When Ryan sighed, Dro said, “We can’t get the data we need if we let you at him again. If we were anywhere else in the world, you would have an assault charge facing you. Thank God you have friends in high places.”
Ryan still didn’t speak, but threw a glare at Jahani.
“Everything in good time. Nicco and Angela are top-shelf pros. You can bet everything you have that they will get results. Let’s finish up here.” Dro met his eyes again. “Without you putting your fist in anyone’s face. Capisce?”
“I get it,” Ryan said in a grudging tone.
Dro squeezed his shoulder. “Let’s get back to business.”
Ryan pulled in a breath and shelved the fantasies he had of pulverizing the man he was sure had a hand in Aziza’s disappearance.
At the sight of Ryan, a wary expression crept over Jahani’s face, then resentment simmered in his eyes. His gaze slid to Dro, then back to Daron, who sat across from him. “Look, you can either help us and help yourself. Or … ”
A hint of fear shrouded Jahani, and he lowered his head. Then, he spoke with his gaze fixed on his hands. “I cannot tell you what you wish to know.”
“So, you prefer to spend the rest of your life behind bars for human trafficking rather—”
He sat up, almost smiling. “The fines for that are not very steep, so—”
Daron stared at him for a moment. “When the Sheikh has a personal stake in an investigation,”—He stabbed the surface of the metal desk between them—”things look a little different.”
His words had an immediate effect.
Sweat dotted the bartender’s forehead, and he couldn’t sit still.
The silence took on an ominous quality.
Ryan almost believed the shadows at the edges of the room took on a life of their own, until Daron continued speaking.
“You need to decide what you will trade for the ability to keep your freedom.”
Jahani sputtered while his attention darted to each man, who watched him, their faces impassive.
“Since you have all the time in the world,” Vikkas said, motioning to Ryan. “We’re about to pick up some supplies. Maybe by the time we return, Daron will have you back to your senses.”
“What stuff are we picking up?” Ryan asked when he stood outside in the cool air with the other two men.
Vikkas beckoned to him with one finger and strode toward the car. “Let’s just say, according to what Nicco thinks we’ll come up against, we may need more firepower than anticipated.”
“And you’re saying to me … ” Ryan raised both brows and spoke to the man on his other side. “ … you left that sort of firepower unattended at the hotel?”
Dro grinned and tossed him the key to the Limo. “We’re not saying any such thing. Let’s put some speed on it, so we can get back here in a hurry.”
Ryan took the wheel, glancing at Dro now and then in the rearview mirror. He was completely focused on the tablet in his hands, as if everything depended on what he was doing. Vikkas held his silence, frowning as if deep in thought.
Keeping his own counsel, Ryan drove back to the hotel and agreed to meet them in the lobby within ten minutes. The two sat in a corner of the lobby with their heads together while Ryan headed into the elevator.
The moment he stepped inside his room, Ryan’s senses were on high alert. He couldn’t put his finger on what was different, but knew someone had invaded his space. After scanning the entire suite, he put his unease down to the sixth sense he’d carried since birth until his gaze went to his laptop. The computer was open the way he normally left it, but the angle of the screen wasn’t the same. Someone had been snooping. His mind went straight to the houseman who appeared earlier in the day. Dro had said little, except that the man would think twice about minding Ryan’s business whenever he returned to take care of the room. If someone else was responsible, how did they get in and what were they seeking? If they were looking for digital information, they wouldn’t have been able to get past Ryan’s password and security measures.
On a hunch, he went to the safe and retrieved the wireless bug detector Daron had supplied. While he went through the suite sweeping every piece of furniture, someone rapped at the door.
Ryan stalked to the passage, wondering if the two Kings had come up to meet him. He depressed the handle, smiling. “I guess you two couldn’t wait for—”
The man who faced him was Durabian. His thick mustache stirred a distant memory, but Ryan couldn’t place him. The gleam in his eyes put Ryan on guard, along with the hand concealed behind his body. He crowded the door, but Ryan was prepared. He stepped back, planted his feet, and watched for the hand he couldn’t see.
As the man rushed inside, Ryan swung the door, hitting him in the face. The force of his body colliding with the door nearly toppled Ryan, who released the handle. The stranger’s hand whipped out from behind him in a jabbing motion.
Ryan grabbed his wrist, squeezed, then pulled him into a chokehold. With his other hand, he grabbed the taser and slammed it on the man’s chest.
As he convulsed and his body went slack, Ryan’s mental eyes came into sharp focus and he knew where he’d seen the man before this incident.
Ryan tased him a second time, then allowed him to fall to the carpet. As his eyes rolled back, Ryan kicked the door shut and pulled out his phone. He speed dialed Dro’s number.
“I was about to call you.”
“You’ll be very interested in who’s in my room.” His gaze went to the man thrashing at his feet. “Get up here and make it quick.”
Chapter Fifteen
Ryan and Dro half walked, half carried the intruder to their car. He fought them as they dragged him
