Necessary Risk

by Sidney Bristol

  “Yes,” Jabir spat.

  “That’s terrible.” Zak glanced at Miran.

  Miran started, then nodded. “Awful.”

  “She was mine. Not his.”

  Zak had known Killam would screw up someday. That day had come, and Zak would revel in it.

  “What are you going to do about it?” he asked.

  Jabir’s scowl darkened.

  Was there a way for Zak to use this to his advantage?

  Killam sold cars. Some of them were questionably legal. He had ways of moving them around the world.

  Zak stroked his chin.

  What were the odds?

  “What does Killam care most about?” He leaned back. “How would you get even with a man like that?”

  “It is beneath you to worry about such a thing,” Yousef interjected.

  “The cars,” Jabir spat.

  Zak looked at Yousef. “Your Highness, you are aware that we’re...working on something?”

  Jabir waved his hand. “Yousef, handle it.”

  “I was just thinking we could combine forces. Make Killam regret ever crossing such a powerful man...”

  A spark of light lit Jabir’s eyes.

  Zak had him.

  14.

  Wednesday. Saudi Arabia and Qatar Border.

  Ivy held the hem of her head covering up so it caught the feeble drafts of cool air coming out of the dash. The air circulated well enough, keeping her comfortable. She’d have preferred to remove the whole darn thing but didn’t dare. They had enough problems.

  Were the CIA really trying to kill them?

  She glanced in the rearview mirror. Al Hofuf was long gone. They’d traversed the market, jumped on a bus, then found a used car lot courtesy of another bus patron who had a cousin contact. Ivy had hung back, doing and saying nothing while Piers handled the purchase.

  An hour later, here they were.

  She’d watched Piers drive and text more than she was comfortable with. He had to be working on something.

  “Do we have a plan yet?” she asked.

  Neither of them had spoken much, but they were at the point where they had to be on the same page as a team.

  “I’m working on it,” he said.

  “Care to tell me about it?”

  “I have a friend in Dubai that’s sending a cargo plane to Ibiza tonight. He could stick us on it. The airport on the island isn’t that secure. I bet we could get off just fine. I’m not so sure how we’d get anywhere from there yet.”

  “I know someone.” Ivy sat up straighter.

  “You do?” Piers glanced at her.

  “Yes. He’s ex-military. Runs a hostel for rich kids.” Okay, she didn’t know Orion personally, only through one of the other girls. Jennifer. She bitched about the ritzy hotel owner, but reading between the lines told Ivy that Orion was a resourceful kind of guy with the right background to help out another soldier.

  “Think he’d help us if we just showed up? I don’t want to tip anyone off on our movements if we don’t have to.”

  “Maybe?” Ivy knew Orion had helped out one of the Aegis Group teams before. But had that assistance burned a bridge? Or would he be willing to stick his neck out for them?

  “It’s the only plan we have right now.” Piers blew out a breath. “We’re headed to the eastern side of the peninsula. I used to know some smugglers who kept fast boats in some sort of inlet. If they’re still there, I can pay them to take us to Dubai.”

  “Will we make it in time?”

  “I hope so.”

  Ivy did the math in her head.

  They were maybe forty-five minutes outside of Al Hofuf. That meant another forty-five minutes to the Quatar border. If they were going to the southern side of the peninsula, that was what? Another hour and a half or two hours?

  A boat would take them faster by water, but what about negotiations? Other issues? Could they make it?

  She didn’t know, but they had to try.

  She swallowed. “Are we going to talk about any of it?”

  “I don’t know what to think or what to tell you,” Piers said.

  “Have the CIA ever tried to kill you before?”

  “Once. It didn’t go well for them.” He glanced at the rearview mirror.

  “Why?”

  “They wanted to tie up loose ends on an investigation that wasn’t going great.”

  “And you still work with them?”

  He shrugged. “It’s part of the business. You never completely trust anyone.”

  She couldn’t begin to understand how that worked.

  “Do you think Muhammed got away?” she asked.

  “Kid looked like he was running. Honestly, I don’t think he mattered. It was just about us.”

  “But, why?” She leaned her head back and dropped her hands onto her lap.

  “Maybe Zora got what she needed out of us?”

  “No,” she said sharply.

  “I’m not convinced this Zora woman can be trusted.”

  “Logan wouldn’t let that happen.” Neither would Zain, but from what she understood he wasn’t as involved.

  “Who is Logan?”

  “He works for Aegis Group. His team was contracted to work for Zora and their task force. It’s how I got brought on.”

  “You think Zora would tell this Logan everything?”

  Ivy bit her lip.

  She couldn’t answer that.

  Logan wouldn’t send her to her death. But he couldn’t stop an order he knew nothing about.

  “What about the attack?” she asked.

  “Let’s say Zora sent these people after us. The only reason she’d do that was if she knew she had what she wanted, which means she knows. It’s not our job to worry about that anymore. We watch out for ourselves, everything else comes after.”

  “But—”

  “Ivy.” He glanced at her. “Listen to me. All I want to do is keep us alive. You think I’m bullshitting you?”

  “No...”

  “Then trust me. We worry about ourselves.”

  Ivy sank down farther in her seat and wished there was an easy answer.

  She didn’t think there was a kill order out on them, but she also couldn’t say there wasn’t. This was all so complicated. So above her paygrade and what she was trained to do. How did she begin to know what needed to be done?

  Her only option was to trust Piers. From day one he was likely the only person who thought about her first and the job second. While it had been annoying in the beginning, she was grateful for it now. All of it.

  The burner phone dinged in the cup holder.

  Piers snatched it up, then whooped. “Yes! We’ve got us a ride.”

  “Really?”

  “Yup.” He grinned at her, the tenseness gone. “Buddy’s moved shop a few miles down the coast, but he’s willing to fuel up and be ready for us.”

  “Yeah?” She was afraid to get her hopes up too much, but they desperately needed some good news.

  “Yup. We’ll be in Ibiza by tomorrow.”

  And then she’d have to hope and pray that Orion would help them. Did she dare mention Jennifer, or did she leave that name out? What happened after that? How were they getting home? And what would happen then?

  Those questions would have to wait. For now, they had a plan that kept them alive and moving. Everything else would be taken care of later.

  WEDNESDAY. LUXE IBIZA, Hostel, Ibiza.

  Killam stared at the tall, white building in the morning light behind the iron fence. The place looked like a very large mansion and was even built just off a gated community of large homes. So far he’d counted four alert security guards. Each of them had carried themselves like a soldier. To Killam, who’d only been in for a hot second, their posture was what made them stick out the most. There was an air about a soldier that set them apart. Made them easy to pick out, as if they were a different breed.

  Ivy had it, though she also could shift into a different mode at times. B
ut when she was in soldier mode, there was no denying the dangerous way she moved as anything but what she’d been trained as.

  “Five guards, all carrying Glocks. Looks like they have body armor, too.”

  “Five?” Killam frowned and glanced around.

  “One in the guard shack. Three around the perimeter. One on the second floor. Only reason I saw him was because he moved. Maybe he’s just having his morning cup of coffee or whatever, but that guy’s a guard.”

  “Damn,” Killam muttered. He’d missed that one, but now that she pointed the man out he saw the faint figure in the window.

  “How are we handling this?” she asked.

  He hefted the bag up higher on his shoulder. “You know him. I don’t.”

  “We haven’t exactly met,” Ivy said slowly.

  Killam whipped around his head. “What?”

  “Look, it was semantics at the time. My friend Jennifer knows him and she’s told us a lot about him. Besides, he’s done Aegis Group favors in the past.”

  “And you didn’t think to mention that until now?”

  “We had a lot going on. We were coming here anyway. If we strike out, we strike out.”

  He grabbed her wrist before she could take a step forward. “If we strike out and he talks, the wrong people could find out where we are.”

  Ivy looked up at him, serenely calm despite having slept on the beach for a few hours while they waited for normal working hours to come to the hostel.

  “We don’t have a lot of options. This is one. Let’s try it.”

  Killam wanted to shake her.

  Then again, if he didn’t have her with him, this is the kind of risk he’d take.

  Was he being more careful because of her?

  He didn’t want to evaluate his thoughts on that matter too closely. Where Ivy was concerned he’d already lost all objectivity. He was screwed.

  “There a problem?” the hulking guy in the gatehouse called out.

  Ivy lifted a hand and waved. “No problem.”

  She started forward. Her simple outfit of cargo pants, boots and a tank top with the single duffle bag made her look like a world traveler. Killam followed behind her and hoped that this Orion guy was willing to work with them. Killam would hate to have to kill the guy, but he knew he’d do it to keep Ivy safe.

  When had that happened?

  He wasn’t entirely sure.

  Maybe after the kiss on the plane? He’d felt a shift, something that there was no coming back from, but was that really all it took?

  “Do you have a reservation?” the guard asked. He picked up a clipboard but never looked away from Ivy.

  “No, actually.” Ivy grabbed the iron bar attached to the side of the guard shack and tilted her head sideways. “I was hoping to talk to Orion. I’m a friend of Jennifer’s and I was hoping he might be able to point us in the right direction.”

  “Jennifer?” The guard frowned.

  “Jennifer Miracle?”

  “Miracle Girl.” The guard’s smile was toothy and not all that comforting.

  Ivy chuckled. “I won’t tell her you called her that.”

  “Let me see if the boss is awake.” The guard stepped back into the shack.

  Ivy turned and glanced at Killam.

  Jennifer Miracle?

  That was a real name?

  Wasn’t any worse than Piers Killam.

  “He’ll be down, but it’s not likely going to be fast,” the guard said.

  Ivy smiled at the man. “Hey, thanks.”

  Killam nodded to the side where a tree cast a bit of shade and they were out of easy listening distance from the guard shack. Ivy followed him over.

  “What do you know about this guy?” Killam asked.

  “Listening to Jenn, it sounds like he has a massive crush on her. I’d like to not bank on her name if I can help it since she has no idea we’re here.”

  Killam had done a little internet search on the place and its owner, but there wasn’t much on Orion. His family was another matter. His father was a Greek, self-made businessman who married a Spanish heiress. They’d lived in the headlines almost twenty years ago and their fall from grace was well-documented, as was Orion’s younger brother’s exploits that led to his eventual death here on this very island.

  Did Ivy know any of that?

  “What does that face mean?” she asked.

  “What face?”

  “That one. The one you’re making right now.”

  “I’m thinking and planning for the worst.”

  “Fine.” She rolled her eyes. “Don’t tell me.”

  He frowned. “How do you do that?”

  “What?”

  “Know I’m not telling you the truth.”

  “Because you never tell me the truth.”

  “That’s not true.”

  She arched a brow at him. “When you tell the truth you hesitate, because even then you don’t want to tell me. If you answer too quickly, you’re not being honest.”

  “Damn,” he muttered, then sighed. “I was just wondering, what kind of person Orion is?”

  “Jenn says he’s complicated.”

  “Do you know much about him?”

  “Only what Jenn’s told me, which is mostly her being annoyed with him for flirting with her when she’s trying to work. She’s got this kind of tough gig keeping tabs on this rich girl, early twenties, thinks she’s invincible.”

  The front door of the hostel opened and a man stepped out. He wore loose, linen trousers and a sleeveless shirt that showed off the black ink twining down both arms. His long, dark brown hair was tied back at the nape of his neck and he carried a cup of coffee.

  Complicated.

  It was a good word for a guy who looked around and assessed a situation with the eyes of a soldier yet managed to maintain the relaxed posture of a beach bum.

  Orion waved at the gate guard before heading to where they stood.

  Killam eyed the man. This was their best hope for a way off the island?

  “Hello friend of Jenny’s,” Orion said over his coffee mug.

  Ivy winced. “Has she heard you call her that?”

  Orion put a hand to his lower left ribs. “Twice.”

  “And you survived?”

  His lips curved up into a mischievous smile. “Her attentions were divided.”

  “You like flirting with death, don’t you?”

  He shrugged. “I make it a habit.”

  Killam grit his teeth. Chit chat was necessary. He knew it. In her shoes, he’d do the same. It didn’t make him any more patient.

  “So, friend of Jenny’s, what are you doing on my island?”

  Ivy crossed her arms under her breasts and leaned a shoulder against the fence. Her smile was genuine. The exchange amused her. “I guess I missed the update where you bought it.”

  Orion merely shrugged again.

  If Killam could reach through the bars and punch the guy, he’d do it. He didn’t know why, but the urge was there.

  Ivy’s smile faded and regarded Orion for another moment through serious eyes. “We’re in a bit of a bind and I was hoping you could help, or point us to someone who can help.”

  “What kind of a bind?” Orion stared right back at her. He was very good at playing his role as the island host, without a care in the world.

  “I need a passport and we need to stay somewhere for the day, maybe a night, off the books.”

  “I’m not in the business of doing favors. Especially when your people still owe me for the last time.” Orion took another sip of coffee.

  “Referring business is a favor? We’re not asking for a handout, just an introduction.”

  “This is a very small island.”

  “Your island, if I remember correctly.” Ivy glanced at Killam. “I guess it’s up to you if you want us bringing trouble here, or taking it elsewhere.”

  Orion muttered something. “People are still worried about that God damn episode.”

&nbs
p; “Then help us not make another one. Help us move on fast.”

  He narrowed his gaze and grimaced.

  Damn.

  Killam was rather impressed.

  The man cared about this island. Maybe it was because of the connection to it or because the local economy impacted his bottom line, but Ivy had played it beautifully.

  “Fuck,” Orion muttered. “I do this, you put in a good word with Jenny for me.”

  “Pro tip, don’t call her Jenny.” Ivy glanced over her shoulder as if expecting to get hit for even uttering the name.

  Orion waved them toward the gate. “Come in. Let’s get you tucked away before anyone sees you.”

  Ivy grinned at Killam. She knew exactly what she’d just done and was damn well proud of herself. As she should be.

  They were allowed through the gate and waved off by the guard. Orion led them around the east end of the house and onto a path bordered by the fence on one side and shrubs on the other. At first glance it appeared to be poor planning. The hedges helped hide things, possibly people, and create blind spots. That was until Killam spotted the cleverly concealed cameras. That was when he realized there weren’t likely to be any blind spots.

  Orion greeted each staff member, be it guard or someone trimming the hedges, by name. What was more telling was how each person smiled when they saw him.

  How a person treated their employees told Killam a lot about them. Whatever Orion’s history was, he was a damn good boss.

  They were led away from the main house and past the pool and lawn area to an offshoot of the property. A three story structure in the same white style as the main house was tucked away with its own small pool.

  “This is the staff’s quarters,” Orion said over his shoulder. “I use this for the guests who come with an entourage or for seasonal staff. It’s only about half full right now.”

  He led them in through the sliding glass patio door into a comfortable living room and kitchen space with a long dining table. “You’re on your own for making food. The fridge is stocked with staples. I suggest making enough for yourselves and to share.”

  Killam and Ivy were both drawn to the kitchen counter where covered dishes sat swaddled in towels.

  “Looks like someone’s already made you breakfast.” Orion lifted off one lid to reveal something that looked like scrambled eggs mixed with tomatoes and other vegetables. “Yeah, you’re going to want to help yourselves before the others get to this. Looks like Maria is up. Come on.”