Page 79 of Extracted

Gemma wet her lips. “A lot of other people were hurt and killed last time.”

Charlene’s gaze softened. “We always try to minimize casualties. But in rare situations—”

Gemma scoffed. The last thing she wanted to hear was more bullshit. “My point is, I want to be assured that Silas is your only target today.”

The air crackled with tension. Charlene’s gaze swept over the carpet between them, and she puckered her lips. “I understand where you’re coming from. You see, until we get the full story on what we’re walking into here, what Silas has planned in Ecuador, we really can’t know for sure. There are many dangerous men in this part of the country. While I don’t foresee any of them walking into our hands, if someone who’s a high-priority threat happens to be in the room . . .” She lifted her shoulders until they grazed the bottom of her hair. “But that shouldn’t matter to you. Everyone the CIA is after is a target for good reason and a danger to—”

“I get it.” She’d receive no assurance. There was no way to be certain Dallas wouldn’t be targeted, or caught in the line of fire.

All she could do was warn him.

If he’d ever answer the damn phone.

* * *

Dallas stepped into the elevator. With a gun in his waistband at his back, another at his ankle, and a knife on his hip, he was about as ready as he’d ever be. Silas had called fifteen minutes ago telling him to wait out front of his hotel.

Which was later than Silas had originally said. It was after 9:30 p.m., and exhaustion had set in a long time ago. Now, adrenaline coated the fatigue. The effect was all too familiar. Dallas probably wouldn’t sleep for days.

He pressed the button for the main floor and the doors whooshed shut. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Pulling it out, he read the number. Shit. Whoever this was had called earlier and he’d forgotten to return the call. Might be Cole.

He swiped to answer, but as soon as the line clicked on, it dropped. Damn elevators. If Silas wasn’t out front yet, he’d call the person back.

The elevator dinged, and he stepped out onto the tiled floor. At the same time, a voicemail alert beeped on his device. Curiosity gnawed at him.

He sailed toward the large glass doors and grimaced.

Out front was a large silver SUV. His phone call would have to wait. Dallas stepped through the sliding doors and into the warm night air. A man in dress pants, a short-sleeved white T-shirt, and sunglasses greeted him. “Dallas?”

He gave a brisk nod.

The man held out his hand. “I’m gonna need to hold your gun.”

“Sure.” Dallas reached behind his back and pulled his weapon from the waistband of his pants, but he didn’t bring the guard’s attention to the one at his ankle. He preferred to have some kind of weapon on him.

“Knife.”

Dallas unclipped it and passed it to the waiting guard.

“Please, get in.” He opened the back door, and Dallas climbed inside.

The windows were tinted and the seats were positioned limousine style, with two bench seats facing each other. Dallas slid into the one opposite Silas.

Smoky glass at the man’s back revealed that the SUV was designed for privacy from the drivers.

“Dallas, my boy.” Silas held out his hand and Dallas shook it.

The man’s hand was much smaller than his, but not thinner. Silas wore black dress pants and a navy-blue short-sleeved dress shirt. His sunglasses were tucked into the V of his shirt, and diamond earrings sat snuggly in both his ears. His skin was tanned, his hair dark in contrast to his crisp blue eyes. A large white bandage covered the right side of his face. More than likely from the blast he’d survived.

“Nice to finally meet in person.” Dallas flashed a smile and clasped his own knees.

“Yes. ’Bout time we get this deal complete. I assume your partner is ready to meet my client in Cali?”

“Absolutely. Lorenzo is on standby.”

“Good, good.” Silas nodded. “We’ll head to my office to discuss the financials and close tonight if all goes well.”

“Sounds great to me.”

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