Page 19 of The Search

“You need to do what I tell you to do. I’m sure Logan will take care of you. Let me know when you’re available again.” He hung up.

Her hand clenched the phone so tightly, her knuckles turned white. Bastards. They were both bastards.

“Satisfied?” Logan asked.

“I’d like to castrate him.” She glared at him. “And you too.”

He flinched. “I gather he verified what I told you. Now, shall I tell you about the job?”

She tried to control herself. A long time ago she had accepted the fact that she couldn’t beat Madden. The card he was holding was too high. But, dear God, she hated the idea of being under Logan’s thumb. She wanted to pound someone. No, not someone. Logan.

Monty whimpered in the backseat and she reached over to stroke him. “It’s okay, boy. It’s okay.”

“It’s not okay, but you’ll do it,” Logan said. “Right?”

“Damn you.”

Monty whimpered again.

“Shh.”

“He senses that you’re upset.” Logan smiled. “I remember how close you are. He’s a good dog.”

“I should have him go for your throat. Do you know how tired he is?”

“Monty doesn’t impress me as being a very vicious guard dog.”

“He makes an exception when he thinks I’m in danger.”

“But you’re not in danger yet.”

Her gaze flew to his face. “Yet?”

His smile faded. “There are a few problems with this job, but I’ll try to keep you both safe.”

“Just what do you want me to do?”

“I need you and Monty to find one of my employees who has been kidnapped. One of my research facilities in Colombia was attacked and four of my employees killed. Tom Bassett was taken hostage.”

“Do you know who kidnapped him?”

“Martin Rudzak. He’s a very nasty fellow.”

“How nasty?”

“About as nasty as they get. He dabbles in everything from drug running to terrorism.”

“Terrorism? Why is he targeting you?”

“We had a run-in several years ago when I was in Japan. He doesn’t like me very much.”

“Then he should have kidnapped you.”

“I’m sure you’d prefer that, but there are reasons why he picked Bassett.”

“And you’re not going to tell me.”

“Not at the moment.”