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“Have they set a date?” I asked.
“They have. Christmas, and they’d like to hold the ceremony here at the ranch, in the chapel.”
The chapel, or temple, Brix spoke of was one of the most magical places on the property. It hadn’t yet been built when Rosa and I married. In fact, this would be the first wedding to take place there. My heart was overjoyed that one finally would. “It will be an honor to host such an important occasion.”
“You know Christmas is only a couple of weeks away, right?”
I smiled and nodded. “They will have a wedding fit for a prince and princess. I promise.”
“I don’t doubt it, Tryst, and thank you.”
8
JAICON
While security on the ranch was tight, extremely so for a property such as this, some holes still concerned me. Since Tryst was busy getting everything in place for the wedding, Tank and I focused on determining how many additional team members would be needed the week leading up to the event.
At our request, K19 Security Solutions arranged for several operatives to be here for support, to the point where, quite honestly, we were buttoned-up tighter than many of the royal weddings I’d worked early in my career.
By the time the bride, groom, and their families arrived from California via a private aircraft and landed on the ranch’s airstrip, all strategic elements were ready for their safety.
Something, though, was bothering me. I checked and double-checked the action plan and found nothing out of place. Still, the niggling feeling wouldn’t go away.
While the wedding was happening, I found out why.
“This couldn’t be worse timing,” said Ares, calling after the ceremony had gotten underway. “Poseidon and Oleander found another auction site.”
“And?”
“Luisa Reeve is on it. It appears a bidding war turned into a bounty shortly after her rescue in Felixstowe. The current price on her head is a quarter of a million US dollars.”
My stomach lurched.
“We need a twenty on Luisa Reeve,” I said, covering my mobile’s mic with my hand. Blackjack and Atticus took off from thecasitathat served as our command center while Tank and I continued to monitor the cameras and other hotspots around the ranch.
“I’m not comfortable with her remaining at this location,” I said to Ares.
“The plane is still there, right?”
“Affirmative,” I responded.
“Let’s relocate her as soon as possible.”
“I agree. I’ll work on a flight plan now.”
“I’m not sure whether you’ve been briefed, but Beau Barrett along with Snapper and Kick Avila have been consulting with us from California.”
“I am aware.” The three men had been hired to look into the other players involved in Luisa Reeve’s abduction as well as to see what they could find out about the trafficking rings operating out of the San Luis Obispo area. As locals, they’d been able to cultivate sources far more easily than we could.
“I’ll make direct contact with Beau. I’d like him to remain on the ranch for the time being, at least until the rest of the guests return to the States,” said Ares. “Doc and Merrigan have made arrangements to transport Tank, Blackjack, and Atticus to wherever you are as soon as you’ve made a determination.”
“Roger that.”
“Also, Zeppelin and Magnet are traveling to the States now. As soon as you can, advise me of your destination. They’re due to land in San Francisco in the next hour. One more thing, I’d like to arrange for the profilers to speak with Luisa.”
“Ares, please understand I mean no disrespect when I say I’m not sure she is emotionally capable of doing so presently.”
“Mayhem and Hanadarko are pros.”
