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He growled, and his fingers closed around her neck, squeezing as he came with a roar, thrusting, and spurting hot semen into her. His grip on her neck tightened, she couldn’t breathe, and she was orgasming. Her body spasmed, clenching, her desire for pain and pleasure finally fulfilled. It was the last thing she felt.

  »»•««

  Amir slipped on his gloves and pushed Shura’s body over to the edge of the bed. It was a shame he’d had to kill her, but at least she’d died the way she had lived. A final gasp of pleasure and pain. The finger marks on her throat had deepened to a dark shade of purple and blue where the blood had coagulated. He’d intended to kill her with a bullet to the head, and not by strangulation, but in the heat of the moment, a primal urge had come over him.

  Shura would have made a lovely concubine, and he would have liked to explore her limits more, but his orders were clear. Once he was in possession of the flash drive, he was to eliminate the Mole and the whore. They had become an unacceptable risk. Besides, he had one more task before he could return to Lebanon.

  Even so, the sadistic pleasure of sexual orgasm and killing surpassed anything he’d ever felt before. It aroused him more than any experience in his life, and he couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever be given the opportunity again. He knew it was a dangerous addiction, but killing was his life, and this was just a new and exciting way of committing murder.

  He lifted Gilad’s body from the floor and unwrapped it on the bed. The bullet wound was clean. He’d shot Gilad in the temple with the gun and silencer. Composing a scene, he put the gun in Gilad’s hand and arranged the bodies, so it looked as if Gilad had strangled Shura and then shot himself. He knew the Mišteret Yisra'el, the Israeli police, would collect semen, but separating Gilad’s semen from his own, would be difficult, and the semen would be degraded by the passage of time before the discovery of the bodies. Besides, Amir had no accessible DNA records or data. He’d be long gone before he was identified.

  He took a shower, dressed, and admired the vignette he’d created of the two lovers in their final moments. The found bodies of a traitorous Mossad coder and a Palestinian whore would be a thrilling read in the newspapers.

  Taking precaution, he took bleach wipes and cleaned every surface in the room. By the time he finished, he was tired and hungry. He left the room, hanging the ‘do not disturb’ sign on the door. A falafel sounded like the perfect reward after a successful night’s work.

  Chapter Six

  Tel Aviv, Israel

  “Daddy! You’re home!” Cerise threw herself into Cyrus’s arms.

  He picked her up and spun around with her. “How’s the love of my life?” It was a standing joke between them she never tired of correcting him on.

  “Daddy, you know Mommy is the love of your life. You can only have one love of your life.”

  “But, Cerise, I have too much love inside of me, so I’m allowed to have two loves of my life, and I pick you.” He tickled her until the sound of her bubbling laughter turned into squeals so loud that Layla came running.

  “Cerise, what is going on in here?”

  “Daddy’s home early. Can we go on the swings, please, please, please?”

  Settling Cerise on his hip, he put his arm around Layla and kissed her. “Hi, baby, happy to see me?”

  “Of course, I am.”

  “Ima, swings, swings, swings.”

  “Sweetie, let Daddy relax for a minute and then we’ll see.”

  Cerise pushed her lower lip out. Cyrus laughed. “I think I’ve seen that face before on you, Layla.”

  She placed her hands on her hips and huffed. “Are you suggesting I pout like a four-year-old?”

  “No. How could I possibly think such a thing?” He grinned and pulled her in for another kiss. Cerise clapped her hands. Even when there’d been rough seas between them, Cerise had reminded them of how much they loved each other. “I think we should go to the beach, and the swings, and then have an early dinner out.”

  Cerise clapped her hands again. “Yay!”

  He put her down. “Go get your coat.” She ran from the room.

  Layla scrutinized him. “You’ve been so hush-hush about this mission. When do you leave?”

  “Tonight. Midnight. I came home early so we could be together.” He put his arms around her and pulled her close. “After the beach and dinner, she’ll be exhausted and,” he traced his lips up her neck to her ear, “then we’ll have some time alone.”

  Layla placed her hands on both sides of his face. “I know I shouldn’t worry, but I’m scared. Maybe it’s the pregnancy or my fears since being kidnapped, but the thought of you in danger terrifies me.”

  “You know I’m good at what I do. You have to trust me. Besides, you have your grandparents and your dad. I’ve already spoken with Aleck; he’ll be keeping a close eye on you two.”

  “I’ll be fine. Three months pregnant is nothing, and you won’t be gone long. These things don’t last long, do they?”

  “No, I’ll be home before you know it.”

  »»•««

  They walked on the beach, Layla’s hand in his. Cyrus kept his eye on Cerise, who ran giggling in and out of the foam of the breaking waves. At midnight when he flew from Tel Aviv to Barcelona, he would separate himself from his heart and transition to his spy persona, blocking his family from his thoughts. Until then, for a few precious hours he embraced his role of husband and father allowing the love he felt for his wife and child to fill him.

  “Baby, what do you think about getting a puppy for Cerise?” Layla asked.

  He raised his left brow. “Where’d that come from?”

  Layla shrugged. “I was about Cerise’s age when my parents adopted a puppy. Coco was the love of my life.” She poked him in the ribs.

  “Hey!”

  “Until you that is.”

  “Being compared to your beloved canine doesn’t seem all that flattering.”

  “Well, it is. Coco was there for me during the worst time of my life when my mom was dying of cancer. I don’t know how I would have gotten through that period without her.”

  Cyrus pulled her in kissing her temple. “Does this have anything to do with your fear of losing me?”

  “Maybe.”

  “You’re not losing me, Layla.”

  “I know I’m not, but I think it would be great for Cerise. Especially when the baby comes.”

  He wasn’t keen on the idea. He’d never owned a pet and wasn’t sure whether he’d enjoy the intrusion into his life. “If you think this will help you and Cerise during my absence, I’m all for it. But I don’t want you overtaxing yourself. Puppies require a lot of care. What breed were you thinking of?”

  “A German shepherd. They’re very protective and wonderful with children.”

  “Aba, Ima, look!”

  A golden retriever came bounding up and started licking a squealing Cerise. Cyrus looked at Layla. “What the hell? Did you hire the dog to convince me?”

  She laughed. “Of course not. But God is known to work in strange ways.”

  “He certainly is.” He ran to Cerise and scooped her up from the onslaught of affection. “Put me down, Daddy. The doggy only wants to love me.”

  “Are you sure metuka? Do you like being licked all over?”

  “Yes, it tickles.”

  A young man came running up. “Sorry about that. Canan, sit.” The dog obediently sat but continued to lick Cerise’s toes, which were within her doggy tongue reach.

  Cerise squirmed, “Put me down, please, Aba.”

  Cyrus put her down, and she wrapped her arms around Canan’s neck.

  He held out his hand to the stranger. “Cyrus Hassani. It seems you are a messenger from God. I don’t suppose my wife, Layla, and my daughter Cerise hired you to convince me to adopt a pet, did they?”

  Caleb looked confused. “No. I’ve never met your wife or daughter before.” He shook Cyrus’s hand. “Caleb Schneider, nice to meet you. Canan can’t resist children.”
r />   Layla raised her hand to block the sun from her eyes. “I want to thank you, Caleb, Canan just closed a deal I was negotiating.”

  “A deal?”

  “Yes, a new addition to our family seems likely.”

  “Oh, I get it. I don’t think you’ll regret that decision.” He petted Canan on the head. “Well, nice to meet you. Good luck with the new addition to the family. Come on Canan, let’s go.” He turned and jogged up the beach, waving. Canan gave Cerise a last lick and took off after her master.

  Cerise waved after them. “Daddy, I wish we had a Canan.”

  Layla wore a smile of victory. Cyrus took both of his girls' hands and began to walk. He knew when to admit defeat. “I think Mommy should take you to the animal shelter while Daddy’s away and you should find a puppy.”

  The look on Cerise’s face made his heart swell. Maybe it’s a good thing. A puppy will distract them and keep them busy while I’m away.

  »»•««

  Cyrus waited for Layla in the kitchen while she put Cerise to bed.

  “She was nearly asleep when I kissed her goodnight,” he said. Cyrus handed Layla a small glass of wine.

  “Yeah, the sea air really knocked her out.” She took a sip of wine. A couple of sips was all she’d have due to the pregnancy. “She barely could keep her eyes open at dinner.”

  Cyrus rubbed her shoulders. “You look pretty tired too.”

  “I am.” She reached up and caressed his cheek. “But not too tired to love my man.”

  “Maybe I should give you a massage.”

  She closed her eyes, enjoying his fingers on her neck and shoulders. “Maybe you should.”

  He kneaded deeper into her muscles. “You’re pretty tense, baby.”

  What was the point in telling him she was terrified? Why burden him with her fears. Nothing would change by revealing she dreaded the moment when he’d walk out the door, and she wouldn’t have any idea where he was, or what dangers he would face.

  All day and night she’d hidden her true feelings. She didn’t want him to carry the weight of her torment. She was afraid it might make him less sharp, less cautious, and more susceptible to the enemy. If anything happened to him, she didn’t think she’d be able to go on. It wasn’t that she was weak, or dependent, but losing him would be like severing a limb from her body.

  She dipped her head back and sought his mouth. She kissed him, her fingers twining in his dark hair. She didn’t want his questions. She didn’t want to lie to him or pretend nothing was wrong. All she wanted was the fiery lover who had captured her heart.

  He groaned. “Layla…”

  “Make love to me, Cyrus.”

  He swiftly lifted her into his arms, cradling her to his chest. He strode into their bedroom, his gaze filled with undying love. “I love you more than our first time on the mountain in Varian, eshgham.”

  She buried her face in his neck, inhaling the scent of him. He’d read her mind. She stole his breath, and he was her breath. Beneath her lips, she could feel his pulse racing, and she felt hers surge, running to catch up.

  He lay beside her on the bed. He made to speak, but her finger on his lips silenced him. “I don’t want to talk about you leaving. Let me pretend a little while longer this is just an ordinary night. And we’re just an ordinary couple loving each other.”

  She pressed her body against his, loving the feel of his solid muscles against her softness. Their hearts and bodies aligned just as they had the first night they’d made love. She could feel his desire for her fire on all cylinders, and it set her ablaze.

  In a ritual which needed no words. They divested each other of clothing, tossing each article aside. Moonlight drenched the bed.

  He paused, rising on his elbow. “I want to remember this always. You naked—your skin illuminated by moonbeams. The look of love in your eyes. Nothing in this life compares to it.” He flicked his tongue over her nipple, his full lips closing around it, taking it fully into his mouth and suckling. It felt divine, and she arched her back.

  Normally, she’d be touching him everywhere, driving him higher. But tonight all she wanted was to receive. She coveted his lips, his mouth, his arms, and the hardest part of him that was hers alone. He rolled on top of her and his thickness throbbed against her pelvis. She lifted her head and sighed, taking a breath through parted lips. She wanted to watch him make love to her. Then she’d be able to replay his passion for her in her head over and over again. Something to hold on to while he was away.

  He might as well have taken a branding iron to her, his mouth left fiery sensations sizzling, crackling through her. Every inch of her body was his, and she couldn’t control her moans or the rhythmic movement of her hips as he made his way down her body and she danced beneath his tongue.

  “Baby, you make me feel like a conquering warrior.”

  “You love that image, don’t you? The hero thing turns you on, doesn’t it? It’s why you love when I call you Superman. You seek it in life, and you seek it in the bedroom. The first night when you made love to me, you fought your desire trying to be heroic. I think I fell madly in love with you right then and there. It hasn’t changed, Cyrus, we’re still those two people.” Her hand slipped down caressing his arousal. “Are you still the man who loved me on that lake?” She giggled, knowing what a challenge did to him.

  He buried his face between her legs. Her breaths shortened and her heart pounded. He must have sensed by her quivering when she couldn’t take any more. He withdrew, biting and teasing his way up her undulating body until he reached her mouth. Then his tongue sought her kiss in that way that never failed to drive her wild. A sexy smile teased his lips, his eyes blazed.

  Every inch of her body trembled with desire for him. This moment reinforced the truth…they existed only for each other and nothing could tear them apart. It was how she’d felt in that icy cold cabin on a tiny lake in Iran. Afraid they’d be captured and killed; she’d pleaded with him to make love to her because she feared they wouldn’t survive and she couldn’t die without knowing what it felt like to be loved by him.

  She’d wanted him, the spy, the hero, the man who considered himself incapable of love. Whatever happened, loving him would be worth it. When he’d passionately made love to her that night, he was her first, but she knew immediately no other man would ever take his place. She belonged to him then, just as she belonged to him now.

  He touched her gently, and her hips rose against his finger pad. His deep baritone teased. “Does my goddess want more?”

  “Yes, I want all of you. Nothing more—nothing less.”

  She cried out when he filled her. He possessed her in the way she loved, slow and steady until she begged him not to stop because she ached to release. On his elbows, he held her gaze. She was at her tipping point, and he knew it. In a heightened state of passion, he pounded finishing her off and seized, burying himself inside of her. Her legs locked around him, wishing she could keep him there forever.

  He collapsed into her; their bodies fused together. His heart banged against her breast, his gasps for breath echoed in her ear, and the warmth of his body cocooned her in safety.

  “I will love you baraye hamishe,” he whispered.

  “I love you too. You’ve never said that before. What does it mean?”

  He rolled onto his back, pulling out of her with a sigh. He pulled her close against him nestling her in the crook of his arm. “It means forever. I will love you, forever.”

  With her head on his chest, she closed her eyes. “Baraye hamishe, forever.” His words warmed her like a blanket as she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Seven

  Beirut, Lebanon

  Aryeh had moved hotels and was sweeping the room for hidden cameras. He felt his satellite phone vibrating in his pocket. “Aryeh, it’s me.”

  “Bonjour, ma chérie.” He’d been waiting all day for Zara to call and tell him what happened when she delivered his offer to Hezbollah to trade his nephew for the diam
onds.

  “I’ve had an interesting day, but I don’t think it’s a good idea for us to meet.”

  “Why? What’s wrong?”

  “Just as you suggested, I had a meeting today and planted the seeds with our friends, and they seemed interested in your proposal. They’ll get back to me on it soon. However, there seems to be little trust in this world, and I picked up a tail.”

  He knew Zara, and it was easy to guess what must have happened next. “Did they have a pleasant day following you?”

  The sound of her laughter made him smile. “Yes. We went to the zoo. It was educational for me and boring for them. You would have thoroughly enjoyed yourself, leading two terrorist animals on a wild goose chase. Faiz got wonderful photos of the poor beasts. It was very productive, now I have everything I need for a freelance article for National Geographic. I’m at my office now, and I’ll probably work most of the night getting the article ready.”

  “You are a wonder, Zara. Forget meeting in town, but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Why don’t I sneak in the back entrance of your building around midnight? A covert liaison?”

  “Miss me that much, do you?”

  “You’ve been in my thoughts all day.”

  “Liar.”

  “Most of the day.”

  “I’ll settle for that. Be careful, a plus tard.”

  “Later. A bientot.” He hung up.

  The bed was in disarray, completely covered with clothing. Picking up a handful of garments Aryeh hung them in the closet. His cell vibrated on the bed again. The Ramsad. He typed in the code that switched the cell to a secure satellite frequency.

  “I got your message and passed it on to Cyrus. The team should be operational by tomorrow. Cyrus will message you at the drop box and arrange a meeting.”

  “We haven’t heard from the goose who laid the golden egg yet, but I’m meeting the chanteuse tonight.” The Ramsad was used to his riddles, and Aryeh knew he understood that the goose was Hezbollah and the chanteuse was Zara.

  “How is the songstress?”

  “Divine as ever.”

  The Ramsad chuckled. “You received the latest Intel from Abe?”