Page 15 of Trapped With the Secret Agent

“How are you going to stop them?” she asked her voice high and tight. “There are so many of them, and they have guns.”

“I’m going to get you out of here. I promise.”

“Are you insane? Past all those lunatics? We’ll be shot.”

“No one is even going to know we’re gone.” He lowered his voice even further. “I’ll get you out through the tunnel.”

“What?” Her hushed tone was colored with disbelief. “What are you talking about?”

“Keep your voice down.” Peter glanced at the door, but the two terrorists didn’t appear to be paying any attention to them. They were talking to each other now, complaining about how long it was taking. “The escape tunnel under this building. Didn’t you know? This embassy was built over an old foundation. Very old.”

She stared at him for a moment then asked, “How do you know this?” He heard fear in her strained voice. “Are you still in the military?”

“Not officially.”

Peter waited for Georgia’s response. It was several seconds before she spoke.

“Not officially? What the hell does that mean?”

Peter started to chuckle. She sounded insulted. Maybe he ought to tell her the truth.

“Georgia, for this to work, you’re going to have to trust me one hundred percent.”

“Right. Of course,” She said sarcasm coating every letter and syllable. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“There are going to be times when I need you to do what I tell you, when I tell you to do it. There might not be time for explanations. You’re going to have to follow my instructions even if what I’m asking you to do seems...crazy.”

She was silent for several seconds. “I trust you. It’s just that I think—”

“What?”

“That there’s more to you than you’re telling.”

She was too damn perceptive. Unfortunately, the parts of him they needed now were buried deep in the back of his head where he’d hoped they would stay. “Just like there’s more to you than you’re telling.”

“Huh?”

“What’s a young, beautiful, single woman doing in the position of admin assistant to the Ambassador of the United States to Koutu? A country, where due to local custom, you spend most of your timeinsidethe embassy or compound. Normally they find some nice, older, married lady for that kind of position. Someone with no interest in pursuing a social life.” He allowed his gaze to settle on her face, following her contours down her neck. “I find it very odd indeed.” Her skin looked soft. The memory of her silkiness made him want to touch her again. Everywhere.

“I—this is a good job. And it’s only temporary.”

Her rejoinder sounded hesitant and defensive. Good, he’d succeeded in misdirecting her questions. For now.

Several loud gunshots tore the air followed by a scream and shouting. Adrenaline hit his system for the umpteenth time, and it put an acidic taste in his mouth. There was only one other American around—The Ambassador.

Georgia sucked in a breath and stood, and Peter put a hand on her shoulder to keep her in place.

Footsteps echoed outside the door, coming closer.

The two guards at the door moved aside and In-Charge walked in, grabbed Georgia, then started walking out. Peter tried to follow but found himself staring at a ragged circle of four armed goons, their AK-47s pointed at his chest.

This didn’t look good.

“What’s going on?” Peter hollered at the terrorist leader’s back, praying the other man would stop.

In-Charge paused in the doorway to glare at Peter. “Your government is stalling. I want to know why.”

The bottom must have fallen out of the negotiations and this guy was using the leverage Mitchell had handed him. “How would she know?” Peter asked gesturing at her.

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