Page 55 of Operation Heartbeat

He placed a hand on her spine to show that he was going nowhere without her.

The servant nodded to her. “Madame.”

Nobody protested when Mason came with them too.

As Con took her by the hand, her fingers tightened on his. He would keep her safe. Things would be okay.

When they entered the house through a back door, and were led down a long hallway to a spacious study decked out in expensive furnishings, another man sat there waiting for them.

Deniz.

He stood when he saw them, waving a hand to the leather armchairs and sofa. Con led the way and tucked Sophie close at his side. She felt Mason’s stare on her for a moment before Deniz turned their attention.

“My wife has been kidnapped,” he said without introductions.

A ball of dread sank like a stone to the pit of Sophie’s stomach.

“Do you know who took her?” Con asked him.

Deniz sliced a look at Sophie and then back to Con, obviously reassured that she would remain silent.

“People who are forcing me to work for them. They contracted me to ship items for them. I sent a few shipments before I realized I didn’t want to be part of their actions.”

“Who is forcing you? Can you give me a name?”

He shook his head. “I have no names, only faces.”

Con nodded. “We’ll get you some photos to see if you can identify. What were you shipping for them?”

He met Con’s stare. “In exchange for that information, I ask that you get my wife back.”

Sophie heard the break in Deniz’s voice. Looking around the room, she spotted several photos of the couple together. They were in various poses with different backgrounds, but all of them revealed the same thing—the Denizes were in love.

Con’s expression gave nothing away. “I can arrange a rescue mission.”

The man gulped, dropping his head for a moment as if to master his emotions. After several heartbeats, he lifted his head. “Thank you. They are shipping explosives and other parts to create bombs.”

“Have you been asked to do anything else?”

“Yes.” His voice tremored.

“What else?”

“I was asked to transfer money to a bank.”

“How were you contacted?”

“Email. I tried, but I couldn’t track them to figure out where they took my wife. I don’t know where she’s being held.” Again, he dropped his head. A sob shook his shoulders.

Clearly, the man was broken and desperate. It yankedSophie’s heartstrings. She realized suddenly that she never had that kind of love with Benjamin. The kind that would send you to the depths of despair the minute it was gone.

Tears of empathy filled her eyes.

She squeezed Con’s hand, and he turned his gaze on her for a beat.

He looked back at Deniz. “Here’s my contact info. Write it down.”

The man rushed to grab a pen and paper.

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