Free Captured in Croatia by Christine Edwards

neck. It was quick. I kept her purse and threw her body into the water. The current was swift last night. By the time someone finds her, she will be unrecognizable. There will be no link. One call to Goran at the Wet Works Club and the security tape of her talking with us last night will be erased. I’ll make certain of it.”
    Juric purses his lips in thought and finally nods. “Ok ay, Zoran, very well then. Be certain to pay off Goran for the favor. Excellent work. I’m sure you realize that the rest of your men lost her team in their pursuit last night?”
    “Yes. I am aware of this.”
    “I want her belongings.”
    I hand over the black leather clutch purse, knowing exactly what is left in it. More importantly, what has been removed. Juric would lose his fucking mind if he knew what she accessed on his computer. Seeing as nothing was done with it and the design is safe in my competent hands, there is nothing further to discuss. I stand to leave.
    Juric begins to speak , obviously not finished with me. “Sonia Reese, 512 Oak Street, Chicago, Illinois. This is undoubtedly a fake identification card, Zoran. She thought she could mess with a bull and look what it got her. Stupid, beautiful girl. What a waste. She would have been a fantastic fuck, too, with that tight body of hers.”
    I bite down hard on the inside of my cheek, tasting blood, and struggle to reveal nothing. It’s not a difficult task. I’m more accustomed to masking emotion than showing it.
    “I’m taking two weeks off , effective now.” My look dares my pompous employer to challenge me.
    Lowering his pansy -ass espresso cup, he asks in an annoyingly refined tone that’s all business, “Do you think that is wise? After what just occurred with the American? What, did the death of the pretty girl affect you?”
    Is he dense enough to try and antagonize me? Fuck him . He may sign my hefty paychecks because he can’t defend himself but that doesn’t give him the right to start up with the insinuations. I’m shutting this shit down. Now .
    In a tight voice , I reiterate my earlier statement, “I told you what I’m doing. I won’t say it again. I took out a woman for you last night and now I’m taking a long overdue break.”
    I turn to make my way off the sunlit, stone veranda without so much as a goodbye.
    Juric knows not to fuck with me. He could hire more expensive security, but he certainly couldn’t find more experienced and ruthless guards. My four men will keep things secure while I’m away. They’ve been well trained to act in my absence, but I plan to contact them later today and give them explicit instructions on how to keep on top of everything while I’m away.
    F or now my top priority is to get back to Villa Vranic, right after a few necessary stops in town. The V-8 engine of my matte black H1 Hummer roars to life and I waste no time ripping out of the ridiculously detailed circular driveway.
    As soon as I get home, a shower and a hot meal are at the top of my list. And afterwards, a long overdue chat with my princeza  ….
    ***
    “Fire now, Carew!”
    My father, in his starched, tan military uniform, stands behind me, instructing me on how to best hit the moving target. I take the shot … and miss. Again.
    “Focus ! You’re distracted. In combat, a distraction will get you the top prize, my girl: death. Now go again. You’ll stay here until you land ten in a row.”
    I redouble my efforts , wanting to succeed, wanting so desperately to please him ….
    Through a fog, a loud crunching sound registers in my sleepy brain, jerking me fully awake and banishing the old memory. My eyes fly open. I lift my head from the down pillow and blink twice. Leaning casually on one hip against the rail at the top of the steps is a man. A supremely hot man, who looks a hell of a lot like Zoran.
    While munching on a vivid, red apple, he watches me clutch the white duvet in open amusement. He’s wearing a fitted gray t-shirt and dark green