Ride the Tide (Deep Six #3) - Julie Ann Walker Page 0,65
was like the punch of a bullet or the slice of a knife. The flesh was so shocked it could not process the injury. Even though his mind now had the horrific, bloody truth, his body could not accept it.
“Tell me.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
“I gained access to the morgue during the shift change.” Cas’s throat was thick with grief. “I identified Kazem and Mahmoud.”
Though Izad had been expecting them, the words still stung like a thousand angry hornets. Bile burned the back of his throat. “Was it quick?”
Cas nodded. “A headshot.”
Izad let out a ragged breath and sent up a prayer of thanks. If there was any peace to be had, it was in knowing his boy had not suffered.
“I am sorry, sir,” Navid whispered, wiping at the tears that slipped down his cheeks. Kazem had been a favorite of all the men in Izad’s security detail, a blazing light that had brightened their days.
Now, thanks to Mason McCarthy, Kazem’s fire had been snuffed out forever.
“Do not be.” Izad’s jaw clenched so tightly the words were barely intelligible. His grief would not help him now. But his anger would. He opened himself to it. Letting it fill him. “Just help me kill Mason McCarthy.”
The American lifted a hand. “Is anyone interested in how I think we can accomplish that?”
As much as it infuriated Izad to admit it, the American had been right. About everything. It was time for Izad to heed the man’s advice.
Age also brought with it humility.
“Go on then,” he said with a nod. “Tell us what you have in mind.”
* * *
9:18 a.m.
Seated as Mason was, across the aisle and one row back from Alex, he was privy to little more than her profile when she finally turned from the window. But that was enough to tell him her face, which was usually in motion—her mouth grinning with devilment, her eyes rounding in excitement—was now completely still.
Closed off.
Blank.
The thought that he was the cause of the change had a deep, abiding regret filling him up, pressing against his skin until he thought he might burst from it. But for the life of him, he couldn’t understand where he’d gone wrong.
He’d done as she asked. Chosen option A and kissed her—boy, had he ever; he was still reeling from it. Then afterward he’d sent Meat to keep her company for the night because that’s what friends do. They lend their lovable animals to those in need of a furry face. And yet the look on her face this morning—
“I’ll give you to the count of one to explain yourself.” Doc, his seat mate, leaned close to growl in his ear, “And then I’m going to punch you in the balls.”
“Huh?” Mason blinked incredulously.
“I know you understand English, cock-holster.” Bloodthirstiness gleamed in Doc’s green eyes. “It’s one of your greatest achievements.”
Mason’s chin jerked back. “Why the fuck are you treating me like a bleached asshole?”
“Because you hurt Alex. Again.” There was a world of accusation in Doc’s tone.
All the air leaked from Mason’s lungs and left him sagging. “I know,” he admitted grievously. “But I dunno what I did!”
“No?” Doc glared at him. “I thought you were headed to her room to explain things. But now I see you went and baked Donna’s cake instead.”
“I did go to Alex’s room to explain things, and we made a pact to be nothing more than friends,” Mason said defensively. “Also, not that it’s any of your frickin’ business, but I didn’t bake Donna’s cake. After I left Alex, I went to Donna’s house to break things off with her. But then I fell asleep on her couch. Blame it on the blood loss.”
For a while, Doc was quiet. Then, “If you and Alex made a pact to be friends, why did you kick Donna to the curb?”
“Fuck if I know,” Mason admitted wretchedly. “Just felt wrong keeping things going with her when…when…” His voice trailed off.
When what?
When what he felt for Alex was so much more than what he’d ever feel for Donna? When his feelings for Alex affected him like he’d never been affected before, even with Sarah? When everything and everyone paled in comparison to Alex, and when the thought of being with someone else held absolutely zero interest for him?
He closed his eyes and saw Alex. Her head thrown back against the hotel door. Her little pink nipple tight and wet from his mouth.