Page 10 of Shadow Redemption
“What about another operative, one we trust?” Nico asked. “Cal Taylor, Rafe Torres, and Curt Jackson are in town without assignments.”
She shuddered. “Ben or no one,’ she repeated.
Ben wrapped his hand around Ruth’s and squeezed in silent support. “Zane is already at work tracking down the emails. We have plans to make. Ruth has a photoshoot in two days. Everything needs to be in place before then.”
A slow nod from Nico. “Let’s get started.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Ruth sat back after the brainstorming session, relieved the grilling was over for the moment. She hadn’t been able to provide many satisfactory answers. As far as she knew, she didn’t have enemies.
That left a stalker who wanted her for himself. Weren’t stalkers the hardest to find? Dismay filled her at the prospect of not knowing who was after her for the foreseeable future. Ben and his friends couldn’t protect her in the long term. They had more important jobs to do than babysitting a model receiving threatening pictures and questionable gifts.
If that wasn’t enough to handle, her head ached and she was hungry. The banana Ben brought her was long gone. Being this hungry made her cranky. Sometimes she hated her job. Good thing a change was coming.
“Where is your photoshoot?” Nico asked.
“Puerto del Sol, Mexico.”
The members of the Shadow team groaned. Trace dragged a hand down his face. “Of course it is.” He glanced at Nico. “Why can’t we take assignments in other, more friendly countries? I hear Switzerland is a beautiful place to visit.”
The other man lifted one shoulder. “We go where we’re sent.”
Ruth frowned. “What’s wrong with Mexico? The country is beautiful.”
“Parts of it are beautiful,” Joe agreed. “The problem is Fortress has a reputation in Mexico.”
“What kind of reputation?”
“The kind that will get us killed if the wrong people find out who we are and who we work for.” Ben’s voice was rough, his expression resigned. “Shadow doesn’t have friends in certain parts of the country.”
“At least we’re not going to the Chihuahua province,” Joe said. “Is the photoshoot at the beach?”
She nodded. “We’re doing advertisements for a new line of casual clothes.”
“Swimsuits, too?”
Sam elbowed him.
Joe chuckled, rubbing at the spot she’d jabbed. “I was thinking about finding a new suit for you, Sparky.”
“Good save,” she muttered.
Ruth smiled, longing for that kind of close relationship with someone special in her life. With her job, though, men were more interested in her as an arm ornament than a true friend or potential mate. Aside from her sister, Bridget, Ruth’s friend list was pitifully short. “We’re modeling swimsuits, all sorts of casual clothes, and shoes. Beach wear for the best-dressed vacationer.”
Ben looked at her. “How long is the job?”
“Three or four days. Depends on how fast Scott gets the perfect shots. He usually takes the full time allotted, if not more.” Although the photographer was a tyrant on photoshoots, he was the most sought-after photographer in the business and brought the best out of his models.
“Scott?” Nico raised an eyebrow.
“Scott Barber. He’s one of the few photographers that I work with.”
“Don’t you have to work with whoever is chosen for the job?” Sam asked.
“In the beginning of my career, I did. At this level, there are very few photographers chosen for the top models. I’m familiar with most of them. Scott is the best.”
“I’ll ask Zane to run his background.” Ben grabbed his cell phone and set off a text. When he was finished, he said, “Do you know where you’re staying while you’re in Puerto del Sol?”