Page 88 of Sapphire

Sophie, Zoe and Gracie’s older sister, flew over from the Middle East and is one scarily determined woman. She used all her contacts in the military and the African-based journalists she has worked with and asked them to keep an ear out for any information on Western women being moved around in Morocco by the Russians. She has even investigated non-legal ways of finding them.

Enrique suggested that route should be kept for Plan B, but that might have to happen a lot sooner than we hoped because another day is too long for those girls to be away.

“This is so damn frustrating,” Mateo yells, kicking a stool across the small office space, angry with the slow going of the operation.

I place my hand on his arm, hoping to calm him. I understand his frustration, but I’m at a loss as well. She’s like a needle in a haystack. No matter how much we dig, we can’t seem to find her. “I know it is, but what else can we do? We are exhausting every single resource available to us.”

“I think we should go to Morocco,” Sophie says, walking into the office. “I think we hire mercenaries now. Fuck Interpol, we need to get my sisters back. Every single day they are missing means they are a day closer to being lost to us forever.”

She’s right. As much as I have faith in Enrique’s abilities, Zoe and Grace have been gone for far too long.

“I think Mum and Dad should stay here. It’s too dangerous for them to come with us,” Sophie states.

I agree with her, plus they can keep things going here at base.

“We need boots on the ground, we need to search the bazaars, we need to talk to the locals, ask anyone and everyone. Someone must fucking know something. I think it’s time for Plan B.”

“Sophie’s right,” Mateo jumps in. “We’ve given it a week doing it through the right channels, now we do it our way.”

I frown. We know nothing about finding a missing person, especially someone well hidden by a criminal gang.

“You promised you would do anything to get her back, Tomas.”

I can see the desperation on Mateo’s face. I look at Sophie, who gives me a nod. They are right, it’s time to rescue our girl, no matter the costs.

“I’ll organize the jet. We should be there in a couple of hours.”

Sophie rushes to me and wraps her strong arms around my neck, squeezing me. “Thank you, thank you. I promise we will find them. I will call my guys, and we will go and get them back.” And with that, she bounces out of the room, excitement filling the space where despair once stood.

Mateo smiles for the first time since Zoe and Gracie disappeared. “She’s scary. If she can’t find her sisters, then no one can.”

* * *

Hours later, we touch down in Casablanca and set up our own little command center in a luxury home we’ve rented. Zoe’s parents were unhappy about staying in Ibiza, but we know it will be safer.

Sophie left as soon as we arrived to catch up with one of her old work buddies to start trawling sources. She has arranged for her team of mercenaries to stop by tonight. Due to a hurricane hitting Haiti, wiping out communication and services to the island, the girl’s oldest sister Mackenzie arrived in Ibiza just as we were leaving, so she’s stayed behind with her parents and is going to canvass Ibiza, hoping someone might know something.

“These are some of my work buddies.” Sophie introduces us to Brooks, Damon, Ramsey, and Tad, four huge guys—bigger than Mateo—dressed in camo, looking very military, deep tans etched into their rough skin. “I have found some things out today through my contacts.” She smiles triumphantly.

“What contacts?” Enrique asks.

“Sorry, my sources are protected.” Sophie crosses her arms.

“Fine, thought I would ask. What have you found?”

“My sources have seen Nikolai over the years and are familiar with his men. They say he is ruthless, especially when it comes to his girls. He is very well-connected down here and well-guarded—he’s kind of a big deal. He supplies girls to top government officials. They have parties in rich people’s homes but only the inner circles are invited.”

Mateo growls at this news. “We must get her. They’re going to force her to have sex with these men.”

I can see the anguish on his face. I hold his hand. I understand his worry because I feel it as well.

“Mateo, she is strong, she survived it once, and she will again. Zoe will try everything to get back to you, us. I’m sure of it.” I try to settle him.

Mateo gets up and walks away.

Sophie starts to go after him.

“Leave him, he finds it hard.”

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