Page 68 of Wine, Whiskey, & Lipstick 2

Dillyn thought she might want to throw up as she listened to a stranger tell her more truth about her life than even she knew.

“He got involved with the wrong people and thought they could protect him. A person would need lots of money to disappear, so he began embezzling millions from his law firm. Those people didn’t kill Steven, he was killed because he didn’t finish the assignment. I’m here to finish it.”

Dillyn’s mind was buzzing. He had to be lying. Only Syntax would benefit from keeping his identity hidden.There was no way Syntax would do that.

“Foreign asset?” Dillyn whispered mostly to herself. “Even if everything you said was true, Steven never shared anything with me.I’m an IT forensic specialist, not a mind reader.He never left any clues supporting anything you’ve just said.”

“The people who kidnapped Selah are the same people who want information on Syntax.”

Dillyn froze, “You know who they are?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me. Please!”

Just as he was about to open his mouth, Dillyn felt a splash of warm liquid hit her in the face. She glanced down onto the white floor to see droplets of red liquid surround her. Her eyes and her brain were not in sync. Her mind was slow to process that Melvin and the man just about to reveal who kidnapped Saleh crumpled to the ground, with bullet holes in the head and chest and blood pooling around them.

Before Dillyn could release the scream caught in her throat, she felt something warm and fast wiz past her ear. Someone was shooting at her! Before she could run, Dillyn was tackled to the ground.

She would have to fight for her life just as a hail of gunfire erupted.

Ben growled into her ear. “It’s me. Stay down until we get the all-clear signal.”

“Ben?” At the sound of his voice, Dillyn immediately stilled. The relief she felt was indescribable.

He had never been so scared in his life. Actually, he had. To see her covered in blood almost sent him over the edge. “Are you hurt?”

Dillyn shook her head.

Quickly, Ben pulled Dillyn into his arms and slid her across the floor as he crawled into a corner. He was frantic as he checked her body for wounds, “Were you shot?”

“No. No, I don’t think so.”

Another person joined them.

Ben aimed his gun at the stranger’s head.

Instantly, Dillyn recognized him and placed her hands on Ben’s arm so that he could lower his weapon. “No! He’s okay.”

“Who the fuck is this?!” Ben whisper-yelled.

His dark brown eyes sparkled as if he was enjoying the melee, “Nice to meet you finally.”

“What?” Ben was confused.

As the sound of bullets flying eased, Dillyn performed the introductions, “Ben, this is Syntax, Syntax, this is Ben.”

Chapter 31

“What are you doing here?” Dillyn fired off her questions to Syntax. “How did you know I was here?”

“Ben demanded a meeting.” He glanced at Ben’s icy eyes. “I was already en route when I got the emergency alert from your watch. I tracked your movements.”

Almost as suddenly as the sound of automatic rifles raining down bullets had begun, mere seconds later, it was over, and the airport was quiet. Still crouching low, Syntax spoke quietly, “We don’t have much time.” Holding his semi-automatic, he glanced around before explaining, “Steven is why your mother and father were released.”

Dillyn nodded, “I know. They told me. Do you know why?”

“I don’t.”

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