Page 28 of Crossover

Daniel cocked his head. “What are you going to do, Grayson? Are you going to shoot me? You do that, the entire force of the CIA will be after you. There will be nowhere you can hide.”

My finger itched against the trigger, rage rocketing through my muscles with such violence, I had to practice calming breaths to keep the aim of my gun on target.

“You’re going to tell me what the hell you’re doing,” I declared.

“Put the gun down.”

“Areyouthe one that manufactured the evidence against her?”

Daniel opened his mouth, but suddenly, gunshots echoed from upstairs.

Were they from Hunter’s security? My brother? The air inside my lungs thickened, threatening to suffocate me over the worry about what might be going on up there, but I needed to keep my composure, to fall back onto my training to remain calm.

I stepped closer.

Daniel’s attention suddenly shifted to another corner of the basement. More specifically, to a door with an emergency exit sign over it.

“Step forward,” I demanded.

“I’m afraid I can’t do that, Grayson.”

“Now!”

“You’ll never shoot me,” Daniel said calmly.

“You’re wrong.”

I stepped closer while he stepped farther back, toward the exit.

“This was never the CIA coming after her,” I accused. “Was it?”

Daniel glared at me, his neck muscles flexing the way they always did when he showed a flash of anger, and then, glancing between me and Ivy, the edges of his lips angled slightly. Perhaps realizing that if he were to run, I’d be forced to either shoot him…

Or leave Ivy behind to give chase.

“Don’t—”

With that, he launched himself through the door.

And I pulled the trigger.

15

IVY

The sharp crack of the latest gunshot echoed through the room, leaving a fresh ringing in my ears. Grayson’s conflicted gaze met mine, a mixture of concern and determination swirling in his eyes before snapping back to the door where his boss had vanished.

Moments later, the thunder of footsteps pounded down the stairs. Grayson swung the aim of his rifle toward the sound as the masked man emerged, tossed his palms into the air, and then tugged his mask up, revealing a familiar face.

Hunter.

“Security’s here.”Hunter’s voice was steady and commanding. “The mother’s safe. Go.” He nodded toward me. “I’ve got her.”

Mom?

Grayson’s face hardened as he looked at me, his expression promising vengeance before he yanked the door’s handle, swung the barrel through it, and with a determined stride, charged after the man who’d had me taken.

Meanwhile, Hunter squatted in front of me, his brows knitted together in concern.

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