AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Leeza was dressed like a businesswoman. She wore a knee-length black skirt, a matching blazer and heels that put her at the same height as the general.
On her face was a pair of glasses that gave her a bookish look and her hair was pulled into a sleek knot at the back of her head.
It took Havel seconds to realize what she was doing and the danger in the plan took his breath away.
She barely glanced at him as she raised a satellite phone to her mouth. “I have visual confirmation that the prisoner is in good health. How shall I proceed?”
Havel’s gaze dropped to the identification badge nestled between Leeza’s breasts, but he couldn’t make it out.
“Proceed with the prisoner transfer,” a voice came from her phone. The deep rumble was familiar, but Havel couldn’t place it. Fuck, he hated being out of the loop.
If he was able to get Leeza safely out of the military camp he was going to rampage until he had everyone responsible for this, including whoever belonged to the voice on the phone.
Leeza turned to Mbengue, giving him an apologetic look. “The Chief Superintendent has made it clear that we are to apprehend your prisoner.”
Mbengue shook his head. “Interpol has no jurisdiction in my country. I have plans for this prisoner that cannot be reversed. An example must be made.”
So, she was pretending to be Interpol. A dangerous game as it would take nothing to confirm her identity.
Leeza’s lips twisted in commiseration. “I understand, General, but it is of vital importance that I take this man into custody. He has information about one of Europe’s most prolific criminal organizations. How can we make this work for you?”
She was negotiating with the General? Motherfucker, Havel was going to lock her in a closet when they got home and throw away the key.
Yet, Mbengue seemed to believe she was who she said she was, his gaze crawling up and down her body as he considered her words.
Havel had to admit that the plan, whatever it entailed, wasn’t entirely stupid. Leeza’s outfit was clever; eye-catching and flattering while still conservative enough to give her an official look.
“This man took something that belonged to me. If I can’t execute the President, then I will execute the man who took him.”
“I understand your dilemma,” Leeza said softly, gazing at the General like he was the only man on the planet, moving a little closer to him until her chest brushed his arm. “We know you’re at a critical junction in this political movement and the loss of the President will affect your ability to govern. What if we can reach some kind of deal?”
Now that Havel was calmer, he moved his gaze from his wife and let it linger on the others in the room. There were seven soldiers, four belonging to the General and three in a uniform Havel recognized as Interpol police, one of whom was Ayaan. When he caught her attention, he narrowed his eyes at her, promising retribution when they got home. Of course she was part of whatever insane plan his wife had come up with. She was almost never apart from Leeza these days. He’d have to ensure their friendship ended after this stunt.
“What kind of deal?” Mbengue demanded, his hand creeping up Leeza’s back as though the deal she was talking about might be sexual.
“An exchange of prisoners,” she said, smiling at the General and moving closer. “We picked up your president along with the other mercenaries when they landed in Europe. If you give me Havel Tsotsarov, then we will give you the President.”
The General looked surprised, dropping his hand from Leeza’s waist as he paced away from her before turning back. “Do you really have the President in custody? Since when does Interpol agree to a prisoner exchange?”
They didn’t, which was what made this plan insane, yet Leeza didn’t bat an eye as she continued to sell her story. “Of course we do,” she said briskly, “but the optics on hostage negotiation and exchanges aren’t great, so we don’t advertise it when we’re forced to do it.” She held up her phone, showing it to Mbengue. “An image of your president in our custody.”
Mbengue approached her again, running a finger down her arm as though there weren’t eight other people in the room. “And this is your job? Negotiation?”
She smiled brightly. “Indeed, it is.”
“Which is why my people can’t find a trace of you in Interpol’s database?” The words were spoken in a gotcha tone that made Havel’s blood freeze. Mbengue was playing with her.
Watching them spar was like watching a high stakes poker game that would end in the death of the loser.
Yet, again, Leeza didn’t blink. Her features twisted in scorn. “I’m the person who’s sent into situations like this to make deals of the kind that aren’t necessarily legal. Of course an international policing organization isn’t going to make me their poster girl.” She tapped a long, red-tinted nail against her ID badge and continued, “You cannot possibly believe my name is actually Jane Smith. I’m French, not American.” Havel winced. It was one of the names he’d used for her fake passports. Not only was she pulling a dangerous stunt, but she was mocking him at the same time. “You will find me in Interpol’s directory under the name Christine Grenier.”
Mbengue nodded to one of his men, who left to check her identity. Havel had to admit, she’d thought of all contingencies. She’d probably jumped on the directory and found a woman who held a passing resemblance to her. She wouldn’t have even needed to hack the database.
When the soldier came back, he confirmed her identity and Mbengue looked pleased. “So, Interpol wants to become involved in my affairs.”
“We do,” she agreed.
“And if they’re willing to hand over the President, then they must approve of my takeover of this corrupt government.”
