Page 14 of Cheating the Devil

Grinding his molars, Brad forced himself to act responsibly and not with the anger and fear coursing through him. Nor the feeling of wanting to run into a place and rescue his woman and daughter without a well-thought-out plan. That could result in any one of them being killed. The spy was right. Brad would never let any of his men go off half-cocked, and he always tried to practice what he preached. That didn’t mean he had to like it, though. Lin Chao was the man holding Avery and Lori, of that Brad was certain, and that was the man he wanted to choke to death with his bare hands. He’d refrain from taking his frustrations out on anyone else—for now.

“I’m sorry,Mr. Burke, but Mr. Lin has a very busy schedule today. Without an appointment, I’m afraid there’s no way I can get you in to see him. If you’d like, though, he has some time available tomorrow afternoon.”

Carter stood before the middle-aged receptionist. He’d introduced himself using his main Deimos alias—Carter Burke, CEO of a successful import/export business—having dressed for the part after stopping at a high-end hotel’s clothing shop. Awhite, short-sleeved, button-down shirt topped a pair of khaki pants and loafers, sans socks. His long hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail, and he’d shaved before leaving their hotel. Just your every-day executive conducting business in the middle of his vacation. Behind him, Jordyn was looking every bit the wealthy woman with an eye for business, as she studied paintings and photographs of the resort that hung on the walls of the reception area. She’d changed again and now wore a white, knee-length skirt, a red, sleeveless, silk blouse, and black and white, polka dot sandals, all with expensive, designer brands on the labels. Her long, dark hair had been put up into a loose bun, and a white, broad-rimmed, straw hat and the sunglasses in her hand completed the look. The sales clerk who’d helped them earlier had made a nice commission on their purchases.

“Hmm. I’m afraid that won’t do. My wife and I are leaving tomorrow morning for the Philippines. I have some business there that can’t be rescheduled. I was hoping to speak to Mr. Lin about a small island I’ve acquired over there. I want to open a new resort but wasn’t impressed with the one I’d come down here to see. After looking around the Trade Winds, I’m very interested in talking to Mr. Lin about the possibility of entering into a partnership or joint venture for the purpose of creating the new resort. But if he’s not available ...”

The receptionist’s eyes widened slightly before she glanced at the closed door behind her and then back to Carter. She stood with his business card in hand. “Um, I’m not sure if Mr. Lin has time, but if you give me a moment, I can let him know the reason you’d like to meet with him and the circumstances surrounding why it has to be today.”

His smile grew while his blue eyes sparkled. “I’d appreciate that very much, Ms ...”

“Martens,” she finished for him with a blush. “Valencia Martens.”

“Valencia. That’s a very pretty name.”

The pink on her cheeks deepened. “Thank you. Um ... p-please have a seat, and I’ll be right ... um ... back.”

As the woman knocked and entered her boss’s office, Carter turned to Jordyn who was smirking at him. “You could charm the panties off a ninety-year-old woman in sixty seconds flat.”

Setting his hands on her hips, he pulled her in for a swift kiss on the lips. “The only woman I’m interested in charming out of her panties shares my bed every night.” His mouth found her ear, so he could add in a whisper, “And I don’t have to charm her at all since she sleeps naked, so I have access to that sweet pussy whenever I want.” He nipped her ear and reveled in the shiver that went through her. “Just wait until I get you alone after this is all over, love; I’m going to rock your world.”

“Promises, promises.”

He opened his mouth to respond, but Lin Zheng’s office door swung open, and the man, himself, strode out. “Mr. Burke? It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand, which Carter shook. “I understand you have a business proposition for me.”

“Yes, I do, and please, call me Carter. I thank you for seeing me on such short notice, but time is of the essence.” He wrapped his arm around Jordyn’s waist and pulled her to his side. “This is my wife, Jordyn. Your beautiful resort caught her eye, and she insisted we come to see you before we left the island.”

Zheng took Jordyn’s hand and kissed the back of it, before releasing her. “Then it is you I must thank. I’m honored the Trade Winds is to your liking. Please, come into my office. Can I have Valencia get you some coffee, water, soda?”

Carter eyed his “wife” who shook her head. One of these days he’d convince her to tie the knot with him, but for now she was wearing an antique engagement and wedding ring set they’d purchased to use on a prior mission when they’d needed to bemarried for their cover. His gaze returned to Zheng. “No, thank you. We’re good.”

“Great.” He gestured for them to walk into the office ahead of him. As he shut the door again, Carter strode over to the large window overlooking the resort and ocean, while Jordyn continued perusing the photos that also hung in the man’s domain.

Zheng glanced between the two as if unsure which one he should butter up to first. Carter solved the problem for him when he shook his head and let out an appreciative whistle. “This is some view you have every day. If most of my business didn’t take place in urban settings in the US and Europe, I’d have an office with a view just like this.”

As he’d intended, he drew Zheng’s attention away from the door, which Jordyn subtly locked while the resort owner strode to join his potential associate at the window. Carter circled the desk and took a seat in one of the guest chairs in front of it, casually resting the ankle of one leg on the opposite knee. Zheng followed his cue and sat in the leather, executive chair across the desk from him. As Carter began his fake business-proposition spiel, Jordyn slowly worked her way around the room until she was standing at the window, just over Zheng’s shoulder. While the man was listening to Carter intently, Jordyn flicked her wrist and set the very sharp edge of her switchblade against his neck. Zheng froze, his face contorted in fear and confusion.

Carter remained seated and narrowed his eyes. “I’d keep your hands where she can see them, and your mouth shut, Mr. Lin. She’s very adept at slicing a man open before he knows what happening. Obviously, we’re not who you thought we were. Allow me to fill you in. Your father is holding a friend of ours hostage somewhere, probably with the intent to torture and kill her. We’re very fond of the woman and will do whatever it takes to make sure she’s returned to her loved ones unharmed.”Zheng’s face drained of blood, but Carter continued. “You clearly know who I’m talking about. Well, on top of taking this woman he wants revenge on, he’s also taken an innocent young lady whose own father is ready to call on the hounds of Hell to rescue them both. We will not be leaving this island without them—alive—and I personally don’t care who’s left bleeding when we’re gone. Nod carefully if you understand me so far.”

Zheng’s gaze slid to the side in an attempt to see the cold steel he could feel against his skin before he slowly dipped his head once.

“Very good. Now, I’m going to ask you a few questions, which you’ll answer in a normal tone of voice. You will not do anything to alert your staff or security that there’s a problem in here. If you try, I guarantee you’ll suffer a painful death ... after we get what we’ve come for. Understood?”

The man gulped then licked his dry lips. “Y-Yes. I understand.”

“Where would your father have taken them?”

“Please, I—I didn’t know—”

Carter’s expression grew more ruthless. They didn’t have time for the man’s begging. “Where are they? One of your properties? The warehouse? Here at the resort? Where, Zheng? Don’t try my patience.”

When Jordyn pressed the blade harder against his neck, just shy of breaking the skin, the man stuttered. “H-His estate. H-He wouldn’t have brought them here or to my home. The resort’s storage warehouse has too many people there at this time of day. The only place he could have the privacy he’d need is his estate.”

“Who else would be there?”

“H-His bodyguards. He probably gave his house staff the day off.”

“His mistress?” They knew from Reardon’s intel reports, Zheng’s mother had passed away about eighteen months ago,allowing Chao to continue the affair he’d been having for several years out in the open.

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