by Kelly Wood
“No. This way!” Jax said.
“Frank’s coming that way.” I pointed past his shoulder as an explanation why we couldn’t exit the way we came. Liam turned tail and headed back with us. We just made guesses at what direction to take at each hallway crossing. Jax filled him in on what we learned while we ran. Our need to blend in was overridden by the fact we just needed to escape.
We were hopelessly lost in the twists and turns. Every hallway looked like the one before it. I feared we were making a circle and would bump into Frank. Finally, a door opened in front of us. The noise of the casino and the bright lights filled the space as an employee entered the area. We picked up our pace and shoved past her into the main hotel.
Liam slowed down to a fast walk. Jax and I followed, always looking around for any approaching security guards. The exit loomed in front of us. I took a deep breath as freedom neared. The doors opened with a swoosh. The hot desert air hitting us felt like walking into a brick wall after the air-conditioned hotel.
We hailed the first cab we saw and piled into the back. Liam gave him our destination while Jax leaned back in the seat. I sent a quick text to Gracie telling her to meet us at the airport. I let her know to hurry if she expected to go anywhere with us.
My stress level dropped just being away from the Magari. For the first time, exhaustion overwhelmed me. I’d been running on adrenaline for too long. I rolled down the back window and hung my head on the sill, hoping the fresh air would help revive me. I couldn’t sleep yet. Jax and Liam sat quietly beside me. All of us took a moment to regroup mentally.
Even though it was late, the airport was lit up like Christmas morning. Liam paid the driver. He sped off, leaving us staring at one another on the front walk. I looked up to the sound of a plane coming in for a landing. It disappeared behind the building. The sound of the tires bouncing on the pavement reached us.
“What’s the game plan?” Liam asked.
“I don’t know.” I suppressed a yawn.
“Tell me what you saw on the video.”
Jax told him a play-by-play of what we saw. Gray didn’t make any signs for the camera. He didn’t even look at it. We were at a dead end. We only knew they flew to Victoria, Texas, and out again.
“Maybe you could text Edwards and see if he figured out where they went next?” I suggested to Jax.
“No,” Liam said. “Frank could still be in his office. Or, worse, headed here.” Liam turned to Jax. “You said he went to the restroom?”
“Yes,” Jax said.
“Then we start there.” Liam led the way inside. We ignored the front desk area and followed signs to the men’s room. Liam entered, making sure the room was empty before waving Jax and I in. “You two look around while I watch the door.”
I wrinkled my nose at the smell while I looked around. I checked the sides of the urinal without touching it. I looked under it and the sink. The stainless steel was clean and shiny. No notes taped under it. I checked the floor for any discarded papers. Nothing. Jax bumped around in the stall next to me, checking every nook and cranny. I eyed the garbage can. It overflowed with paper towels and junk. For once, I didn’t care about other people’s germs. I dug in.
“Hey!” Jax yelled. Her voice echoed in the empty, tiled room. “Look at this.”
I squeezed into the tight space. Bathroom stalls were not built for two grown adults. Jax pointed under the toilet paper dispenser.
TEGUC HOND
“Do you think Gray left it?” Jax asked.
I smiled at her and nodded. “I do. It’s Tegucigalpa, Honduras.” We jumped up and down in excitement bumping into the toilet. Another clue! We were getting closer. I could feel it. As we were trying to exit the stall, the bathroom door opened and Liam stuck his head in.
“Ladies, good job, but let’s get out of here.” We fumbled our way out of the stall. Liam led us to a seating area. I refused to sit. I paced in front of them as we talked.
“How do you know it’s te—whatever you called it?” Liam asked, questioning me while Jax took my word that it was Gray. “Anyone could have written that. And why the shortened words? If it is from Gray, wouldn’t he want to make sure he was clear in his message to you?”
“Maybe he didn’t have much time? So, he just wrote enough to get the point across?” Jax suggested. “I wonder how he got a marker?”
“You’re both wrong. It is from Gray. I’ve been to Tegucigalpa. With Gray. We always shortened the names of our stops. Some can be quite a mouth full. Tegucigalpa to tay-goose. That’s how I know it’s him. I would’ve questioned it if the full name had been used.”
“And the marker?” Liam asked.
“The small backpack we saw him carrying when he left our hotel room?” I prompted. Liam nodded since he had watched the video with me. “It’s his emergency backpack. He carries it everywhere inside his regular travel backpack. It’s full of odds and ends. Markers, rope, energy bars, bottles of water, clean socks and underwear, one of those tiny aluminum emergency blankets. Anything he would need to sustain himself for a few days.”
His emergency backpack! I didn’t even notice that was what he was carrying in the video. I’d assumed he’d packed a few clothes and essentials on Guy’s demand. But, he hadn’t. He’d grabbed his just-in-case bag. Just in case I need to run away at a moment’s notice, he’d told me once.
“We need to get there quick. He’s going to ditch Guy. We need to get there and get him.” The excitement of finally realizing his plan bubbled out of me.
“I agree. But, how—”
“Regan!”
I snapped my head up at the sound of my name. Ben stood in the doorway leading to the tarmac. I’d forgotten about him coming. I’d forgotten about my desperate call hours ago. Liam stood up, putting himself in between Ben and me. Anger radiated off him.
Chapter Eleven
Ben Jackson
North Las Vegas Airport
Las Vegas, Nevada
Ben turned his cell phone back on while the plane taxied off the runway. Several beeps indicated messages were waiting. He scrolled through his email, checking for any updates about Gray Thomas’s whereabouts. His assistant listed all of the possibilities along with the information on the private plane Gray really boarded.
Ben smirked at the idea of taking Regan to Paris or London, two destinations purchased in Gray’s name, but the tickets weren’t actually used. Winning Regan over would be much easier in such romantic settings, especially if Gray wasn’t even in the city! Of course, Ben would still have to pretend to look for him. Regan wouldn’t know that Gray hadn’t actually boarded the flight. It would be easy to persuade her that that was where Gray went. Ben pondered his next step until the captain interrupted his thoughts.
“Sir, you’re clear to exit. What would you like me to do?” The captain held his hat in his hands.
“Refuel and wait. We’ll be leaving again. I’ll let you know as soon as I can to file a flight plan.”
The captain nodded and stood aside as Ben walked down the stairs and toward the main building. A rental car would be waiting out front for him. He reached for his phone to call Regan. Ben hoped she was still upset, requiring some comfort from him. Gray vanishing was really working in his favor. He smiled at the prospect of Regan’s body against his, but it quickly faded when he noticed her pacing, already at the small airport.
How was she here? Ben wondered.
“Regan!” Ben called out to her. He picked up his pace, intending to embrace her. Regan’s face fell at the sight of him. Not the reaction he was hoping for. She looked down at the people sitting near her.
Ben’s situation went downhill. Detective Liam McMurray sat on the couch next to Regan’s best friend Jaxon Hayes. Liam and Ben had once been friends. Well, almost. They had helped each other when necessary and shared the occasional beer. Until recently. In Chicago, Ben had stolen all documents and proof of an escort ring that led back to the Chicago mayor. Liam was left without a case and lookin
g foolish. This would be their first meeting since the incident. Liam rose when he spotted Ben and placed himself in front of Regan, protecting her.
From what? Ben thought.
The realization dawned on Ben quickly. Liam was protecting Regan from him, from the bad guy. A smirk played across Liam’s face. He would enjoy the look in Liam’s eyes when Regan revealed she had called for him. For him, the knight in shining armor. Not the bad guy.
“What do you want?” Liam asked. Regan reached out her hand and touched Liam’s shoulder. Liam ignored her. “Why are you here?”
Anger radiated off Liam. His hands shook as he looked at Ben. Ben continued to smile, but never said a word in answer to the questions.
“I called him,” Regan said softly, then louder when Liam didn’t react. “I called him.”
Liam whirled around and faced Regan. She flinched at his sudden movement.
“Why?” Liam asked.
“Because I needed help.”
“I’ll help you. I am helping you,” Liam said.
“I know. I was panicking. I thought I needed someone who would be willing to break the rules. Like Frank and Michael.” Regan glanced between Ben and Liam as she spoke, but her primary focus was Liam. Ben took a step toward them. He was losing ground with Regan and quickly. He needed to gain control of the situation. To show her that she really did need him. And only him.
Ben’s phone beeped in his hand. He swiped his thumb across the screen to access the latest email from his assistant. The small plane had refueled in Victoria, Texas and was now headed to Tegucigalpa, Honduras according to their flight plan. Ben debated his options and made a decision. He wanted Regan with him, but Liam didn’t seem keen on the idea of Ben being there at all. Ben decided to play nice and invite all of them on his plane. After all, he could ditch Liam and Jax later in the game. The game of winning Regan over.
“Regan, you called me because I can help.” Ben tried for a non-threatening, conciliatory tone. He hoped he hit it. “I know where Gray is headed. My plane is refueling now. Shortly, all of us can be on our way to Pa—”
“We know already,” Liam cut Ben off before he could finish the statement. “Tegucigalpa, Honduras.”
Surprise flashed across Ben’s face before he could get control of himself. How could they possibly know that? Ben wondered. Liam cutting him off had saved him from the blunder of giving the wrong destination. Regan and Liam were proving to be more resourceful than Ben had anticipated. Ben regrouped mentally, making a decision to watch himself more closely. He misjudged when he thought Regan would be easily distracted and follow Ben wherever he said.
Liam’s eyes narrowed at Ben’s slip. Ben smiled at him before continuing. “Like I was saying, my plane is being refueled now. We will be able to leave shortly. I’m impressed, Regan. How were you able to determine Gray’s destination?”
Regan looked at Liam. Liam gave a small shake of his head. Ben noticed it all. A silent communication had passed between them.
“Um, well, Jax and I flirted our way into a situation,” Regan said. She answered the question but was obviously leaving a large portion of the story out. Jax took this moment to join in. She stood and entered the small circle created by Regan, Ben and Liam.
“We met a hacker. He found out what we needed.” Jax eyed Ben. “And he will continue to help us.” Jax’s tone delivered the threat. She made it very clear they were able to get their own intel and he wasn’t needed.
Anger swelled up inside Ben. He’d not only lost control of the moment, it was clear the whole situation was spiraling out of hand. Ben clenched his fists. His cell phone dug into his palm on his right hand but he didn’t care. He inhaled sharply and spoke through clenched teeth.
“I’ll just inform the captain of our destination,” Ben said before turning away from the group and walking back outside.
Chapter Twelve
Regan Harris
North Las Vegas Airport
Las Vegas, Nevada
I watched Ben as he walked through the doors leading to the tarmac. His back was ramrod straight. We may have broken up years ago, but I recognized the signs of his anger. Something had him upset. But what?
“Let’s ditch him,” Liam said. “I don’t trust him.”
“I agree,” Jax said. “I can’t believe you called him.” The disgust was clear in her voice.
“I thought I needed him. I called him before we realized Gray was leaving us clues,” I said to them, trying to justify my actions. “Plus, he has a plane ready. We’ll get to leave immediately.”
“We could’ve flown down on our own,” Liam shot back.
“Yes, but it would’ve taken longer. And, we’d be at the mercy of the airlines,” I pointed out.
“We could charter our own flight?” Jax suggested. “You do have Gray’s credit card. I’m sure his limit would cover the costs.”
“That would take more time. Ben is here, with a plane, no less. I won’t compromise on getting there the quickest way possible, and Ben is it. If we chartered our own plane, it would take time. Time Gray might not have.” My tone was harsh. I wanted the debate over with. I started to pace back and forth while we waited for Ben to fetch us.
“Did you catch his mistake?” Liam asked. I shook my head no as I turned and marched the other way. Liam continued talking. “I cut him off. I wish I hadn’t. He was revealing Gray’s location, but he wasn’t going to say Teguc. It was something else. He was angry when he realized we already knew.”
“So, what? He was probably angry because you were being rude,” I said, defending Ben’s honor.
“No. It wasn’t that. We can’t trust him,” Liam said.
“I agree with Liam,” Jax threw in her two cents. I instantly got defensive at being ganged up on.
“What do you want me to do? I am getting on that plane. With or without you.” I pointed toward the doors that Ben had exited. I stopped my pacing and stared at them, waiting for their replies. I’d drawn my line. It was up to them to cross it or not.
Liam came to stand in front of me. He held my arms in his hands. The touch comforted me. I realized I was being hardheaded, but that didn’t mean I would change my mind.
“I’m not saying we don’t use him. I’m saying we only use him. Ben doesn’t need to know that Gray is leaving us clues, or that we are following them. We need to keep that between us, got it?” Liam said.
“Why? He could help us look.”
“Exactly. If I’m right, Ben was going to lead us to the wrong city. What if we confided in him and he found a clue first? He could destroy it.”
“What would Ben gain from that? He’s here to help. He’s here because I asked him,” I said. Liam squeezed my arms.
“No, Regan. Ben wants you to think he’s here to help, but I don’t think he is. He has his own agenda,” Liam said gently.
“What other reason is there?” I asked. I looked between them as the silence stretched between us. Jax bit her lip as she thought. I knew that look. Her eyes were glazed over, and she was contemplating something.
“You,” Jax said. She walked over to stand next to Liam. “You. Ben still wants you.”
I shook off Liam’s hands and went back to pacing. I didn’t want to hear any more. This was ridiculous. Ben knew our relationship was over. Very over. And had been for years. There wasn’t a chance I would go back to him.
“I’m married now. Ben is old news,” I pointed out.
Jax snorted. “Does he know you’re married? Maybe you should tell him.”
The thought of telling Ben I married Gray made me pause in my pacing. I took a moment to examine my feelings, worried I might still hold a small torch for him. Not even a torch, more like a burned-out match. The thought of Ben refusing to help me when he found out I was married worried me more than the last twinkle of feelings between Ben and me.
“I don’t believe it,” I said to them. I chewed on the edge of my thumb while I waited for an answer.
“You do
n’t have to believe it,” Jax said. “Just don’t give away our secrets. It won’t hurt to play things close to the chest.”
“Fine. But what do we tell him when we land? We’ll have to check every nook and cranny of the local airport. And, what if we don’t find anything next time?” I asked.
All of the fears and worries of the night overwhelmed me. We were on a fool’s errand. My shoulders sagged. This roller coaster of emotion was winning. One minute I was high from finding a clue and the next the daunting task was overwhelming me again. My adrenaline was running low and I felt the crash coming.
Before either of them could answer me, the front doors opened in a flurry of activity. I looked over my shoulder as Gracie raced in. She wore jeans with black rain boots and a button-up chambray shirt. Gracie looked like she was about to do a photo shoot for casual wear for the uber-rich and beautiful.
She paused and looked around her, making a beeline for us once we were spotted. A bag was slung over her shoulder.
“Good. I made it. What’s the plan?” Gracie jumped right in. Liam led her off a few steps and got her up to date on what had transpired. Liam talked while Gracie nodded along. Every once in a while, she would interrupt him to ask a question.
Jax took Liam’s place in comforting me. She wrapped me in her arms and rubbed my back. I laid my head on her shoulder and cried. I let all of the stress out. All of the fear and worry. I let myself completely break down, emptying myself of all unwanted emotion. Jax never said a word. She just held me. I felt other hands on my back and guessed that Liam and Gracie had joined Jax in comforting me. When the last tears were shed, I took large, hiccupping gasps. My eyes burned and my throat felt raw. Jax gave me one last squeeze before letting me go.
Jax wiped the tear tracks from my cheeks with her thumbs. “Why don’t you go to the bathroom and splash some cold water on your face?”
I nodded, afraid to try my voice yet. Each of them gave me one last pat of comfort before I walked away. Ben stood about ten feet away from us, watching the emotional exchange. Sympathy showed in his eyes as he watched me walk toward the restroom.
