Chapter 15

Chapter

Fifteen

T hom was surprised. He wasn’t sure what he’d expected, but a laughing, teasing, flirtatious Zara Hughes wasn’t it. The fact Noah seemed far removed from the usual lethal presence he presented to the world was quite interesting. Zara was the furthest thing any of them had ever expected of Noah. As much as they teased him about finding a hellion, they’d always believed he really would settle down with a quiet girl without a lot of spirit. Zara was the antithesis of that, yet it was easy to tell Noah was besotted. And unless Thom was wrong, Zara felt the same way about him.

He hated being the one who would have to burst their bubble, but they needed to be brought up to speed. They needed to know, so Zara could be kept safe, and Wild Mustang could get the situation with Fariq resolved once and for all.

N oah entered the cottage with groceries and other provisions, feeling inordinately happy until he got a good look at Thom’s face. The man couldn’t play poker to save his life.

Putting the groceries down, he accepted Zara’s embrace before saying, “What’s wrong, Thom?”

Zara looked between the two men.

“It’s Fariq. The FBI took him into custody and promptly lost him.”

“Fucking Feebies,” Noah cursed.

“Feebies?” Zara asked.

“The FBI—Feeble Brained Idiots,” Thom explained.

“That’s not nice, Noah,” she said.

“Maybe not, but in this instance… accurate,” Noah snarled.

Zara turned back to Thom, “What do you mean, lost him?”

“They were transporting him using a commercial airline,” said Thom. “There was a layover, and according to the Feebies, he just sort of slipped away.”

“And Reid?” asked Noah, in a tone that said he already knew the answer.

“He’s in the wind as well,” said Thom. “Finn is pretty upset.”

“She’s worried about him?” Noah asked.

“No, she wouldn’t be,” said Zara. “She’d be upset he appears to be a part of this. That won’t sit well with Finn. If she’s fallen for Croft, the fact Reid is involved in something that could get all of you hurt is going to royally piss her off.”

“Actually, I think she’s most upset since we’re pretty sure he’s the one who put the hit out on you. And, speaking of that, we’ve let it be known you are under our protection.”

“That may dissuade some. Have they gone outside their own organization to get the job done?” Noah asked, concern evident in his voice.

“Unfortunately, that’s what we’re hearing.”

“How secure are we here?” Noah asked.

“Very. This place has been in the works for a couple of months, and I think it would be even harder to breach than Wales, but Mac…” Thom looked from Zara to Noah and back. “Do you want to talk in private?”

Noah could feel Zara’s body stiffen.

“In a perfect world, yes.”

“Noah…” she said threateningly.

“I know, sweetheart.” He kissed her to reassure her. “I didn’t end up with that nice quiet girl I thought I wanted. This hellcat would have my guts for garters if I tried to freeze her out.”

“What makes you think I wouldn’t go for your private parts?” she asked archly.

“Because you are way too fond of them,” he rejoined, making Thom laugh and Zara smile.

“Mac wants us to conference this afternoon. He’s inclined to pull you back to headquarters.”

“The story is here,” Zara said.

“The story is nowhere as far as you’re concerned,” Noah growled. “But I’m not sure I think we need to hunker down. I don’t think that’s the right play, and I’ll tell Mac that. When does he want to talk?”

“I told him I wanted to get the last things done here while it’s still light.”

Noah nodded. What he really dreaded was Zara’s reaction when he told Mac he thought Zara should be back with them. She would be safer in Mesa, but she’d fight him tooth and nail. Hopefully, Avery was already en route to whisk Thom and Zara back to the States.

“Noah, I could use some help getting some of this set up. Either you or Zara, doesn’t matter.”

“I’ll take care of it. Zara, do you want to come with us or just stay up here?”

“Would you mind if I stayed up here?” she asked Noah.

“Not at all. I just didn’t want you to think you were being excluded.”

“I appreciate it. I think I’ll just hang out.”

Thom and Noah left and headed to the car Thom had driven to pick up the gear that was needed.

“I never thought I’d live to see the day…” Thom started.

“Watch it. That’s my woman, and I’m rather particular about the way anybody, including you, talks about her. You want to give me shit, feel free to do that in front of her, but you don’t say anything that would embarrass her. This isn’t easy on her. Hell, I’m not easy, period. So, I won’t have anybody contributing to that.”

Thom stopped, putting his hand on his friend’s arm.

“You’ve fallen for her,” he said incredulously. “I mean, I figured you were sleeping with her and… other things,” he stumbled. “But you’re planning a future with her.”

“I am,” Noah said definitively.

“Holy shit. The mighty have fallen. This is even better than I thought. You do know she is never, and I mean never, just going to fall in line.”

Noah laughed. “I’m aware. And when I tell Mac, I think she needs to go back with you and Avery… He is sending the plane, right?” Thom nodded. “She’s going to throw a major tantrum. My guess is we’ll need to buy new dishes.”

“Why?”

“Because my sweet, quiet girl, who likes to fuck and make my life easy—by the way, I did get one of those attributes right—has a major temper and has no problem giving it free rein. I suggest when it starts, you get behind a door somewhere and let her have it out with me.”

“We can’t really take her against her will…”

“Who says we can’t?”

“Um, everybody in law enforcement…”

“We’re not law enforcement. I need her safe, Thom. If you and Avery aren’t on board with taking her home despite her protests, I’ll fly home to Mesa, get Zara settled, then come back. We need to track Fariq and Reid closer to their home stomping grounds.”

“Fariq’s are outside of territorial waters.”

“Yes, but he likes warm, temperate waters, which puts him in this neck of the woods.”

Z ara was so startled when Noah’s phone rang, she picked it up.

“Hello?”

“Ah, Zara,” came Fariq Abdal’s heavily accented voice. “I was so hoping to be able to talk to you.”

“So, you call Noah?”

“Yes. I thought I would have to go through your Mr. Taylor to speak to you. I would like to presume on an old friendship.”

“We aren’t friends, Fariq, and your flunky, Christian Reid, has put out a contract on me.”

“A most unfortunate turn of events. I figure I may well have overestimated Reid’s ability to handle things. You should know he is becoming a bit… unraveled.”

“And I could do what about that?”

“You could arrange to bring me the information. I’m quite curious as to see what’s on it before I destroy it.”

“I don’t have it. It’s with the team at Wild Mustang.”

“The thumb drive, yes, but the threat there will be eliminated shortly. You, on the other hand, I suspect, could get what I want off Thom Lynden’s computer, which is not back in Mesa. Bring the laptop to me, and I will ensure your safety as I have done in the past.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then your Mr. Taylor will become my primary target for retaliation. This is not a negotiation, Zara, it is a simple exchange… the laptop for Taylor’s life.”

“He’s a hard man to kill,” she said, trying to keep the fear out of her voice.

“But I am a man of unlimited means and abilities. The laptop for Taylor’s life.”

“When and where?”

“I knew I could count on you to be reasonable, Zara. Take the laptop and find a boat. Use a burner phone and text me its number. I will send you the rendezvous coordinates. We have a deal?”

“You give me little choice, but once you have the information destroyed, you’ll leave all of us in peace?”

“If you drop the story, the contract on your life will be rescinded, and all will be as it was before.”

“I have a window of opportunity now. I’ll text you within the next two hours.”

Zara hung up the phone, grabbed Thom’s laptop, shoving it into the messenger bag he used to transport it, as well as the gun underneath the coffee table. She jotted down a quick note for Noah and went out to the sports car Thom had rented and smiled—the keys were in the ignition.

N oah and Thom were adding additional sensors along the eastern perimeter when they heard the sound of a powerful engine.

“You have the keys to the car, right?” said Noah.

“Well, no. I didn’t figure anyone was going to steal the damn car.”

“No one but Zara. Shit!”

Noah ran for the house but knew he’d be too late. He skidded to a stop as the car disappeared up the drive. He ran into the house to grab the keys to the SUV from off the desk. Instead, he found Thom’s laptop was missing and a note from Zara.

N oah,

I love you. There I said it.

Fariq is very worried about whatever information Reid let slip. He’s willing to meet with me and has agreed to trade Thom’s laptop to leave us in peace and call off the contract.

Warn them in Mesa, he may have already set something in motion to destroy the information that’s there. I raided your wallet and took the cash you have. I can make arrangements for more money off-the-grid, so I’ll be fine.

I love you. Please try not to be too pissed at me.

Zara

T hom rushed into the cottage. “She stole my car!”

“No shit. She also took my keys, your laptop, and all the cash I had on me.”

“Fuck. Then we’re stuck until Avery lands.”

“No. I’ll go hotwire the vehicle we used to get out here. We’re going to have to check in with Mac on the fly. Tell him Zara thinks Fariq may have done something at our headquarters. They should probably secure all the information and do a deep sweep for explosives.”

“Shouldn’t we stop and talk to Mac first?”

“No. This isn’t Zara’s first rodeo. She already has a head start, and I don’t intend to give her any more of one than I have to. I need you to come along to drive one of the vehicles.”

As Noah hotwired the SUV, Thom placed the call to the office and briefly filled them in. He had just finished up when Noah drove up to the front of the cottage.

“Mac said they’re getting everyone out and will stop whatever it is Fariq arranged. He wished you luck,” said Thom.

Noah noted the bemused expression on his friend’s face.

“Between asphyxiated breaths from laughing?”

Thom grinned. “Pretty much. I told him to have Avery land as planned, and we’d get in touch with her when we knew more. Zara will be okay, Noah.”

“Only until I get my hands on her… then she and I are going to have a come to Jesus meeting about her inability to follow the simplest orders.”

“You know, not all women are cut out to just follow orders.”

“They are if the right man is giving them,” Noah growled. “Sorry, it’s not you. I’m so pissed at Zara, I can’t see straight. There are people gunning for her, and she decides to go have tea with Fariq Abdal.”

“Take a breath. First, like you said, she’s experienced. My guess is this isn’t the first time someone’s wanted her dead. Second, she took the gun from under the coffee table and some ammo. Third, she has contacts in this area, the Middle East, and Africa, but so do we. We’ll find her.”

“Did you notice if she got her passport?”

“Yes, but she didn’t take yours.”

“How considerate of her,” Noah snarled. “When and where is Avery supposed to land?”

“There’s a private, undisclosed airstrip about a mile from the cottage.” Thom checked his watch. “Avery should be there in about two hours.”

“Good. Just have her stay there.”

“Should I ask how you plan to get Zara on board?”

“Toss her over my shoulder and take her aboard, kicking and screaming before putting her in restraints. If Avery won’t take her that way, the two of you can go to the cockpit while I deal with her until she quiets down. Then I’ll take her home and hand her off to somebody there. I’m going to keep Zara safe whether she likes it or not.”

Z ara headed into town, found a parking space for the sports car right outside a branch of her Swiss bank, and got the cash she needed. She used the phone in the bank to arrange for a powerboat to leave Monaco’s harbor and take her to Fariq, who she knew was most likely on his yacht, cruising the Mediterranean Sea. She then left the bank and stopped at a kiosk she knew handled off-market burner phones and bought several.

Zara arrived at the marina, arranged to have the rental car returned, then boarded the boat. She hoped she’d been quick enough that she was motoring out of the marina before Noah ever got the SUV hotwired.

Noah was going to be furious. She had no doubt her tender lover of the night before was going to be replaced, at least for a while, with the hard-nosed, no-nonsense commando, who would make sure she understood the extent of his wrath. It galled her that the very thought of it made her tingle all over, and not in a bad way. It wasn’t that she looked forward to his punishment, it was the man himself and his dominance that made her shiver in anticipation.

She had no choice but to handle things the way she was. After all, Fariq was a businessman first and foremost and would stand by the deal. It rankled that she had to give up whatever it was that had him rattled, but it was worth it to ensure Fariq didn’t make killing Noah a priority. She would trade the information—and what she was sure was a Pulitzer prize-winning story—for his safety.

Once she had cleared the marina, she placed her first phone call.

“Ghazil, you bastard, if you call Noah, I swear I will tell everybody and their brother just how many times I’ve used you for information and that you are in the employ of the Wild Mustang team.”

“Zara, my darling. Did you manage to get away from that delicious man who was so intent on finding you? I must say you have exceptional taste. There is no need to threaten me. You would never sign my death warrant by revealing the help I have given you in the past, and I am far more concerned about what Noah Taylor would do to me than about you, but tell me anyway how I might help.”

Zara sighed. Ghazil was right. She wouldn’t get him killed, nor would she reveal he had worked for her and with Wild Mustang.

“Noah’s people think Fariq is behind the hit on me.”

“He said as much to me. I don’t think it’s outside the realm of possibilities, but it doesn’t make sense. You are no threat to Fariq. After all, what could you reveal that isn’t already known? But the heir apparent who hides in the shadows? That’s another thing entirely.”

“Do you think Fariq knows about the contract?”

“I think Fariq knows everything. He may not have given the order, but he also hasn’t canceled it. Speaking as a friend, you really should let Taylor and his people look after you until this is over. The whole arms community is taking a wait-and-see attitude.”

“What about Springer?”

“Gerold Springer is out. You must have been lying low. His apartment was bombed late last night. Several fatalities, Springer among them.”

“The heir apparent?”

“Perhaps, but my money is on Fariq. After all, Springer did try to make a play for Fariq’s organization, and Fariq isn’t ready yet to leave.”

“Ghazil, thanks, and sorry about the threats. You’re right. I’d never do that to you.”

“That’s all right, Zara. Want to make it up to me?”

She laughed. “Sure, what do you want?”

“An invitation to the wedding.”

“What wedding?” she asked, confused.

“Yours, of course. You don’t honestly believe a man like Noah Taylor isn’t going to claim you as his, then make you put a ring on your finger and place his collar around your pretty little neck, do you?”

“We’ve never even talked about marriage… much less the other. You don’t think he wants that do you?”

“In case you missed it, Taylor isn’t much on words. He’s a man of action. I suspect when he catches up to you, he won’t do much talking.”

She laughed. “You’re probably right about that, at least. Well, if there’s any kind of celebratory event, I’ll be sure you get an invitation. If nothing else, next time you’re in London, brunch at the Savoy on me.”

“Thanks, darling. If you need help planning anything, do let me know.”

He rang off, and Zara shook her head before doing the same, stomping the cell phone into multiple pieces and tossing the thing into one of the holding tanks in the boat. Her next call was to Finn. She prayed she was alone and could take the call.

“Zara?”

“How’d you know? Can you talk?”

“Not for long. Croft is on his way back to the house. I have maybe five minutes. Are you all right? Do you have any idea how pissed the whole lot of them are, Noah, in particular?”

“I’m fine. I’m sure they are pissed, and I don’t want to think about how pissed Noah is. Jesus, the man has a wicked hand.”

“You’ll be lucky if it’s just his hand.”

Zara laughed. “Yes, I will. How are you holding up?”

“You mean because it seems my brother is not the man I ever thought he was, but instead is part of an organization that has put out a contract on my best friend?”

“Don’t go there, Finn. There was no way for you to know any of this. I’ll be fine. It isn’t the first time and probably won’t be the last, although I suspect knowing I have the Wild Mustang boys behind me will deter some of the possible hitters. Fariq has agreed, in exchange for Thom’s laptop, he’ll call everything off, and we’ll go back to square one. Neither you nor I can pursue the story, but at least everyone is safe. And let them know there may be something afoot there in Mesa.”

“They’re already working on that. You aren’t really thinking of confronting Fariq directly, are you? Have you lost your mind?”

“I have no choice. If I hadn’t agreed, he was going after Noah. Ghazil believes your brother is the one who actually put the hit out on me, and if he’s the heir apparent, Fariq is the only one who can stop him.”

“I get that, but Fariq could have done that, and he hasn’t.”

“I know, but he wants Thom’s laptop and the information buried, so he’s willing to do an exchange. Oh, shit. Ghazil just told me Gerold Springer’s apartment was bombed last night. Springer is dead. The team might know already but tell them just in case.”

“Zara, I don’t know what you think you’re going to do, but you need to let them bring you in and keep you alive.”

“And do what? Hide the rest of my life? Look, I know he’s your brother…”

“No, the day he became Fariq’s henchman and put a contract out on someone’s life, he ceased being my brother. If it comes to it, and it’s you or him… you take him out. He’s dead to me already,” Finn said with a catch in her throat.

“I’m sorry, Finn.”

“Me, too, but we haven’t been close for years. He thought I was irresponsible, and I thought he was just toeing the family line. How was I to know he’d gotten involved in the international arms trade? But you know what frightens me the most?”

“That he’s involved your family and their business with Fariq.”

“That’s it. I can’t imagine what it will do personally to my parents, but if it becomes public, the ramifications will destroy a business that has been built by our family over hundreds of years. If it doesn’t, how do we extricate the investment firm from this mess Reid got us into?”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

Zara could hear someone entering the house and the phone being taken away from Finn.

“Zara? This is Croft. Turn that fucking boat around and get your ass back to Monaco.”

“Delightful to hear your voice again, Billy. Do tell Noah I sent my love.”

Again, she disconnected the phone, dropped it on the deck, crushed it with her heel, and tossed it into the holding tank.