Relentless (Option Zero 2)

“Promise you’ll never leave me like that again,” she whispered.

“I promise,” he whispered back.

Chapter Forty-Seven

Zurich, Switzerland

Rudolph tried to ignore his shaking hands as he zipped up his last suitcase. They wouldn’t touch him, he assured himself. He was one of the most influential men in the world. Just because things hadn’t worked out the way they’d requested meant nothing. He had done wondrous things for them. Their agendas were vast and multifaceted. He had accomplished the impossible.

Just in case, he had a plan. A wise man always had a contingency plan, and his wisdom was hard fought, earned through adversity. People looked at him and thought he had it easy. They were wrong. Wealth didn’t mean one didn’t have problems. It meant only that the problems were bigger.

“Your plane is ready, sir. Would you like me to load your luggage in the car?”

“Yes, Geoffrey. Thank you.”

Rudolph Ulrich took one last look at his home. He had several, but this one was his favorite. He would likely never see it again. Just because he didn’t think they’d come after him didn’t mean they would allow him to continue his current lifestyle. Things would have to change. He told himself that was fine. He had his own island. Had loyal servants who would see to his every need.

Millions of people would envy him. He need never lift a finger again. He was through kowtowing to people who only used him for what they could get out of him.

He was free!

Rudolph stepped out of his bedroom suite and into the hallway. He felt the slightest rush of wind and had barely a second to wonder about its source before massively large hands lifted him from the floor and flung him over the railing of the landing.

As he was on the third floor of his mansion, he saw many of his favorite possessions on his way down. The statue of Venus perfectly positioned in an alcove so when the sun hit the stained-glass window a certain way, Venus appeared to be smiling. A few feet lower, he spotted the Van Gogh hanging not far from the west wing stairway. And just before he reached the bottom, he saw the enormously expensive crystal figurine of an angel. Three people had bid eighteen million euros for the piece, but he’d made the winning bid at twenty and had been enormously proud.

He had no time for regrets, no time to curse the ones responsible. No time to wish he had lived a different life.

With a resounding thud, his body landed on the cold marble tile.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Two Weeks Later

Montana

Wearing soft gray sweats, one of Liam’s chambray shirts with the sleeves rolled up, and thick wool socks, Aubrey sipped delicious French roast coffee as she gazed out the giant window of their bedroom. Snow-capped mountains, majestic and ancient, as far as the eye could see looked down upon her.

She had to be the most blessed person alive. Liam Stryker, a man of honor, who was gentle, kind, gorgeous, and incredibly courageous, loved her. So much had happened over the last few weeks, her mind had barely been able to grapple with the consequences of one thing when something else had arisen. She had been exhausted in both body and mind.

They had returned to Montana ten days ago. Liam’s stay in the hospital had been blessedly uneventful and brief. Upon their return to his home, they’d stayed secluded, cocooned by a white, snowy world on the outside and warmth and contentment within. Liam continued to heal and their love continued to grow deeper and stronger.

The only event to mar their idyllic world was the news that Rudolph Ulrich had been found dead in his home in Zurich. According to news media, Rudolph had tripped over a rug in the hallway and lost his balance. He had somehow tumbled over the railing of his balcony and fallen three floors. He had died instantly.

The world mourned a great business leader, innovator, and philanthropist. A monument was being discussed in Ulrich’s hometown. Flags were lowered to half-mast in three different countries to honor the man who had done so much for so many.

And while the world believed Ulrich had died tragically from a common household accident, a select group of people knew the truth. Rudolph Ulrich, while hugely influential and wealthy, had failed to live up to expectations.

Everyone was apparently expendable.

What the man had done and to whom he had answered were still mysteries. Liam had included her in all the research and numerous OZ meetings regarding who the members of this group were. So far, every lead had led to a dead end. It didn’t help that all the players they’d known about were now deceased.

How many members were there? No one knew. What was their purpose? What did they want? Power and money, obviously. But what else? What was their end game? Did they have one? No one knew any of those answers, but they were out there, manipulating lives, corporations, and governments.

Liam had told her that OZ would find the answers. Though he was optimistic that the mystery would be solved, he was realistic that it would take time. One thing he assured her was that OZ never gave up.

Today was Liam’s first day back at OZ. He didn’t anticipate needing to leave on an op anytime soon, but it could come at any time. And he would need to be ready to roll.

The fact that she had almost lost him and that he was back to putting his life on the line was an issue she tried not to think about. Never would she want him to change, but that didn’t take away the worry or concern. Liam Stryker was born to rescue. He had definitely rescued her.