Page 121 of Deception

There was a light rap on the door, and Madison hurried to let them in.

“I tried to talk him out of coming by here,” Terri said as they entered the kitchen.

“I wanted to say goodbye,” Steven said. “And give you this.” He placed the backpack on the island.

Clayton tensed. Steven’s voice was as hard and cold as the granite countertop he set the backpack on, and his body was like a too-tight spring ready to uncoil.

“May I open it?” Madison asked.

“Oh, definitely. Here, let me take it out for you.” He unzipped the backpack and pulled a square-looking box from it.

Deathly quiet settled in the room. Clayton swallowed hard. He hadn’t seen many bombs, but he’d seen enough to know this one was for real.

“Steven.” Terri’s cautious voice broke the hushed silence.

He whirled around, a gun in his hand. “Shut up.”

“No!” She walked toward him.

“Stop or I’ll shoot.”

“You’re not doing this.” Terri kept walking.

“Do what he says.” Clayton reached for her, but she shook him off.

The gun did not waver in Steven’s hand. “I don’t want to kill you, Terri, but I will.”

She ignored his command. Clayton couldn’t let him shoot her. He lunged for the man, jerking Steven’s arm up just as he pulled the trigger.

It wasn’t enough, and the bullet slammed into Terri’s shoulder. She stumbled and collapsed just as Steven rammed his knee in Clayton’s stomach, doubling him over.

Clayton clutched his middle as Madison jumped up to help Terri. Steven pointed his gun at her. “Stay where you are.”

“She’s bleeding. You’ll have to shoot me too.” When Steven hesitated, Madison grabbed a hand towel hanging from the back of a chair and pressed it to Terri’s shoulder.

With Steven’s attention diverted, Clayton grabbed for his Sig, but he wasn’t fast enough. Steven kicked it out of his hand. “I ought to kill you right now. Where’s your backup?”

When he didn’t answer fast enough, Steven pointed his gun at Madison. “I’m not asking again.”

Clayton clenched his jaw and flipped the strap on his ankle holster and handed over his smaller pistol, ignoring the smirk on Steven’s face as he took out a small box and pressed a button.

“What’re you doing?” Clayton demanded. It couldn’t be the timer for the bomb unless it was set far enough out for Steven to get away.

“This little baby will jam your phone signals so no one can call out.” Steven turned slightly toward the hall doorway. “Everyone in the hall, come in here.” When no one entered the kitchen, he said, “Now! Or I’ll shoot Clayton.”

“Don’t listen to him,” Clayton yelled. “Get out of the house.”

“You do and he’ll die, and it’ll be your fault.”

“Don’t shoot anyone,” Dani said as she hobbled into the room.

Steven’s eyes widened. “You really do look like Madison.” Then he looked past her. “Where are the others? The girl and the old woman?”

“They’re not here,” Clayton said. He was hoping and praying Bri had climbed out a window and had gone for help.

Steven turned to Dani. “Is that true?”

She nodded.

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