“You two are scary together.” And Ward slept better knowing that.
Ford nodded. “Let’s hope Pearce hasn’t figured that out yet.”
Ward doubted Pearce would miscalculate that badly, but he did seem to think he was in control. They could use that to their advantage. “We need some luck.”
West waved that off. “Nah, we’ve got skills.”
For the first time since he walked out of the museum Ford smiled. “Oorah.”
29
THE DOOR opened and Shay turned, half expecting to go another round with Ford. This time she was ready. She’d spent the minutes, or hours since he’d left—who knew in this place—replaying every minute of their time together. Every supposed work call he left her to go on. Every time he slipped into her bed at two in the morning and stripped off her underwear. All the conversations and the times he screwed her, literally and figuratively.
It all built up until she thought she might be able to kill him with her bare hands.
Thinking to do just that, she looked up ready to do battle. Instead, Trent stood there with another man. Someone she’d never seen.
Trent motioned for her to walk into the hallway. “Shay, come on.”
“How did you get out?” Last she knew, he was in some sort of holding cell or sealed room being questioned.
“It’s time for us to get out of here.”
The spark of relief she felt hearing those words died almost immediately after she heard them. This was wrong. Trent being out didn’t make sense. The quiet didn’t make sense. As usual, nothing made sense.
Something bad had happened. He whispered her name again, and the rough sound cut through her. Her instincts flared and her priorities shifted. Forget killing Ford, she wanted him with her. Now. He carried a gun, and she assumed he knew how to use it. That would come in handy while she asked Trent the questions swirling in her brain.
She backed up farther into the small room. A second ago she would have bolted from the building—from the entire metro area if she had the chance—only now the room felt like the only safe space to be. “I don’t think so.”
“We only have seconds before Ford figures out he’s been played,” the other man said as he glanced behind him down the hall.
She detected a British accent and thought back to Ford’s comment about a joint group . . . or something. Before she could take it all in, the man reached for her.
She pulled back, but too late. His hand landed on her wrist and his fist tightened around it. She could almost see the bruises from under his fingers.
“Get away from me.” He wrapped a hand around her arm like a vice and tugged. She flailed and kicked but couldn’t break the punishing hold. “What are you doing?”
The man dragged her into the hallway and shoved her against the wall. His hand went to her throat. “That’s enough.”
“Who are you?” After days of little making sense, she’d found something new to be confused about. Another player, another angle. Men kept jumping out with guns and she’d reached the end.
“One more word and I leave you here.” The man’s smile was almost feral as he shoved his elbow into her throat. “And trust me when I say you won’t want to be in this building in a few minutes.”
A now familiar panic shook her. She couldn’t breathe. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t draw in enough breath, and she began choking. Guttural and hacking, she made enough noise to bring the entire Army running.
Frantically looking around, she prayed for help to arrive. When it didn’t, she slapped her hand against the wall and felt around, hoping to hit on something that would help. Maybe a light switch or an alarm. Anything that would buy her a few seconds but only smooth cool concrete greeted her.
Trent grabbed the other man’s arm and pulled. “Pearce, what are—”
As the men struggled, the hold on Shay disappeared. She doubled over, as coughs wracked her body, and she gulped in air. Her legs had turned to jelly or she would have run. All she could do now was clear her throat enough to scream. That was the plan, until she looked up again.
The man who’d had his elbow on her neck was now pinning Trent against the wall and held a knife to his throat. “Don’t use my name,” he said, and pricked Trent’s skin with the edge of the wicked-looking curved blade. “Ever.”
Her mind raced as the fear pumping through her threatened to drop her to her knees. “Trent, what’s happening?”
“I think in his own messed up way, he was trying to save you. Chalk it up to guilt.”
The voice came from behind her. She looked over her shoulder and saw Ford and two other men coming down the hall, guns drawn. A similar sight had terrified her at the museum. For some reason it sent relief pouring through her now.
“Who are you?” She asked the man who had just spoken, but would settle for anyone supplying an answer.
“The man next to you is Trent’s partner, or one of them, Jake Pearce,” Ford answered. “Isn’t that right, Pearce? You’re in with this stupid kid in the hope of making quick money selling a lethal toxin and getting into bed with a known arms dealer like Benton. Good for you.”
“Who the hell is Benton?” Trent asked.
“Son, you’re a step behind,” Ford said, but never broke eye contact with Pearce. “Benton? What the fuck is that about?”
Pearce loosened his grip. “He has a vision.”
“Yeah,” Ford said. “Death by toxin.”
This time Pearce laughed. “Not a huge loss. Have you taken a look at humanity lately?”
More on the toxin and another crime to lay at Trent’s feet. She’d refused to believe it before, but something in Ford’s tone convinced her now.
She focused on him, the one man she knew. “You know Pearce?”
“He works for me,” said the guy in the middle with the gun.
“Disappointing, isn’t it?” The bigger one from the museum added the question.
She thought she remembered his name as West, but who knew at this point. With the nightmares running together, she didn’t understand what was happening. But she got that Pearce had trouble picking sides. She also looked into Ford’s eyes and knew he would cut the man down with a bullet if he had the chance. To help that happen, she shifted to the side.
“Trent?” Ford called out. “I’m guessing Pearce let you out.”
“This can end easy. Just let us go.” Trent sounded hopeful, like he actually believed it might happen.
Even she knew it wouldn’t. Three men stood over Trent with guns now, and two more came up behind them at the other end of the hall. She doubted Trent even knew he was surrounded. Pearce did. He glanced at her and smiled, and dread filled her. He would push this to the end. Probably sacrifice them all.
“That worked at the museum, but not this time.” Ford’s gaze flicked to her then back to Pearce. “This time we predicted the run and everybody stays where they are.”
Pearce shook his head. He stepped away from Trent and slipped his knife back into a slot on his belt, but he made no move to surrender. “I don’t think so.”
“You can’t possibly think you’ll get out of here,” the one who seemed in charge said. “Even if you make it upstairs, this building is filled with black ops experts.” His voice never wavered and he kept his body perfectly still.
Ford and the other men coming toward them were a matched set. The ones she now believed probably were the good guys, or whatever qualified as good in a situation like this. They held their bodies the same way. Shared the same intensity.
“I’m not even sure I know where we are.” She hadn’t meant to make the comment. It just slipped out.
“In the building that’s hard to escape,” the man in charge said.
She had no idea what that meant but got the basic idea: they were as lethal as the toxin they kept talking abou
t. But seeing them all there eased the anxiety spilling through her stomach. She still had to lean on the wall to stay upright but felt as if they might have a chance. Slim, but possible.
Instead of looking worried, Pearce just stood there. “And that’s exactly why I’m here.”
The big one looked ready to shoot. She bit back a gasp and tried to slide tighter against the wall and out of the line of fire.
The leader swore and adjusted his shoulders. “Pearce, this is a losing game. Tell us where Benton is holed up and let’s end this thing.”
“It’s worse than you think.” Pearce opened his palm and a small vial rolled around in his palm. “It looks innocent, doesn’t it?”
She didn’t need an explanation for that. She’d seen the same thing in her cardigan pocket when Trent barged in, wild and demanding. The toxin. It was right there, with them, a few feet away from her.
She grabbed the wall, dug her fingers into the grout lines between the concrete blocks and tried to stay still. Ford’s expression told her how bad this was. A nerve ticked in his cheek as his finger moved off the trigger.
Trent pushed his way around Pearce and stared down at the vial. “Why do you have that here?”
“That was always the plan, Trent. One toxin drop and they’re all gone.” Pearce made an exploding gesture with his other hand. “Poof.”
Ford’s frown grew even more severe. “That’s your big fucking move? To kill everyone in the building?”
Pearce held the vial between his thumb and forefinger. “Well, to use one vial to wipe out the service and sell the rest. Unfortunately there were only two vials hidden in the apartment upstairs from you two. Trent should have hid it all there instead of taking some with him to the museum.”
Trent clawed at Pearce’s arm. “That wasn’t the deal.”
“Shut up.” A backhand sent Trent flying across the hallway. He slammed into the concrete wall and stayed there. “You get to live for the sole purpose of making me more.”
Silence rained down as a wave of tension swept through the corridor. Walls of anxiety pushed into her from every direction. She could almost feel Ford’s pulse from where she stood. It raced like hers. Like all of them, except this Pearce, who seemed to have ice in his veins and death on his agenda.
“So, in the end, this is about money,” the leader said in a flat tone.
Pearce scoffed. “Shit, no. It was never about the money.”
“What then?” Ford lowered his gun. “You served in intelligence for years and now you want to destroy it?”
“You wait, Ford. You’ll see.” The amusement left Pearce’s face. He was a giant ball of simmering rage now. It radiated off of him and into those around him. “They spin you up and send you out to kill. They give you training and you sit through briefings. They convince you that you’re one of the good guys and all the bloodshed and stomping on rights is for the greater good.”
“Jesus, you’ve lost it.”
Pearce’s gaze shot to the big man in front of him with the gun. “No, West, I finally found my common sense again. You, of anyone here, should know what it feels like to be used for your killing skills and not appreciated.”
“That’s what’s happening here?” Ford’s voice rose as he talked. “You didn’t get enough praise? You needed another medal? You can be that pathetic?”
Pearce raised his gun. Aimed it right at Ford.
Despite everything, she wanted to race in front of Ford. Guard him. Wipe the mixed look of pain and hatred off his face and give him back his blank expression.
“I got a government pension and was shown the door.”
“Poor baby.” Ford shook his head. “Trent, you picked the wrong fucking partner. This one is a whiner.”
“I’m the one with a vial.” Pearce shook it, probably as a reminder that despite all the guns, he was in charge.
Ford shrugged. “If you say so.”
Pearce’s gaze shot to her. “You’ve served your purpose. Now say goodbye to Ford. If it’s any consolation, I think he really did fall for you, the stupid bastard.”
“Shay, move.”
But it was too late. Pearce held her with one arm hooked around her throat.
Her eyes widened and a gasp escaped her lips. For a second time, Ford saw Shay clawing at a hand holding her while she couldn’t break free. Even though this was all part of the plan, a strategy that put her in danger, he had to stand there and watch. It took every ounce of control for him not to lunge.
Fuck the toxin and Trent and Pearce. He wanted her out of there. “Let her go.”
Pearce glanced around, even spared a look for Harlan and Josiah coming up behind him, Reid and Lucas behind them. “Everyone back away so I can finish my work.”
“You think we’re going to let you kill everyone in here?” Ward asked. “You can’t be that stupid.”
“It’s too late to save them.” Pearce held the vial. “One goes into the vents and everyone in here dies, but I’m giving Ford the chance to let her live. She can leave with me and the other vial.”
Ford knew things Pearce didn’t, but still his heart ripped open. He looked at Shay’s scared face and thought about the time he’d been with her. This was not a choice he could make. Not that he could trust Pearce or could guarantee her safety, but he couldn’t say the words Pearce wanted.
“I’m getting tired of seeing men touch her.” She could hate him forever. He just wanted her to have a long healthy hate. Not to die today. Not here, not while she still believed he’d done this all for a job and that she didn’t mean anything to him.
“Pearce, don’t do this.” Trent reached out.
Pearce shoved him away. “If you want to exit this building, you will shut up and stay out of my way,” he said, then turned back to Ford. “You don’t get that chance. Does she live or does she die first, when I slit her throat? It’s up to you, Ford.”
The memories of the last time Ford faced a knife on someone he cared about came rushing back. Pearce probably thought the comment would paralyze. The opposite happened. Fury like Ford had never known welled up inside him. Instead of tamping it down, he let it fill him. If there were a sacrifice to be made, it would be him. His body for Shay’s life. He was fine with that.
This time he would not be too late.
But he had to move fast. He could see Harlan and Josiah ready to make a move. He had full control over his team but those two were wild cards. He glanced at Harlan and held eye contact a beat too long. The message was clear. Ford’s job would be to grab the toxin while one of them put a bullet in the back of Pearce’s head.
Any way you measured it, this was ending today. Right here. In this hallway, in the secure building in Virginia. Maybe with all of them dead, but definitely with Pearce in a pool of blood.
But Ford had one last vow to make. “I will fucking kill you.”
Pearce laughed. “Is that what you thought while those killers carved up your old partner in front of you?”
There it was. The emotional attack. Ford pushed it all away.
The hubris would do Pearce in. He’d been told too many times that he was the best, and now he seemed to breathe it in and believe it above everything else. It’s what allowed him to set up Harlan without any guilt, and what pushed him to throw in on this job. He’d grown to see himself as invincible.
He didn’t know he’d been lured into this hallway. That the building had been evacuated and the ventilation system shut down. This was all about drawing him out, getting him to talk. The only potential issue was that one last vial.
Pearce missed another important fact. His skills were nothing compared to Ford’s fear for Shay and his determination to keep her safe. “You might want to remember,” Ford said, “I killed the men who killed my partner.”
“You won’t kill me.” Pearce tightened his hold on Shay. “Not while
I have her.”
Ford was about to give the silent go ahead for Harlan to do just that when Shay cleared her throat.
“Ford?”
No, this couldn’t happen. He needed her quiet. He couldn’t look at her or hear her.
Ward must have known what the sound of her voice did to Ford because he spoke up. “Shay, just be still.”
She ignored Ward. Ignored them all and focused on Ford. He felt the intensity burn through him.
“Do it.” She tried to nod, but Pearce held her too tight.
She couldn’t mean . . . “What?”
“Do whatever you have to do to stop him.” A lone tear ran down her cheek.
He felt gutted. Knifed and ripped open. He almost dropped his gun as he forced himself to stare at her and take in what she’d said.
Pearce wasn’t impressed. He shook her. “You’re as big a pain in the ass as your cousin.”
She struggled to push his arm down. Her voice came out raspy and her words tumbled into each other. “I love you. Do you hear me? I am furious and hurt, but I get it.”
Jesus, she was begging him to do his job but she didn’t understand his training or that he had a plan. She was willing to sacrifice herself for him. “Shay, no.”
“I understand now why you did it . . . this guy and the toxin.” She visibly swallowed. “I love you.”
The words crashed into his skull and his vision blanked. Ward gave him the side eye, but it was the last thing Ford saw. The emotions he blocked on the job poured through.
Pearce’s laughter brought him back. “Isn’t that sweet? Ford, I think she means it, which is a fucking shame.”
Her eyes grew even wider. “Do it.”
Ford saw Ward nod and Josiah move. Everything spun in slow motion as men piled in the small space, following the instructions he’d given before they put their plan into action. Both Alliance teams appeared and the shouting started. Trent ducked down but Shay stood still. Ford had to get to her but Josiah moved faster.
Playing Dirty Page 28