Page 74 of Hidden Ascent

“For what I have to do. It wasn’t always my plan.”

“What wasn’t?”

“Put your hands up.” When she didn’t respond immediately, he took a menacing step toward her. “Hands. Up.”

She lifted her hands. “Why?”

The door opened, and a man with both arms covered in tattoos stepped slowly into the room. He held a gun pointed at Jay. When he noticed Isla, he faltered for a second but continued to hold it on the man with the gun.

“Simmo?” Jay said. “No way. Hey, man. It’s been a long time. I didn’t know you were still with the Red Wolves.”

“Jay? What’s going on? What are you doing in here?”

“You’ve got extraordinary timing. I was about to bring her down to you guys.”

Simmo looked at Isla and squinted. “Who’s she? And you still haven’t said why you’re in here. Does Sharpe know you’re here?”

“Not yet. It’s long story.”

“I have time.”

“You could start by pointing that gun at her and not me.”

Simmo looked undecided but complied. “So, what’s the story?”

“It probably wasn’t my best plan, breaking in here, but it was the only way I could get her inside. I wanted to make sure I caught her in the act for you guys. I was going to come find whoever I could once I’d nabbed her, but you beat me to it.”

“And who is she?”

“DEA.”

Isla’s heart pounded in her ears as she tried to make sense of what was happening.

“No kidding?” Simmo said. “How’d she know where to find us?”

“Jay,” Isla stepped forward.

“Don’t move.” He stared her down and didn’t break eye contact. “I’ll shoot you if I have to. Do you understand? I’d prefer to hand you over alive, but it’s not a requirement.”

Isla looked for any sign from him that he was only pretending, but all she could see was a dark hardness in his face, like a shadow had covered it. Or had it always been there?

“So, she knows you?” Simmo said.

“She thought she did. Didn’t you, Isla? ”

“Far out. How’d you get mixed up with the feds?”

“Not mixed up. I saw an opportunity, and I took it.”

“It’s right what they say about you.”

“What’s that?”

“That you’re a little crazy. If I were you, I’d be lying low, not taking my chances with a government official. I hear Shoemaker is baying for your blood.”

“Probably. We had a little misunderstanding.”

“Misunderstanding? I heard you killed his nephew.”

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