Page 22 of Off Limits Billionaire

“No, and why is his name Viper?”

“It’s not.” I told her, “It’s Vincent, but old habits die hard.”

“We’re going to die if we don’t call the police,” she said, grabbing me by the shirt.

I pulled out my phone to see the battery flash an angry exclamation point at me before powering down. Fucking great! “Where’s your phone?”

Ana patted herself down before slapping herself on the forehead. “I laid it down on the set next to me. I swore I was coming right back.”

“Okay, here is what’s going to happen. I’m going to head out and see if Viper is still around to help. This is who they’ve been waiting for, so they have to be in the area. I’m going to cause a distraction, and that will be your signal to head inside and call the police. Get the flight crew on that plane and—”

“If you tell me to leave you here, I’m going to punch you in the throat, Marcus!”

“When’s the last time you hit anybody, with anything, let alone your balled up hand?”

She squinted at me. “You will not put your life in jeopardy just to save mine. You’re getting on that plane with me!”

I took a deep breath. “I never said I wasn’t, but it would make things a whole lot easier if you guys had the engine running.”

“What about the police? Aren’t they going to want us to hang around if there’s a freaking gun battle on the tarmac?”

“Yes, and if it makes you feel better we will definitely circle back around because of this.” I tapped the box. “Godschalk isn’t on the plane yet. Like I said before, I’m not leaving London without it.”

“Okay.”

“So, you’re ready? You know the plan?” I asked her to be certain.

She replied, “Yes. You’re going to search for Viper and cause a distraction to get Scarface’s attention. When they come out to chase you, that’s my signal to go in and call the cops from my phone, or the concierge, whoever.”

I embraced her, hugging her tightly in case something stupid happened, like me getting shot. It had been a long time since I’d felt the hot zip of bullets piercing the air around me. I didn’t want Ana in the middle of any of that. The plan had to work … or not, and it could go like the rest of this day.

The furthest exit away from the terminal let me out onto the side of the building. There was just enough space for one of those baggage trucks to squeeze between it and the fence separating this area from the main airport. The strong grip of fingers on my shoulder sent a jolt of adrenaline to my heart, causing me to turn around and throw a jab to whoever stood there.

Thankfully, Viper dodged it and pinned my arm to my side as he spoke in hushed tones. “It’s me. Brian’s here.”

“You got your sidearm?” I asked him as I watched him shuffle his rifle into position, ready to fire.

“Yeah, but there’s no way in hell I’m going to give it to you. We’re not in the field anymore. You’re a civilian, Adler. Remember? You turned this gig down. You’re not going to have my piece with your prints and probably a body attached to this shit show.”

“I didn’t know the gig was GOLIATH. Besides, don’t be like that, Vinnie.”

“If you call me that in front of the other guys, I’m gonna have to kill you.”

I looked at him and he offered me a quirky grin to remind me it’s a joke. “Listen. I’m going to get you and your wife on your fancy little plane and back home before you know it.”

“She’s not my wife,” I begrudgingly admitted.

He stopped and looked at me. “You sure? Not too many people you’d step in front of bullets for that you aren’t related to. Well, whatever she is, she’s gorgeous and you two deserve to get out of here alive. Follow me.”

11

ANABELLA

There was a tingling sensation racking my body as I padded my way toward the reception area. A door with a small window stood between me and the seats where my phone sat waiting to be used. I should have kept the stupid thing in my pocket.

The steady thud of my heart thumping against my chest forced me to take a deep breath as I waited for a signal. However, waiting for armed men to run out of an area where hostages were being held didn’t seem like the best plan. Still, I steadied my breathing as adrenaline pumped through every cell of my body. I eased into the crack behind the door, not wanting it to get in my way when the signal—

A flash and steady tat-tat-tat of bullets rang out. Three loud pops followed by shouting and men running out of the waiting area. The signal! That had to be it. I dropped to the ground, crawling on my belly to make sure I wasn’t seen when a pair of thick black boots stopped me in my tracks. Glancing up, I noticed that not all of Scarface’s people had run out, because he certainly didn’t look like any of the men with Viper.

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