“I’ll let you consider it,” he said as he stood. “When you’re ready to let me know what you’re really doing in my country, simply call out. Someone will hear you.” Then he stepped closer, leaned down, and whispered in her ear, “You just better hope it isn’t Kazemi who answers your call. I don’t think he likes you very much.” He cupped her face in his hand. “Such a beautiful girl.” Then he walked out with Asadi, and the two guards followed.

As soon as the door closed, Nicole blew out the breath she’d been holding. She sucked in some fresh air, then quickly exhaled. But her breathing rate only increased, the breaths growing shorter and shorter until she was hyperventilating.

Slow down! Breathe. In through the nose, out through the mouth. Just like Christiaan taught you when we were kids and mom had one of her scary boyfriends over. Just breathe.

Slowly, she calmed down. How did she get herself in this situation? This was worse than anything she could have imagined. Twenty years as a Western female in an Iranian prison? Cutting off her hand? What kind of barbaric country was this?

God, I am not a praying person. I haven’t talked to You since my brother, Christiaan, and I were kids. But, please, help me now. I’m as scared as I’ve ever been. Please, please help me.

Chapter 9

CHAPTER 9

MOSSAD SAFE HOUSE, ASTARA, AZERBAIJAN—10:20 / 10:20 A.M. AST

The fourth number on the digital wall clock switched from 0 to 1. Nir leaned his head back and tried to keep his emotions inside, but he was unsuccessful.

“It’s been two hours—no, over two hours since she was arrested,” he yelled into the room as he launched from his folding chair. “Do we know where Nicole is? Do we have a plan? What are we doing?”

The room was still as all eyes were on him.

A voice cut through the silence. “Tavor!” Tzadik said, his hand covering the mouthpiece of his phone. “Sit down and shut up. You’re not helping.”

“Of course I’m not helping! You won’t let me help. My team is ready to mount up. A Yanshuf can get us there in two hours.”

Tzadik said something into his phone, then turned his attention back to Nir. “So you can do what? Start a ground war with Iran? Cool it, cowboy, and wait for me. Five minutes, then I’ll fill you in.”

Tzadik turned away and began talking on his phone again. Nir stared at his back for a few moments, then dropped onto the same metal chair. He wasn’t used to feeling helpless. A man of action from as far back as he could remember, he’d learned to follow his impulses.