Risk by Jamie Freveletti Read Free Book Online

should shoot them just for that.” She stepped back toward the two men. “Seems like the Supreme Son lied. He didn’t tell them about his six wives and screwed up his policy.”
    â€œSix wives?” Vanderlock said. He looked at Gage. “Guy will never have a moment’s peace.”
    Gage grinned and Ruth gave a quiet snort.
    â€œYou two ever hear of the court system?” Caldridge said. “They have a fairly sophisticated one here in America and you can hash it out there. You don’t attack people to get your way. The Supreme Son ever tell you that?”
    The skinny one’s face suffused with red. “The Supreme Son doesn’t believe in the laws of the outsiders.”
    Caldridge strolled over to the cocktail table and placed her glass on it.
    â€œSounds like he wants the benefits of the outsiders but not the risks, huh?” she said.
    Ryan smiled. He couldn’t have said it better himself.
    â€œLay down on the grass. We’re going to have the outsiders’ police come and take you away to their prison.”
    Vanderlock pushed on the man’s skull and the man lowered himself to his knees.
    â€œYou want to frisk him?” he said to Caldridge. The man gave Vanderlock an outraged look.
    â€œShe’s not to touch me. She’s unclean.”
    Ryan wanted to hit the man for what he’d said. His hands shook, but this time with anger. Ruth must have noticed his reaction, because she reached out and touched his arm. He took a deep breath. He couldn’t see Caldridge’s face, but Vanderlock seemed amused by the statement.
    â€œI know, for a fact, that Caldridge showers at least once a week.”
    Caldridge said nothing, but Ryan thought he saw a smile cross her face.
    â€œAnd I’d be careful if I were you. I’ve seen her blow men away for less. You don’t want your brains fertilizing my lawn, you’d better lie down. Now.”
    The skinny one finished closing the distance to the ground and laid down, face-first. The one in front of Gage did the same.
    â€œCaldridge, next move?” Vanderlock said.
    â€œTie them up until the police get here.”
    Vanderlock nodded and headed to the same box that he’d removed the gun from, this time pulling out a length of white, waxed rope.
    â€œHe won’t get away,” the skinny one yelled from his prone position on the lawn. “We won’t rest until Ryan pays up and the Supreme Son is released.”
    â€œWho has him?” Gage asked.
    â€œKeep your mouth shut,” the second man hissed at the skinny one. Gage and Vanderlock exchanged glances. Caldridge stepped back to whisper at Ryan.
    â€œYou know who kidnapped him?”
    â€œNo. With a denial of coverage, it wasn’t the company’s problem. ”
    â€œUntil now,” she said.
    T HREE HOURS LATER the police had come and the men were bundled into a police wagon, and now Ryan clutched his copy of the report he’d given the officers. Both he and Caldridge were back in the boat and near Star Island. Caldridge’s hair fanned out behind her as she piloted them into the no wake zone. She hadn’t said much during the trip and he hadn’t either. He was exhausted, but noticed that his hands had long since stopped shaking. She reached the dock, leapt out and assisted Ryan as he returned the bumpers to their position, snapped the cover back on, and the two of them headed to the small boathouse. She put the keys on the hook and they left the villa by the front gate. The guard house was empty and there was no sign of either the guard or the police.
    â€œI’m worried that the guard will tell the police that you had a gun as well,” Ryan said. “That you’re part of the trouble.”
    Caldridge shrugged, looking unconcerned, and pointed at the cameras. “They’ll replay the tape and figure out that we were under attack and running away. When added to our initial call to