to wrestle her unruly emotions under control.
Wirth smiled. She should have looked evil, but the big smile just made her look pretty. She could be anyone’s cute sister or best friend. “I know exactly where the forest of stone is.” She spun and stalked out of the cave. She waved a hand. “Bring them.”
Chapter Fourteen
Zach was shoved roughly into the backseat of a mud-splattered jeep. Morgan was pushed in beside him, and the door was slammed closed.
“Are you okay?” He reached out to touch her.
She slapped his hand away. “What do you care? I’m just the hired muscle.”
“Morgan—”
A guard slid into the driver’s seat, and Wirth climbed into the passenger seat. Zach clamped down on the words he wanted to say. Surely Morgan hadn’t bought his little act with Wirth? He’d been desperate to protect her and find a way to stop Wirth from killing her.
But as he stared at Morgan’s set, blank face, he realized he’d maybe been a little too good with his act.
He closed his eyes for a second. He remembered what Hale had told him, and what he’d learned about Morgan Kincaid. She rarely let anyone in, and was quick to protect herself. She was sitting beside him, but was busy building up the defenses between them.
Panic flared. And there wasn’t a fucking thing he could do about it right now.
The other guards climbed in behind Morgan and Zach, and slammed the doors closed. Outside, the heavens had really opened up, and the rain was pelting down. He looked out toward the sea, but could only see a wall of gray. No sign of the Storm Nymph.
Soon, they were headed down a bumpy dirt track. No one spoke, and before long, they turned onto a paved road.
The best Zach could tell, they were heading toward Tolagnaro.
He had so many questions, but he didn’t dare ask anything. The tension in the vehicle didn’t encourage friendly chitchat. He glanced out the window again. They would have been missed by now. Declan and the others would be searching for them.
Zach’s mind turned to the incredible inscription they’d found. He couldn’t believe that Luang Sri Wisan had been carrying the amulet, and had survived.
But what the hell was this Temple of the Ancients? None of it made sense.
When they reached the turnoff into Tolagnaro, they drove straight past it. Zach glanced at Morgan, but she stared ahead, ignoring him. He saw the way she was watching their captors intently. She’d be waiting for the right moment to attempt an escape.
Suddenly, he recognized exactly where they were going.
The airport.
They were waved through a gate, and drove right out onto the tarmac. They pulled up in front of a sleek, black helicopter.
Shit. This was not good. How would Declan ever find them?
Paris Wirth exited the vehicle, striding toward the aircraft. A pilot jumped out, and they had a short conversation. The pilot reached into the back of the helicopter and handed Wirth something.
Soon she was back, carrying a stack of clothes and boots. She tossed them on the seat between Morgan and Zach. “Change.”
She turned and strode off.
The guards got out and stood outside the vehicle, and part turned away, offering Morgan and Zach the illusion of privacy.
“Morgan—”
“Just get changed, Zach.”
“Morgan.” He gripped her shoulders, forcing her to face him. “Listen to me—”
She jerked away, but he was determined to make her listen. He pushed her back against the seat and she wrenched as far away as she could. She got an arm free and slammed a fist against his jaw.
“Dammit.” He ignored the pain. With a growl, he grabbed her, pulling her up against his chest. He sank one hand into her hair. “She was going to fucking shoot you. I would have said anything to protect you.”
Morgan went still, her gaze raking his face.
He brushed his thumb over her cheek. “It was all an act, Morgan. You are still the most fascinating, vital, and strongest woman I know.”
Her eyelashes fluttered. “You lie well.”
He tasted bile. “I learned early. It helped me avoid my father’s beatings. Sometimes.”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
“Believe in me.”
“Zach, I’m not book smart, or elegant, or cultured—”
“Screw that, Morgan. You know what I came from. You think that really matters to me?”
“What you said…what you did…” She shook her head.
He’d hurt her. He realized now just how soft she was beneath her armor. “It was the only way I could think to protect you.”
“Oh, Zach.”
He leaned forward, his mouth touching hers. “I promised not to lie to you.” His lips slid to her ear, nibbling at her lobe. “I want you, Morgan. More than I’ve ever wanted anything.”
Her mouth met his in a quick, desperate kiss. “I’m sorry I didn’t trust you.”
“Hey, enough of that. Right now we need to stick together and find a way out of this situation.”
She nodded. “We’d better get changed before they drag us out of here.”
Zach started peeling off his damp wet suit, leaving his chest bare. Beside him, Morgan started doing the same thing.
“Just my luck that I get you half naked, and we’re stuck in this situation,” he grumbled.
She shimmied out of her wet suit, sitting on the seat beside him with her sleek, long legs and that tiny black bikini. She shot him a small smile.
He shoved the wet suit off and pulled on some cargo shorts. “If they fly us somewhere, how the hell will Declan find us?”
She motioned discreetly to the chunky watch on her wrist, and pitched her voice lower. “This has a tracker in it. Dec knows exactly where we are.”
“I could kiss you right now,” Zach said. “With lots of tongue.”
A laugh burst out of her. “Only you could get me laughing while we’re being held hostage by a dangerous group of black-market thieves.”
“I wish we were somewhere else.” His gaze drifted down her legs. “Just the two of us.”
She cupped his cheek. “Don’t worry, Dr. James. I’ll get us out of here.”
“Super-Morgan to the rescue.”
She yanked a T-shirt over her head. “Sometimes I am pretty super, in fact. Whatever happens, just follow my le
ad.” Then her face turned serious. “And do not ever throw yourself in front of a gun for me again.”
Zach pulled a shirt on, doing up the buttons. Then he reached out and yanked her in for a fast and furious kiss. “I can be super as well, sometimes, and I don’t want you injured. So, don’t get hurt, understand? I’ve plans for this.” He ran his hand down her body.
“I’m the security agent here, not you.” But a tiny smile tugged at her lips.
“I see that smile.”
“What smile?” She touched his face again. “And I have plans for you, too.”
A fist pounded on the window, making both of them jump. They pulled their boots on. Zach’s were a little large, but with the thick socks, they were fine. When they climbed out of the vehicle, the guards roughly bound their wrists and they were led to the helicopter.
Wirth met them. “You won’t be needing this.” The woman viciously wrenched Morgan’s watch off her wrist and tossed it on the ground, before bringing her boot down on the timepiece, crushing it to pieces.
Morgan didn’t react, but Zach knew she must be feeling the same gut-wrenching despair that he was. The two of them were shoved inside the helicopter, and into seats in the back.
Wirth climbed into the seat beside the pilot, and pulled a headset over her blonde hair. One of the guards slammed the door closed, and seconds later, the engines started, the rotors beginning to turn.
Zach scowled at the back of Wirth’s head. Silk Road was crazy to think that they could do this. They blindly killed, kidnapped, and maimed, all in the pursuit of artifacts they could sell for top dollar.
The chopper rose and he looked outside. Hidden under his anger was a faint trace of excitement. The man in him was incensed, but the archeologist was excited. They were on the trail of the Phaulkon amulet, and a mysterious temple. Archeologists only ever dreamed of expeditions like this.
He could do without the thieves and killers, though.
As they traveled north, he watched the landscape below them change. The tropical green of the coast soon gave way to an arid, red landscape dotted with Madagascar’s famous spiny forests. Soon, he saw evidence of the country’s massive slash-and-burn deforestation. The local people were clearing away the forest at an incredible rate, causing terrible erosion and silting of rivers.