Page 213 of Wild Mustang Security Firm

“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.

Chapter

Sixteen

The cell rang.

“Taylor.”

“Croft. She just talked to Finn. I came in right at the end and told her to get her ass back to you in Monaco. She told me to tell you she sends her love. Finn says that’s really significant for Zara. However, Finn isn’t exactly forthcoming on the subject of the phone call. Two big items: she’s headed to meet Fariq?—”

“Shit, I was afraid of that. She has Thom’s laptop. I think he may have offered to rescind the contract on her life if she gave it to him.”

“We listened to the conversation on our end. We managed to bypass some of Fariq’s security measures. He also told her if she didn’t make the exchange, he’d have you killed. She told Finn Gerold Springer is dead.”

“How the fuck does she know that?” Noah asked, amazed at how quickly Zara could gather information.

“Finn says Zara told her, and that’s all she’s willing to give up. I can see if I can get more out of her.”

“No, leave your girl out of this. My guess is she spoke to Ghazil. That’s just the kind of info he would have and share with Zara.”

“I think you’re right. Baez texted me that Ghazil just let them know. Look, do you need me to head your way?”

“No, you sit tight. I sent Thom to meet with Avery. I told him if I’m not back to put my spitting wildcat on the plane, he and Avery should take off. I’ll check in when I can.”

“You sure you’re all right without any backup?”

“Zara isn’t the only one with friends in this neck of the woods. I’ll be fine just as soon as I catch up with her.”

“Yes,” Croft laughed, “but will Zara be fine?”

“Mostly. There are a few areas that will be getting some special attention.”

“I’ll bet there are. Take it easy, Noah. We’ll keep running it down from this end. If you want Avery and Thom to stay, even if it’s just in Monaco, holler, and we’ll get them set up.”

“Will do. And Croft? If Zara calls Finn again, tell Finn to tell her I love her, too.”

“Do you have any idea how tempting it is for me to give you a ration of shit about how fast you fell and the kind of woman you fell for?”

“I’ll bet, but a buddy wouldn’t do that until the other guy had his woman safe and back in his arms.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed.”

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