Heart Thief

0021 Asia trip

Skye glanced in the rearview mirror. Quinn lounged in the backseat, his expression betraying nothing but a cold bloodlust. No hint of panic. Beside him, Hawk scanned their surroundings with vigilant eyes. Clearly, this wasn't their first rodeo.

"Boss," the redheaded man in the passenger seat reported, "Eagle's engaged the enemy. We don't know who they are yet."

"Eliminate them. All of them." Quinn's voice was devoid of emotion.

"Yes, sir." Neither Hawk nor the redhead seemed surprised by the ruthless order. Quinn was new to Southeast Asia – this was a message, written in blood. The Quinn family's reputation wasn't just talk.

"Sheraton Hotel. Eight o'clock sharp. You have ten minutes," Quinn stated.

Skye realized with a start that he was talking to her. "Which way?" she asked through gritted teeth. "I don't know this city."

"That's your problem," the redhead sneered. "Just get there. The boss doesn't tolerate tardiness."

Skye bit back a curse. These guys were impossible. "Listen here, Carrot Top," she snapped. "I work for your boss, not you. Keep mouthing off and you can walk." She slammed on the brakes for emphasis.

The redhead's eyes narrowed dangerously. He was Quinn's right-hand man in Asia, not some flunky to be ordered around by the help. Before he could respond, Skye was out of the car, flagging down a local for directions.

Moments later, she was back behind the wheel, the Cadillac roaring to life. They tore through the streets at breakneck speed, Skye pushing the limits of both the car and traffic laws.

At 7:58, they screeched to a halt in front of the Sheraton. Skye's phone buzzed – Eagle reporting mission accomplished. No survivors, no loose ends.

The hotel's grand entrance was flanked by two rows of stone-faced men, their jackets bulging suspiciously. The whole scene screamed 'mob movie' to Skye. She gripped the steering wheel, suddenly reluctant to leave the relative safety of the car.

"Out," Hawk reminded her. "Don't forget the boss's orders."

Right. Stay in Quinn's line of sight or else. Skye scrambled out, her legs shaky now that the adrenaline was wearing off. The reality of the earlier gunfight was sinking in – she'd been right in the crosshairs. If not for her driving skills...

"Pathetic," a low voice growled. A firm hand gripped her shoulder, propelling her forward to keep pace with Quinn.

"Mr. Quinn! What an honor!" A group of men emerged from the hotel to greet them.

Skye studied the welcoming committee. Some looked like kindly grandfathers, others like college professors. It was jarring to realize these were the crime lords of Southeast Asia. Never judge a book by its cover, she reminded herself.

They were led to a large conference room. Hawk motioned for Skye to wait outside. She bristled at the unequal treatment but knew better than to argue. The less she knew about whatever deal was going down, the better.

Through the glass doors, she watched Quinn take his seat at the head of the table. The other crime bosses circled around him like planets orbiting the sun. Quinn's presence alone seemed to command the room, his cold charisma suffocating any opposition.

Skye leaned against the wall, trying to calm her nerves. Her gaze drifted to an unguarded exit. A spark of hope ignited. With Quinn and his goons occupied, this might be her best chance at freedom. She'd only been with them for two days – most of Quinn's people wouldn't recognize her yet.

A slow grin spread across Skye's face. She casually pushed off from the wall, heading for the door with an air of practiced nonchalance.

Ice flooded her veins. Even before she turned, Skye felt Quinn's gaze boring into her. Through the crowd, their eyes met. The depths of those dark orbs promised not the cooling embrace of the sea, but an inferno that would consume everything in its path.