Chapter Sixty Alejandro
Chapter Sixty
Alejandro
CIA black site; undisclosed location
Beth lounged in her chair, no longer in orange, as previously required, thanks to our deal. Her posture was relaxed despite the metal cuffs anchoring her wrists to the table bolted into the concrete floor.
Sitting across from her, in a windowless room in the secure wing, I leaned back, arms crossed, still regarding her as a possible threat.
Hard not to do. “You know, you could’ve saved us all a lot of trouble and just told me the truth on that call.
Just asked me not to tell Rhett that I knew he forced you to lie. ”
“Where would the fun in that be?” She lifted one shoulder. “Doubt you’d have followed through with this meeting if I did.”
I studied her, jaw tight. “Some things never change, huh?”
Beth gave me another light shrug. “I knew your team would crack something on that flash drive. I had faith in you. I didn’t marry an idiot.” She smiled faintly. “But I’m still a work in progress. Trying to change, whether you believe that or not.”
I was there.
Trying to.
But damn.
Could people like her really change? I mean, maybe there was something different about her?
Her eyes, which were once a sharp, icy blue, seemed softer now. Maybe I was imagining it? Maybe I needed to believe the evil had bled out of her and she wasn’t a threat anymore. That I could walk out of here and not worry that she’d find a way back into my life to try to mess it up again.
“But I guess old habits die hard,” she added, with an uneasy smile this time.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” My pulse ticked higher. The fluorescent lights above buzzed. I braced my palms on the cold steel table and pushed to stand, not interested in spending another minute longer with her than need be.
“Why are you really here?” Her gaze narrowed slightly, trying to get an accurate read on me.
“Guard,” I called over my shoulder. The reinforced door opened with a beep and a metallic groan. “Bring him in.”
The guard nodded silently.
I checked the overhead camera in the corner. No blinking red light. Disabled, as requested.
Beth peeked around me. “What’s going on?” she asked, voice still calm. Cool and controlled. Much more like the Beth I remembered, and unfortunately, I needed that her today.
“You’ll see.” I flexed my fingers as I waited, knuckles cracking.
A moment later, the guard returned, escorting Rhett in bright prison orange. His hands and ankles were shackled, and his gaze scraped over me as he was shoved down into my previous seat.
“Thank you. You can leave us,” I said after the guard attached his cuffs to the table.
He obeyed, leaving the heavy door cracked for my exit.
“What is this?” Rhett gritted out.
Beth glanced at me as I circled the table and moved to her side.
I bent down, unfastened her cuffs with the key I’d been provided, then helped her stand before stepping back. “I’m giving Beth here a chance to do what I wish I could.”
“And what’s that?” Rhett strained against the cuffs.
“An opportunity to get blood on her hands.” I drew the Glock from the back of my jeans and held it at my side. “You blackmailed her. Had your girlfriend threaten and torment her.” I looked over at Beth. “Do you really want to be in the same prison as him?”
“Nah, you’re too by-the-book. You won’t kill me,”’ Rhett snapped. “You can’t.”
“Like I said, I’m not doing anything.” I handed the Glock to Beth. She took it carefully, watching me with something unreadable in her eyes, then rotated the weapon in her palm.
“It’s empty,” she said flatly. “I can tell.”
I pulled the single round from my pocket.
Rhett’s face contorted. “You won’t let her do it.”
I rounded the table and grabbed his chin with my free hand, squeezing until he flinched. “You sure about that?” I leaned in. “Is it really murder if you’re already dead?” I let go of him and returned to Beth’s side.
I held the round between us like the peace offering I couldn’t believe I was giving to her.
“The choice is yours: He lives. Or he dies.”
“You really trust she won’t shoot you on your way out?” Rhett barked out, yanking at the cuffs.
I looked at Beth, then back at him. “That’s a risk I’m willing to take.” I placed the round in her open palm. “Just the one. Make it count.” I nodded once and turned for the door.
“Alex?” she called out.
I paused in the doorway. A chambering click echoed. “Yeah?”
“You never said if you forgive me.”
The question hit harder than I wanted it to. Her voice, just this side of sincere, gave me pause. “I can’t speak for the others you hurt, but don’t shoot me and that’d be a good start.” I stepped into the hall, the heavy door clicking shut behind me.
And a second later, a shot rang out.