Page 119 of Hidden Ascent

“I’ll do whatever you need. Just don’t hurt her.”

“Excellent. First things first. You have a press conference in a couple of hours. I have someone I’d like you to appoint within your office. It helps keep things from getting complicated. You can announce the new position at your press conference so I know I have your cooperation, then we can talk further.” The line was silent. “Lloyd? You still there?”

“You let Isla go, and once I can confirm she’s safe from you, you have a deal.”

“I’m sorry. That’s not how this works. Isla will remain in my custody, but if you do as I have asked, I will allow you visitation rights. In the meantime, I’ll send the details for your chat to the press.”

“No. I’m sorry. I can’t do that.”

“That would be very unfortunate for Isla.”

“Is she listening?”

“Yes.”

“You won’t find me an agreeable pawn in your plans. I refuse to bow to your blackmail, and if you hurt Isla, I will make sure the full force of the law comes swiftly upon you. But when it comes to the American people, I won’t compromise. I can’t be bought or manipulated.”

“Lloyd, you don’t—” Isla tried again.

“Thank you for your time,” Sharpe said, then hung up. “Guess he loves the people more than he loves you. I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I thought for a moment that he’d do anything for you.”

“You don’t want to kill me or Maddy.”

“Don’t I?”

“I could help you.”

“We tried that, remember? Lloyd’s not interested. But don’t worry. I won’t make you suffer. In a way, I’m being merciful to you. Now you don’t have to live with the knowledge of a lost love. Not everyone is so lucky.”

He put his phone in his breast pocket and took a gun off one of his men. “It was nice to have met you.”

“Please, wait.”God, do something.

“What is the point of delaying the inevitable? I’m sorry, Isla. This is the end for you.”

She put up her hands as though she could stop the bullet; then, the air erupted in gunfire from the door.

Isla was about to dive for Maddy when Maddy moved first. Even with her hands restrained behind her back, she fell on top of Isla to protect her.

Isla pushed her aside. “We have to get cover,” she said, frantic, until she realized the shooting had stopped.

Sharpe was lying dead on the floor, along with all his other men.

Isla looked to the door where Carl Blanchet stood with Jay and two other men, including the one who’d let her inside.

“We’d better clean up the rest,” Blanchet said to his guys. “They’ll be coming from all over the building after the noise we made. You two ladies okay?”

Isla nodded and looked at Jay, who was frowning. “You guys go,” he said. “I’ll get Isla and Maddy out of here.”

“I think he’s got the keys to my cuffs,” Maddy said as she kicked the guy closest. “Front right pocket.”

Isla fished out the keys and released her.

“Glad to see you’re both still alive,” Jays said, his face tight with emotion.

“That was impeccable timing,” Maddy said. “Or was Isla here to distract them? In that case, you cut things pretty close.”

Jay looked at Isla and shook his head. “You shouldn’t have come here.”

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