Chapter 8

Chapter

Eight

I t wasn’t long before the chopper arrived, and an older man in a cowboy hat got off, trotting toward them.

“Gus,” Croft said, extending his hand.

Finn noticed good manners seemed to be ingrained in Croft and were reciprocated by those around him. The man shook his hand and nodded at Finn. Croft smiled and beckoned her forward.

“Finn, this is Gus, Willa’s head wrangler and a good man to have around. Gus, Finn Reid.”

“Ms. Reid,” Gus acknowledged with a tip of his hat.

“Finn, please.”

“I left Sam and Jasper over in the corral. They’ve had food and water, but we just came up the trail, so they’ve had a long day.”

“Don’t worry about them. We dropped off one of our boys on the other side by the truck and trailer. We’re going to head for each other, and when we meet up, I’ll load them and head for home. Nice to meet you, Finn. Croft, good to see you.”

“Gus?”

The older cowboy turned to look at him.

“Finn is going to be staying at my place for a while.”

“Is she?” Gus said, grinning at him. “Then, Finn, I’m really happy to meet you.”

Finn watched as he headed toward the mules who brayed a greeting to him.

“So, is that a thing with you?” she asked Croft.

“What?” he asked.

“Laying claim to me anytime you introduce me to someone?”

He laughed and pulled her into his arms, kissing her soundly and leaving her breathless.

“Nah. When I want to lay claim to you, Finlay Reid, there won’t be a doubt in anyone’s mind about it. My guess is I won’t have to say a thing to Avery.”

Croft took her by the elbow and steered her toward the waiting helicopter. Helping her inside, he was impressed she knew how to strap herself in. Once he knew she was secure, he headed toward the other side to slip in beside the pilot, who turned to look at her. Finn was surprised to see it was a woman.

“Finn? I’m Avery. Good to meet you. I know your reputation. In fact, I know some of the guys you’ve worked with overseas. How comfortable are you in a chopper?”

“Very.”

“Good. Then, I’ll get us back to the office as quick as I can.” She turned to Croft, who had buckled himself in. “The team should be waiting for us. John is none too happy.”

Croft grinned at her. “I wouldn’t expect him to be, but we’ll get it sorted out.”

Avery glanced between Finn and Croft.

“Of that, I have no doubt,” she said, laughing as she took off and headed toward the Wild Mustang Security Firm’s headquarters.

The flight didn’t take long, and Finn was caught up in the beauty and grandeur of the landscape below her as Avery skillfully guided the chopper back to its home base. Croft took the time to point out several landmarks, as well as the ranch he used to work for that abutted Mac and Willa’s place.

Finn admired the way their home and barn were set artfully into the landscape. She pointed toward what appeared to be an old building made of rock and adobe set back from the house.

“What’s that?”

“That’s headquarters. It was an old, abandoned building in a ghost town not far from here. Willa and Mac had it moved, so it would fit in. It’s about the same age as their house, which was the original homestead.”

“It’s beautiful, the whole thing. It looks like it was always here,” Finn said with respect.

“That was the idea,” Avery added. “Inside, the buildings are all state-of-the-art, but if you just rode or flew by, you’d never know.”

“I can’t wait to see it,” Finn said, not failing to miss the look exchanged between Avery and Croft. The chopper set down outside the building, and Croft got out as Finn unbuckled her safety belt.

Avery turned toward her.

“John is pissed you weren’t forthcoming with what was really going on. I suspect he’ll let you know but will then defer to Croft. Take a bit of advice from a new friend who has known these guys for a while and Croft longer than the rest of them. Don’t do it again.” She reached back to Finn. “And we’ll get your brother. There’s nobody better at this than we are.”

Finn smiled as she grasped Avery’s hand. “Thank you.”

Turning toward Croft, he helped her out, and they headed toward the building. Finn was a bit surprised when the chopper took off.

“Where’s she going?” asked Finn.

“Avery is the consummate pilot. She’ll take it back to where we keep it, a bit off the grid, so to speak. She’ll get it gassed up and wash all the dirt and grit off, then she’ll do a thorough inspection. If and when we need her, it’ll be ready to go. I suspect John’s given her the heads-up we’re headed to Vegas, so she’ll make sure the company jet is ready to go as well.”

“You didn’t tell me Avery is a woman.” Finn smiled at the curious look he gave her.

“I didn’t tell you she wasn’t. It doesn’t matter. She’s the best damn pilot I’ve ever been around and takes care of transportation and most of the operational stuff as well. She has special-ops experience and is a member of the team.” Croft was surprised when she reached up to kiss him, then grinned at him.

“I’m not sure why it makes me so happy that it never occurred to you to mention she’s female.”

“It’s irrelevant. Behave yourself in this meeting. There’s going to be lots of questions, and you’ll probably get asked a lot of the same things more than once…”

“To ensure my story is consistent, and I’m not lying?”

Croft nodded as they headed into the building. Avery had been right. The historic outward appearance of the building gave no indication of the beautiful, modern interior. Once inside, a visitor couldn’t help but be impressed. A kind of open reception area that sat in front of an enormous glass-walled conference room furnished with a large table and chairs. On either wall were projection screens. Seated around the table were five men, none of whom looked pleased to be there.

They entered the conference room, and Croft held out a chair for her. Finn took some comfort when he sat down next to her and made no attempt to hide the fact they were together. He covered the hand she rested on the table with his own and gave it a gentle but reassuring squeeze.

The tall, dark-haired man at the end of the table cocked an eyebrow at Croft but directed his first comments to her.

“Ms. Reid. You lied to us. In most circumstances, that means this firm would fire you as a client and refer you to someone not nearly as skilled to deal with your problem. Croft assures me it was simply concern for your brother and won’t happen again. I’d like your word on that.”

Finn felt like a small schoolgirl being dressed down by the principal, although his authoritarian voice was softened by kind concern.

“You have it. And I’d like to apologize to all of you for not being forthcoming from the get-go. I will not make that mistake again.”

John nodded. The next two hours were spent going over everything Finn knew about her brother’s disappearance and his life. They repeated requests for information in questions designed to confirm the veracity of her statements as well as to elicit everything she knew about what had led them to this point.

The meeting was interrupted when the phone rang, and it was Fariq Abdal.

“Croft?” a cultured voice asked over the speakerphone.

“I’m here, Fariq, and I have Ms. Reid with me.”

“Ah, Ms. Reid. I’m sorry we didn’t have the opportunity to meet. Your brother has been most anxious about your safety. He would like to speak with you.”

Finn could hear a bit of shuffling in the background.

“Finn? Are you there? Are you all right?”

Finn burst into tears at the sound of her brother’s voice and leaned toward the phone.

“I’m here, Christian. I’m fine. We’re coming for you tomorrow. Are you okay?”

“God, Finn, I never meant for you to be involved.”

“It’s okay, Christian. I’m safe, and you will be soon.”

Another round of shuffling and the sound of a chair being pulled closer to the table.

“Now that you and your brother have each confirmed the safety of the other, I would ask that you allow the professionals to conclude this business without further interference,” Fariq said.

Finn started to retort but was silenced by Croft shaking his head and holding his finger to his lips.

“Assure Christian, his sister is safe, and we’ll see you all tomorrow.”

“I will do that, Croft. Until three at the Four Seasons.”

The line went dead.

John Hampton cleared his throat. “I guess the only thing now is to decide whether we want to agree to Fariq’s condition of having Finn at the meeting.” He held up his hand to ward off Croft’s protests. “Don’t think for a minute I’m not sympathetic to your personal concerns. If the situation were reversed and it was my Mandy, I’d feel precisely the same way. My first question is to Finn. How do you feel about being there?”

“Her feelings on the issue aren’t any more important than Mandy’s would be in a similar situation,” Croft grumbled.

Finn was surprised when John laughed.

“Point taken.”

“That’s not true,” Finn snapped. “I get where Croft is coming from, but this is my brother. Unlike all of you, he has no basis or background in this kind of thing. He has to be terrified, and maybe seeing me, he’ll feel reassured everything is going to be all right and just go along, as opposed to questioning everything you tell him.” She softened her voice. “Croft can tell you I’m really not all that good at doing as I’m told.” He snorted, which provoked grins from each of the other men. “Christian isn’t all that much better, but if he knows I trust you and you guys were confident enough to have brought me along, I think it will really help. I’m not stupid, and I know who Fariq Abdal is, but Croft tells me this is just business for him, and if he gets what he wants, we can all walk away.”

“She has a point, Croft,” said Thom Lynden—the IT guru of the team.

“I know she does,” Croft acknowledged, none too happy.

“I hate to say it,” John said, “but Thom is right, and so is Finn. Having her there may go a long way toward making this come off a lot easier than without her. That being said, as you pointed out, if it was Mandy, I wouldn’t allow it. Your call, Croft.”

“It’s not his call,” Finn cried. “I’m an adult, and I make my own decisions.”

“If you believe that,” growled a man whose very pores seeped brutality, “you’re not nearly as bright as I think you are.”

“Finn, Noah,” Croft said. “Probably my best friend in the world, but don’t let the snarl fool you. He’s one of the best men you’ll ever meet and probably the most enlightened of the bunch of us.”

“Shit, Croft… you’re going to ruin my street cred.”

The rest of the team chuckled. Finn looked around the table and noted not one of the men was looking at her for the answer, all eyes focused on Croft.

“I don’t like it one bit, but she knows her brother better than the rest of us, and if he’s anything like his little sister, it might make things go smoother. But,”—he sat up and turned directly to Finn—“you will follow orders. You will not deviate from the plan, and you will not do anything that in any way puts you at risk. Clear?”

Finn wondered again when it had become natural just to do as he told her? She started to protest, but Noah tapped the back of her hand.

“A piece of advice? This is where you say, yes, sir, then follow orders. Anything else and sailor boy there will put you over his knee and turn your cute little butt a deep shade of red if he hasn’t already.” Noah shook his head and looked at Croft. “You and Mac and your feisty females. Give me a nice, simple girl who wants to follow my lead, understands the consequences of misbehaving, and chooses to behave more often than not.”

“What can I tell you, Noah?” Croft said to his friend. “The heart wants what it wants.”

She couldn’t believe they were having this conversation in front of her. More than that, when had it become okay for Croft to make the dynamic in their budding relationship fairly obvious to anyone listening? She decided it would serve no purpose to argue with him at this point, so merely nodded.

“Then we have a plan. We’re to meet with Fariq at three o’clock at the Four Seasons,” John said. “Once we know the room is secure, Finn and Baez will join Christian. Taylor and I will be visible at the perimeter. Fariq and his man will leave Christian and join Croft at our table, where Croft will hand over the thumb drive. I think it’s safe to assume they’ll have two men circulating in the room as well as leave one with Finn’s brother. I’ve already secured the helipad at Circus Circus, not as close as I’d like, but closer than any other. Avery will be stationed there and waiting. Thom and Adam will coordinate and manage communications from here. I want us in place by one o’clock, which means we depart here by eleven-thirty tomorrow morning.”

The men all nodded or acknowledged John’s instructions, then filed out of the room, Finn trailing out with them.

“Croft? Hold up,” John called.

Croft steered her back into the room. John looked them up and down. Finn felt a bit embarrassed and squeamish at his perusal but was impressed Croft looked him unflinchingly in the eye.

“You have experience and history with Fariq. How certain are you he’ll hold to the agreement?”

“Certain enough, I’m letting Finn come along,” Croft answered.

“He’s my brother,” Finn muttered.

“And you’re my woman,” Croft growled.

“That was fast.” John chuckled.

Finn watched a slow, sensual smile spread across Croft’s face.

“As I recall the story, you laid claim to your Mandy pretty damn quick.”

“That I did.” John nodded, smiling. “Baez will make sure nothing happens to Finn… well, nothing that you don’t mete out.” He turned to Finn. “As for you, I’d mind him if I were you.”

“Seriously? Do you guys hear yourselves? What makes you think once my brother is safe, he and I won’t just go back to our lives and leave him and the rest of you Neanderthals in the dust?”

“I don’t know about your brother, but if you run, that man standing next to you will come for you and keep coming until he’s caught up with you. If you force him to do that, when he’s done with you, you won’t do it a second time,” John assured.

Croft laughed. “And you can check with his Mandy about that.”

John smiled. In spite of herself, Finn was really beginning to like Croft’s superior.

“That you can. Or she can talk to Willa about the many uses of handcuffs.”

“I can see where handcuffing you jackasses might prove to be useful.”

“You and Mac and your spitfires.” John shook his head. “I’m just grateful Mandy tends to like to keep out of trouble with me. You have your hands full with this one, Croft.”

Croft grinned and hugged her close. “But doesn’t Mac always say, the spitfires are the ones who are more fun to tame?”

“He does. And you’re the same special kind of crazy. Finn?” John leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Welcome to the family, and remember, family doesn’t lie to each other.”

“We weren’t family when I didn’t tell you everything,” Finn said, oddly reassured by John’s words.

John asked for a few minutes of privacy, and Finn left them in the conference room. As Croft joined her, she realized his body was far more relaxed than it had been since they entered the building. Taking her hand, he headed into the blazing Arizona heat.

“Everything okay?” Finn asked. “Did I get you in any trouble… you know, because of us?”

“No, babe. John just wanted to caution me as tempting as it might be to really get after you tonight, either over my knee or between your legs, I probably wanted to wait until we have your brother back safe and sound.”

“Are you kidding me? Did he actually say that to you? Of course, he did,” she said, shaking her head. “So, I’m off the hook?” she asked hopefully.

“Hardly,” he snorted. “But at least your backside is safe until then, and I won’t fuck you hard enough tonight to make you too sore—but that’s only if you settle down and behave.”

“How gallant of you,” she snarked.

He spun her around and pulled her into his arms, kissing her deeply.

“Careful, Finn. John also made it clear whether you’re at the meeting is entirely up to me. If I change my mind, you’ll stay behind where I can keep you safe.”

“What makes you think I’d sit on the sidelines just because you told me to?”

Croft laughed. “What makes you think you’d have a choice?” He kissed her again as he opened the door of her truck. “Hush, Finn. Let’s go home.”

He helped her in before going around the front of the truck and slipping behind the wheel. They followed what appeared to be a well-worn track to an old dairy barn. Finn was surprised to see the nicely manicured and green lawn as well as extensive landscaping behind the picket fence. There was a water feature in the front yard, and she spied several species of koi. Croft stopped by the pond and lifted a rock, which was actually a container for fish food, and sprinkled it over the water.

“They’re beautiful,” she said as the koi came to the surface. She followed him up to the cottage-style Dutch door that served as the entrance to his house.

If the tranquility and beauty of the exterior of his home had been a surprise, the interior was even more so. He had clad the walls in whitewashed shiplap. It was an open space with a large, sunny kitchen area at one end and an open staircase with several vertical pullouts, which led to what looked like a loft storage area. The middle area was designed as living/dining space, and the other end had an enclosed bath and a large, comfortable bed. There were windows all the way around.

“You were right. This is palatial compared to my place, but it’s beautiful in a casual way.”

“What were you expecting?”

“I wasn’t sure. You can tell a man lives here, but it’s almost as though you created it to share with a woman.”

“I did.”

“Who was she?” Finn asked, afraid to hear the answer.

“You,” he said simply. “I didn’t know your name or where you were, but I knew you were out there. I wanted you to be comfortable. Why don’t you strip down, hop into bed, and try to get some rest? If you want, you can grab one of my T-shirts in the closet. I’ll get some paperwork done they’ll need. I can arrange to have your things moved over here from the hotel while we’re gone tomorrow.”

“All by myself in that great big bed?” She trailed her finger down his spine. “What if I’d rather do something other than rest?”

He laughed and brought her fingers up to kiss them.

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, I plan to give you plenty of that later on, but I need to get this paperwork done.”

“Maybe I’ll grab my camera and… wait, my camera is back in my hotel room.”

“You don’t need to be wandering around in this heat. Maybe you’ll just do what I tell you.”

“You do not get to tell me what to do.”

“Finn, I don’t want to argue. You’ve been under a lot of stress, and tomorrow isn’t going to be easy.”

“I thought you said Fariq could be trusted…”

“He can… as much as anyone in his line of work, but still the exchange isn’t until three, and the waiting can be hell. Could you just trust I know what I’m talking about?”

“It isn’t that I don’t trust you, or I don’t think you know what you’re doing, but I’ve been in war zones, too…”

“Yes, war zones but not in war. Unless I’m wrong, your weapon has been your camera, and you were kept clear of the most dangerous stuff. I was a SEAL. I was the dangerous stuff. Please, babe, for me. I won’t worry as much if I know you’re rested.”

“I’ll go lie down, but only because I am kind of tired. But I’m not promising to sleep.”

He leaned over and kissed her, his lips lingering longer than they would for a casual, dismissive kiss.

“Thank you.”

“Actually, would you mind if I took a shower?”

“Not at all. Towels are in there.”

Finn walked over to the bed and took off her clothes before going into the bathroom. It was small but more than adequate, dominated by an enormous shower stall with several showerheads. Figuring out how to turn them all on and adjust them took a minute, but when she stepped in and closed the glass door, she sighed with contentment—it was worth it.

Once she was clean and had washed her hair, she stepped out and smiled. Croft had turned back the bed, left her a bottle of water, and was absorbed in his work. The water was ice cold and felt wonderful going down her throat.

Finn slipped into the large, comfortable bed and stretched out, deciding to rest her eyes for just a moment but was quickly fast asleep.