Chapter 25
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Cici barely dared to move, the silence in the office so complete that every shift felt magnified, drawing attention to her presence.
She’d scooched as far from Mendez’s blood as the zip ties would allow, but the metallic scent clung to the stale air. The crimson pool had spread wide, forcing her to draw her knees up to keep it from seeping into her jeans.
Falcone had disappeared with most of the commandos twenty minutes before. She’d caught the relief in his eyes when the scarred leader had barked orders at him—anything, she assumed, to escape Gagnon’s suffocating presence and the blood-stained office where Mendez had died.
What would it feel like to know your actions had led to someone else’s murder?
Falcone could’ve kept his mouth shut about not being able to locate Asher’s body.
He hadn’t, and now a man was dead. It was possible he didn’t care at all or was more worried about what Gagnon would do to him for keeping the information quiet for so long.
The more time that crawled by in oppressive quiet, the more Cici dared to hope.
If Asher really was alive—and these guys seemed convinced—it was possible he was too injured to mount a rescue operation on his own.
He’d been barely conscious before the men had gotten to them, then thrown over a cliff.
She prayed he wasn’t too hurt, just enough that he wouldn’t come charging in alone like some action movie hero.
Surely, he’d get help, call the authorities, let someone else—
“Status report.” Gagnon’s voice cut through her desperate thoughts as he spoke into the comm device the commando leader had left him. The response came in the form of clipped words that told her there was nothing going on, nothing to report.
Souza hadn’t moved from his position near the door, hadn’t spoken a word since Mendez’s execution. But his dark eyes barely left her, boring into her with an intensity that made her skin crawl, as if she were personally responsible for every complication in his miserable life.
Gagnon’s cell phone vibrated against the metal desk, the sound sharp and intrusive. He glanced at the screen, squinting as he read something there. Then he looked up, first at Souza, then at Cici, and she caught a flicker of something that might have been satisfaction.
“Interesting,” he murmured, setting the phone down and drumming his fingers against its surface. “It seems your bodyguard is more resourceful than I gave him credit for.”
Cici’s heart lurched. “What do you mean?”
“No idea how, but he’s made contact.”
“We had your number.” The lie slid from her lips before she’d fully formulated it. The last thing she wanted was for Gagnon to believe Asher had help.
But how else could he have gotten Gagnon’s cell number? Please, Lord, let him not be working alone.
Even as she breathed the prayer, she realized Alyssa could’ve gotten the number for him. That didn’t mean there was anyone out there with him. He could still be alone.
Gagnon’s smile was as cold as winter. “Seems he wants to negotiate.”
Asher? Surely not. Surely he didn’t think he could just talk her out of this. He’d only get himself killed.
Gagnon tapped on his phone. “He has me curious.” He picked up the comm unit. “Get in here. I want you to hear this.”
Three minutes later, the scarred commando leader stepped into the room. Unlike everyone else who’d come up the stairs, his approach had been stealthy and silent. “What’s going on?”
“There’s an enemy out there, and he’s close.”
“Copy.” The leader turned away and spoke, presumably to men listening through the little earpieces she’d seen in their ears. He listened, then said, “And?” Another long pause, and then, “Check it out. Don’t be seen.” He focused on Gagnon. “We have movement on the north side, near the gate.”
Gagnon shot Cici a cruel smile. “I’ll get him talking. You close in.”
No. What could Asher be thinking, trying to negotiate with a psychopath?
Lord, protect him.
Minutes passed, and then the comm unit on the desk cracked. “We’re in position.”
“Got it.” Gagnon lifted his cell phone. “Let’s just find out what your little bodyguard friend has to say, shall we?”
He dialed and must’ve put the phone on speaker because she heard ringing.
“I have what you’re looking for.” Asher’s voice carried through the phone, clear as day. He sounded…normal. Not weak, not hurt, just confident and in control, as he always sounded.
He’d told her he’d choose her over all the women in the world. Apparently, he was willing to prove that by dying…with her. Because he couldn’t think Gagnon was going to let either one of them walk away.
It was impossible.
Gagnon’s focus was on the phone, but Souza had moved toward Cici, his cold eyes broadcasting a warning. Keep your mouth shut.
Or what? He’d kill her? That was already the plan.
She wasn’t about to let them take down Asher too.
She met Souza’s eyes. And then she shouted, “Asher, run! They know where you—”
Souza’s kick was swift, straight to her ribs. Her breath whooshed out, replaced by pain, sharp and hot.
The second blow came to her head. The office pulsated, the world around her muffled, shrinking to darkness.
She ducked, curled, and prayed…for relief. Mostly, for Asher.
She desperately wanted him to survive this.