13 |

Pico Island, Azores

 

Acton glared at the two men holding them, their guns tucked into their belts the only thing stopping him from attacking. In a fair fight, he was pretty sure he could take them both, especially if Laura were helping. They had been trained extensively over the past several years by Laura’s ex-SAS security team, all former members of the British Special Air Services, their equivalent to Special Forces. And, Acton was willing to bet he and Laura had seen more actual combat than these two.

But they had guns, and he couldn’t risk a stray bullet taking them out, at least not yet.

“What hotel are you staying at?”

Acton didn’t reply.

The man tapped his gun. “I’ll put a bullet in your lady friend if you’d like.”

Acton stared at him. “If you lay a finger on her, you’re dead.”

The man laughed. “Tough talk.” He tapped the gun. “Where?”

“Aldeia das Adegas.”

“Is anyone expecting you?”

Acton shook his head, deciding the better play was to leave out the fact Reading and his son were due to arrive soon.

“When are you due to leave?”

“Tomorrow.”

“How?”

“By air.”

“What flight?”

Acton hesitated. “I’m not sure.”

“What airline?”

“Umm, United.”

The man stared at him suspiciously for a moment, then pulled out his phone, tapping at the display. “Bullshit. United doesn’t fly here.” He leaned closer, tempting Acton’s foot to embed itself in the man’s groin. “What flight?”

“We have a private jet.”

Acton’s eyes darted toward Laura, wondering why she would tell them that. Then he suppressed a smile. Greed was an overwhelming force, and if they could use her—their—money to their advantage, they might just get these men to screw up, or buy their freedom.

Both men’s eyebrows rose, a quick glance exchanged.

“Private jet? What are you, rich?”

Laura nodded. “Impossibly.”

Way to go, babe, pour it on!

“And we can make it worth your while to let us go.”

There was little doubt there was an internal debate going on in the lead captor’s mind, and Acton had to admit he was not only surprised, but dismayed at what came out of the man’s mouth.

“So this jet, it can leave whenever you want?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Then that’s what we’ll do. We’ll take your jet off the island, then we won’t have to worry about anyone finding us.”