Thursday. Private Plane, Somewhere over the Atlantic.CARLA WAS GOING to murder Ashton. Preferably after they got Jared back. She wasn't cruel. Unlike Ashton who probably thought he was being funny offering her up to Mr. Sexy Ass like some kind of hors d'oeuvre.She'd rushed through Vaughn's paperwork and had even given him the additional NDA to shut Ashton up, all the while dying on the inside. Since then she'd avoided direct contact while loading everything up and riding in a different vehicle to the airport.If Jared were here, he'd be laughing his ass off to the point he'd be crying. He'd also offer to get her booze until her liquid courage kicked in.She sank farther down in her seat.This just sucked.Instead of joining the others in the general seating area, she'd sequestered herself in one of the small bunk rooms, each comprised of two plush chairs that made down into two beds or one depending on preference and how much trouble it was worth. The curtains were dra
Thursday. Private Plane, Somewhere over the Atlantic.WELL HELL.Vaughn still wasn't sure what to think now that he had more details. The truth was a lot messier than what was in his head that was for sure.His better sense said to go. Put space between him and Carla. Complicated relationships always blew up, and he didn't want to get caught in the middle. Time had taught him valuable lessons.Except being in the room with her, not even touching her, was a full-body experience. It was as though every cell in every part of him was drawn to her. His hand tingled with the desire to reach over and brush her hair off her face or take her hand. It was crazy. He couldn't explain it. Even now he had to physically force himself to lean back, keep a little distance between them, and not touch her.He had to understand this. There was something pulling him toward her he had to wrap his head around."Ashton said you two grew up as friends?" Vaughn wasn't sure what he was doing, but
CARLA WISHED SHE'D finished that last drink. Ashton was a heavy pour, but it took a whole lot more vodka for her to claim the alcohol made her do it. No, this moment, her lips on Vaughn's and their bodies pressed against each other, it was all her trying to feed this deep, yearning void inside of her.She wanted what Ashton and Jared had. Love. But for the time being, unless she met the most understanding man in the world, the best she'd get was sex. And she was fairly certain sex with Vaughn would be life changing. Her weak arguments against this fling were crumbling. She had Ashton's blessing and judging by the erection pressing against her, Vaughn was willing.There was no denying they both felt the chemistry. It was powerful. Magnetic. And she wanted to just give in. But was Vaughn willing?She broke the kiss and stared down into his dark, lust filled gaze. His stubble rasped against her fingers as she slid her hand along his jaw. He was aroused. Because of her. What were the
Friday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Cairo, Egypt.CARLA PEERED OUT OF the bathroom window into the courtyard below. Her experience with the rest of the world was confined to resorts and expensive hotels while traveling with Ashton. She was fascinated with the slice of real life she saw going on around her. The Aegis Group facility was, well, it looked like something out of a movie.The stone structure appeared to be a large rectangle situated around a central courtyard with wings on either side, a sturdy gate and the bulk of the rooms on the far end. The rooms she'd seen had beautiful carvings on the walls and the doors were heavy wood with scenes cut into them. Even the room she'd been shown to was a work of art with its tiled bathroom and the beautiful furniture.She glanced at the big bed with the halo of morning light falling across the pale sheets.What time was it and what time did her body think it was? Did it matter?As soon as they were cleared to fly into Beirut th
VAUGHN WAS SATISFIED THEIR Cairo site security was as up to date as it was going to get. In the very near future someone needed to spend a week here swapping out equipment. With the instability in the region, they never knew when the Cairo site would become inaccessible.Hell, he'd recommended twice now that they dump the site and set up somewhere else. Cypress was a hop, skip and jump away from a lot of places and the island much safer. But the people in charge all had other ideas.What did he know?He was the surveillance guy.It wasn't like Zain or the big boss would send him here to do the job.Vaughn strode down the hall toward the situation room. In the large home's former years, it had served as the dining room. When Aegis took the house over and made it their Cairo facility, they'd transformed the corner room into their one-room headquarters.He entered the room and was struck by the unusual sight of Brenden and Melody sitting with their heads together."What are
Friday. Closed Store, Beirut, Lebanon.FAREZ GLANCED UP AND down the quiet street.Hani was gone. He hadn't come back after the confrontation, and Farez hoped he stayed gone. Hani and his friends were trouble. Farez had been too desperate to pull this plan off to see the truth about the kid until it was too late.The original plan had been to hold their guest in the old restaurant between homes where they'd be able to keep an eye on the street. It would also allow them to comfortably care for their guest. The truth was, no one involved in this plan was young anymore.This Ashton Khoury was going to destroy the way of life they'd known for decades.The sounds of the ocean and city melded together, creating the soundtrack he'd grown up with. He'd been born here, raised his children here, and he intended to die here. But he wouldn't keep his home if he didn't have work, and with so many places along the waterfront shutting down, hope was dwindling.Farez ducked into the shu
Carla swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry, and glared at Vaughn's back.Ashton took her hand and gave it a squeeze.They walked forward, down the hall with its caramel colored marble floor and the Damascus style light fixtures. The door at the very end of the hall stood open, another familiar figure waiting for them.She stepped through ahead of Ashton into the modern home. The first thing that met them was an amazing, panoramic view of the city bathed in afternoon light. The same marble flooring stretched to every corner of the room.To her right, a small kitchen was tucked out of sight. An eight person dining table sat parallel to the glass, the heavy antique wood a nice balance to all the pale colors and clean lines. The condo stretched to her left, all the way to the corner of the building featuring a seating area and stairs leading up to a second floor."We're putting you and Miss White in the two bedrooms on the second floor. The two bedrooms on this floor will suffice fo
Saturday. Coffee Shop, Beirut, Lebanon.HANI DRUMMED HIS fingers on the table top.If he hadn't been ordered to be here, he'd have left already.His cup was empty and whoever he was here to meet was half an hour late. The lump on the side of Hani's head kept him in his place.He'd made the wrong decision and allowed his aunt to talk him into helping with this bullshit scheme. Now it was Hani's ass on the line. His buddies had pointed at him when their boss wanted answers for where they all were. The full burden was on Hani now.None of this made sense.When he'd told his boss about the kidnapping plan and how poorly armed the old folks holding the hostage were, Hani had expected they'd make a trip over to take control of the situation. He didn't know how much Farez was ransoming the American for, but Hani was willing to bet he could get a couple more bills."Are you Hani?"Hani turned to stare up at the unfamiliar man in a suit standing behind him. Hani hadn't seen t