THE PERFECT TEN (Boxed Set)

known for capturing assets and either negotiating a profitable trade immediately or...”  She paused when the repugnant pictures of Mendelson’s interrogations clicked past her mind’s eye. “...e xtracting information, which he then sells. I believe his interest is purely monetary, but that does not keep him from being a useful tool.”
    “The coins were recovered in Florida?” Wayan asked.
    The General shifted in his chair, a sign his back was bothering him again. “Yes. Just north of Miami, which reminds me. I have news on High Vision. I orchestrated a bust on one of their shipments going into Jacksonville.”
    He did what ? Chatton rounded on him. “High Vision doesn’t ship anything illegal into Jacksonville. As I understood it, they needed a gateway into Miami for their black market drugs, and you were going to arrange that.”
    “They do and I did,” the General confirmed. “But for the past month High Vision wouldn’t come to the table no matter what I offered them. They didn’t want to be in our debt. I had to show them that they could either work with us or face constant scrutiny from authorities of all their operations in the United States. Once I had their attention with the Jacksonville shipment, they changed their tune and asked to meet. I’ve assured them easy access to south Florida.”
    Wayan didn’t actually smile, but his eyes brightened with enthusiasm. “And they understand what we expect in trade?”
    In trade? More like an international shakedown plan. Chatton had to give these two credit some days. She might not always agree with their methods, but they did get results.
    The General shifted again and grunted at an ache. “When the time comes for them to repay this favor, they will use their people to transport our shipment.”
    “Excellent.”  Wayan said. It was the closest he came to a fist pump celebration.
    Chatton had heard nothing of this. “What are they transporting?”
    Waving a hand in dismissal, the General said, “Something Wayan and I agreed upon before you came along.”
    Did he really think she would allow them to keep her out of the loop on anything? She let it go for now and turned the conversation back to getting the rest of the General’s report on the coins. “What of Mason Lorde, General? Is he contained?”
    The General rarely smiled, but the tiny lift at the corner of his mouth counted as one. “Oh, yes, he is contained.”  The corner of his mouth lifted higher. “Yes, indeed.” 
     
    Chapter 61
     
    Four months later...
     
    Zane placed the Titan on autopilot and leaned back, content in a way he’d never expected. More so now that he was back with Angel after a fourteen-hour stint for the DEA. Being gone for days had never been a problem before, but now he counted minutes every time he left home until he could get back to Angel.
    That’s what happened when you found the woman you couldn’t live without.
    “How dressy is this party?” Angel wondered aloud as she poured Zane a cup of coffee. “I don’t know how anyone can get excited about Christmas in Florida.”
    “The longer you live here, the more normal it seems. You’ll see all kind of styles tomorrow night.”  He took a sip and said, “Everything you wear looks terrific on ... or off.”
    She rolled her eyes at him and switched topics. “I can’t wait for Trish to get back from her buying trip.”
    “She probably misses you and Heidi just as much. I’m amazed at the change in her in only four months. I never realized she had the makings of a business dynamo.”
    “Her new shop is going to go gangbusters,” Angel said then grimaced. “I hope she takes some time off after she gets back. She’s been on the road a lot.”
    Talk about reasons to be happy. Trish had shifted into high gear after she’d gone through rehab. Those days had been tough, but Angel’s presence had made the difference for him and Trish. His sister had blossomed into the strong woman Angel had seen even when he couldn’t.
    Zane chuckled. “I don’t think you’re going to slow her down anytime soon and she’s fine. Heidi would let us know if anything changed.”  He leaned across to run his hand over Angel’s cheek. “Don’t get chilled. I can push the heat up if you’re cold.”
    “I’m fine, so stop fussing over me.”  She smiled then sighed. “I’ll be really fine when the trial is done.”
    “Honey, get used to being doted on.”  He grinned back at her, thinking he’d