Dangerously Deceived

by Sidney Bristol

  “I can’t trust you if you’re going to lie to me.” She studied his face, and he felt as though she could read his thoughts from the way she stared at him. “You know just because we hooked up doesn’t mean you have to be involved? It was just sex.”

  But it wasn’t just sex.

  He’d been laid enough to know what they had didn’t fit under that label.

  Except maybe to her it wasn’t anything special.

  “You’re right.” He was getting too involved for no good reason. This was his wake-up call. He cared too damn much about people. He pushed to his feet and slid his phone in his pocket.

  “Vaughn.” Carla stood just as fast and grabbed his hand. “Vaughn, I didn’t mean it like that.”

  “You’ve been very clear what you’re interested in. I’m just not sure it’s what I want.” He pulled out of her grasp. “I’ll see you later.”

  FRIDAY. CLOSED STORE, Beirut, Lebanon.

  Farez glanced up and down the quiet street.

  Hani was gone. He hadn’t come back after the confrontation, and Farez hoped he stayed gone. Hani and his friends were trouble. Farez had been too desperate to pull this plan off to see the truth about the kid until it was too late.

  The original plan had been to hold their guest in the old restaurant between homes where they’d be able to keep an eye on the street. It would also allow them to comfortably care for their guest. The truth was, no one involved in this plan was young anymore.

  This Ashton Khoury was going to destroy the way of life they’d known for decades.

  The sounds of the ocean and city melded together, creating the soundtrack he’d grown up with. He’d been born here, raised his children here, and he intended to die here. But he wouldn’t keep his home if he didn’t have work, and with so many places along the waterfront shutting down, hope was dwindling.

  Farez ducked into the shuttered storefront with its windows covered in paper. The inside was dim, and it smelled dank. There was some poetic justice holding Mr. Khoury’s assistant in one of his own buildings.

  Only one person sat at the door keeping watch.

  That wasn’t the plan.

  “Farez?” Maier pushed to his feet.

  “What’s wrong? Where is Liman?”

  “He left.”

  “Why?”

  Maier’s weathered, wrinkled face creased. “He needs money.”

  The hair on Farez’s arms rose. “What did he do?”

  “I don’t know.” Maier held up his hands. “His phone started pinging, then he began talking about bills, how he’d never be able to rebuild his business. Then he left.”

  Was this Hani at work, picking away at the people who’d rallied around Farez? Or was this the reality of their world?

  There was a very good chance whatever change they exacted with this move would not benefit them. Farez understood big business moved slowly, and it might take their lifetime to see commerce flow again to the water front north of the city. But Farez was willing to do that for his children and grandchildren.

  If he was going to see this through, something had to happen soon.

  “We’re moving him,” Farez said.

  “What? Where?”

  “I don’t know, but the details I sent to Khoury were for Saturday night. We need to make sure we have his assistant when that happens. I don’t trust Hani.”

  “You tell me where you want him, I’ll put him there.”

  Farez nodded. The only problem was where was safe?

  6.

  Saturday. On the road, Beirut, Lebanon.

  Carla hated everything about this trip.

  Jared wasn’t with them, and that left a gaping hole in her heart and their lives.

  Ashton had moved from moping to anxious and afraid. He’d no doubt tried to get his hands on two billion and failed. But he was too proud to admit to that. Even to her, and that was a problem.

  Vaughn was outright avoiding her.

  Everyone else was nice, but now she knew they were discussing Ashton behind their backs. Out of a sense of loyalty to her friend, she couldn’t bring herself to strike up a conversation with the others.

  She stared out of the window at the streets of the city. Ashton had brought her along to Beirut two other times for short trips. He’d visited many times without her, usually with family. Given that they weren’t married, Carla avoided all but the important family functions. She wasn’t the Khoury’s favorite person given how she’d stolen their son away.

  At least she wouldn’t have to make nice with Ashton’s uncles on this trip since they were traveling with a focus on secrecy. Which meant they couldn’t stay at any one of the hotels Ashton had frequented on his trips.

  The car lurched to a stop.

  Vaughn muttered colorful words under his breath.

  She glanced at the rearview mirror, but it didn’t give her a glimpse of his face. That was why she’d chosen to sit directly behind him.

  This whole situation with him annoyed her.

  She should be focused on Jared and distracting Ashton. That was her role in their little family. Only she’d allowed herself to be distracted by Mr. I’m Too Sexy up there and now things were awkward.

  There was no way she could offer Vaughn anything other than sex. Yes, she felt this pull, this chemistry, between them, too. But it wouldn’t last. Her responsibility to Ashton preceded anything she might want. Including love. Ashton had helped her at her lowest and provided for her mother. That was no small thing. She’d be with him for as long as he wanted her to play the part, no matter what her heart wanted.

  Besides, there wasn’t any way to tell if the attraction was the same for Vaughn. For all she knew, it was one-sided and the product of prolonged celibacy.

  Except a man didn’t storm out of a room, throwing her words back in her face, for nothing.

  Carla sank down lower in her seat.

  She couldn’t shoulder both Ashton and Vaughn’s delicate man-feelings. It was too much. She hadn’t asked for this and she wasn’t going to take responsibility for it. Ashton got a pass. They were friends, practically siblings. But Vaughn? He was the guy she’d fucked on a plane. He didn’t get to make her feel any which way about anything.

  The SUV made a sharp right turn and drove into subterranean parking garage. Overhead one of the many steel and glass towers rose up into the sky.

  Melody’s voice piped up from Ashton’s other side. “It took some work, but we found a place not on your list of locations you’ve stayed at that also fit our security specs. We’ll remain here while Grant and Riley go up to ensure the condo is secure.”

  “My parents are talking about buying property here.” Ashton’s hand closed around Carla’s and squeezed.

  “Yeah?”

  “Mom was going on about buying up an old place, something built before the seventies and restoring it. There are so many that were never looked after properly once the civil war was over.”

  Carla made an appropriate humming noise. She had no intention of getting involved in discussions about homes and where they were with Ashton’s mother.

  “How are we on time?” Carla asked.

  To her surprise, Vaughn was the one who answered. “We’re cutting it a little close. Bout an hour until they call.”

  “Setting up for the call is a matter of moments,” Melody said, her tone far too sweet.

  “We’re clear to go up.” Vaughn turned the SUV off. “Mr. Khoury, Miss White, please exit on the left side of the vehicle and stay between myself and the other two men. Melody and I will bring up the rear.”

  Carla swallowed.

  Up until now things had been fairly relaxed. But with Ashton being villainized in the media they had to take extra precautions or else he could become a target while they were trying to rescue Jared.

  It was all messed up.

  Carla’s door swung open.

  She shoved the large sunglasses up her nose and brought the scarf up over her hair. This was the first ti
me she’d made conscious clothing decisions when visiting Lebanon. Women here dressed as they pleased, but Carla knew she’d stick out less if she opted to cover her hair and picked full coverage clothing over her typical sleeveless tops. The less like themselves they looked, the better chance they had of being unnoticed.

  Vaughn held out his hand. She took it rather than be rude and slid out of the vehicle.

  “Thanks,” she said.

  He didn’t reply. Not even a nod. His silence shouldn’t annoy her, and yet it did.

  Double whatever.

  She wasn’t responsible for him.

  Carla kept her head up and strode to the other two men with their backs to her watching the parking garage. An engine rumbled somewhere out of sight, but other than that they appeared to be alone.

  “This way, ma’am. Sir.” The blond man gestured toward the elevators.

  Ashton placed his hand on her lower back and they moved forward together.

  No one spoke.

  She sucked down a deep breath. Brine cut through the garage smells of rubber and oil along with something flavorful that made her stomach wake up.

  All too soon the six of them were squished onto an elevator. Carla found herself sandwiched between Ashton and Vaughn. Her friend twisted, wedging her closer to the man she wanted to dick punch. She hadn’t shared last night’s conversation with Ashton and now she wished she had. Any way she turned she was going to be at least partially plastered up against Vaughn.

  When this was over she might just kill Ashton herself.

  The elevator rose and rose, the numbers creeping higher.

  No one spoke.

  Vaughn’s hand came to rest against her back, nudging her one way just a bit. She knew it was him from the electric zip that went straight to her stomach. There was no denying who’d touched her.

  The only sound was the tiny vibrations of Melody’s phone as she tapped at the screen.

  At long last the elevator chimed, and the doors slid open, fresh air wafting in and carrying the scent of incense. She turned toward it, breathing in the notes of vanilla, wood, and something floral.

  That was one of her favorite things about Lebanon, the scents.

  Sure, it wasn’t always great. The city had a garbage problem. But when it was good, it was a full body experience of good.

  Vaughn pressed his hand to her back.

  “This way.” He stepped past her.

  She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry, and glared at his back.

  Ashton took her hand and gave it a squeeze.

  They walked forward, down the hall with its caramel colored marble floor and the Damascus style light fixtures. The door at the very end of the hall stood open, another familiar figure waiting for them.

  She stepped through ahead of Ashton into the modern home. The first thing that met them was an amazing, panoramic view of the city bathed in afternoon light. The same marble flooring stretched to every corner of the room.

  To her right, a small kitchen was tucked out of sight. An eight person dining table sat parallel to the glass, the heavy antique wood a nice balance to all the pale colors and clean lines. The condo stretched to her left, all the way to the corner of the building featuring a seating area and stairs leading up to a second floor.

  “We’re putting you and Miss White in the two bedrooms on the second floor. The two bedrooms on this floor will suffice for our use,” Grant said to Ashton.

  “How long until they call?” Ashton asked.

  “Soon.”

  Carla crossed to the terrace door and opened it. The warm sea breeze blowing in off the Mediterranean Sea.

  She needed a moment to herself where she wasn’t carrying the weight of two men on her shoulders. There wasn’t much out here. A few chairs and a table. She crossed to the railing and gripped it with both hands, her stomach doing a summersault as she leaned over and looked down to the tiny street below.

  Maybe when this settled she should take Ashton up on his suggestion that she do a trip by herself somewhere. Travel under an alias. Be herself without the guys. She’d have to take care of Jared and Ashton for a few weeks after this. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to line up a therapist. Jared was the touchy-feely one out of their trio.

  “Carla?”

  She shivered and turned toward Vaughn.

  His warm eyes had gone cold. This was his work face. The one he put on to do the job. It wasn’t the sensual man who’d caught her off-guard while cleaning windows.

  He took a few steps toward her, hands in his pockets.

  “You should stay inside,” he said.

  “You think someone would see me up here?” She pushed the scarf down to hang off her shoulders.

  He closed the distance between them and leaned an elbow on the railing, watching her. “It’s better to be cautious.”

  Was he really talking about someone watching them, or was he trying to tell her something else?

  “I’ll keep that in mind.” She pushed the sunglasses up to sit on her head. “Anything else? I did come out here for thirty seconds to be alone.”

  “For this job to work, you and I have to trust each other.” His eyes bored into hers. “Do you still think you can’t trust me?”

  It wasn’t a simple question. She pursed her lips together. Now was not the time or place to have this chat.

  “I’m sure I can trust you to do your job,” she finally said.

  “But you don’t trust me?”

  She could lie, but they’d both know it. “I don’t.”

  Not after he’d walked out on her. He’d gone sour on her and she didn’t know why, and she wasn’t going to divert attention from Ashton to a man she’d had no intentions of hooking up with on her own.

  “This...deal?” He leaned his forearms on the railing and stared out over the city where the wind whipped his words away from them. “I’m not sure I can do it. That’s what I didn’t want to tell you, okay?”

  His words stung, but they were his truth. “I can respect that. Was that so hard?”

  “Yes. You’re fucking amazing and this is complicated.”

  He said that word like it was a bad thing.

  Her situation was unique. She couldn’t waste time on someone who couldn’t understand it, and realistically she didn’t expect any man to put up with this charade. Tears prickled her eyes. She turned her face into the wind, letting it blow the moisture away.

  “Well, it doesn’t have to be anymore,” she said. “We’re done. We weren’t anything to begin with. There. All good?”

  “Then why are you crying?”

  She lifted her hand and wiped away the tears. “Fuck you.”

  “Carla?” Ashton called out.

  She whirled toward the door.

  Ashton stood at the dining table, his hand over the phone.

  “They called early.” She rushed inside ahead of Vaughn.

  Ashton locked eyes with her and she nodded.

  “Answer it,” Grant said.

  Carla stopped next to Ashton, her hand on his back. Ashton tapped the screen then reached for her, wrapping his arm around her waist for support.

  “Hello?” he said.

  “Mr. Khoury, I hope you’ve had time to consider our deal.”

  “I have.” Ashton gripped Carla a little tighter. “Before we discuss anything else, I want proof of life.”

  “Have I given you any reason not to trust me, Mr. Khoury?”

  “You’ve given me no reason to trust you. Show me Jared Moss is still alive, or I’m hanging up. Let me talk to him.”

  Carla could feel each of Ashton’s fingers digging into her side.

  “Very well.”

  The line muffled a bit, voices were soft, impossible to make out.

  Melody held up a piece of paper with the words, Good job, written on it.

  Carla had the distinct feeling she should have gone downstairs for dinner. She was out of the loop. Clearly there was more of a plan than just paying these people off. For Jare
d’s sake, she hoped the plan worked.

  “Ash?” The raspy voice hit all the right notes.

  Carla covered her mouth with her hand and tears sprang to her eyes. Her throat closed up, and she wanted to reach through the phone to give Jared a hug.

  “Jared?” Ashton’s mouth opened and closed.

  “It’s good to hear your voice, boss.” Jared’s tone brightened. Even kidnapped and held prisoner, he’d see the good in a situation.

  “Good to hear your voice, too. Are they treating you okay?”

  Carla didn’t know how Ashton managed to hold it together. She wiped away tears while he focused on the call.

  “That’s enough.” The kidnapper’s voice broke back in. “As you can see, Mr. Moss is still alive.

  “Thank you for that.” Ashton ground his teeth so loud Carla could hear.

  “When would you like to make the trade?” the man asked.

  “About that, the money you’re asking for, that’s a lot to move around.”

  “A man of your means can do whatever you like.”

  “No, actually, I can’t.”

  “Come now, Mr. Khoury.”

  “I am prepared to hand over fifteen million in cash, whatever currency you want. One-point-eight billion is—I’d need a lot more time.”

  Fifteen million?

  Carla was privy to all the accounts. She doubted Ashton had come up with that much on his own. So who was he borrowing from?

  “My price is non-negotiable.”

  Melody stepped directly in front of Ashton and held up a piece of paper with her neat handwriting scrawled across a few lines. She stared up at him and tapped the words.

  Ashton let go of Carla and took the paper before she could read it. “Every price is negotiable. Who else do you think is going to pay you for my assistant? I’m your only customer and that means I set the price. Now, I’m telling you I’m willing to make you a rich man, and your answer is to get greedy? You run the price up too much and you’ll give me no other option but to hire a new assistant.”

  Holy shit.

  Carla glanced from Ashton to Melody.

  Was this seriously how they wanted to play this?

  “My price is firm,” the man snapped.

  The room went silent.