“It’s only Slate.” While I return my pistol to my holster, the team leader motions us to his room.
There, we go over the plan one last time.
Chapter 27
She offered herself to the big, bad wolf and didn’t scream when he took the first bite.~Laurie Halse Anderson
Gwen
The manager smiles as Wulf, his emotional support dog, and yours truly leave the hotel. The time in the lobby reads midnight, but my internal clock tells me it’s noon. At the nearest coffee bar, we stop for a drink. Our group arrives in sets of two and disappears at odd intervals. After we finish our dark, bitter brew, we follow the GPS signal through the narrow streets and ditch the touristy section of town.
Recognizing the curly ironwork and coral-colored front door, I poke Mr. FBI. “That's his family’s home.”
Wulf says something to Bear in German, and the dog’s ears twitch. I’m about to ask the whereabouts of the rest of the team when a silent shadow darkens the second-story balcony. I reach up my hands, Axel lifts me by the waist, and Lucky pulls me up. With my toes on the balcony’s ledge, I climb over the railing, and my partner follows.
Stepping onto the thick Persian carpet, my heart races. I can’t believe they left the window open and unlocked. A curtain divides the bed quarters, and as I pull it aside, I almost forget myself and run to my sleeping angel.
Thank God, Axel puts his finger to my lips and holds me back because, at this moment, my ex-husband’s voice cuts through the darkness. “Abigail, are you alright?”
My daughter wakes, sees me, and runs into my outstretched arms despite my trying to shush her. “Mommy!”
Farid turns on the lights, temporarily blinding me. “Genny, how wonderful that you decided to join us.”
Shaking, I swallow back stomach acids and inch toward the balcony. “I’m bringing Abbie home. You had no right to take her.”
“I’m afraid that’s not possible.” He strolls forward and pulls my kicking, screaming daughter from my grasp.
“No! I want Mommy.” While she screams, the asshole draws a weapon.
“Kneel.” Determined not to show him any weakness, I jut out my chin.
“I will not.”
An evil grin appears as he places the barrel’s end at our daughter’s head. “Do it and tell the men on the balcony to go, or I will kill her.”
“Farid, be reasonable. I’m the one you want. Let her go. You don’t even like children.” Hands outstretched, I take two baby steps and wait for an opportunity to snatch her from his grip.
He snickers. “You think you’re so smart. You will tell the Supreme Leader all about your RF and not the garbage you’ve been feeding me.”
“You?” My voice squeaks, my mind races, and while I process this intel, he slips into the hallway. “If your friends do not leave this instant, I will shoot the child’s feet off, followed by her hands.”
Shaken to the core, I shout toward the window. “Everyone go. Please go.”
Axel catches my gaze and nods once before disappearing over the terrace. Then, I wait for my ex to call the police. When he doesn’t, my thoughts race. Why wouldn’t he want the local authorities here?
Farid shouts in Farsi, and a minute later, cars race away. Afterward, all is quiet except for my daughter’s wails.
“Shut her up.” The jerk formerly known as my husband pushes Abbie, and she falls at my feet.
Crawling to her on all fours, I hug her, kiss her cheeks, and dry her eyes.
“Mommy’s here.” Holding her, I remove her favorite bunny from my shirt and place it in her hands.
Thumb in mouth, she holds the pink toy tight to her chest.
So furious my ears burn, I glower at the man I was stupid enough to marry. “She wet herself and needs a change.”
Abbie's crazed father shouts, and seconds later, his sister appears. Brown eyes widen under her scarf as she bows subserviently and leaves.
