Chapter 10

Chapter

Ten

“ H ow can you say that to me?” she asked in an indignant tone, sitting up and drawing away from him.

He laughed. “Because I know you. I don’t doubt you enjoyed our latest tryst, but I also know you’re up to no good. My guess—and the righteous indignation in your tone confirms it—is that you thought you’d blow me, have me fall asleep, then slip out of our bed and go wherever it is you think will get you the story.”

“I-I…” she stammered.

“You should know a couple of things. The first is I disabled the Range Rover. That leaves you with the motorcycle. While it’s good for a quick getaway, there are very few places it can go I can’t follow in the Rover. And my vehicle is tougher and faster than yours. I will catch up with you before you ever get to the Rover in the crofter’s hutch. The second is when I do, the first thing that happens is I take my belt to your pretty backside and lay a series of welts across it. Then I’ll fuck you so hard, you won’t be able to walk the next day. But you will never, and I mean never, get to where it is you were going or finish what you were planning to do.”

Perhaps if he’d found a different way to express himself or hadn’t looked as pleased, she might have been able to accept what he was saying. Zara rolled away from him and ran into the other room.

The bed creaked as he sat up. “Zara, you’re naked. You might want to get dressed before you try to ride that motorcycle.”

She quickly found what she was looking for. Snatching up the gun, she spun on her heel and sprinted back to the bedroom. Leveling the gun, she confronted him wordlessly. She comforted herself, knowing she had turned the tables on him and would be giving herself the time she needed to make her escape.

“Put the gun down, Zara. We both know you aren’t about to put a bullet in me.”

“I’m not sure about that, but you aren’t paying attention.” She squeezed the trigger. As if in slow motion, Noah leapt from the bed only to have the tranquilizer dart sink deeply into his thigh. “But in this case,” she continued in a soothing tone, “I don’t have to. Sweet dreams, Noah.”

Noah growled as he sprang forward, but the powerful sedative took effect almost immediately, and he slowly sank to the floor in a puddle by her feet. Zara gingerly stepped over him and quickly got dressed. Grabbing a pillow and a blanket from the bed, she approached the doorway. Ensuring he was still out, she lifted his head and placed it on the pillow before covering him. Zara kissed his cheek as she left him.

She stopped long enough to pull out the power cords to the communication system. Zara had no interest in doing it any damage, just wanted to slow him down. Praying the tranquilizer would keep him knocked out long enough to give her a good start, she found his wallet and took all his cash and his company credit card, which she’d use to book her first flight. She had no doubt once he was awake, he’d deactivate the card. Zara also grabbed his cell phone. That, too, would only be useful until he woke up.

Running toward the outbuilding where the motorcycle was kept, she thought briefly about trying to let the air out of the tires in the Range Rover but nixed the thought. It probably wouldn’t buy her as much time as it would take to do it. She peeled back the disguised tarp and unplugged the motorcycle from the charger, then grabbed the helmet, fit it securely on her head, and hit the electric starter. The bike roared to life, and she could feel its power as she motored out to the front of the cottage. The place really was lovely, and she would always have fond memories of it. Since there was no one after her, she opted to take the drive and head toward the road.

Once she could determine exactly where she was, she’d make a plane reservation for the closest airport to Paris with a connection to Marrakesh. In a perfect world, she’d have gone through several airports to try to confuse the issue, but airline security was tight these days, and speed was more important than stealth when dealing with Noah.

Zara read the road markers and laughed. Their bolt hole was in the middle of nowhere—the most western coast of Wales. She booked a flight from Cardiff to Paris with a tight connection to Marrakesh in Morocco. She remembered Noah had tossed his cell phone out when they were en route to the safehouse. She assumed that meant the one she had was secure. She called ahead to alert Ghazil she was coming and let him know it was imperative to keep that information to himself. The two had built a relationship of sorts over the years and trusted one another.

“Zara! This is not your usual line. Whose phone have you stolen, you bad girl?”

She laughed. “Noah Taylor’s. I need to speak with you about some rumors I’ve heard. Deep cover only, and I won’t take more than an hour of your time. I’ve booked a flight and should be there about four this afternoon.”

“I’d love to see you. Only problem is, I’m not at home. I’m on vacation.”

“Ghazil, the phone I have is state-of-the-art secure.”

He laughed. “I assumed that. I know you would never compromise me. I’m still on vacation. I’m in Greece, on Mykonos, to be specific. Why don’t you re-route here, and we’ll meet for dinner? The place is full of tourists, so we can have dinner in my room if you like.”

“Ghazil, that would be lovely. I’ll see you about eight. I want to get in and get out before Noah catches up with me.”

“How did you run afoul of the Wild Mustang Security Firm and more importantly, Noah Taylor? Not a man I want banging down my door.”

“He’s decided I’m in danger…”

Ghazil laughed again. Zara always forgot how much she actually enjoyed the man.

“Has he met you before?”

It was her turn to laugh. “It gets worse. I’ll give you all the lurid details when I get there.”

“Lurid? Oh goody! I love lurid. I’m at the Kensho Psarou. Kiss, kiss.”

He rang off, and Zara just shook her head. As she rode, she decided to leave her flight booked to Marrakesh. She would fly to Paris then take a small commuter plane that wasn’t exactly on the radar of most people to Greece. From Athens, she’d either try to connect with another commuter plane or take the speed ferry to the Greek island of Mykonos.

There was no doubt in her mind as soon as Noah woke, he’d hook up the communication system and alert his team she was on the run. She hoped they wouldn’t think Finn knew more than she did or that she had helped Zara. Finn knew Ghazil by reputation but didn’t have a personal connection with the man. If Wild Mustang came up with Ghazil, they’d head for Marrakesh. That should give her all the time she needed to meet with Ghazil and get back to mainland Europe. She’d have a little over an hour in flight to Paris to plot her next moves.

N oah woke with a throbbing head. His system did not process tranquilizers well and left him hungover.

“Damn it, Zara,” he snarled as he came to and lifted himself off the floor.

He used the doorframe to help stabilize himself as he got to his feet. He looked down and smiled. At least she’d tried to make him comfortable. Maybe he’d return the favor when he caught up with her by offering her a pillow to sit on after he welted her ass. He hated to take the time but figured a quick shower was the best way to shake off the residual effects of the sedative.

Once he was dressed, he walked into the sitting room and growled, then sat down to reconnect the comm system—another piece of naughtiness Zara would pay for.

“Yo, Noah! I thought we weren’t going to talk until the team reconvened day after tomorrow,” came Thom’s voice on the other end of the line.

“There’s been a little change in plans. It seems my woman has decided to go rogue.”

Noah heard Thom trying to stifle his laugh and failing miserably.

“That’s not good.”

“It won’t be when I catch up with her. I need you to track what she used my credit card for. Check airlines first. Then I’m going to need a safehouse somewhere in Europe. Preferably isolated.”

“This really isn’t sounding good for her. Can I ask how she got away?”

“Why not? She shot me.”

“Jesus! That bitch…”

“Watch it,” he growled. Then, in a more modified tone, he continued, “That’s my woman you’re talking about, Thom. I might think about calling her that, but nobody else better do it.”

“Sorry. Do you need medical attention?”

“No, she used a tranquilizer. I took a shower to clear the fog. My head is killing me, but I’ll be fine.”

“Your card is coming back with a report. She is in transit from Cardiff to Paris. Do you want us to try to intercept her there?”

“I don’t think you can get there in time, do you?”

“No, but I can put out a BOLO and see if we can’t get the S?reté to pick her up.”

“I don’t trust those guys. It wouldn’t surprise me if Fariq had several of them on his payroll. Besides, I’m not sure they’re good enough to pull it off. She’s been doing this a long time and was with a guy from NATO intelligence for several years. He gave her some interesting skills.”

“We might be able to get there to snatch her, but it would be iffy and probably not go very smoothly.”

“Does she have a connecting flight?”

“Yes, to Marrakesh.”

“Gotcha!” For the first time, Noah felt like he would be able to stop her from getting herself killed.

“Does that mean something to you?”

“Yeah, she’s headed for Ghazil Assaraf. She’s used him in the past for deep cover.”

“Don’t you know him?”

Noah laughed. “I do. In fact, the firm has used him successfully on several occasions and has him on a general retainer. Shit!”

“Now what?”

“She took my secure cell. Can you patch me through to a number via a secure line?”

“Puhleeze, do not be insulting.”

Noah grinned. “Sorry. I know better. I’m just worried about Zara.”

“What’s the number?”

Noah gave it to him and was quickly speaking with Ghazil.

“Ghazil? Noah Taylor. How are you, my friend?”

Noah could hear laughter on the other end of the line.

“I was having a lovely, quiet vacation in Mykonos, but it seems to be getting more interesting all the time.”

“Mykonos is never quiet,” Noah chided. “And if you think it’s interesting, my sweetheart must already have talked to you. I would remind you she doesn’t pay you, and the firm has you on a rather large retainer.”

“There is no need for your reminder, and I’m glad you called. I have been debating on whether I should call you as Zara did share with me, she was on the lam from your firm and you in particular.”

“What’s to debate? That should have been a clear call for you to make.”

“She promised lurid details, and you know how much I love steamy erotic stories.”

“Knock it off, Ghazil. As I just reminded someone else, that’s my woman you’re talking about,” Noah snarled.

“N-Noah, I didn’t know…”

“I didn’t mean to bite your head off.”

“You’re worried about her.”

“I am. She could be in way over her head. We were going to talk to you anyway. When is she scheduled to meet you?”

“We’re to have dinner tonight at about eight in my hotel room at the Kensho. I have one of the rooms with a panoramic view of the ocean and a private rooftop seating area. It’s yours if you like.”

“Thanks, Ghazil. I’m going to connect you back to Thom. He’ll get all the particulars from you and set you up in a different hotel. The firm will pick up the tab.”

“That would be very nice, Noah. I appreciate that.”

“But, Ghazil? That’s my woman, and she’s in danger. You do anything to alert her that I mean to catch up with her there, and you’ll answer to me… personally.”

“My dear Noah, the moment you referred to Zara as your woman, I had no intention of getting in your crosshairs. I shall be the soul of discretion. In fact, if I might, if you’re in need of a safehouse close by, I have a small place on the Amalfi Coast where you might take refuge. I can give the coordinates to your man, Thom.”

“Ghazil, you are a true gentleman, and both the firm and I appreciate your assistance.”

“It is my pleasure to hasten the course of true love,” he said poetically.

Noah snorted but reconnected him with Thom. With a credit card number to use, Noah chartered a private flight directly from a small airport closer to the cottage than Cardiff to take him directly to Mykonos, which should arrive a couple hours before Zara.

Noah pulled his things together and got the cottage ready for the next user. He reinstalled the starter relay in the Range Rover and drove to meet the chartered jet. The flight was uneventful, and he used the time to write and send a report back to the firm. He shook his head. Not only was he never going to hear the end of falling for Zara, once she was safe, they would take fiendish delight in needling him about letting her get the drop on him.

When he landed, Noah picked up the new secure cell phone, credit cards, and luxury SUV Thom had arranged. Noah had asked Thom not to disengage the cell phone Zara had taken. He didn’t want her stranded without any way to call for help.

Noah spotted Ghazil at the small bistro in Little Venice, surrounded by adoring women. Ghazil was usually surrounded by adoring women. It was part of his persona. Most didn’t know Ghazil was gay. Not that there was anything wrong with that, Noah just felt bad that most of those who thought they knew him didn’t know him at all.

“My friend,” he called as he saw Noah and shooed away his newest entourage.

“Ghazil.” Noah sat across from him. “Again, my apologies for snarling at you earlier. I am more than a little annoyed with Zara.”

“I’m not sure whether I am envious of her or not.”

Noah smiled. “I’m not sure if you should be or not, either. My biggest concern right now is keeping her safe. How much did she tell you?”

“Not much at all. Just that she wanted to talk to me deep cover and had managed to make the radar of your firm and you in particular.”

“What have you heard about Fariq Abdal’s organization?”

“Nothing good. They say one of his men went rogue, and Fariq had him killed. Then there was a small altercation in Las Vegas that was quickly hushed up. Fariq has disappeared, and one or more of his lieutenants is looking to take over.”

“The altercation was a simple K she was also a keen strategic thinker. He had to get to Zara. Reid was loose, and if he knew anything about Mykonos, she was in more danger now than ever before. He glanced at his watch. If he floored it, he could possibly scoop her up at the airport.

Noah knew the worst-case scenario had been put into motion when he was prevented from getting to the airport. There had been reported gunfire, and the place was pandemonium. Noah got as close to the airport as he could, then securely parked. He rented a scooter for an inordinate amount of money from a local and used back streets, alleys, even sidewalks to get closer to the airport. Once there, he was on foot but moving fast. Tourists were panicked, and the police were unable to do much more than try to keep them from adding to the chaos of the shooter who had taken over the roof of one of the buildings.

He had made a mental note of the tail number of the plane Zara was on. He was relieved to see it sitting out on the tarmac. Noah snagged one of the golf-cart-like vehicles used to take luggage out to the planes, donned an orange security vest, and headed straight for her. The plane was buttoned up. Noah pounded on the door, shouting to the pilot that he was with airport security, and they needed to get his passenger out. The pilot dropped the stairs, and Noah bounded up them. Scanning the interior, he saw Zara was the only passenger. Her look of shock mixed with fear and arousal was intoxicating. His dick responded like a bird dog with a pheasant—pointing straight at her. His dick needed to get a grip… he’d fuck her later. Right now, he had to get her to safety.

Turning to the pilot, he said, “It’s a madhouse in there. I’ll get your passenger off your plane and out of your hair. I suggest you turn this thing around and go back where you came from.”

“Gladly,” the small man said as he headed toward the cockpit.

“I’m not going anywhere with you,” Zara said defiantly.

“Wanna bet?” he jeered as he jerked her to her feet and tossed her over his shoulder.

He trotted down the steps with Zara beating his back and cursing him. Keeping her pinned on his shoulder, he managed to get the stairs back up, so the pilot could take off. He dumped Zara on the seat beside him, locking his fist in her hair to keep her in place, then started the golf cart and made a beeline to the building closest to where he’d left the scooter. If they were lucky, it would still be there. If not, they’d have to make their way back to the SUV on foot. He was speeding and almost at his destination when a single shot rang out, and the right front tire exploded, careening and spinning their transport like a child’s toy.

Zara screamed and clutched his arm. Noah got out and pulled her with him. Two more shots rang out, and she was able to separate from him. She ran a zigzag pattern toward one of the smaller outbuildings while Noah made it to a small private hanger.

Seeing she was pinned down, Noah looked around for some way to get to her. He had an automatic with him, but it was no match for the high-powered rifle. It didn’t matter—he had to get to her. Noah left his place of relative safety, barely getting to her in time to wrap his arm around her and swing her up onto his shoulder and out of the way of another of the sniper’s bullets. He held her in position and ran toward a different shelter, bursting through the doorway, automatic weapon in one hand, holding a kicking and struggling Zara with the other.

He checked the building to ensure they were the only two individuals within before setting her on her feet. He did not, however, release his hold on her.

“Let go of me,” she snarled.

“No,” he replied, flattening them both against the front wall, so he could get a look out the window.

Zara reached down and bit his hand, drawing blood. “I said, let go!”

Noah barely noticed the wound. “And I said no. You might thank me for saving your life… again.”

“I might, but I won’t. If you hadn’t followed me, I probably wouldn’t have come under fire.”

“Did you miss the part where they were already shooting up the airport? You’re the damn target, Zara. Something you found or know, combined with whatever is on that thumb drive, is dangerous to Fariq.”

“What are you talking about? It’s Springer who’s trying to kill me.”

“No, it’s not. We need to get out of here. I have an SUV about six blocks from here. Can you run that far?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He stopped only long enough to press a brief, angry kiss to her lips. “Then, shut up and follow me.”

They burst from the other side of the building and ran. Several shots rang out, but they were putting more and more distance between themselves and the shooter. Finding a hole in the fence, they slipped through it, running toward the scooter. Their luck was improving. It was still there. Clambering aboard, Noah gunned the small engine and headed for the SUV. They bumped over the cobbled streets and through alleyways until they reached Noah’s rented vehicle.

Noah wasted no time hustling her into the passenger seat before going around, jumping behind the wheel, then driving away from the turmoil behind them.