“I’m sorry, Finn.”
“Me, too, but we haven’t been close for years. He thought I was irresponsible, and I thought he was just toeing the family line. How was I to know he’d gotten involved in the international arms trade? But you know what frightens me the most?”
“That he’s involved your family and their business with Fariq.”
“That’s it. I can’t imagine what it will do personally to my parents, but if it becomes public, the ramifications will destroy a business that has been built by our family over hundreds of years. If it doesn’t, how do we extricate the investment firm from this mess Reid got us into?”
“I know. I’m sorry.”
Zara could hear someone entering the house and the phone being taken away from Finn.
“Zara? This is Croft. Turn that fucking boat around and get your ass back to Monaco.”
“Delightful to hear your voice again, Billy. Do tell Noah I sent my love.”
Again, she disconnected the phone, dropped it on the deck, crushed it with her heel, and tossed it into the holding tank.
Chapter 16
The cell rang.
“Taylor.”
“Croft. She just talked to Finn. I came in right at the end and told her to get her ass back to you in Monaco. She told me to tell you she sends her love. Finn says that’s really significant for Zara. However, Finn isn’t exactly forthcoming on the subject of the phone call. Two big items: she’s headed to meet Fariq—”
“Shit, I was afraid of that. She has Thom’s laptop. I think he may have offered to rescind the contract on her life if she gave it to him.”
“We listened to the conversation on our end. We managed to bypass some of Fariq’s security measures. He also told her if she didn’t make the exchange, he’d have you killed. She told Finn Gerold Springer is dead.”
“How the fuck does she know that?” Noah asked, amazed at how quickly Zara could gather information.
“Finn says Zara told her, and that’s all she’s willing to give up. I can see if I can get more out of her.”
“No, leave your girl out of this. My guess is she spoke to Ghazil. That’s just the kind of info he would have and share with Zara.”
“I think you’re right. Baez texted me that Ghazil just let them know. Look, do you need me to head your way?”
“No, you sit tight. I sent Thom to meet with Avery. I told him if I’m not back to put my spitting wildcat on the plane, he and Avery should take off. I’ll check in when I can.”
“You sure you’re all right without any backup?”
“Zara isn’t the only one with friends in this neck of the woods. I’ll be fine just as soon as I catch up with her.”
“Yes,” Croft laughed, “but will Zara be fine?”
“Mostly. There are a few areas that will be getting some special attention.”
“I’ll bet there are. Take it easy, Noah. We’ll keep running it down from this end. If you want Avery and Thom to stay, even if it’s just in Monaco, holler, and we’ll get them set up.”
“Will do. And Croft? If Zara calls Finn again, tell Finn to tell her I love her, too.”
“Do you have any idea how tempting it is for me to give you a ration of shit about how fast you fell and the kind of woman you fell for?”
“I’ll bet, but a buddy wouldn’t do that until the other guy had his woman safe and back in his arms.”
“Yeah, you’re right.”
“Don’t sound so disappointed.”
“Noah?”
“Yeah?”
“Seriously, well done! Hughes is one helluva woman.”
“That she is. Look, while I’m thinking of it, Zara and I both think Springer planned to use Finn against Reid. I really don’t think Reid wanted his sister harmed or killed.”
“But Ghazil is pretty sure Reid is the one who put out the hit on Zara.”
“I agree. Zara is nothing to Reid. I just think Finn might sleep a little easier if she knows her brother didn’t set her up to be killed.”
“That makes sense. If Reid is worried about what was on the flash drive and lost it, but Springer got it back, Fariq would be forced to reconsider his options.”
“That’s what we were thinking. I think we try to take Reid down without killing him. If we can get him to turn on Fariq, we might be able to get him put into some kind of witness protection program and at least save his life.”
“I think that would be easier on Finn. She’s trying to put on a brave face, but it’s got to be eating at her. Go get Zara.”
“I will. Take care of Finn.”
Noah rang off. With Springer dead, Reid would have redeemed himself in Fariq’s eyes, but Fariq wasn’t going to want a fight with the firm. Maybe they could use that to their advantage. If he could get Zara to agree to back off, and Fariq knew the information was no longer a threat, he would call off the contract and shut Reid down. Then if they could get Reid, they’d have a whole new ball game—one that would keep Zara and Finn safe and break the back of Fariq’s organization.
Chapter 17
Zara had received the coordinates of Fariq’s boat and was closing in on his position. She could see his massive yacht in the distance and the gunboats that patrolled it, keeping others away. Apparently, they’d been given the green light for Zara to approach. She was given instructions where to tie up to Fariq’s floating fortress and was greeted by the captain, who she had met before.
“May I take your bag?” he asked, indicating the large messenger bag that contained the laptop.
“Not until I speak with your boss, and he and I have come to an arrangement.”
The captain offered his hand and helped her aboard. He waved a wand over her person that would indicate metal or gunpowder of any kind. While Zara had taken a gun with her, she had left it on the boat.
“This way, Ms. Hughes. Mr. Abdal has had tea set up on the top deck.”
“I didn’t come for tea, and I’d really prefer to meet here close to my boat. Tell Fariq if he wants what I have, he can come to me.”
Zara’s peripheral vision took in the gunboats that continued to circle the yacht. They were black and closely resembled shark fins in infested waters.
“As you wish,” the captain said before offering her a slight bow and disappearing—leaving her alone on deck.
Her being alone was merely an illusion. She was quite sure any wrong move would reveal those Fariq had tasked with keeping her under close guard. She heard several sets of footsteps approach.
“Zara! How delightful to see you. Are you sure I can’t tempt you with some tea and cakes? My new pastry chef is beyond belief with her skill.”
“No, thank you, Fariq. I would prefer to get this over and done with.”
“I take it the laptop is in the bag?”
“It is, but what assurances do I have you’ll hold up your end of the bargain and not continue to hunt me and those I hold dear?”
“You have my word, which has always been good. Besides, Zara, I have always liked you, and we have served each other well over the years. I have no interest in Mr. Taylor or his firm as long as they leave me alone. As for the contract on your life, I have reprimanded Reid for his ill-considered decision. I have let it be known the contract is rescinded, and anyone trying to harm you in fulfillment of that contract will be dealt with in the most serious of ways.”