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Hadley pulled out a folding knife. While it wasn’t a dagger or combat knife, it could still do damage.
Ryder tensed, ready to launch himself at the former soldier—gun be damned—if that blade came too close to Nathalie’s neck.
Instead, Hadley slipped the blade behind the chair and cut the ties binding her wrists.
Her arms flopped to her side, and she moaned, her face twisting in a grimace of pain. The sharp plastic of the zip-tie had marked her delicate wrists.
Rage thrummed hot and deadly in Ryder’s veins.
“Put the call on speaker,” Hadley said. “I want to hear everything.”
Ryder tapped on Lachlan’s mobile number. It rang once before Lachlan answered.
“You bloody fool.” Lachlan’s voice was a low simmer of anger, but Ryder caught the underlying concern in his mate’s tone.
“We’re on speaker. Hadley has Nathalie. He wants a plane to Cuba, with Nathalie on it. When the plane lands, he says he’ll let it return to the States with Nathalie on board.”
For a moment, there was silence on the other end of the phone.
“Let me speak to him.”
“Right here, Captain.” Hadley raised his voice so Lachlan could hear him. “Been a long time.”
“Hadley, pal, we need to find a way out of this together where no one gets hurt.”
“I’ve found a way. Get me a plane to Cuba. I won’t have to worry about US extradition, and your client can return unharmed.”
“What makes you think I can make this happen?”
“Because the lovely lady here has an FBI gaffer who treats her like a daughter. He can make it happen.”
“I’m going with her,” Ryder cut in.
“No, you’re not.” Hadley narrowed his eyes at Ryder. “I may think you’re a spoiled, minted bloke, but I know the skills you possess. Nathalie and I go alone with one pilot.”
“Ryder.” Lachlan’s voice took on a warning note that had Ryder’s senses sharpening. “Caleb is going to go through the roof when he hears this.”
Caleb is breaching the second story.
“Yes. He will.”
Acknowledged.
“Who the fuck is Caleb?” Hadley snapped. His gaze darted around the room. More sweat dampened his forehead.
“One of my colleagues who warned me not to come here alone.” Ryder injected a wry note into his tone.
Hadley wasn’t stupid—he was too well-trained. Ryder couldn’t afford to have him on alert for anything suspicious if the plan Lachlan had set into motion was going to succeed.
“Get me that fucking plane!” Hadley shouted. “I’m not your soldier to command anymore, Mackay.” He aimed his weapon over Nathalie’s shoulder at Ryder. “And I’m no longer your teammate.”
“Relax, pal.” Lachlan’s Caithness accent deepened. “I’m making the—”
“Ring off.” Spittle flew from Hadley’s lips.
Ryder pressed the end call button. He could feel Nathalie’s eyes on him but didn’t dare take his focus off Hadley. He took a step forward.
“Stay put.”