Page 99 of Ash Storm

“We had a satellite rerouted to spy on Afsan, a tycoon who’s heavily invested in multiple industries, including the telecom sector. Of course I'm worried.”

Ash looked towards the bathroom door. It was still closed.

“I had an idea,” Ash said. “Afsan will be upset by what happened in Turkey. One of you can reach out and pretend you caught me, then organize an exchange.”

Dark’s piercing blue eyes met his.

“Even if Afsan falls for it, there’s no guarantee the exchange would happen at the house where Chloe is being kept.”

“I’ll bet Afsan wants to lie low, right now,” Rogue said. He made a humming sound deep in his throat. “It’s not a bad idea.”

“It’s a terrible idea.”

Ash jumped. He hadn’t even noticed Reka.

“Reka, we’re just discussing options—“ Ash began.

“Don’t give me that,” she interrupted. “Are you all serious? This is exactly the same idea I presented to you earlier, and you shot it down.”

It was the same idea. But if someone was going to die, it made more sense for it to be him.

“Maybe the idea had merit,” Ash said with a cockiness he didn’t feel. “But it could be improved.”

“By you taking all the risk? That’s what you call an improvement?” she huffed, striding off to the front of the plane.

“You should have stayed quiet,” Slate said, helpfully. “You made things worse by arguing.”

“Thanks, my friend,” Ash muttered.

“I think we should stick to plan A,” Griffin said, and everybody listened because Griffin was a great strategist. “Anything unexpected—and somebody calling in to offer Ash up would be unexpected—will make Afsan feel unsafe. Maybe unsafe enough to kill any hostages he’s got with him. Including Chloe.”

Fuck.

Ash hadn’t thought of that.

“It’s safest if we attack in the middle of the night, when Afsan is least likely to expect it,” Griffin finished.

“I agree. We’ll attack tonight, as planned,” Dark said grimly. “Get ready for landing, gentlemen.”