The Path to Freedom (Task Force 125)

by Pietsch, Lisa; Gerow, Tina

  Oh, great. I’m already nervous and this sudden decision to tell me about a previously failed mission is not helping.

  “Chris, this little pep talk of yours is not helping. Are you trying to scare me here because, in case you didn’t notice, I’m in Libya with a known terrorist and it’s nothing like a jaunt to the Bahamas with a boy toy, if you know what I’m saying. Why are you telling me this shit now?”

  “I’ll be the first to admit the lifestyle is seductive. Everything that money can buy and nobody can touch you. I’ve heard the guy’s lines. He’s smooth and, let’s face it, you haven’t been treated this well by a guy before. Wrap it all up in a bow and you’ve got the American dream. Remember we’re fighting a war here. The bad guys are dressed a whole lot better, but they’re still the bad guys.”

  What the hell! Do these guys know every wretched detail of my miserable love life?

  “What happened with the girl?”

  “Uh, things went tactical. She missed her window and nobody could get a shot. He took her hostage and got away in a chopper.”

  “So, she quit the business and retired.”

  “Sarah, these bad guys are real. The son of a bitch dropped her in the drink from two hundred feet once he got away. She died on impact. Jason hit the chopper with a Stinger before he went too far, but we lost her.”

  Sarah’s anger began to reach new heights, the horse beneath her fidgeted as he sensed her agitation. “Well, clearly the experience should have taught you all a little something about your response time. I’m not impressed. As for your technical difficulties this morningdon’t you ever do that shit again. Look, I’m not going to lose my nerve and I won’t ever let you guys down. You tell Brian I’m looking forward to that bottle of tequila and will be back soon to collect. I know what I’m here for and know what to do if it gets messy.”

  “There’s a difference between knowing and doing, Sarah. We don’t doubt you, but the nature of your job is to get in deep and you can’t tell me you aren’t. You’re doing something that none of us could ever do. When you’re that close to someone, sometimes they get under your skin and you begin to wonder if they could turn. They never do, Sarah. He’s got great game with the ladies. You’re putting on a hell of an act, but I guarantee you he’s been working people over a whole lot longer than you have. Don’t let your guard down.”

  I am so done with this conversation.

  “You just better make sure you guys are on the job and not sitting around with your dicks in your hands. I’m out.”

  Well, Chris. You’ve got me pegged, haven’t you? It would have been so easy with Hassan. Our relationship is perfectly superficial. You can’t get your feelings hurt when you don’t put your heart on the line.

  Sarah’s heart was on the line, though. Just not with this one. Hassan was merely a distraction to keep her mind off her feelings for someone else. Someone she could never have.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Sarah caught up with Hassan and stayed quiet, lost in her thoughts for the rest of the ride. Chris was right. The lifestyle and Hassan were incredibly seductive. She might have toyed with the idea of what it might be like to stay with him, but never for long.

  Whatever goes down in the end, it won’t be pretty. I’ll survive, but the old Sarah will be dead when it’s all said and done.

  “What troubles you, my beauty? Is Mu’tazz too much horse for you?”

  Sarah snapped out of her daze. “No, no, he’s a wonderful creature. Very tame for a stallion, isn’t he?”

  Hassan rode close beside her and took her right hand in his left. “Don’t let his appearance deceive you. He can be very dangerous when he wants to be. You ride well. If you were less cooperative, he might be inclined to show you his treacherous side.”

  Sarah smiled and tilted her head toward Hassan.

  Are we talking about the horse or you?

  “He’s much like his master, isn’t he?”

  “You’re a smart woman, Sarah.”

  I understand both meanings of your message, Hassan. I know who you are and I know the stakes in this game. Don’t worry. I’ll play nice…for now.

  The sun sat directly overhead as they returned to the stable. An older man waited as they rode up. With quick steps the man stood in front of Hassan’s horse and held the reins.

  Sarah appreciated Hassan as he dismounted the horse in a single agile move.

  He really is an exceptionally attractive man.

  She smiled as he helped her dismount. She didn’t need the help but knew it would look better if she deferred to him in front of his help.

  Hassan wrapped his large hands around Sarah’s waist and lowered her down from the saddle.

  Sarah placed her hands first on Hassan’s rugged shoulders and slowly wrapped her arms around his neck as he lowered her along the length of his own body.

  Her lips met his on the way down and she kissed him hard. His ego and body were his weaknesses. She had every intention of manipulating those weaknesses in order to allay any suspicions he may have. Maybe it was the change of location, but something didn’t feel right today and she wanted Hassan to be off guard should anything get weird.

  Hassan responded as she expected. A low moan rasped from his throat as her thighs and hips slid over his solid erection.

  Sarah held herself close to his body and intentionally rubbed against him as he lowered her feet to the ground. She gazed into his eyes. Intense and dark brown, they burned with passion. “I want you now,” she whispered.

  “Come with me.” He grabbed her hand and led her to the house.

  Hassan opened a set of French doors off to the east of the main entrance of the house.

  Sarah’s eyes took a few seconds to adjust to the dim light inside the room. It came into focus as a lush bedroom suite.

  Good, an opportunity to solidify my position. I’ll be damned if he leaves me in Libya!

  A king-sized bed stood to the right of the doors. Sarah closed the doors and pulled the curtains. When she turned back to Hassan, he was already on the bed, staring at her.

  Sarah removed her boots very carefully so as not to let Hassan see the small, dark, Gerber knives tucked inside them. The woman inside her was determined to make the show worthwhile. There was something about the look in Hassan’s eyes that told her she was completely bewitching.

  She pushed her conversation with Chris out of her mind.

  She thrust Hassan’s true character out of her mind.

  She forced Vince out of her mind.

  Sarah gazed at Hassan and tried to see the man, the passionate lover who appreciated her company and wanted to please her. She unbuttoned her white blouse, slid it from her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Sarah bent forward, allowing Hassan an excellent view of her breasts held close to her body by the delicate white lace bra. She slid her jeans off and then stood, allowing Hassan to drink in her full form.

  He growled with wanting but continued to lie there, watching her.

  She turned her back on him and with slow moves designed to tease slid off her white lace thong.

  Next, she unclasped her bra and let it drop to the floor with the rest of her clothes.

  Then she removed the band from her hair, allowing the long dark waves to cascade around her shoulders and over her breasts.

  She slowly turned to face Hassan.

  His smile was gone and his eyes had grown dark.

  Sarah saw the predator in him and matched the look with one of her own. This wasn’t about love or lust. She pushed her fear deep down into her gut and played the part of the consort. She was somewhere in Africa and on her own. Pleasing Hassan was about staying safe and protected until this mission was over. She needed this man to adore her and want to keep her safe. Determination pumped through her veins.

  She sashayed to the bed and leaned over Hassan as she unzipped his trousers. He reached for her as he leaned back, but she pushed his hands away.

  “Come here,” he growled.


  “Be quiet,” she snarled back as she freed him from the confines of his trousers and, without pulling them off, straddled him, pinning him to the bed. He sighed and thrust his hips, trying to enter her.

  “No.” She glared at him.

  He’s dying for it and I’m going to make him wait until he can’t stand it anymore.

  ~~~

  After she had pleased him, Hassan climbed out of bed, reached for Sarah’s hand and pulled her into his arms. His kiss was gentle. More gentle than he had ever been.

  Nervousness stabbed at Sarah. Though his kiss was soft and warm, she knew it was either very good or really bad news. He was either falling for her or this was the final kiss off.

  He led her through a door at the far end of the room and into a magnificent marble bathroom. He drew a warm bath in the huge white marble tub and motioned for her to get in.

  Sarah stepped into the deep, round tub and lay back on the soft, velvet cushion Hassan placed behind her neck.

  Gentle hands began to massage her feet with the hot soapy water. Waves of relaxation rippled through her body. A sigh slipped past her lips as she closed her eyes and accepted a sensual moment for what it was.

  His deft fingers manipulated every muscle in her legs until Sarah barely remembered she’d been riding that day. The tightness she stored in her muscles dissolved as he worked his way up her body. The tender kneading soon relaxed her arms, shoulders and neck.

  Her eyes darted open and she sat upright when she no longer felt his hands.

  He smiled and reached for a shampoo bottle. “So tense.”

  Sarah feigned a sleepy smile as she wrestled with whether she’d ever get back to the boat or not. “Riding. It has been a while for me.”

  Hassan carefully poured water over her hair and began shampooing it, massaging her scalp as he did.

  A sense of calm overcame Sarah while she enjoyed the soft circles Hassan made with his fingers through her sudsy hair. The tension began to melt away as she convinced herself Hassan wouldn’t let any harm come to her. At least not today.

  Warm water flowed over Sarah’s hair as Hassan rinsed the shampoo from it. “Rest. I’ll be back soon.” Hassan dimmed the lights in the bathroom and closed the door on his way out.

  Sarah toweled off and hoped for some time to nap as she walked out into the empty bedroom. She collapsed naked on the bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  Sarah woke as Hassan entered the room with a large silver tray piled with several smaller covered dishes.

  He crossed to the sitting area, set the tray down on the coffee table and motioned for Sarah to join him.

  Sarah slipped on her thong and bra and then slid into the white shirt she’d shed earlier. She didn’t bother to button it. Hassan smiled and his eyes sparkled, so she assumed getting dressed might be a wasted effort.

  Hassan patted the seat next to him on the sofa.

  Intrigued, Sarah sat beside him.

  Hassan removed a silver cover from the first plate to reveal several large, ripe, red strawberries.

  Sarah reached for one and he gently tapped her hand away.

  “Hey!”

  He removed the cover of the next bowl to reveal fresh whipped cream.

  Sarah eyed him expectantly and waited for the third cover to be removed.

  Hassan chose a strawberry, dipped it in the cream and brought it to Sarah’s lips.

  Wow! A girl sure could get used to this sort of treatment!

  Sarah bit the tip off the strawberry and then kissed Hassan.

  “What’s under that one?”

  “See for yourself.”

  Sarah removed the cover of the third dish. Her stomach did a flip flop as she stared at the most exquisite ruby and diamond choker she could ever have imagined.

  Hassan smiled. “You’re pleased?”

  “Yes,” Sarah whispered as she held the choker in her hands. “And apparently you are, too.”

  “You should always be adorned with beautiful things.” He slipped the choker from her fingers and placed the jewels around Sarah’s neck.

  She was inclined to believe him.

  Chapter Forty

  Safely back on Blue Harem, Sarah sat in front of the vanity and stopped applying her makeup to admire the ruby and diamond choker around her neck.

  One point eight million dollars. Smart move to get them insured, too. Honey Pot Rule Number One: Always make sure you get yours.

  “You alone?” Chris’s voice in her ear had become commonplace.

  “Yes, but I’m not in the mood for any more of your failed mission stories.”

  “No, this is good stuff. That estate of Hassan’s in Libya is apparently one of the best terrorist training camps in Africa. It is also a staging area for a pretty big operation about to happen in Iraq.”

  “Okay. Sounds like good intel for you to have.”

  “Yeah, you did great, babe. Between radio, telephone and satellite we’ve determined something big should happen within a few days.”

  “So, when do we make our move? And what do I need to do?”

  Chris spoke like he read off a checklist. “Extraction tonight. Standby for Vince. He’s coming in to get you.”

  “Wait. Is that wise? Hassan is having a dinner party. Won’t that look suspect?”

  “Negative. Vince has been invited to dinner. It’s cool. Wearing your watch?”

  “Yeah, why?”

  “Brian is setting explosives under the engine room and on the launch right now. They’re set for 2200 hours. Copy?”

  Stunned, Sarah stared at her reflection in the mirror and absorbed what he’d just said. “Well, sounds kind of drastic, Big Daddy. What aren’t you telling me?”

  “The less you know the better. You’ll be fine. We’ve got your back. You copy the time?”

  “Roger. 2200,” she repeated.

  “Nobody leaves tonight but you and Vince. You’re going to have to jump. You need to be one-hundred feet away when she blows so don’t dally. Jason, Will and Brian will be standing by with a boat on the north side of the island off Blue Harem’s fore deck. They’ll be out to sweep and pick you up immediately after the blast. Copy?”

  “Roger. Standby for Vince. Jump. Swim a hundred feet. Tick-tick-boom 2200.”

  Chris sighed. “Affirmative. It’ll be good to see you again, babe. It’s time you came home.”

  The word home saddened her. “I don’t have a home.”

  “You’ll always have a home with us, babe. We won’t let you down.”

  Sarah finished dressing for dinner.

  Hassan was hosting a small dinner party for several of his close associates. There would be no women tonight, but Sarah was expected to be the gracious hostess and then leave them to talk business after dessert.

  The burgundy silk gown proved to be a perfect combination with the new diamond and ruby choker Hassan had bought for her. The full skirt with hidden pockets was rather handy, too. She kept her pearl earrings and bracelet on and tucked her pearl choker into the left pocket in her skirt. The yellow diamond on the long gold chain, which she never parted with, was safely attached around her waist.

  The last, and most important accessory Sarah needed was in her suitcase. She slipped her Gerber Guardian Backup knife into the right pocket of her skirt. Under the folds of silk, it would be virtually undetectable even if Hassan pulled her away for a quickie.

  She breezed out of Hassan’s stateroom and turned to take one last look. A disappointed sigh escaped her as she stared at all she’d leave behind. My luggage. My lingerie. My designer clothes. I’ve shopped in thrift stores for the better part of my life. Now I have to watch this go down with the ship. I’ll especially miss the silk caftan.

  Sarah had her act down pat. She entered and owned the dining room plus everyone in it. She went directly to Hassan’s side and graciously greeted his guests with him. She charmed and entertained.

  Hassan, on the other hand, seemed particular
ly tense.

  Sarah was certain she had performed to perfection and hadn’t given anything away by her demeanor so she assumed he must be tense about one of his many business deals that were always riding on the coattails of these parties.

  As the cocktail hour came to a close and the table prepared for dinner, Sarah noticed the one guest she expected to see was conspicuously absent. Already uneasy after her conversation with Chris, Sarah wiped her sweaty palms on her gown.

  How can I possibly sit here and be the charming hostess when Vince hasn’t shown up yet and Chris hasn’t radioed me a change in plans?

  Hassan asked his guests to be seated for dinner. As the guests took their seats, one remained empty.

  Something has gone wrong. I’ve got to get out of here and call Chris. Vince should be here by now.

  Sarah smiled across the table at Hassan. “I see we are missing a guest. If it pleases the Sheikh, I will go greet his late guest and escort him in to dinner when he arrives.”

  Kadeem scuttled up to Hassan at that moment and whispered something in his ear. Hassan nodded, waved him off and returned Sarah’s smile with an indulgent one of his own.

  “Thank you, my beauty, but there is no need. It seems Mr. Hennessee will not be joining us.”

  Chris’ voice was in her ear. “Negative, Sarah. He called in right before boarding Blue Harem twenty minutes ago. Shit!”

  The wine glass in her hand shook slightly, but Sarah continued her act. She nodded deferentially to Hassan and continued through dinner as though nothing were amiss.

  Where is he? What happened? What’s his status? Is he okay? I’ve got to find him!

  Dinner continued without a hitch. Hassan and his guests spoke in Arabic unless speaking directly to Sarah.

  She continued to play dumb and pretend to enjoy the sound of the language, but this conversation would prove the most crucial test of her acting skills.