Page 90 of No Mistake

Perez ripped the tape off his mouth.

“My new friends are very pleased to have you here.” He gestured to the two men behind him. “Meet Zaid Ali.”

Ryan stayed quiet, waiting to see how this played out. Ali stepped forward and spoke with a thick accent. “Your military team took our brothers.”

Ryan relaxed his face to take the punch he saw coming. He let his head snap to the side as the man’s fist landed above his eye.

“Now let's see if your military will meet our demands to set you free.”

“The United States does not negotiate with terrorists,” Ryan said.

That earned him another punch in the face that split open his eyebrow. Sophie cried out behind her taped mouth.

“We are not terrorists. If people followed our path, the world would be at peace. It is our duty to rid the world of non-believers, to unite all of us together under the new dawning of Allah.”

“Call yourselves what you want. We do not negotiate. As you said, I am military, I am prepared to die for my country.” Ryan stared straight ahead, refusing to look at the men in front of him.

“But are they prepared to let Dr. Sophie Summers die?” Perez said, moving to stand behind her. Ryan held Sophie’s gaze as Perez ripped the tape of her mouth. She didn’t say anything, just kept her eyes on him. Perez traced a finger down her face. She winced, but stayed calm. That’s my girl.

“It is so lovely to see you again, Sophie. It’s a shame we couldn’t get Chloe here, but you will do just fine.”

Ryan saw the horror on Sophie’s face, but still she stayed quiet. If he got free of these restraints, he would break Perez’s fucking neck. The man was living on borrowed time. Right now, he needed to get Perez’s attention off Sophie and back on him.

“So you traded sides to Reborn?”

Perez smiled. “Not at all. I am merely helping them out of a situation your people created.”

“You want to trade us for the weapons?”

“Yes. Ali has already contacted your FBI. But as we have the two of you, they don’t just want the weapons. They want their brothers back. The ones you captured.”

Of course, they did. Onyx were going to have to find them before whatever deadline they had been given. No way even Sam could authorize handing over Lazir and Khalini.

He thought back. At the house, he’d been on the phone to Dex. He’d told him Sophie was gone. Raven would be on it, working with the FBI to find them.

“You guys got your money. Why help them?” Ryan asked Perez.

“We have a mutually beneficial arrangement. One you messed with. I am merely helping everybody get what they want so the Vitelli Cartel and Reborn can continue their business. Call it an act of good faith.”

Perez took out his phone, reading a message. Ryan didn’t miss the shock on his face. A few seconds later when the phone rang, he left the room to answer. The two Reborn soldiers followed. The door was locked. Ryan had no doubt armed men were on the other side but, for now, he and Sophie were alone.

“Sophie, I’m sorry. So fucking sorry you are here. I should never have left you. Did they hurt you?”

Sophie slowly shook her head. “You said Ricardo was in Mexico.”

“He was. I wish I could tell you what happened, but I don’t know. I came to the house to see you before we left for Mexico.”

“And they were waiting for you?”

“Something like that. The team will be looking for us. Just hang in there for me. I will do everything I can to keep their attention on me.”

“What do you think they will do to us?” she asked, her voice shaking.

“If they are trying to do a trade. Nothing. They need us alive to complete the trade.”

“But you said FBI won’t do that.”

“There’s always exceptions. Perez was right. For you, they might.” That wasn’t entirely true, but he had every confidence Dex and the boys would work it out, and he wanted to give her some hope.

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