Ben’s eyes were working better now as he scanned the hotel room and took in the expensive and exotic amenities. The windows were still a wash of white light to his eyes, so that was no help. He frowned. “And where did the CIA need me to be?”
“El Jadida, Morocco.”
Ben’s eyes widened in shock. “I’m in Morocco? Why on Earth did you bring me to Morocco?”
“It’s time for you to pay your debt.”
Ben looked at her and shook his head. “How do I do that, and again, why Morocco?”
“There is a man of great power and influence who lives on his mega-yacht out in international waters. He’s very difficult to track. He only comes into a port once a month for two days to restock his supplies. He also loves to gamble. Tonight, he’s coming to El Jadida to gamble at a local resort. We’ll meet him at the casino, work our way into his party, and get invited onto his yacht.”
Ben looked at her like she was mad.
“I’m not spending a month with some stranger on his boat!” Ben exclaimed.
“Of course not! As soon as we confirm whether our missing agents are on his yacht or not, we radio for assistance with our GPS coordinates, and our people will collect us.”
Ben looked at her, waiting for the rest of the plan. When she just stared back at him, he blinked. “That’s the plan? That’s all of it? Why do I get the feeling there is too much room for shit to go wrong that isn’t covered?”
“This is what I do. There are resources for us already in place. We just need to get on board, and you’re the ticket to make this happen,” Stephanie insisted.
Ben waited for her to explain that, but she remained quiet, so he had to ask. “Why me?”
Her eyes scanned his bare chest and took in the scars, the violence he’d endured. Something flickered by on her face then her jaw tightened. “He’s a fan.”
His eyebrows rose, but she gave him nothing else.
“Who is he?” Ben asked.
“Kaan Sadik. He’s an arms dealer and a very successful trafficker of stolen goods. He has his fingers in so many illegal activities, it might be easier to list what he won’t do for money.”
This didn’t make Ben feel more secure as the man likely had many people around him to protect him.
“Where is our security team?” Ben asked.
“Watching, but they can’t get too close as they’d be observed by this man’s people. The slightest hint of a trap, and he’s gone. He doesn’t remain hidden on the ocean because he likes the solitude of the sea. He’s a wanted criminal just about everywhere. He pays the police in select countries to look the other way when he comes ashore to do business. Our window of opportunity is extremely limited.”
Ben’s jaw twitched as he looked at her. “Why am I naked?”
A hint of her usual attitude surfaced. “Why not?” He frowned, so she answered. “We had to take measurements for your suit for dinner and the casino tonight. You don’t have an off-the-rack body.”
He looked around and saw his wallet and keys, but his cell wasn’t there. “I need to call home to let them know where I am.”
Stephanie shook her head. “The General’s people monitor your calls.”
Ben frowned. “Yes, I’m aware.”
“Davis has a double agent on his team. They work in his communication center. They leaked the location of the lab where you worked on the battery project. They also passed along your itinerary for your trip around the world and sent the plans for the Spa. If you contact anyone at home, you jeopardize the mission and everyone involved, which now includes you,” Stephanie insisted. “No calls, emails, or texts to anyone!”
“Why aren’t you telling him?” Ben barked.
“Double agents are useful. Besides, we haven’t pinpointed the exact individual. It’s not like Davis allows the CIA to poke around in his business,” she snapped back.
There was a knock on the door followed by a second and a third, slow and evenly spaced. Ben gave Stephanie a skeptical look.
“Shut up. We’re in Morocco. That’s your clothes.” She got up and walked to the door as Ben grabbed a pillow to cover his private bits.
The door opened, and a woman entered with a suit bag. She was young and wore a long flowing blouse over jeans, sneakers, and a bright fuchsia hijab. She froze when she saw Ben sitting on the edge of the bed with only a pillow covering his lap.
She stepped closer. “Mr. Shepherd! It is an honor to work with you!” Her eyes didn’t remain on his face for very long.
Ben’s face warmed up with embarrassment. “Thank you. Are those for me?”
She suddenly remembered she was holding the suit bag and quickly handed it over to Russo, who was back to smirking.
“It was nice to meet you. Thanks again,” Ben said.
She nodded and flashed a brilliant smile at him, then rushed back to the door and closed it behind her. Stephanie moved to the door and locked it again. Then she brought the suit bag to Ben and laid it out on the mattress beside him. She opened the zipper, and Ben breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at him in question.
“For a second, I thought you would make me wear a white suit jacket.”
The black jacket, white dress shirt, and black slacks appeared well tailored, and he stood to get dressed. His stomach growled with hunger.
“We’ll get dinner after you dress,” Russo offered.
“Where are my underwear? Where are my clothes, for that matter?” Ben asked.
“Back in the states at the airstrip. With your cell phone, which they’ve likely found by now. We left it on.” Seeing Ben’s distraught expression, she continued. “I left my business card with it, so they’ll know you haven’t been abducted by the Russians.”
He stared at her. “Oh, good. They’ll feel better knowing the CIA kidnapped me instead.”
He pulled the slacks on and had to tuck himself down the pant leg. The fabric was soft and stretchy, so it wasn’t too uncomfortable. The dress shirt fit as long as he didn’t flex his muscles too strongly. Seams would tear if he went all out.
The jacket was equally tight but soft and stretched sufficiently for his movement.
He fussed with the bow tie until Stephanie pushed his hands away and tied it herself.
Finally, she stood back and smiled at the final product. “You look dreamy and dangerous. A winning combination.” She went to the dresser and brought his wallet to him. “I’ve put some spending money inside. You’re going to be expected to gamble, so use this money. There’s five thousand inside. If that isn’t enough to get us into the game, your name will give you access to as much credit as you need. We’ll reimburse you.”
He looked at her doubtfully. “Are you aware I don’t gamble? Playing poker with some guys in college is all the experience I have!”
She smiled and began to undress. “Don’t worry. I’ll be with you, and we’ll just observe at first. I’ll give you some insight into how each game works. Besides, your goal is not to beat him in the games. Losing would be preferable as he’s more likely to take you on his yacht if you’ve paid your way on, so to speak.”
Ben made no effort to look away as she stripped down to her G-string panties. Fair’s fair.
She turned to face him, and there was no hesitation or embarrassment on her face. The panties were so minimal it was clear she was shaved clean. Ben admired her body as she obviously worked out to maintain her fitness. She smiled. “I knew it would be fun to work with you.”
Russo collected a sheath dress and slipped it on. It clung to her body and cupped her modest breasts, displaying her cleavage boldly.
“Our cover story. You are you. You’re in the area looking for real estate for another of your Foundation centers. Easy enough. I am Steph Wilson. A divorced housewife from Missouri, looking for myself in strange and exotic places. You rescued me in the local marketplace and invited me to join you for dinner and a little sexy fun-”
“But I wouldn’t do that,” Ben insisted.
“People think that you do, so it works,” she finished, and he frowned but nodded.
“Let’s have dinner,” she said.
They left their hotel room and took the elevator down to ground level.
Ben’s eyes had finally adjusted to the light, but he saw the sun would be setting soon. He frowned. “How long have I been out?”
“About twelve hours. The dining room is this way,” Steph excitedly said with a bubbly voice and pointed to the right. Ben realized she was in character.
Oh boy.
He fretted about his family at home. They’d be freaked out about his abduction regardless of who did it. He needed to get in touch with them somehow, but he didn’t want to get Russo or himself killed doing it.
It didn’t take long to get seated, and it took even less time for the waiter to begin hitting on his date.
Ben looked at the menu as Steph giggled at the waiter’s flirting, as the man’s eyes remained fixed on her cleavage.
Then he finally turned to Ben, who ordered the ribeye steak with vegetables. If this was going to be his last meal, it was going to be a good one. He pushed such over-dramatic thoughts from his head.
“I’ll have a green salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing,” Steph said with a grin.
Ben sighed when the waiter finally left, and Steph looked over at him. She reached over and took his hand.
“We need to keep up appearances,” she said with her silly grin in place. “Try to take the grim reaper look from your face.”