Page 210 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

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“If you drop the story, the contract on your life will be rescinded, and all will be as it was before.”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

Noah 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.

Noah,

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

Thom 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?”

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