Based on, of all things, their Amazon shipping details, Ryder theorizes that the family home is in Kullu, wherever the fuck that is. With her help, we manage to divert everyone to the regional airport that serves the small towns in that area.
I don't know when I last slept, but Charlie and I are met in the hangar by Olga and an extraordinarily handsome man with long wheat-blond hair.
Charlie walks up to the new guy and gives him a hug. “Anders, buddy. Nice to see you again.”
Anders grins and smacks his back. “Same, brother.”
Anders then signals to the other jet in the hangar and three men descend. One is a stone-cold silver fox with tattoos crawling up his neck and down his arms. He’s built like a brick shithouse. The other two are Middle Eastern, one rather tall and muscled, the other short and wiry with a very big gun strapped to his back.
“I asked for killers, not models,” I mutter under my breath.
Olga leans in and whispers back. “Oh, these are not models. Charlie did a good job.”
Charlie, pointedly ignoring our commentary, goes in for a hug anyway. “Omar! I wasn’t sure if you were coming.”
The taller man, who has the most stunning blue-green eyes, raises a brow, cocking his head toward Anders. “Someone has to keep my husband in check.”
“True story.” Charlie laughs, smacking his friend on the shoulder. “I’m glad to see you’ve got your sharpshooter. Rafi, is it?”
The little guy beams and shakes Charlie’s hand. “At your service. This is my husband, Everett. He’s stealthy and lethal if he has to be.”
“Somehow, this has turned into the world’s deadliest couples retreat,” Charlie cracks.
The silver fox in question chuckles as he shakes Charlie’s hand firmly. “Husbands that slay together stay together.”
I take a deep breath and try to calm my irritation. They’re here to help, and it’s fine that they’re so pretty. As long as they can fucking shoot straight.
Pulling up Ryder’s report, we read through it together and find that the Laghari family’s property is an enormous, multi-building compound surrounded by ornate concrete walls. Ryder couldn’t pull any security footage from this location, but I trust her gut. We’d normally have to go in blind, but having a deadly accurate sniper on hand somewhat levels the playing field.
Soon after, we’re told that Rand’s plane is landing with Hopper and team. Thank God. While we wait, Charlie approaches me, his eyes concerned. “Not to be an asshole, but you look like shit. Have you slept?”
“Maybe a little on the plane.” I shrug, nearing the limit of my sanity. “There’s no way I’m going to sleep until I know he's safe.”
He nods, concern filling his eyes. “I hear you. We’ll find him. I can promise you that.”
“Thank you.”
Olga places a strong hand on my shoulder. “Maybe you should leave this mission to us then, no?”
I shake my head. “I’d go out of my mind.”
“I understand. But we are here so you do not have to do all of the heavy lifting.” She points at Bash. “You can trust that you are in the right hands. This man, Anders? He is good at murder.”
The murderer in question ambles over, grinning. Yep. I definitely recognize his brand of crazy. Omar tags along, putting a possessive arm around Anders’ waist.
Anders gives Olga a small bow. “It’s easy to be good at something you enjoy. By the by, big fan of your work.”
A little confused by Anders’ flirting, Olga flushes as the rest of the Texas contingent joins them. “Thank you.”
Omar nods along. “Your group’s guerrilla tactics are quite effective. I wonder if we might exchange ideas after this mission.”
“Of course.”
The Texas team then turns their attention to me. I have to admit it’s an interesting mix of people. None of them look any less dangerous than Anders, just slightly saner.
Omar shakes my hand. “Your tech, Ryder, chatted with our guy, and they debriefed us on the way over. We are aware of how important Dr. Laghari is to you and will do everything in our power to get him back.”
“Thank you. Also, you and Anders make me think that Hopper could use someone to keep his crazy in check.”