LITMIR.BIZ

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the bad news to him. He raised an arched, angry brow. “What do you mean you still don't have Ms. Avery? I was counting on you, Santini. Now twice you and your people have disappointed me.”

      Raul Santini came to his feet in defense of both himself and his men. “It's not as easy as you think to snatch an American woman off the streets of Brazil. These things take time. Do you have any idea of the repercussions we'll face if the North American government finds out about your plan and connects us to it?”

      Rasheed looked long and hard at his old friend. During their teen years, the two of them had attended a private academy in France. Santini's father was an ambassador from Argentina. “You agreed to help me, Santini.”

      “And I will. At least I will try, Monty,” Santini replied, calling Valdemon by the name his friends had given him at the academy. “But just like you have to be careful to protect your country, I must do the same for mine, my friend. I can't take any unnecessary chances.”

      Rasheed sighed deeply and ran a hand over his face. “You have nothing to worry about. I told you that in the very beginning. American tourists disappear in foreign countries all the time, and the only people who make any noise about it are their families. They soon quiet down once they see their government won't do anything. Some tourists have been missing for years. Americans traveling abroad are on their own.”

      “But this isn't just any American, Monty. Ms. Avery is the sister of a United States senator.”

      “So what? As far as I am concerned, we'll be doing Joshua Avery a favor. He can't seem to handle her anyway. I'm sure that initially there may be some sort of an investigation, but in time, that, too, shall pass.”

      He came and sat on the edge of his desk and faced his friend. “Remember that if I succeed in this, your country will be rewarded greatly. You know me well enough to know that I never forget my friends.”

      Santini sighed, knowing that was true. Valdemon had secretly helped his country on a number of occasions. While at the academy several of them, all sons of important political figures from various nations, had formed a pact, a secret cartel. If there was anything one of them could do that would benefit the other's homeland, then they would do it. He had called on his friends in the cartel several times. However, this was the first time one of them had called on South America for help.

      “We would have grabbed her yesterday had that man not shown up,” Santini finally said, breaking the silence.

      Rasheed blinked at the unexpected news. He stood. “What man?”

      “The American who arrived before my men could do anything. And according to them, the man seemed to be a close friend of Ms. Avery. Possibly even her lover. He handled her with too much familiarity to be anything less.”

      Rasheed frowned. According to Joshua Avery, his sister was not romantically involved with anyone. “And your men couldn't handle one man?”

      “Not this particular man. He's had extensive military training.”

      Rasheed's frown deepened. “And how do your men know that?”

      “Because he wears the ring.”

      “What ring?”

      “The Force Reconnaissance ring.”

      Any military man, no matter what country he was from, had heard about the Force Recon group. They were an elite, highly skilled, specially trained group of men in the United States Marine Corps. A special breed of warriors, they were a close-knit group, almost like a brotherhood, who proudly wore their signet rings to prove it. To anyone else's observant eye it would look like just another signet ring. But to another military man, no matter what branch of service and no matter from what country, that ring had significant meaning.

      “Are you sure?” Rasheed asked quietly, thoughtfully.

      “I'm positive. The two men who reported back to me are former military men with the Argentine government. They would know.”

      Rasheed's mood darkened. “This changes nothing. I won't be satisfied until I receive the news that Corinthians Avery is on her way to Mowaiti.”

      “And the American protecting her?”

      “He's your problem. You deal with him.”

      Santini shook his head. “You're taking a big chance, Monty.”

      “Am I?” he challenged. “Can you say you wouldn't do the same to save your country if given the chance, big or small?”

      Santini thought about his love for his own country and knew there was nothing he wouldn't do for his people. “No.”

      Rasheed smiled. He knew his friend understood. He walked over to him and touched him on the shoulder. “Once I have Ms. Avery and she finds oil, Mowaiti's troubles will be over. Out of friendship and honor, please continue to help me on this.”

      Santini nodded. “I will.”

      Trevor glanced around the crowded banquet room. Most of the people present had attended today's meeting and represented more than fifty major oil companies from around the world. They were people who were well-trained in scientific and technical skills in ways to extract oil reserves. The purpose of the all-day meeting had been to share as much of that knowledge as possible without leaking any company secrets.

      He couldn't help but be proud of the way Corinthians had handled herself. He hadn't missed the look of admiration and respect in a number of the men's eyes. She had done something a lot of them had yet to do, and that was to use her vast knowledge and skill to locate an oil basin. As far as he was concerned, that said a lot for someone who was the only female head geologist in the group. When she had given her presentation, a lot of eyes had been on her. Some, he'd noticed, for reasons other than the information she was providing. Her physical beauty had entranced them. And he had to grudgingly admit, he hadn't liked it one bit. At first he had convinced himself that he hadn't cared that other men were looking at her with male interest. But later he'd been man enough to admit he'd lied to himself.

      He had cared. More than he had wanted to.

      He was reaching for another glass of wine off the tray of a passing waiter when the room suddenly became quiet. He turned to see what had caused the silence and felt his stomach tighten. Corinthians stood in the doorway and she looked absolutely gorgeous. Trevor took a quick glance around the room. Some of the men were openly drooling. His anger heightened. You would think they had never seen a beautiful American woman before. Even Armond Thetas appeared spellbound.

      Trevor's gaze hardened as he looked at Corinthians again. A sudden knot formed in his throat. He himself had seen numerous beautiful American women, but never like this. She had really outdone herself tonight. He blinked once, then twice, to make sure he was seeing straight. She was dressed in—of all things—a virginal white, flowing evening gown. The gown's color was a stark contrast against the dark hue of her skin. But the combination of coloring made her look absolutely stunning, breathtaking.

      Trevor glanced back around the room. A number of the men, although married, had not bothered to bring their wives with them on this trip. They were the main ones slobbering at the sight of Corinthians. The sight was totally disgusting.

      His gaze moved back to the doorway. He could gather from Corinthians's expression she had also noted the fact that she was on display. She stood transfixed in place, scanning the group as if to make up her mind whether or not she really wanted to enter a den filled with salivating wolves.

      Trevor noticed she kept glancing around the room as if looking for someone. He suddenly realized she was searching for him. He was surprised, given the on-going feud between them. He quickly reached the conclusion that to her way of thinking, he was just one more brazen, salivating wolf among many, but he was the one Corinthians assumed she could handle.

      What the heck, he would let her assume whatever she liked, he thought, moving toward her. And he would let the people here tonight assume whatever they wanted to think, he thought further, picking up his pace. A few seconds later he was standing

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