Page 187 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

“That would be my guess. They used that poor fool Timon to lure his brother out in the open, so Gerold could be dealt with in a way that kept it quiet he’d ever been disloyal.”

“But why would Reid involve his sister?”

“Was it supposed to be handled by your firm?”

“No. She was given instructions to tell no one and take the drive he’d hidden at her place to a rendezvous point and exchange it for Reid. He’d been beaten pretty savagely in the photo they sent her. Our thought had been they’d tortured him, found out there was a copy, and he admitted he’d left it with Finn. For a bastard like Fariq, a woman on her own is vulnerable and easily exploited.”

“Reid is no mild-mannered banker. In some ways, he’s as ruthless as Fariq. There must be something in the information that makes them think they are vulnerable. Be very cautious. A hit on a well-known journalist is not something Fariq would undertake unless he was very worried.”

“Ghazil, my old friend, you have proven invaluable to me. Along with our picking up the tab for your vacation here in Mykonos, you will find a nice little bonus added to your monthly retainer.”

“That would be most generous, but what I really want is an invitation to the wedding.”

Noah laughed. “I’ll see if I can’t make that happen.”

“Hmm… interesting… you don’t even deny there will be a wedding.”

“Wedding, collaring… I intend to get Zara tied to me as many ways as I can, and she’ll have the jewelry to prove it.”

“All joking aside, Noah, keep Zara close. If Fariq meant to kill her and not just scare her, he won’t stop. Recheck everything you have from him, Reid, and Zara, as well.”

“I will. And again, my thanks for your help.”

Noah left his credit card number with the bistro owner, telling him to ensure he included a large tip for his wait staff onto Ghazil’s tab. He got back into the SUV and called the firm.

“Well, if it isn’t the big bad himself… oh, wait, how bad can you be if you get taken out by a girl?” laughed Avery on the other end of the line.

“Not funny, Blondie. I need you to secure Fariq and Reid, then get the team on the line pronto.”

“I’m messaging Baez right now, he’s with Fariq, but Reid left us this morning. What’s up?”

“Shit! I just talked with Ghazil Assaraf. Let Croft know to keep Finn close. It seems good ole Reid isn’t what any of us believed, including Finn. Reid is Fariq’s right-hand man… his heir apparent. He’s also the sonofabitch who put the hit out on Zara.”

“Why?”

“My guess is that they know Finn talked with Zara, who is always looking for her next big story, and bringing down Fariq’s organization would be one helluva a story. Zara’s like a rabid dog when she gets onto something. Reid probably wanted to prove his loyalty to Fariq and make sure that story never saw the light of day—two birds with one stone.”

“What? Shit! Stay close to your phone. I’m getting everyone gathered together, and I’ll see if we can’t pick Reid back up.”

Avery rang off. Her skills weren’t just limited to being the best pilot he’d ever known; 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.

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