Page 122 of Deception

“I don’t believe you.” He jerked her to his side and dragged her to the kitchen drawers. “You know what they do to liars in the Middle East, don’t you? They cut their fingers off.”

He opened and closed several drawers until he found the onewith knives in it. “Now,” he said, holding up a butcher knife. “We’ll start with the thumb.”

“Stop!” Madison cried. “Why are you doing this?”

He held the knife in midair. “You killed my brother. You have to pay. You and everyone you care about.”

“You?” Madison stared at him. “You killed my grandfather? And shot Dani?”

He frowned. “I’m not answering your questions.”

“Why did you shoot Dani and then try to kill Madison at the hospital?” Clayton asked. If he could keep him talking, maybe Bri could escape and get help.

Steven ignored him. “I’m giving the two in the hall to the count of three to get in here, or I’ll take her fingers off, one at a time. One. Two. Three—”

“Don’t do it. We’re coming.”

“That’s more like it,” Steven said as Bri stomped into the room with Nadine behind her. He shoved Dani into a chair and waved his gun. “Have a seat, everyone.”

Clayton took the stool nearest Steven. He couldn’t let the others die, and if he could get close enough, maybe he could tackle him successfully this time. Steven took zip ties from the backpack and tossed them to him. “Tie them up. Hands behind their backs.”

“No.” If Steven had to tie them himself, Clayton might get the drop on him.

“Then I’ll kill them now.” He put a gun to Dani’s head.

“All right. Just move the gun away from her.”

“When you finish. And tie them to the chair as well.”

Clayton started with Bri.

“I tried to call 911, but my phone wouldn’t work,” she said, her voice low.

“No talking, you two! And move on.”

Clayton put the tie loosely around Dani’s hands and then securedthem to the chair. Last of all, he bound Nadine’s hands, being as gentle as he could. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault, chère.”

But he felt like it was. He should have listened to his gut about Steven.

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Steven nudged Terri with his foot, and she didn’t respond. Madison hoped that she’d just passed out and wasn’t dead. Clayton’s service gun lay just out of reach. They had to do something. Once he had them all secured, he’d set the bomb and leave.

“Get up,” Steven said. When Madison didn’t move fast enough, he jerked her to her feet.

She used the momentum to throw her weight into his shoulder and knock him off balance. Clayton must have been watching him, because he dove for his gun.

Steven aimed his gun at Clayton. Madison grabbed his hand just as it went off. The bullet grazed Clayton’s head, and he fell to the floor. Steven backhanded her with the gun, hitting the side of her face. She fought to stay conscious, but when he hit her again, darkness closed in.

When she came to, the room whirled around her. Madison shook off the dizziness and got to her feet.

“I thought he killed you,” Dani said.

“Where is he?”

“He left while you were unconscious. Right after he set the timer for three minutes. There are only two minutes left.”

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