He wasn’t sure how or when it happened, but in the end, there really wasn’t a choice to be made. He’d already accepted the fact that she’d never want to be with him after this, anyway.
How could she?
So if his dying meant giving Jenna the chance at a long and happy life, he’d gladly hand himself over to Ortiz. And never look back.
“Name the time and place, Ortiz,” he told the other man. “I’ll be there.”
“Excellent.” The man’s sinister smile made its way through the phone. “It probably goes without saying, this invitation is being offered exclusively to you, Mr. Walker. I see anyone else on my property, the woman dies. And I’ll make sure it is a slow, painful death. You’re familiar with those, yes?”
You’ll find out soon enough, motherfucker.
“You won’t see another soul but me.” Adrian spoke with a deadly calm. “And I’m a man of my word.”
“I’ll send you the details. And Adrian? Do try to be on time. I’d hate for my men to become bored and need something to…occupy their time.”
I’ll rip their hearts out through their chests and shove them down their goddamn throats.
“Save your threats and just send the fucking info. Sooner you do, the sooner your wish to kill me will come true.”
Chapter 15
“How you holdin’ up?” Gabe sat in the plush leather seat across from Adrian’s.
“Me?” Adrian gave a casual shrug. “I’m fucking fantabulous.”
The former SEAL rolled his eyes. “It’s just us here, Walker. You can drop the whole stoic, Lone Ranger bullshit.”
“Who says it’s bullshit?”
Rather than respond, Gabe got quiet. Looking through the small, oval window, the other man stared at the clouds racing by but said nothing.
Adrian wasn’t sure which version of the man made him more uncomfortable—silent or bossy. He looked at Gabe from the corner of his eye.
Silent. Definitely silent.
Not in the mood for a touchy-feely conversation, he took advantage of the quiet and stared out his own window. He used the time to do a mental run-through of what he knew of the plan so far and tried like hell to avoid thinking of everything he was about to lose.
After ending the call with Ortiz, the bastard had immediately texted coordinates to where he was supposedly holding Jenna and the time he expected Adrian’s arrival.
With a few clicks, Nate’s satellite program showed a heavily treed area located twenty miles south of Bogotá, Colombia Getting to work immediately, Nate searched the location and was able to find satellite footage of a large industrial structure.
When he dug deeper, he discovered the building was originally an assembly plant. Back in the nineties when there was a major rush in the cocaine distribution business, the place had been used as a drug smuggling front.
Since that time, the cartel that had claimed the property as their own had either died off or moved their business elsewhere. Best guess, Adrian and the others assumed Ortiz saw the building’s isolated location and knew it would be the perfect place to keep his hostage.
Except she’s not yours, asshole. And soon…very soon…you’re going to realize what a mistake it was to even think you could touch her.
Hours later—which put the timeline of Jenna’s abduction to well over three days—Ghost finally contacted Ryker with confirmation that Matais and several of his men were spotted at the place where they were headed.
Whoever Ghost’s source was—Adrian didn’t know, and he didn’t care—had also confirmed that an American woman was being held there. AredheadedAmerican woman.
It was all the proof he and the others needed.
Though Ryker was still against Adrian tagging along, he soon realized his vote was outnumbered, six to one. Gabe and the others surprised him by falling in line with the idea that he be the one to go in after Jenna.
After all, it was his head Matais wanted. Plus, the man had been pretty clear that no one else be seen but him.
Knowing there really was no other choice but to let him face off with Ortiz, Ryker showed his concession by phoning the pilot and letting him know to have the private jet fueled and ready for a trip to Colombia.