Forever Entangled (19 page)

“So we meet, Dr. Ashton. I’ve heard many things about you, and I have great plans for you.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Sienna looked at the man sitting in front of her. His legs were crossed as he leaned back comfortably and steepled his fingers. He was no older than fifty. His shoes were Italian leather. His black hair was cut to perfection. His smooth, tanned skin looked as if it were freshly shaven. His expensive cologne danced through the air and teased her senses. And his suit . . . well, his suit was the most impressive work of tailoring she’d ever seen.

Power reeked from every pore of this man’s body. It was evident this man cared nothing for her well-being. But she could tell this conversation was something he did care about. She may not be a physical badass like Nash, Ryan, or even Layne, but she could read people, and she knew how to twist people.

“Aren’t you curious as to what plans I have for you?” he asked after a bit.

Sienna didn’t say anything. Her mind was too busy running through interrogation techniques and the latest studies she had read. While fear and control worked on some, she wasn’t in a position to even try. She just had to keep him talking long enough for Ryan to find her.

She saw his fingers press hard against each other as he tried to remain calm. This man was not used to indifference. She needed to go in the other direction.

“I’m sorry,” Sienna stuttered shyly. “I’m just in so much pain with my hands tied down like this. I think my ribs are broken. It hurts to breathe.”

The man relaxed. “Of course.” At a flick of his hand, two guards came and sliced the rope holding her to the chair.

“Thank you. A man of power and mercy.” Sienna rubbed her wrists. He could be manipulated. If just one request were complied with, the second would be even easier to get from him. She just had to play this right. She would use respect and deception to gain his trust. Then she would plant the seeds of her survival.

The man bowed his head in acceptance of the compliment. “Dr. Ashton is in no condition to be a threat to my person. You may leave,” he commanded.

Sienna took time to notice the luxury she was in. Leather chairs, antique tables, and works of art she’d only seen pictures of filled the room around her. This was certainly not where she thought she’d be when she’d been tossed in the back of the car.

“Like what you see?” the man asked with pride in his voice.

“It’s beautiful,” Sienna answered honestly.

“What is your favorite?” he asked and gestured to the pictures hanging on the wall.

Sienna sighed longingly. “The Monet. The way the colors mix together in chaos to form a peaceful landscape . . . it’s masterful.”

The man smiled with pleasure. “I knew we would get along, Dr. Ashton. The Monet is yours . . . that is if we can find a way to work together.”

“I’d kill for that Monet. It has to be worth millions.” Sienna didn’t take her eyes from the painting.

“Excellent. You read my mind.”

*     *     *

Ryan slammed the door and started to pace the hallway filled with players. Seth was locked securely inside with officers and Detective Braxton while they waited for the U.S. attorney to get back to them with an immunity offer. No matter how much they threatened Seth, he wouldn’t talk. After a couple well-placed punches by some of the Thoroughbreds, he now had trouble talking.

That’s when Ryan knew he wasn’t helping anymore. He let Detective Braxton take a shot at breaking him and made a call to the nearest U.S. attorney with the authority to handle these kinds of matters.

“How do we know he wasn’t the one behind all of this?” one of the players asked the crowd.

Ryan tuned them out. Finding Sienna was the only thing on his mind.

“He was with Zack and then with me. Seth couldn’t have done it,” one of the players told the group.

Zack! Maybe he was having better luck with the man they captured whom he and Trey had taken away. Ryan reached for his phone but stopped when Wofford continued.

“They were meeting to hand Seth some investment money to deposit with Rook Capital Management.”

“Rook?” Ryan asked. “Do all of Seth’s clients use Rook?”

Wofford shrugged his thick shoulders. “I think so. Even if Seth’s not your agent, he lets us know about good investments. I’m sure he gets a kickback for sending players and coaches to Rook. Why?”

“Because that’s the only lead I have right now. Tell the detective to call me if she gets anything.”

Ryan rushed down the stairs and into his car as fast as he could. He got to Keeneston in half the usual time it should have taken. Trey’s SUV was still in Katelyn’s parking lot at the vet clinic when Ryan arrived. He headed straight for the front door, ignoring her secretary as he wound his way to the surgical room.

The sight that greeted him should have made him laugh, but he was too worried about Sienna to care about the six old people surrounding the man tied to the teeth-cleaning station. It was basically a sink the size of a surgical table with a metal grate on top. Miss Lily stood on a stepstool and smacked the man in the face with her broom. Miss Daisy and Miss Violet stood nearby with a wooden spoon and a spatula. Their husbands all stood behind them with tight faces.

“Zack, Trey, has he talked?” Ryan asked the two big men who were leaning against the wall.

“Charlie had to step in after Zack knocked the guy out,” Trey told him. “So we handed him over to the Rose sisters. They’ve irritated the hell out him.”

Zack had his arms crossed over his chest, keeping his eye on the man. “I failed. I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t fail. I did. But I’m going to fix it. I’ll find her.”

Ryan stepped forward as Miss Lily smacked the man in the face again with the broom. “Thank you for your help.”

“Get these old women away from me!” the man yelled as Anton stuffed a noxious-smelling rag into his mouth.

“What is that?” Ryan asked as he recoiled.

“Cheesecloth from Epoisses de Bourgogne. It’s a French cheese that is so smelly, it’s banned from being allowed on any public transportation in France,” Anton said with pride for his native country’s cheese.

“We’re going to have to burn our clothes, but it will be worth it,” John said.

Ryan tried not to breathe in through his nose as he stepped closer to the man. His brown eyes were wild and his complexion slightly green as he gagged on the cloth.

“I’m going to remove this rag and then I want you to tell me everything you know about Rook Capital Management.” The man’s eyes flashed in recognition of the name, and Ryan felt the first surge of anticipation hit him.

He reached forward and took the cheesecloth from the man’s mouth. “Talk.”

“I don’t know anything about Rook Capital.”

“Fine. I was trying to help you out.” Ryan shoved the cloth back into his mouth and stepped back. “Miss Violet, you’re up.”

The man started shouting behind the cloth. Ryan let Miss Violet get one good thwack in before removing the cloth. “Yes?”

“I need a doctor,” the man begged.

“You’ve had a doctor. I see Charlie fixed you up already.” Ryan gestured to the man’s knees wrapped in bandages. “I know. You need a visitor. Zack, bring the visitor in from the last run.”

Zack raised an eyebrow but went in search of the runs without saying anything.

“What’s your name? Mine’s Ryan.”

“I’m not telling you jack,” the man spat.

“Fine,” Ryan smiled. “I forgot a name of someone else we caught. Who was it? Oh, that’s right. Seth Hayes.”

The man’s eyes betrayed him yet again. He knew the name.

“What does Seth have to do with this?” Jaylen asked from behind Ryan. The man took one look at him and went from green to white.

“Jaylen, meet the man who tried and
failed
to kill you.”

“You son of a bitch!” Jaylen tried to charge forward, but Zack held him back.

“You see, this man was just about to tell me what role Seth has in their organization. He’s in police custody waiting for an immunity deal. So, I want to offer you a deal all of your own. Are you listening?” Ryan asked the man who nodded in return.

“Either way, you are going to die. You understand that, right? Either we kill you now or The Suit gets to you in prison. Now, Seth is a different story. If he gets an immunity deal, he gets put in witness protection and gets to mooch off the system for the rest of his life. However, if you tell me how Seth is involved, I’ll make sure he doesn’t get a deal and that you take your chance in prison. I’ll share that you didn’t cooperate with us, and even under torture, you never turned on your boss. Do you understand?”

“Yes,” the man said simply.

“Seth works for your boss, doesn’t he?” Ryan asked.

“Yes. He has for three years.”

“And your boss is known in the U.S. as The Suit and overseas as
Rais
.”

The man nodded and looked to Jaylen.

“And you were supposed to kill Jaylen because of Rook Capital,” Ryan stated.

The man let out a long breath and nodded. “Just like Seth had to kill Malik Coleman. They had to keep Malik quiet about Rook Capital. Malik was asking too many questions, and Jaylen was starting to as well.” Jaylen fought forward, but Zack and Trey pulled him back again.

“What does Seth do for your boss?” Ryan asked.

“He brings in the high rollers from professional sports. Young kids too stupid to know how to count their millions.”

“They help fund his terrorist operations. Operations that include a plan to blow up one of the stadiums during a game, isn’t that right?”

“You know more than we thought. It’s why a contract is on you. The person who kills you gets a Ferrari.” The man grinned at him, but Ryan ignored him.

“And Dr. Ashton?”

“Is alive and with the boss.”

“Where?” Ryan held his breath as the whole room waited for the answer.

“I don’t know. Boss has a small horse farm outside of Lexington, though.”

Ryan didn’t take a breath as he asked his last question. “What’s your boss's name?”

The man just smirked. “I gave you Seth. That’s all your getting.”

“Ladies,” Ryan said as he shoved the horrendously stinky cloth back in the man’s mouth.

“I can’t believe Seth is part of this,” Jaylen muttered. “I was so stupid. There were never any investments, were there? I gave millions to terrorists.” Jaylen seemed on the verge of crying.

“It’s a classic Ponzi scheme. It’s how the terrorist organization was funded.” Ryan shook his head in disbelief as Jaylen, Zack, Trey, and he walked out of the room. He pulled out his phone and sent a text to Detective Braxton.

“But I know the name of the head of Rook Capital Management. I’m supposed to meet with him about my big investment check I promised Seth.” Zack smiled.

“Who is he?” Ryan grabbed Zack’s arm in surprise.

“Bahir Deron.”

Trey nodded. “That’s right. I’ve even met him. I know where his farm is.”

“How?” Ryan asked in surprise.

“Seth approached me with an investment opportunity. But with all my money from sports and Taylor’s Hollywood money, we are wary of investors we don’t know. So Seth set up a dinner at Bahir’s farm. We were there with a few other well-off people, including Dani and Mo. From what I gather, everyone invested but the four of us.”

“I can’t believe it. Rook Capital is among one of the biggest names out there.” Ryan shook his head. “But, that’s how Ponzi schemes work. They pay off the newest people, like they did for Zack, and get them to put even more money in and then they'll manufacture a loss. Before we all know it, the money is siphoned into foreign accounts and Bahir is out of the country where we can’t touch him. Now, where’s this farm?”

Five minutes later Ryan headed to his car. “I’m coming, Sienna; hold on.”

He picked up his phone and called Nash. “I found him. Meet at my parents’ house in ten minutes.”

Next he called his brother, Jackson. “Hey, bro.” Ryan smiled when his brother answered the phone. He and Jackson had been inseparable growing up.

“Where are you?”

Jackson must have heard the seriousness in Ryan’s voice because he didn’t bother asking why Ryan was calling. “Ashland. I’m on the interstate heading home for a couple days. What’s going on?”

“Sienna’s in trouble.”

“I’ll be there in an hour,” Jackson said, and Ryan heard the engine rev over the phone. To get to Keeneston in half the time, Jackson would be flying.

“Meet at Mom and Dad’s,” Ryan instructed before hanging up.

CHAPTER TWENTY

Sienna let her hand shake as the man handed her a glass of water in the most exquisite crystal she’d ever seen. They had talked about art while drinks were brought in. The storm raged on outside, and Sienna had no idea what time it was or how long she’d been there. She just knew Ryan had to be getting closer with every minute that passed.

She had asked for water and the man had instantly ordered it for her. She was gaining his trust and making him more comfortable with her. As soon as she found out what he wanted, she could start manipulating him further.

“Thank you, sir.” Sienna gave him a shy smile as she tried to drink the water. It splashed from the rim and Sienna let the tears fall. “I’m so sorry. I just hurt so much.”

The man looked shocked for a second before taking the glass from her and putting it to her lips. Sienna took a greedy sip to wash the taste of dried blood from her mouth.

“No, I am sorry my man got carried away when he brought you to me. I’ll have him dealt with,” the man told her as he set the glass on the table.

“You’re so kind,” Sienna said again. “And I don’t even know what to call you so I can thank you properly.”

The man reached forward and put his hand over hers. “You may call me Bahir.”

“Thank you, Bahir.”

“Ah, Sienna, we’re going to be very rich together.” Bahir let go of her hand and sat back in his chair.

“How so?” Sienna asked.

“Not yet, Doctor. First, I need something from you.”

Sienna gave a little nod. “Of course. Anything I can do to repay you for your hospitality.”

“You want the Monet.” It was a statement, not a question. “Then I need you to kill someone for it.”

Sienna didn’t try to hide her shock. “But I’m a doctor. I help people, not hurt them.”

“But this person is dangerous. I believe you even know him—Seth Hayes.” Bahir kept eye contact with her while he talked.

This time Sienna didn’t let her emotions show. “I knew he was dangerous. Do you know he tried to attack me at my house the other night?”

That got Bahir’s attention. “No. I didn’t know that.”

“But you’ll protect me from him, won’t you?” Sienna asked. “Someone as powerful as you would have nothing to fear from a slime like Seth. He’s just out for his own gain, and he’ll sell out anyone to get it. Good thing you’re smart enough to keep him at arm's length. I can see why you would want him gone.”

“You can?” Bahir asked, surprised. “So you’ll do it? I’ll send my men with you, but you have to pull the trigger.”

Sienna nodded. “He’s the sort that would tattle on you to your teachers in school and blame you for something he did wrong. I thought he was a nice guy, but when I said I didn’t want to go out with him, he showed his true colors. He told me he would get me fired by telling the owners of the team all these lies about me. He’s definitely not to be trusted. But why should he worry you? You’re much too intelligent to let a backstabber like that into your . . . your, I’m sorry, what is it that you do besides collect beautiful art?”

“I’m an investor,” Bahir said, standing up. Sienna watched as he clenched and unclenched his fists. He started pacing, and she went in for the kill.

“Oh, that’s how you have so much money. I could tell you were business savvy. Not like Seth. He probably couldn’t keep a deal to himself to save his life.” Sienna laughed, even though it caused pain to shoot through her. “He’s the arrogant type that probably hides information on the people he’s working with. You know, those corny,
In case I die, here’s who’s responsible
letters that only narcissistic people would leave.”

Sienna held her breath. She celebrated her small victory as she watched Bahir take the time to mull over everything she had said.

He turned to her quickly. “Thank you for such insight. You are the expert. If you feel he would do something like that, then he probably has.” Bahir stepped to his desk and picked up his phone. He spoke quietly and quickly into it before slamming it down.

“What’s the matter?” Sienna asked, her voice full of concern.

“Nothing you need to worry about. In your studies, where do you find men feel the most secure?”

Sienna shrugged. “That’s easy—their home.”

“Thank you. Make yourself comfortable. I’ll send someone in to keep you company.”

Sienna gave him an innocent smile as he wrenched open the door. A minute later, a timid little woman came in with a tray of food. The door stood open, and Sienna looked down the exquisite hallway filled with landscape paintings, dark wood paneling, and deep red carpet lining the hardwood floor. Two armed guards stood on either side of the door, and she could see two more at the end of the hallway. Sienna nibbled on the food and planned her next mental attack. She knew she couldn’t take on four armed guards, but she’d already proven she was capable of manipulation. The biggest question: could she make Bahir so paranoid and insecure that he would start to trust her enough she could escape?

*     *     *

Nash and Ryan sat on the couch in his parents’ living room as Paige set a plate of cookies in front of them. Her husband, Cole, sat on the chair across from them and shook his head.

“Honey, they’re going to invade a farm for a hostage rescue. They don’t need cookies.”

Paige shrugged. “I have to do something since you told me I wasn’t young enough to do this type of thing anymore.”

Nash covered his laugh with a cough and Ryan closed his eyes and prayed Jackson would get there soon. His father, bless his heart, was not good with gestures and had a tendency to stick his well-intentioned foot into his mouth. His mother could outshoot the entire family, with the exception of his little sister, Greer, and was beyond miffed to be told she couldn’t help out tonight.

The sound of tires locking and sliding on the driveway was the best sound Ryan had heard all night. Jackson was home. The front door was flung open and Ryan’s little brother rushed in.
Little
wasn't the best description for a brother who stood just as tall as Ryan and a few pounds of muscle heavier. The main difference between the brothers was their eyes. While Ryan had inherited the Davies hazel eyes, Jackson’s were pure silver. When he was happy, they shined. In anger or determination, like they were now, they were cold and hard.

“What’s the rundown?” Jackson asked as he hugged his mom and dad.

Ryan started from the beginning and in three minutes gave Jackson a full report of the situation. Then it was Nash’s turn to fill Jackson in on some details he had learned about the terrorist organization’s headquarters when he had visited the farm as part of Mo and Dani’s security team.

“So, there’s five of us against possibly twenty or more armed guards on the property,” Jackson said, looking at the aerial photo of the farm.

Their mother huffed and stared at their father. “It’s just the four of you. Someone thinks I’m too old for this.”

Jackson looked up from the map and rolled his eyes at Ryan. “And when did you start listening to Dad? I need you here,” Jackson pointed to the top of a hill.

“And Dad can take the high ground here,” Ryan pointed.

“Wait a second, I’m not sitting outside while you all go in. I’m the head of the local FBI office, not you.”

Ryan grinned at his mom before looking at his dad. “If Mom is too old, and you’re older than Mom . . .”

Nash held up his hands. “Mr. Parker, Mrs. Parker, if we can get back to the plan. Sometimes it’s easier for a small group to go in undetected.”

“Damn right it is, and I should be the one leading this,” Ahmed said, walking in with his wife and Nabi.

Ryan heard Nash curse under his breath. Nash didn’t have time to put forth an argument when the front door was thrown open. Uncles and aunts poured in, followed by six white-haired seniors, William and Betsy Ashton, and Marcy and Jake Davies.

“We had to find out about this from John?” Aunt Annie accused. “Do you know how long it’s been since I broke into a house and shot someone?”

Uncles Cy, Miles, and Marshall shook their head at their sister-in-law.  “We actually have experience with terrorists and you didn’t call us?” Cade said, pointing to his brothers.

“You all?  I jumped out of a plane to save this guy’s butt,” Bridget said with an eye roll at the guys. “And it’s a great butt,” Bridget added when Ahmed raised a single eyebrow.

Kenna Ashton clung to her husband’s arm. “You love her, don’t you, Ryan?” At her question the room went silent.

Ryan took in Kenna’s pale, drawn face and the way her fingers dug into Will’s arm and knew now wasn’t the time to dance around anything. “Yes, ma’am. Very much.”

“Then you decide what to do. You won’t risk her life with a bad plan,” Kenna said with a shaky voice.

The quiet group turned to Ryan. “I can use you all, but I only want the three of us to enter the house,” Ryan ordered and motioned for the group to gather around the table with a map on it.

“I want all aunts surrounding the property here. I want all the uncles here. Ahmed, Nabi, and Bridget, I want you close by in case we need you. Do you have Ace with you?” Ryan asked of the current police dog Bridget was training.

Bridget nodded. “When I heard what was going on, I grabbed Ace, Gunner, and Heidi. Ahmed, Nabi, and I can send them in if we need to.”

“Sounds good. Dad, do you have enough coms here?” Ryan asked. They had brought enough for five but not the extended family.

“I brought our security team’s coms,” Nabi told them as he held up a bag. “I had a feeling that we wouldn’t be the only people to show up.”

“Vests?” Aunt Morgan asked as she grabbed an earpiece from Nabi.

“I have enough of those,” Cole told them. He went to the closet to pull them out.

“Annie and I brought rifles for those who don’t have their own,” Cade said.

“I don’t have one,” Miss Lily piped up from the back. “And since I’ve had my cataract surgery, I can see a good deal better.”

The room turned and stared at her. Ryan wasn’t quite sure what to say. His grandmother, Marcy Davies, stepped forward and put her arm around Miss Lily. “Even if my children don’t realize they’re getting too old to play hero all the time, we know better and know it’s time we take our place on the sidelines. We can run communications, can’t we, Cole?”

Cole nodded at his mother-in-law. “Here’s the map. You run the show, ladies. Mark where everyone is and make sure they’re in position before you give our boys the go signal.”

“Perfect, then I don’t have to worry about my arthritis accidently setting off the trigger.” Miss Violet smiled and took the map.

The next five minutes were spent in silence as bulletproof vests were strapped on, ammunition handed out, and coms tested. “Is everyone ready?” Ryan asked.

Kenna swiped at a tear. “Bring my daughter back to us, Ryan,” she said so softly he almost didn’t hear her. She put shaking hands on his shoulders and rose up on her tippy-toes to place a kiss on his cheek.

Will just nodded, unable to speak, and wrapped his wife in his arms once again. They slowly walked from the house with the Rose sisters and his grandparents.

The house cleared in quiet contemplation of what was ahead as they moved to their cars. They would all be meeting a short distance from the farm and would hike into the property.

“Ryan, Jackson, a moment,” their mother said once everyone had left. “I may act tough, but I’ve never been so scared. You are my boys—my children. And I’m letting you put yourself in danger. I can’t tell you not to go—it’s who you are. But be safe. And if you need me, I will sacrifice it all to save you. Do you understand me? I will bust down that door by myself if I think you’re in trouble.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Ryan and Jackson said together, their voices thick with emotion.

“Good, now go get Sienna. I’m ready for grandchildren.”

Ryan stared at his mother as she walked purposefully out the door with a sniper rifle over her shoulder.

“Damn,” Jackson cursed and blew out a breath.

“Exactly. I’ve never seen Mom like that.”

“She must really want grandchildren,” Jackson smiled then. “Uncle Jackson . . . it has a good ring to it. I bet it would help me pick up chicks. They always go mushy-eyed over men with babies. Hey, I get to be best man, right?”

Ryan shook his head as they walked outside to join Nash. “I haven’t even thought about proposing yet, and y’all are already onto babies.”

Jackson and Nash snorted.

“What?” Ryan asked, getting into the car.

“Except you’ve thought about marrying Sienna since you were six,” Jackson stated.

“Yeah, even I know you want to marry her. And by the time I showed up in Keeneston, you all had that little love-hate thing going on because she thought you were too young. Then she didn’t, and you were too stubborn to let her show you that she wanted you. Does that sum it up?” Nash asked with a slight twitch of his lips.

Ryan crossed his arms over his vest. “Fine, I want to marry her. I love her. But her life is here, and I’ve made a life for myself in L.A.”