He’d get her out.
Suddenly, the door opened. “Darling, there you are. I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
Haven instantly recognized the handsome man in an impeccable Armani tux.
Right. She’d forgotten about her in-house rescuer. Zane Roth. Owner of Roth Enterprises. Finance billionaire.
The body under the suit looked lean and solid. Not a man who just sat at a desk. His thick, brown hair was well-cut, and his smile was as sexy as hell.
She smiled. “Zane.”
“Hey—” Ivan took a step forward.
Zane ignored the bodyguard and took her hand. He winked at her. “I just needed my lovely date.”
“Mr. Volkov wants to talk to her,” Ivan rumbled.
“I’m afraid we have other plans.” Zane tucked her close to his side and headed for the door.
Ivan sidestepped and tried to block them.
Zane’s handsome face sharpened. “You know who I am?”
Ivan grunted. “Yeah.”
“I’m guessing your boss doesn’t want you to piss me off. So, I suggest you get out of my way.”
Boldly, Zane brushed past the man and dragged her into the hall.
As they walked down the hallway, he tipped his head close to hers, voice lowered. “I’m Zane. Sorry to meet you under these circumstances, Haven.”
“Hi. Thanks for the rescue.”
“I don’t usually get much of a chance to play knight in shining armor.” He patted her arm. “Vander sent the house layout to my phone. We are to make a hasty exit out a side door and into the garden. Likely Volkov will send his goons to find you.”
“I’m cursed,” she muttered. “Like the crappiest luck known to man. Or woman.”
“Well, you have the Norcross brothers at your back, so I’d say your luck is changing. Now, smile, and look like I’m the most handsome, charming man you’ve ever met.”
Despite everything, Haven laughed.
Chapter Sixteen
Listening to Volkov come on to Haven, oozing his slime all over her, was one of the hardest things Rhys had been forced to listen to.
What was worse, was not being able to do anything about it.
He curled his hands, his knuckles turning white. Knowing that she was in there, alone, afraid—
Vander clamped his hand on Rhys’ shoulder. “She’s doing fine. Your girl is tough.”
Rhys nodded. She was. He just wished she didn’t have to be. She’d been through enough.
They were standing in the shadows, one house away from Volkov’s mansion. Somehow, Vander had ensured the homeowners were out for the night. Rhys heard the music and murmurs of people on the terrace.
The rest of the Norcross team was spread around the area. They were all good—Ghost Ops had honed them to be the best in the world. Easton hadn’t been Ghost Ops, but he’d been a damn good Ranger. They hadn’t let their skills go rusty, not even Easton.
Vander’s friend, Zane Roth, was in there too. Still, the man was a billionaire businessman, not a soldier. If things went south…
Then Rhys heard Volkov’s tone turn steely across the line.
“Let’s discuss…art some more after the party.”
Rhys’ body locked. He heard Vander curse under his breath.
“I insist,” Volkov said. “I’m a man who’s very used to getting everything he wants, Haven.”
Fuck. Anger exploded in Rhys. He took two steps.
Vander grabbed him. “You can’t burst in there. There are security guards everywhere.”
“That asshole wants my woman. Threatened her.”
He could hear her fast breathing across the line. She was afraid. He listened to her trying to get out of the library using the bathroom excuse. Smart girl.
But Volkov’s thug wasn’t falling for it.
“Help,” she murmured.
With a growl, Rhys shoved against Vander. Rome appeared out of the darkness. Both men shoved him against the wall of the neighboring house.
“You go in there, you put her at more risk.” Vander’s tone was the same one he used as commander of their Ghost Ops unit. “She needs you clearheaded.”
Shit. Rhys’ shoulders slumped. “Vander…”
“We’ll get her out.” His brother lifted his phone. “Zane, you’re a go. She’s being held in the library. Get out via the side exit. Schematics are on your phone.”
Seconds later, Rhys heard a man’s charming, yet authoritative voice on the line. Every muscle in Rhys’ body went tight, vibrating with tension. Rhys listened as Zane Roth got Haven clear of the library.
The ugly noise inside him rose to deafening levels, urging him to move, run, fight, take action. That horrible burn that he’d dealt with ever since he’d left the military. The nightmares and flashbacks had faded, thanks to the counseling Vander had forced on them. But the noise never went away.
Rhys figured it, and the edginess, the need to move, was a small price