Page 90 of Captured

“Don’t think you can get out of this mess you created, Gideon. You can’t. If you attempt to lay your hands on me, you will die. If you send someone after me, information will be sent to the chief of police and the prosecuting attorney. And if you decide to continue running for the office you’re seeking, you will be front page news for every major newspaper before you have your morning coffee. I suggest you take my words under advisement.”

“You’ll find out that all your dirty laundry is being shared in vivid color in the morning. When I heard you were coming to the party, I made certain I provided you with a surprise since I knew it was you who’d been at my house, killing my men and taking my daughter. You have four hours to bring her back.”

“You’re not in a place where you should be threatening me, Gideon. Especially since Mickey and I go way back.” I grinned as I glanced over my shoulder. I could always gather a hint of urine.

Good.

The man was taking me seriously.

What I knew as I walked out of the bathroom and the event was that he would heed my advice. However, he would also wait maybe five minutes before he made a single phone call to his buddy, Liam.

That would set up the rest of the evening quite well.

As I walked out, I had a grin on my face.

“Did you kill him? Do I need a cleanup crew?” Axe asked as he obviously noticed I still had specks of blood on my jacket, but nothing my dry cleaner couldn’t handle.

“Did you ever hear the expression you get more flies with honey than with vinegar?” I continued walking while my soldier flanked my side.

“Boss, not to be disrespectful but you’re not making a lot of sense.”

“Well, let me educate you, my friend. When eliminating your enemies, as Liam attempted to do, if you pit one against the other, often they allow their anger to get in the way, seeing red instead of standing back and looking at the bigger picture.”

“I think I get it. You’re going to pit someone against the other.”

“Not just someone, Prince Aziz. I will assume he doesn’t know that Liam and our good friend Mr. Martin were working together or that they were planning on cutting the prince out of his own oil deals.”

“Fuck. Is that the truth?”

As we walked into the elevator, I laughed. “I have no clue, but it sounded like an excellent story. Have you found where the prince is staying by chance?”

Axe was now grinning openly. “Yep. A hotel down the street.”

“Then I suggest we have a little meeting with the good prince. Perhaps we’ll make a deal of our own. And in turn, a full-fledged Arabian knight can have his brigade of soldiers to get dirt under their fingernails.”

“And I was told you were a bloodthirsty killer. I like your style, Mr. S. I think that girl is doing something good for you. I hope you don’t mind me saying so.”

“No, I certainly don’t. And you’re right.”

As I leaned against the elevator wall, I thought about various presents I intended on bringing back to the woman I… adored.

The woman I intended on marrying.

Today was a good day, the beginning of the rest of my life.

And this time, there would be no monsters lurking in the shadows.

CHAPTER 24

Styx

Morning dawned with outstanding fabulous orange and red skies. I knew the adage about red skies at night, sailors take flight. Red skies at morn, sailors be warned. But the color was perfect for what I sensed was about to occur.

I was eager and ready for what I knew would be the shocking news broadcast. I’d called my brothers, inviting them to a very early breakfast. Granted, my night had been longer than I’d intended, the time spent with Prince Aziz more enjoyable than I would have thought.

The man had been very open to my suggestion we go into business together. Especially when I sweetened the deal with offering him weapons for his continued fights in the Middle East at a discount. He was more a man of integrity than I’d believed, loathing the way Gideon had offered his own daughter.

I’d made it very clear that the contract he’d signed with Gideon was now considered null and void. He understood the consequences if he failed to honor the various pledges he’d made, including that of staying away from my angel.