Page 86 of Point of Contact

Vincent stiffened, stepping closer. "Don't blame me. It's not my fault GHOST can accomplish what your team can't."

Reed lifted his brows. "Are you sure about that? Because I'm pretty confident Heidi could take down GHOST in about two seconds." He smirked. "Actually, I'm pretty sure some random chick from Nashville could have taken GHOST down a few months ago if she’d wanted to, so I wouldn't get too fucking high and mighty. If a soccer mom can rock your world, then you probably need to do some work yourself."

Vincent clearly had an ego and Reed wanted to knock the feet out from under it. Hit him where it hurt.

At least until he could actually hit him where it hurt.

Vincent's nostrils flared. "How did you know about that?"

Reed shrugged, giving him a smirk. "That's above my pay grade."

He knew full well how they discovered GHOST’s system had been breached. Pierce didn't just investigate the people who worked for him, he investigated everyone they interacted with, sending Heidi down any and every rabbit hole until they were able to discover all there was to know. And, unlike Vincent, Pierce shared his knowledge. Making sure his team was fully educated about everyone and everything they faced.

The realization threatened to make Reed shift in his sheet. Courtney wasn't the only one he’d looked down his nose at over the years. Knowing he'd lumped Pierce and many of the men around him into a similar judgment zone made him feel like the ass Courtney had called him so many times.

But then he looked at Vincent, and felt a little better. Because he would never be as big of an asshole as that guy.

Vincent’s hands fisted at his side, his posture stick straight and rigid as his jaw clenched. "I guess that’s a conversation I’ll have to have with your boss then."

Reed snorted. "Oh, I can guarantee you’re going to have a conversation with my boss." He shook his head. "But I don't think it's gonna go the way you think it will." He almost laughed. Vincent had done all this simply as a show of strength. A way to corner Pierce into not just believing, but admitting Alaskan Security was beneath him. That he was the one with the power. The skills. The control.

But he knew Pierce. And while the owner of Alaskan was many things, stupid was not one of them.

But Vincent didn't seem to know that, because the hard line of his mouth softened into what might be the world’s most awkward looking smile. "I guess we'll see, won't we?"

The knob of the door behind him jiggled and Vincent’s smile grew. "Sounds like he might be here now." He turned just as the door swung open, flying so hard on its hinges that the knob punched its way through the drywall and stuck, wedging it in place. Reed barely had time to react as a slight figure rushed in, going straight for Vincent. There was a dull metal thunk as the folded frame of a metal chair connected with his body, hitting his head and shoulder with enough force to send him staggering to one side.

Courtney's eyes were wild as she pulled the chair back again, a set of handcuffs dangling from one wrist as she wound up to take another swing. "Stay the fuck away from him. He's mine."

Before she could take her second shot, men poured into the room.

This time, familiar men.

Pierce went straight for Courtney, grabbing her around the waist and hauling her, chair and all, away from Vincent.

She fought his hold, legs kicking as she screamed at the top of her lungs, obviously unaware she was now surrounded by friendly forces. "Put me down. I'll fucking kill all of you if you hurt him."

"A little help." Pierce barely managed to dodge Courtney's head as she swung it back, trying to butt his face with the back of her skull. "Someone get the fucking chair away from her."

Courtney suddenly went still, eyes widening as her head jerked around, trying to get a look at the man holding her. "Pierce?"

Wade rushed over, snatching away the folding chair as Zeke moved in to cut Reed’s binds. The second he was free, he was up, kicking the chair to one side before grabbing Courtney and pulling her away from Pierce. She latched both arms around his neck, lacing her legs at his waist, gripping him tight in any way she could. "Are you okay? I was afraid they were hurting you."

He pushed her hair back from her face, looking over every bit of exposed skin. "I'm fine. What about you?" The tension in his shoulders eased a little now that he had her. "Are you hurt?"

Courtney shook her head, but then squinted. "Well,theydidn't hurt me." She loosened one of the arms squeezing his neck, bringing her left hand in front of his face. The base of her thumb was already starting to swell. "I did hurt myself a little getting out of the cuffs though."

Reed turned to where Vincent was starting to get up, one hand going to the side of his head. He stalked toward the head of GHOST, ready to add a kick to the ribs to the list of Vincent’s pain points, but Pierce stepped between them. "No more." He rocked his head from side to side, neck cracking with the motion. "I think I deserve to be the one to handle this."

Reed tucked his chin, a little surprised. "You can't be the one to kick his ass, Pierce."

Pierce smirked. "Oh, I'm not going to touch him." His voice carried a hint of the ruthlessness few people got to see. "I'm going to do something that will hurt much worse." He turned to where Vincent was pushing to his feet, a trickle of blood sliding from a split at his temple. Pierce cocked one brow, looking him over. "Our business is done." He turned to Reed before scanning the rest of the men in the group. "Everyone out. I'm terminating our connection with GHOST. Effective immediately."

The team of men who'd accompanied Pierce quickly filed from the room, Reed bringing up the rear since he was still carrying Courtney. He had one foot in the hallway when Vincent laughed.

"You'll come back."

Pierce paused, turning to face the man who'd essentially just thrown his version of a temper tantrum in an effort to prove he was right. Pierce looked him over as he tucked one hand into his pocket. "I wouldn't hold your breath, Vincent." Then he turned, ushering Reed down the hall in front of him as the team exited the building to a waiting van.

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