prick sometimes.”
There were varied murmurs of assent, and Jackson glanced at Lisa Bee, then looked down.
Mahmoud went to continue but was interrupted by the Boss standing up. “Here’s the thing, Mahmoud,” he began. “This all looks like a great plan, but I feel like I’m not really needed here. I think I should return to the States, deal with stuff going on in the office, and operate from there. I can be more effective if I’m a point person for you guys stateside, and it looks like you’ve got things covered anyway.”
Lisa Bee jumped right in. “Should I go back with you, Bossman? I can do office stuff, and we can take care of any outstanding business together—”
Mahmoud cut her off, shooting a glance at Jackson. “Actually, Ms. Bee, we think we could really use you here, if that’s okay—Jackson has told me that you have great skill with keeping everyone on task, and he could use your help uncovering some local leads. We need someone here who knows the terrain, which is where Jackson comes in—he’s going to manage the local mission. He’ll take you around town to follow up on some stuff, and together you can make sure we’re covered in Tangier. You’ll also keep an eye out for any signs of the head of the ring, who we suspect shows up from time to time to check on his network. In between, Jackson can be a tour guide. Sound good to you?”
‡‡‡
THE MEN MET GAZES, and a conversation passed between their eyes. Initially, Jackson had planned for Mahmoud to stay local with Lisa Bee and for him and Tyka to go hunting abroad. Clearly Mahmoud had sensed the need for a change. Jackson nodded at Mahmoud so slowly it was almost imperceptible. He’d have to thank him later on for having his back, even when Jackson had acted like such an idiot earlier on the porch. That was the thing about Mahmoud, he was family. And like Jackson always had his back, Mahmoud always had Jackson’s.
Lisa Bee still looked pissed. She wouldn’t look at him and it was really frustrating. He’d have to figure out how to get back in her good graces. Play the friend card, right ? Or be open about his feelings? He was totally conflicted, and felt it was getting in the way of his work. So he continued to let Mahmoud run the meeting, because he didn’t think he could trust himself to stay on task.
“Well, Ms. Bee?” Mahmoud pressed. “What do you think?”
Lisa Bee exhaled a deep breath and said, “Whatever. So long as Jackson takes his chill pills and keeps his libido to a dull roar.”
Everyone laughed, not noticing the sudden clench in Jackson’s jaw. He swallowed hard and responded, “I’ll cage the tiger if it’s too much for you to handle.”
The Boss jumped in. “Let’s keep going, Mahmoud. When Jackson starts talking about his tiger, I like to make a hasty exit.”
“You and me both, John,” Mahmoud said with a smile. “And don’t make your exit too hasty . . . we need to give you all the info so you’re up to speed. All right, last but not least, me and the lady assassin. Our main task is to connect to our contacts worldwide and try to get to the bad guys before they get to Susannah’s father. We’ll ask Gabriella for her help in dealing with the Italian syndicate and the French offshoot; Jackson and Ms. Bee will deal with hunting down the local Moroccan contingent; and Ms. Tyka and I will hunt down the head of all of them. That is, if it is all right with you, Ms. Tyka? I have great need of your talents in both espionage and gunplay.”
‡‡‡
TYKA SHOOK HER long blond hair and shrugged. She was happy doing anything as long as it utilized her expertise. Having to spend time in the company of this slick, pretentious joker was not what she would have chosen, but so be it. “I’m happy to help in whatever way you need. And gunplay is a bit of a patronizing word, no? Guns are not toys. And I take my work very seriously.”
“Of course,” Mahmoud responded instantly. “Forgive me,
There were varied murmurs of assent, and Jackson glanced at Lisa Bee, then looked down.
Mahmoud went to continue but was interrupted by the Boss standing up. “Here’s the thing, Mahmoud,” he began. “This all looks like a great plan, but I feel like I’m not really needed here. I think I should return to the States, deal with stuff going on in the office, and operate from there. I can be more effective if I’m a point person for you guys stateside, and it looks like you’ve got things covered anyway.”
Lisa Bee jumped right in. “Should I go back with you, Bossman? I can do office stuff, and we can take care of any outstanding business together—”
Mahmoud cut her off, shooting a glance at Jackson. “Actually, Ms. Bee, we think we could really use you here, if that’s okay—Jackson has told me that you have great skill with keeping everyone on task, and he could use your help uncovering some local leads. We need someone here who knows the terrain, which is where Jackson comes in—he’s going to manage the local mission. He’ll take you around town to follow up on some stuff, and together you can make sure we’re covered in Tangier. You’ll also keep an eye out for any signs of the head of the ring, who we suspect shows up from time to time to check on his network. In between, Jackson can be a tour guide. Sound good to you?”
‡‡‡
THE MEN MET GAZES, and a conversation passed between their eyes. Initially, Jackson had planned for Mahmoud to stay local with Lisa Bee and for him and Tyka to go hunting abroad. Clearly Mahmoud had sensed the need for a change. Jackson nodded at Mahmoud so slowly it was almost imperceptible. He’d have to thank him later on for having his back, even when Jackson had acted like such an idiot earlier on the porch. That was the thing about Mahmoud, he was family. And like Jackson always had his back, Mahmoud always had Jackson’s.
Lisa Bee still looked pissed. She wouldn’t look at him and it was really frustrating. He’d have to figure out how to get back in her good graces. Play the friend card, right ? Or be open about his feelings? He was totally conflicted, and felt it was getting in the way of his work. So he continued to let Mahmoud run the meeting, because he didn’t think he could trust himself to stay on task.
“Well, Ms. Bee?” Mahmoud pressed. “What do you think?”
Lisa Bee exhaled a deep breath and said, “Whatever. So long as Jackson takes his chill pills and keeps his libido to a dull roar.”
Everyone laughed, not noticing the sudden clench in Jackson’s jaw. He swallowed hard and responded, “I’ll cage the tiger if it’s too much for you to handle.”
The Boss jumped in. “Let’s keep going, Mahmoud. When Jackson starts talking about his tiger, I like to make a hasty exit.”
“You and me both, John,” Mahmoud said with a smile. “And don’t make your exit too hasty . . . we need to give you all the info so you’re up to speed. All right, last but not least, me and the lady assassin. Our main task is to connect to our contacts worldwide and try to get to the bad guys before they get to Susannah’s father. We’ll ask Gabriella for her help in dealing with the Italian syndicate and the French offshoot; Jackson and Ms. Bee will deal with hunting down the local Moroccan contingent; and Ms. Tyka and I will hunt down the head of all of them. That is, if it is all right with you, Ms. Tyka? I have great need of your talents in both espionage and gunplay.”
‡‡‡
TYKA SHOOK HER long blond hair and shrugged. She was happy doing anything as long as it utilized her expertise. Having to spend time in the company of this slick, pretentious joker was not what she would have chosen, but so be it. “I’m happy to help in whatever way you need. And gunplay is a bit of a patronizing word, no? Guns are not toys. And I take my work very seriously.”
“Of course,” Mahmoud responded instantly. “Forgive me,
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