Page 18 of Sinner's Salvation

“You always have a choice,” Evan said smoothly. “But there are consequences with any choice you make.”

She rolled her eyes. “Typical man, offering two poor options with one hand while the other is raised to punish if the wrong decision is made.” She shook her head. “I have been threatened and hurt by many men. You are all small, sorry, sad creatures trying to make yourselves feel big and strong.” Her lips twisted. “It won’t work. Real strength comes from within.”

Wow, that was a hell of an insult, and a damned dangerous thing to say if he was who Ledger thought he was.

“So...that’s a yes, right?” he asked, though he didn’t wait for an answer. “Just one at a time, I’m afraid. Agent Stettler first.”

Anna took a step toward Evan. “How do I know you’ll bring him back?”

“Because I’m giving you my word that I will.” He met her gaze squarely.

They stared at each other for a moment, and her gaze took him apart, as if she could read the story of who he was in just that second or two.

She let out a breath, then said, “Fine. Brian, you may go.”

“Whatever you say, mom,” the agent whispered, under his breath.

Anna glared at him before turning her furious face back to Evan. “If he is harmed, harassed, or threatened by you or anyone else I willnotbe happy.”

And retribution would come on swift wings, or some shit like that. He’d laugh, but he was sure she was serious, and he didn’t want her to tear off any of his limbs.

“He will come to no harm in my company,” Evan promised.

She narrowed her eyes and nodded.

Evan went to the door and turned the knob. He waited until Anna moved a step or two forward so Brian could hop down from the bed.

Evan pulled the door open and walked through it. The two guards were still there.

“Stay here. Monitor the occupant,” Evan said to them. “I’m taking him to the bathroom around the corner.”

“Yes, sir,” they said at the same time, their voices melding into one.

Evan stepped out of the doorway and gestured at Brian should follow him. The door closed slowly behind him.

They took a few steps before Evan spoke. “She treats you as if you were one of her kids.”

Brian let out a sigh. “I know. It’s irritating and nice all at the same time.”

Evan chuckled. “My hat’s off to you, kid. You’ve put yourself into an unbelievably advantageous position.”

Brian stopped walking. “Fuck you. Having a gun pointed at my head for an hour and being told I’ll be shot, my brains splattered all over the rear window if I so much as twitch, didn’t feel like anything other than a threat.” Brian’s voice was so coated in acidic sarcasm, his words burned on Evan’s skin.

“Yeah,” Evan said. “Sorry about that. The people who said that to you are amateurs.”

“And you’re not?”

“Nope.”

He gazed directly into Evan’s eyes and said, again, “Fuck off.”

Evan laughed. “Yup, if I were in your shoes, I’d be saying the same thing. But sorry to say, I’m not in your shoes.” The smile fell off his face. “A word of advice. Don’t pick fights until you have to, kid.”

“Someone else brought the fight,” the kid said. “I’m just trying to not get killed.”

They marched around the corner and stopped in front of another unmarked door.

Evan opened it to reveal a large bathroom with a stall toilet and a second stall with a shower in it.

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