Hard Man to Kill (Dark Horse Guardian Series Book 4) Read Online Free

moment.  With a tear in her eye, she watched as William boarded the plane and it was cleared for take-off.  She stood in front of the plate glass window at the Portland Airport wondering if he could see her waving. 
    Once William’s plane was airborne, she turned and embraced Monique.  The two held one another as if they’d just been through their own internal war, holding back their real feelings, not allowing weakness or sorrow to register.  Lara rubbed Monique on the back. 
    “We’re good.  You know what we need to do right now?” Lara asked.
    “What…” Monique asked with a bit of hesitation.
    “We need to go to the spa and soak in a hot tub and get a massage.” Lara suggested.
    “Are they open today?”
    “Yes, I made the appointment last week, knowing I’d probably need it after Christmas.  I’ll make sure there’s a massage therapist available for you.”  Lara tapped her Bluetooth and spoke to the spa receptionist.  “There you go.  There was a cancellation this morning.  You get a massage, and I’m paying.” Lara smiled as they got into the Mercedes. 
    “I’ve never had one before.” Monique confessed. 
    “Well, let me tell you this:  once you get a massage, you’ll be hooked.” Lara giggled.
    “I don’t have a swim suit with me.” Monique said.
    “Don’t need one.  They have disposable ones there,” Lara informed her.  “It’s just the two of us in a huge tub of swirling 103 degree water.  Not to worry.” 
    Lara thought she saw the beginning of a smile on Monique’s face.  Good.  She at least was thinking of something else for a few minutes instead of whatever horrible scenario her new fiancé might be experiencing.
    As the Mercedes pulled up to the spa, the two jumped out and traced a path through the freshly fallen snow.  Just what both women needed, a bit of pampering and a chance to talk about hair and make-up and clothing…ordinary things, really, but fun nonetheless. 
    The door to the spa stuck.  As Lara attempted to close it, she caught a glimpse of a blacked out Mustang from the corner of her eye.  The car whizzed by and didn’t stop. 
    How many Mustangs are there in this neck of the woods? Because I could have sworn I saw that one at the airport.   There was a brief moment of paranoia, but she remembered that, usually, undercover law enforcement guys drove blacked out Mustangs.  The thought flitted through her mind momentarily that Bettencourt knew many of the local law men in the area.  It was possible that he’d asked one of the detectives to keep an eye on her while he was away.  That would be so like him.
    As they head for the spa reception area, Lara reached for her phone.
    “Who are you calling?” Monique quizzed her. 
    “Bettencourt.”
    Monique’s face became serious. “Why?”
    Before Lara could answer, the familiar voice boomed over the speaker, “Bettencourt.”
    “Hey, you – I have a question.  Did you put a tail on us for safe keeping while you’re gone?” Lara asked.  There was a long pause on the line.  “Are you there?”
    “I heard you,” Bettencourt said haltingly, “Let me check with Ben.”  She heard Ben’s voice muffled in the background.  “No.  We didn’t.  What does the vehicle look like?”
    “It’s a blacked-out Mustang, brand new.  You know, the type the undercover guys use.” Lara explained.  She felt a chill run through her.
    “Listen, Lara.  Be careful.  Someone might be following you, but I don’t know who the hell it is.  Take precautions.  See a guy named Paul Simpson at the station.  Give him the description and license plate and details…mention my name.  But, for God’s sake, watch your back.  We’re taking off.  I have to go….” And the phone went dead.
     
    Israel
    ~ Ben ~
    In the war room, Moshe gave his presentation on the targets.  Ben had already read the intel reports on the Gitmo detainees and knew full well what their crimes were.  The list went on