Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 144571 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 723(@200wpm)___ 578(@250wpm)___ 482(@300wpm)
“I took out the cameras.” She’d paled slightly. Even in the low light he could see it.
“Not the ones you couldn’t see,” he replied.
“Hey, you brought him two important assets,” Zach argued. “He’ll be thrilled when it’s your work that brings him the bombmaker.”
This was kind of fun. He watched Lena’s shoulders go back, pride on her face again. And then he went in for the kill. “And he won’t need you anymore. I’m sure he’ll still want you around. You won’t be a liability or anything. He’ll probably give you a pension or something. Maybe a good letter of recommendation to the next evil asshole looking for minions.”
Her hand came back again, and Cooper simply smiled. She might do better this time.
The guard walked in and gestured for them to stand, getting in between Cooper and Lena. “Dr. Gallagher, maybe you should go inside. I don’t think he wants anyone out here. Despite how far we are from the town, there could still be eyes on us.”
Lena turned and started walking back in.
The guard watched her. “Did you have to wind her up like that?” He sighed. “Get up. Dr. Huisman will see you now.”
Like they were being invited in for tea. He stood beside Zach as the guard took their places around them. Two in front and two on the sides. How many did that leave for the team?
They were given a cursory pat down. Exactly what Zach had been counting on. No one touched his waist except at his hips. When they were satisfied, the guard nodded.
Lena walked in front of them, her boots pounding against the porch boards, an agitated sound. She pushed through the double doors. “Manny, are you insane? We should leave right now. I don’t buy this bullshit for a second.”
Huisman stood at the top of the stairs, two guards flanking him. “Lena, do you think I don’t know what I’m doing? Do you think I don’t have eyes on Taggart? Even now he’s huddled up in his office building with the rest of the team. They entered the building six hours ago. I do believe they’re trying to figure out where to go. I know their jet is on standby. They haven’t filed a flight plan yet because they can’t figure out where to look.”
Lena pointed his way. “Yeah, but their pilot is here. Have you thought about that?”
“I snuck him out,” Zach claimed. “I was in Dallas today meeting with someone my mother works with. When I received your message, I knew I needed backup I could count on, and that’s my brother. You can’t possibly expect me to turn myself over without a guard to escort the women out of here. He’s part of the deal.”
“Ah, so he knows now.” Huisman started down the stairs.
This was where he hoped he was a better liar than Kala thought he was. “I’ve known since he joined the team.”
Huisman stopped, his expression shuttering. “No, you have not.”
Either he had someone on the inside—and by inside it would have to be an actual member of the team—or he was guessing. The good news about his team? The only one who wasn’t solid was standing beside him. “Zach told me when he joined the team.”
Huisman’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t believe you.”
Huisman was really arrogant. The man hadn’t even restrained them. He was counting on his guards and their fear for the women. One of those things did keep Cooper on a leash, and it sure wasn’t the guards. “It doesn’t matter in the end. I’d like to see Kala and Devi. I’ll take them off your hands. I have a car waiting at the road. Should I bring it down?”
Huisman’s mask slipped back on, and he seemed jovial again. “Oh, I think we should negotiate first. I am completely willing to part with Devon Taggart in exchange for your brother selling out his mother.” He walked to the small bar. It was a neatly kept tray in what appeared to be the front lounge. “Kala is another story. Kala is… Well, she’s a personal project of mine.”
Zach’s hand reached out, stilling Cooper. “There’s no deal without Kala.”
Huisman’s smile was vaguely reptilian. “Then I’m afraid we won’t have a deal. Perhaps you will change your mind when I start cutting off pieces of young Miss Taggart. Or perhaps I’ll get creative and take her eyes. She’s some sort of designer. Well, she’ll find other work. Guard, go down to the basement and shove your thumbs into Miss Taggart’s eyes. Bring them to me.” He held up a hand. “The redhead. Don’t touch the pink-haired one. She’s mine. But she’s a bit of a feral animal at this point, so you might give her a shock or knock her out before you open the cage.”
If they opened the cage, Kala would have a shot. Even if they used a Taser on her. She handled that pretty well. And Devi knew a bit about self-defense. If they set off the bombs after the cage was open, they had a fighting chance. Though he didn’t know what they’d already taken from Kala.