Ransom (Benson Security 4)

“My brother and I talked about this a couple of months ago,” Belinda said. “There are security companies who arrange fake kidnappings to teach you how to act if a real one happens. I was going to attend a workshop before I took on a movie role where I played a kidnap victim, but I chickened out at the last minute. My brother thought I was a wimp and threatened to arrange to have me fake-kidnapped when I least expected it. He must have gone ahead with it and roped Brian in to help.”

John’s eyes went wide, then narrowed to hard little slits. “Listen to me carefully. This is not a joke. It is not a training exercise. You really have been kidnapped.”

She reached over and patted his arm, again feeling that strange, tingling awareness when she touched him. This time, she tried not to let it bother her and kept her hand in place.

“I know you believe what you’re saying,” she said in her most soothing tone, “but think about it carefully. A fake kidnapping is the only logical conclusion. We were in a private resort, miles from anywhere. The resort has its own security staff. At least a third of the guests brought their own security teams to the wedding. On top of that, half the wedding guests work with Benson Security—one of the best security companies in the world. Do you really think, given all that information, that someone could waltz in and snatch us out from under their noses? Does that seem likely to you? I don’t think so. The only way it could have happened was if the people at the party were in on the kidnapping plot—ergo, fake kidnapping experience!”

He seemed to be grinding his teeth together, so she gave him another pat. She’d bet her next paycheque that her brother had boasted about his plan to John’s friends and they’d jumped at the idea to include him. Probably because John was late getting to the party. Surely his friends would have known he couldn’t cope with this sort of joke. She was going to give them a serious talking to once this experience was over.

“Don’t worry.” She patted him again. “I know what I’m doing. Just follow my lead. I don’t think they’re expecting expert level acting, anyway. In fact, we could totally ham this up. This is going to be fun.”

John opened his mouth, no doubt to argue further, but the door to the hut slammed inwards. A man stepped into the room. He had a lean and hungry look about him that told her he could be cruel and enjoy it. He wore grey jeans and a pale blue dress shirt that had large, dark patches of sweat under the arms. Tucked into his belt was a large machete. In his right hand he held a revolver, and in his left, he held a large mobile phone. Overgrown, greasy hair had been swept back from his forehead, and calculating, beady eyes considered them.

“Bueno, you’re awake. Now we talk business, no?”

With a smile that chilled her to the bone, he walked towards them.

Belinda stared at him in awe. Here was a man who really knew how to get into character. She could learn a lot from him. Maybe she’d get something out of being pranked after all.

Chapter 3

Beast had descended into the ninth circle of hell. Not only had he been kidnapped, but he was with a woman who di

dn’t believe it was happening. A woman who thought they’d have fun. They weren’t going to have fun. They were going to die. And he would bet that the asshole in front of him would be the one to pull the trigger.

With bound hands, Beast grabbed Belinda and shoved her behind him.

“Great improvising,” she whispered to him, making him growl.

Their captor smirked at the move, thinking he was the one with the power. He didn’t know Beast. Even bound, hands and feet, he’d take the guy in a fight. The guns were a problem, though. Fists were no good against bullets.

“Señorita Collins,” the kidnapper said.

Beast didn’t like his tone. It made his skin crawl. This guy wanted Belinda. And not just for money.

“And”—the kidnapper cocked his head at Beast—“it seems we have an extra guest. One who isn’t as famous as the beautiful señorita.”

Beast didn’t answer. He wasn’t giving this guy anything if he could help it. Not even his name. Behind the kidnapper, two more men sauntered into the tiny room, and the tension amped right up. They were both armed with rifles. The two men stood either side of the door, ready to protect their leader. Or to kill the captives. With a knowing smile, the leader turned to the two men behind him and spoke in Spanish, a language Beast spoke fluently.

“See how he protects her still? What a good dog!”

Beast’s muscles went taut. But he didn’t move. He’d learned the hard way not to react, to bide his time before he struck his foe.

“Señorita Collins, it is a pleasure to have you as our guest.” The leader’s eyes lazily scanned her body, lingering at her breasts and thighs. Yeah, the asshole definitely had plans for Belinda that didn’t involve making money from her.

“Who are you? What do you want?” Belinda sounded terrified. Over-the-top terrified. The airhead was acting. Overacting, in an attempt to have some fun. Beast itched to shake some sense into her, but he didn’t move. He had to keep his eyes on the biggest threat in the room—the kidnapper.

“What do I want?” The guy shared a laugh with his colleagues. “I want money.”

He crouched down in front them. Beast noticed he made sure to keep out of reach of his feet. It said a lot about their kidnapper, that he realised Beast was dangerous to him, even while bound. Which made Beast even more worried. This was a man who knew violence, who assessed people quickly and wasn’t afraid of striking out. In fact, Beast suspected their kidnapper enjoyed making people suffer. He reeked of it. His eyes glowed when Belinda cowered. Yeah, he was definitely their biggest threat.

The kidnapper held a phone out to Belinda. “I need you to call your very famous father and tell him that he must do as I instruct. If he doesn’t, I will feel the need to send his princess back to him in pieces.”

His voice was calm, to the point where he could have been discussing the weather, not threatening an A-list actress. Beast felt Belinda still behind him and hoped reality was sinking in for her at last.

“I know I should stay in character,” she said cheerily, “but I have to ask. I mean, you’re an amazing actor. Right up there with De Niro. You’ve even got me second-guessing things. This is a fake kidnapping, right? Not a real one?”

If this were any other situation, and Beast’s life wasn’t on the line, he would have groaned. Belinda Collins didn’t think like normal people. She was in a world all of her own. One that was most likely populated with Disney princesses, rainbows and unicorns.