Page 77 of Extracted

“Where you at?”

“At a hotel in downtown Ibarra.” He rubbed his fingers together. Hearing Silas’s voice made fresh rage sear his skin.

“Good, good. I’ll be landing in half an hour but have some business to handle first. Can we meet at 9:00 p.m.?”

“Sure.” The sooner he could get this deal done the better.

“Good. And the items. How far are they?”

Dallas cringed. “Not with me. As I mentioned, I got called to Ecuador. But I’m sure my partner can bring your shipment in for your inspection by”—he flipped his wrist to look at his watch—“noon tomorrow.”

“No, no. Don’t worry about that. I have an associate in Cali who can meet your partner tonight. We don’t have any more time to waste.”

“Sounds good. I’ll tell him to prepare and wait for my word.” Dallas disconnected and phoned Lorenzo to relay the information.

Dallas’s insides buzzed with satisfaction.

He’d do the deal for Silas. Get paid. Then he’d blow the fucker’s head off.

* * *

After showering and applying the ointment that Charlene had given her to the cuts and scrapes, Gemma sat on the edge of the bed. She should be resting. But how the hell could she? Her plan had been upended. More than that. Her life had been turned upside down, and now she was in an even worse position than she’d been before.

Dallas was right.

She needed to call him. She pulled her phone from her backpack pocket, hit his contact icon, and pressed the device to her ear. The phone rang and she swallowed.

She was using the encrypted phone Charlene had given her. It shouldn’t be traceable. Which meant the CIA shouldn’t be listening either. Regardless, she’d take every precaution to disguise their conversation. The phone rang and rang.

Sighing, she disconnected. Of course it wouldn’t be that simple. Surely Dallas wasn’t expecting a call from her so soon. He was probably still driving, or preparing to meet Silas. She stretched out on the bed, keeping her phone close to her head, and let her eyes close.

Soon, this would all be over . . .

Buzz, buzz, buzz

Gemma shot open her eyes and lunged for the phone. Please be Dallas. A glance at the screen showed Charlene’s number. Scrunching her lips, she answered. “Hello?”

Pushing into a sitting position, she scanned the window through the open curtains. She must have slept for several hours because the sun was now low and dusk was tingeing the sky.

“Hope you got some rest. Sorry things took a lot longer than expected. Just called to give you notice. The driver will pick you up at your door in an hour. Maybe order some room service. I’d do it now.”

Gemma’s stomach revolted at the suggestion. “No. I’m fine.”

“Suit yourself.”

“Wait,” Gemma blurted, before Charlene could hang up. “Where am I going?”

“You know I can’t disclose that over the phone. Even these phones.” A beat passed. “But after all you’ve been through, maybe a thorough rundown will help. I’ll stop by your room in a few minutes.”

“Okay. Thank you.” Gemma lowered the phone from her ear and went through her call log.

Dallas hadn’t returned her call. Worry knotted her belly, but she forced it away. She hadn’t called Dallas from this phone before, so he wouldn’t know the number.

She didn’t return random phone calls, so she couldn’t expect him to.

The urge to call him back almost made her punch redial—but she couldn’t. Not with Charlene on her way to her room. If she had time once Charlene left, she’d try again.

Dammit. Life would be so much easier if she could just say what she needed to in a text without risking the operation or Dallas’s life.

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