Page 10 of Her Wicked Hero

Zed recalled Marcia’s picture. He had to go after them.

“How is he connected to Sommers?” Zed asked.

“It looks like he and Sommers went to work for an outfit called Thorn International, basically another security firm that augments our troops, but they both left five months ago.”

“Kane, we have an issue here in Borneo. I’m going to hand this over to Dex Evans, he’ll fill you in. We need you to keep digging. I don’t think we know all the players yet, and we have to know them. I pray to God Raymond’s reporting to someone, so he’ll want to keep the girl he’s holding hostage in good shape.”

Zed slammed the phone against Dex’s chest, then stormed over to Gray. “I need to go after the Price girl and Raymond.”

Gray gave him an assessing look. “What did you find out?”

“Raymond passed BUD/S but didn’t get any further because of a murder charge. He went to work for Thorn International, it’s a―”

“I know Thorn,” Gray interrupted. “Did Raymond do the murder?”

“According to Kane, he was guilty but got off due to a technicality. He’s a sociopath. It’s worse because he killed his girlfriend, and now, he has a woman as a hostage. I’m hoping there are more players than just these assclowns,” Zed said as he waved his hand around the clearing.

“Brockman said a man named Kyle was the supposed leader, but he overheard him checking in with someone else. There’s a good chance there was someone outside of the jungle handling the money,” Gray informed him.

“Right now, Raymond thinks he has one of Brockman’s daughters, someone of value. He can’t ever know that isn’t true.”

“Let’s go talk to Brockman,” Gray said.

Zed didn’t want to, he didn’t want to waste another second when he could be following Raymond and getting Marcia out of that madman’s hands. He needed to do that.

“Zed,” Gray said sharply. “Brockman will have information we need.”

He nodded and walked swiftly to the hut. Aiden was bent over a prone older man who was obviously pissed.

“Stop fucking around. I’m fine. Where is my daughter, Debbie? Where is Marcia? I won’t ask you again.” It wasn’t often a man who was lying in the dirt could sound so commanding, but what else would you expect from one of the former top officials of the United States Intelligence branches?

“Debbie was hit in the head with the muzzle of a gun,” Gray said. Brockman’s head whipped around to glare at him. “My second in command, who is our medic, has determined she has a concussion. The less movement she does right now, the better.”

“Take me to her.”

“After I get your ribs bound,” Aiden said grimly. “You’re just going to be a detriment to us if we don’t get you taken care of.”

“You’re right,” Brockman said in a resigned tone. “What about Marcia?”

“Why don’t you go visit with your sister,” Gray suggested to the young girl who was holding her father’s hand. Brockman immediately caught on.

“Christie, go check on Debbie. Tell her I’m all right, okay?” She bent down and hugged her father’s neck. Zed watched as his jaw tightened with the pain, but he still put his arms around his daughter. Obviously giving her comfort was his first priority.

“Are you going to be all right?” she whispered.

“Fit as a fiddle,” he promised her. “Now go see your sister.”

All four men watched as the girl left the hut. As soon as she was gone, Brockman turned on Gray. “Report,” he commanded, his eyes flashing.

“Zed, you got the intel, you give the Director a summary,” Gray commanded.

Zed turned to the older man. “When we attacked, Marcia and Debbie were at the latrine with Raymond. According to Debbie, Marcia saved her from being taken as a hostage or getting shot. Instead, Marcia convinced Raymond to take her.”

Brockman’s fist pounded the dirt. “Raymond was the worst of the bunch,” Brockman said grimly. “I’m eternally grateful to Marcia for intervening.” He jabbed his finger in the air at Zed. “Now you fucking find her.”

He nodded. “I will,” Zed promised but didn’t move.

“What?” Brockman demanded.