Behind the Lies (Montgomery Justice #2)(77)

He scanned the neatly typed list of addresses resting on the rental car’s seat. He’d visited three already. The American woman had told the truth. One house had been burned to the ground. Perhaps the United States wasn’t so different from Afghanistan after all.

Following the GPS, Farzam drove past a sheriff’s office. He could see the tan vehicles with lights on the roof. All was quiet here now, however.

Farzam parked across from a bar. Alcohol. He knew about it. He’d been in his share of pubs in the United Kingdom. Not to imbibe of course, but Farzam understood the world. Its dangers and its temptations.

After a quick scan of the area, he exited the vehicle and strode to the swinging doors of the entrance. He stood in the doorway. Raucous men out of control. Women sidling up to them, flashing their flesh.

He ignored them, searching for one very particular man.

Two large men strode in from the back. One of them paused as his gaze crossed Farzam.

A warrior. He knew that look. Military.

In a move to conceal his face, Farzam ducked among a large group that had just entered the bar. He peered around the protection for a second glance. The soldier studied the figures surrounding Farzam, suspicious and alert.

He’d been seen, however briefly. Time to disappear. Besides, he had the information he wanted. He’d recognized the men from the photos the woman had provided. The soldier and his companion were both obviously Montgomerys, given their similar appearance, but not Zach Montgomery. Where there were two, Farzam might find more.

Since the men had come from behind the bar, Farzam’s next stop became easy. The back rooms were definitely worth investigating. He slid outside, unnoticed.

Staying close to the shadows, he walked to the side of the building and worked his way to the rear, making himself as undetectable as possible.

“Jenna!” a voice shouted into the night.

Farzam skidded to a halt and sank deeper into the darkness, away from the lights.

He froze in the night, disbelieving as Zach Montgomery walked out of a house. There he was, the man who had caused Farzam’s sister to lose her pride, her humanity, and finally her life. The man whose very existence had torn Farzam’s son away from him.

The man Farzam needed to kill.

He reached for the weapon he’d purchased from a thug on a street corner. Farzam’s hand shook, and he pulled the gun free. The time was here to prove himself a man, avenge his family, and liberate his son from Khalid’s clutches.

Zach Montgomery walked over to a woman. Gently, reverently, he turned her toward him then pulled her into his arms, holding her close.

Stunned fury hit Farzam as he stared at the couple. His enemy loved, an emotion Farzam had never expected to see on the face of the man who’d so callously destroyed Farzam’s family. He lifted his weapon and took aim.

An entrance to the bar opened and a sea of people exited, joking and laughing. They blocked Farzam’s vision. When they headed his way, he lowered his gun to avoid detection. Seconds later, a spotlight illuminated the parking lot, showcasing a basketball hoop. The group set to a fierce game with shouts and catcalls.

Farzam cursed. He couldn’t gun down Zach here. There were too many witnesses, too many chances to get caught. He couldn’t risk making a mistake or he’d never get home. He needed his prey alone and vulnerable.

Montgomery tucked the woman to his side and walked her to the door, his touch tender and caring. They disappeared inside the house.

Farzam gripped the stock of the gun so tightly his fingers went numb. He stalked across the parking lot into the building next door. Struggling against his instinct to rush in after his enemy, he gulped down the rage. He’d bide his time. Soon enough, Zach Montgomery would make himself vulnerable, then Farzam would have everything he wanted.

His enemy would be no more.

His son would be returned.

He would have a new life.

If the American woman who brought him here kept her promise.




The screen door closed behind Jenna and Zach, drowning out the whoops and hollers from the basketball game. She sucked in a deep breath. Barbecue smoke and fried food wafted at her from the bar, but instead of making her hungry, the scents just stirred nausea in Jenna’s gut.

Thankful Seth and Luke had taken off to the bar to give her and Zach a bit of privacy, she stiffened in his arms. “Brad always has a plan. He’ll never just let us go,” she said. The weight of her husband’s skills terrified her. “I won’t let him take Sam. I can’t.”

Zach turned her in his arms, the warmth of his body encompassing hers, but a chill settled deep in Jenna’s bones.

“We’ll catch Brad,” Zach said. “He’s making mistakes he never made before. His perfect disguise is slipping.”

“Perfect,” she spat, rubbing her arms. “I hate that word. Brad wanted his house, me, and Sam to be perfect. We’re not, and Brad doesn’t react well to mistakes.” She touched the cheekbone Brad had bruised the first time he’d hurt her. “I can’t risk my son,” she said.

“We won’t let Brad near Sam—or you. We know what he wants.”

Could she place her future in Zach’s hands one more time? She met his strong gaze and took his hand in hers. “What’s your plan?”

“That’s my girl.” Zach led her into the kitchen and pulled out a chair from the table. As she sat down a knock sounded at the door.