Page 94 of Protection (Mobsters + Billionaires 2)
Not that he would ever do that.
We end the call, and I take a few calming breaths, though calm is nowhere in my time zone. Now that I know the few Thai phrases needed to get me to New York, I have the operator patch in another call to Ryder.
“What's wrong?” she asks, not even asking for a name.
“Ryder, it’s Anthony Edgerton. They’ve taken Mads from a market in Phuket. I caught a partial plate on the vehicle that took him.”
“What kind of vehicle?”
“A white, late-model Ford panel van. The last two digits on the plate were D3.”
“Did he have his phone on him?”
“Yes, but it isn't working locally.”
“Doesn't matter. I should still be able to triangulate it.”
I let out a long breath, relief coursing through my veins.
“How long will it take you to figure out where he's at?”
“Unfortunately, I have to hack a few satellites, so it’ll be a few hours. What are you doing now?”
“Ryder, this isn’t a secure line.”
Ryder snorts. “Good one, Anthony. What makes you think I’d ever have a conversation on an unsecured line?”
“Sorry to have doubted you.”
I’m relieved to be working with someone who knows how to do those things.
“Apology accepted. Now, tell me. Do you have any plans in place yet?”
“I’m gathering the troops, then I’m going to do a grid search of the city.”
“Don't waste your time on a search. It's not going to make any difference. Every instinct I’ve got tells me they’re taking him out of the city, and if all you have are the family scooters, you’re better off waiting for information.”
“Luca is sending you the details on our tracker guy, Charlie Wills.”
“Yeah, I just got a text from…is this Luca as in Luca Stefano?” she asks, wary.
“Look, Ryder, Luca’s like a brother to me. He’s a good person to have on our side right now.”
We don’t have a Ryder in the Stefano family, and I have a feeling she’s about to become Luca’s favorite person.
She lets out a frustrated sigh. “Yes, you’re right. Um, okay, Stefano’s given me the satellite phone number to Wills,” she says, emotion starting to color her voice. “Dialing him in right now.”
After a few clicks, Charlie’s line connects, and it sounds like he’s in a wind tunnel.
“Charlie, this is Ryder. I’m Mads’ Chief Technical Officer. I’ve got Anthony Edgerton on the call.”
“Is something wrong with Mads?” he asks, the wind gusting loud.
“He’s been taken,” I say, choking on the words.
“Shit. Who’s got him?”
Ryder takes this one. “I’m guessing the Russians.”
