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“Yes, but…”
“No buts, Finn. As it is, you’ve already got a trip over my knee coming to you. You deviate from our agreed-upon plan, and I’ll introduce you to having your backside welted. Trust me, you won’t like it. It hurts a hell of a lot more, and the effects last for days. I mean it, Finn.”
They locked eyes, and neither moved… they scarcely breathed. Finally, Finn dropped her head.
“Okay, Croft. We’ll do it your way. I promise.”
“One last thing. This camp is pretty well hidden until you’re right up on it. I need you to stay here with the rifle. If anybody who isn’t in a ranger’s uniform or doesn’t have ID tries to come in here, you shoot first, and we’ll sort it out later. Got it?”
She nodded. He walked over to the mules and saddled Sam.
“You can let Jasper stand, but in four hours, you get him saddled, break down the camp, and be ready to go. If I come back, we can decide whether or not to move out. If I don’t, the minute you hit five hours, you do as you’re told.” He crossed over to her, tilted her face to his, and kissed her with a depth of passion that took her breath away.
“I’m counting on you. I know what I’m asking isn’t easy and contrary to everything you’re thinking, but you have to trust me.”
“I do,” she whispered. “It’s not just Christian I’m worried about, it’s you. I need you to be okay, too. I need you to come back to me.”
He walked Sam out from under the overhang and swung up, then turned back and shot her a dazzling smile.
“Always and forever, Finn.”
Chapter
Seven
Croft pushed Sam. If possible, he wanted to get in place before they arrived as he was certain they hadn’t been staying in the canyon. As vast as it was, the rangers were normally very aware of everything going on as it happened. If not at that precise moment, usually within hours.
He was fairly sure they would fly in by low-level chopper from the western end of the canyon, under the radar. They might use a plane, but a helicopter would be easier and more maneuverable. The only other option was by speed boat, and that wasn’t nearly as viable as air transportation.
He hadn’t lied to Finn. He might have downplayed the danger of today’s meet but not overly much. If Reid was still alive, Croft figured he had a better-than-average chance of returning him to his sister. While he had no plans to involve the authorities, he was going to make damn sure he knew what the hell was going on.
He sat astride Sam and listened. There it was—the distinct whirring of chopper blades coming straight down the canyon just over the rushing waters. He watched them approach. Their pilot had skill. Had the company known what was really at stake,they would have had a team in place and Avery sitting up on the rim with a fully armed helicopter to provide air support.
He sat where they could see him, out in the open, but that also meant anyone approaching had to be in the open as well. The chopper landed, and Sam managed to yawn as he watched. He was as rock-steady as they came.
Two men in business suits got out and headed in his direction, stopping far enough away from the chopper not to worry about injury but close enough to beat a hasty retreat. That was good. It meant they recognized the game had changed, and they weren’t calling all the shots.
“Gentlemen,” Croft hailed. “I’m Billy Crofton with the Wild Mustang Security Firm. Our services have been retained by Finlay Reid regarding her brother.”
“We told her not to tell anyone or involve the authorities,” accused the cultured, English-accented voice.
Croft tried to place the accent. It sounded a bit like London but was off by a hair. Most likely, a non-native speaker who learned the language in the capital city of England.
“Wisely, Ms. Reid chose to disregard your instructions on that point. Let me hasten to assure you she is only desirous of having her brother safely returned to her. She couldn't care less the nature of your business with her brother and is well able and willing to conclude our business with as little fuss as can be done.”
“Crofton. I’ve heard of you. You were involved in that nasty piece of business in France earlier this year.”
“I can assure you it only got nasty when those on the other end failed to uphold their end of the bargain and tried to take the ransom and kill the hostage. I always deal in good faith, gentlemen, and would prefer to conclude our transaction as peacefully as possible.”
“Don’t you want to know who we are?”
Croft shook his head. “Not really. As I said, my only interest is in exchanging the flash drive for Christian Reid.”
“You have it with you?”
“As you already know, I’m a professional. I expected you would be the same. I’m assuming you don’t have Reid in the chopper, and I don’t have the flash drive with me. If you can provide me with proof of life, and Reid had better not look any worse for wear than he did in the picture you previously provided or be missing any body parts, we can arrange for the exchange tomorrow at a time and place of our choosing.”
“You are not in charge. You do not dictate terms to us. We have the banker. We control his life.”
