Chapter 16 #2
The road remained deserted as they darted back out, staying close to the wall as they maneuvered toward the third building. Ellis moved quickly but efficiently, stopping at the door. Her mouth pinched tight as she glanced at the frame, clenched her jaw then waved at the lock.
Colt pulled the keys Six had retrieved out of his pocket, handing them to her—hoping they still worked—as his gaze slide to where she’d been staring. A red smear filled the grooves on the side of the door, as if someone had wiped it down in a rush. Hadn’t bothered to get between the cracks.
A loud ringing sounded in his head.
Blood. Her blood. On the frame. And the assholes had just brushed it off. As if it meant nothing. Was an inconvenience they’d had to deal with.
The door slivered open, revealing more stains on the frame before Ellis’ silhouette blocked them out for a moment, her lithe body slipping inside.
Colt followed, clearing the room as she closed the door before stepping into her. Trapping her there. “You were bleeding so bad you left a handprint down the side?” He exhaled. “I don’t know how you made it all the way to the office.”
She palmed his jaw. “A mix of fear and determination. Dying out there sounded like a better option than what would have happened in here, so…”
So, she’d dragged her ass a couple of miles while slowly bleeding out. Christ, she amazed him.
He backed away, took a deep breath. “The place should be empty, and Rigs and Blade cleared it of explosives, but we shouldn’t assume they haven’t come back. Left us more surprises.”
She nodded then struck off, gun at the ready, diligently clearing each space before heading to the next.
She seemed to know where she was going, winding her way through a few doors and hallways before stopping in one of the side rooms. She jingled the keys, unlocked the door, then swung it open.
A lone chair sat in the middle of the room, and Colt knew this was where they’d held her.
Fucking tortured her. He glanced at the floor, but they’d done a decent cleanup job.
Just the odd darker stain to suggest something had been spilled.
Ellis took a step in then stopped, staring at the seat. A tremor worked through her, her breathing erratic. Colt moved in behind her, gently palming her hips. Shivers passed beneath his palms, the bit of skin touching his thumbs above her pants icy cold.
He wrapped his arms around her, holding her tight. “They can’t hurt you. Never, again, if I have a say.”
She nodded. Too fast to be convincing, but he smiled against her hair, anyway.
“Do you want to talk about it?” He already knew she didn’t. Wouldn’t. Maybe couldn’t, yet. But, he needed to ask. Leave the possibility open.
Ellis sighed, still staring at the chair. “Maybe another time. We should scour the entire building. See if they left anything behind. Though, I spent most of my time in here, so, it’s a good place to start.”
He let go. Had to tell his brain three times to lift his fingers, but he made it happen—felt the physical loss when she moved away from him.
They split up, each taking half of the room.
He checked the edges, under the metal counter on the far side.
Every scratch, every patch that looked slightly different.
But other than an old chewed piece of gum, his side was empty.
He glanced over at Ellis. She was crouched beside the far wall, head tilted, hand hovering a couple of inches above the floor.
He picked his way over to her, double checking the area outside the room, first. No sense getting caught by surprise. Finding it still clear, he stopped beside her then lowered, tipping his head to gain her attention.
Her gaze met his, and he frowned at the deep lines across her forehead. The extra white in her eyes, and the quick shallow breaths puffing the stray strands around her face.
Colt placed one hand on her shoulder. “El? What’s wrong?”
She swallowed, gagged a bit, then pointed at the edge of the wall.
He followed her line of sight, finally spotting what looked like the corner of a small piece of black silicon wedged under the gray plastic trim lining the wall.
He grabbed a knife out of his vest, using the tip to gently pry it away.
The chip wasn’t much bigger than his fingertip, with tiny silver prongs around the edges.
White lettering was stamped on one side, a good portion of the serial number scratched off.
It was obviously part of a circuit board.
Except, there wasn’t anything remotely electrical in the place.
Ellis carefully transferred it into her palm, turning it over, then staring off to one side, obviously lost in thought.
He gave her some space, constantly checking over his shoulder—looking for any indication they weren’t alone.
Though he’d been listening, a trained agent wouldn’t make any noise.
A former-military Spec Op guy wouldn’t even make the air move.
Nothing. Just the two of them, crouched in the room where Colt had nearly lost her. It didn’t matter that he hadn’t known she was there, just that she’d been hurt, and he hadn’t been around to help her.
Seemed to be a recurring curse with him.
First, five years ago. Drinking his way to oblivion in Paris while she’d rotted in some cell god knows where.
Then, several days ago. Here. Tied to that damn chair still positioned in the room.
Bleeding. Barely alive. Yet, both times, she’d found an escape.
Maybe not the one she’d been hoping for, but it had saved her ass.
And he couldn’t be prouder.
He gave her shoulder a light nudge. “Want to fill me in on what you’re thinking? Do you know what that came from?”
She closed her hand, locking the tiny scrap in her fist. “I have an idea…”
He waited, but she sat there, staring at the wall. “El?”
She blinked, seemed to zone back in. “I need to check something out. Are you up for a drive?”
“After you tell me what this is about.”
“It’s a long story. And I don’t even know if my hunch is correct.” She waved off his attempt to question her. “It’s easier if I just get a few more facts before everyone starts to panic.”
He stood, staring down at her. “Oh, so, we’ll be panicking, now?”
She sighed then rose beside him. “Can we just go? Please?”
Damn, not only had she said please, but the way she was looking at him.
Wide eyes. Glassy. As if she was holding back tears.
Slightly downturned lips. Not a frown. More like she was trying not to let them quiver.
And she was tense—her body primed for a fight.
It was about as much vulnerability as the woman had shown since arriving on his doorstep—other than maybe last night.
Lying beneath him. Asking him to hold her just a bit longer.
He shoved his hand through his hair. “Even if I say no, you’ll go without me, won’t you?”
Ellis winced, looked down at her closed hand then up to him. “It’s extremely important, Brett. And the truth is, I’d rather not go alone.”
Well, shit.
Colt pushed out a breath, wishing it would stem the nervous roll of his stomach. Because he had a very bad feeling where she wanted to go involved McCormick. Which meant men. Guns. All aiming at her. “Just answer me this…”
She arched one brow.
“Is this trip going to save your ass, or get it killed?”