Page 123 of The Twilight Theft

Or I was dead?

“I couldn’t risk”—he lowered his voice further—“certain members finding out about our plan to sell the bird. I heard some whispers about Alex and The Flame, and I knew I could rely on you for the intel I needed.”

So he encouraged me to do his dirty work. I stepped back, glancing over my shoulder to check if Enzo was there.

My heart lurched.

Jayce.

Dressed all in black with the brace over her tights. Hair pulled back and sleek. How the hell had she gotten in? She hadn’t made a sound. She would have walked right past my office. Past Enzo!

Jayce ducked around the corner, limping slightly. Despite the brace, she moved almost as poorly as she had when we left Mosaic. She was still hurt.

If Vanessa had beaten her to the statue, she would have brought it here by now. Unless Vanessa was double-crossing everyone? That seemed to be a trend.

“Craig, you know I’d follow you to hell and back, right?” I had to keep him on my side, especially now that Jayce was here.

“I knew I could trust you, Drew.” He threw more envelopes onto the desk. “I wanted to bring you in from the start.”

Get out!I mouthed to Jayce, fighting against every instinct to run to her and grab her.

She balanced on her right leg, her face pinched from the pain. Jabbing a finger in Craig’s direction, she mouthed,Bad guy.

I know. I waved her away.Now get out!

Footsteps sounded from the hall. Panic surged through me. Enzo was coming, and she had nowhere to hide. The black clothes might be enough if she snuck behind the jacket hanging near the door, but if Craig or Enzo looked too closely, they’d see her. Her only other option was behind the couch off to the side, but if anyone walked around it, she’d be done for.

What was I going to do? I had to protect her, but I had to keep myself alive to do that.

“Enzo!” I hurried out of the room, as though I hadn’t heard him coming. We nearly collided outside the door. “I can run home for my laptop if you want to read the data on the thumb drive right away?”

At least I could buy Jayce a few more minutes to find the best hiding spot.

He sneered at me and continued walking into Wyatt’s office. So much for afewextra minutes. “Bishop, hurry up. He’ll be here in five minutes.”

Craig spun, a sheaf of papers in his hands. “He’s early. If Vanessa comes back when he’s here—”

Enzo pointed at Craig. “Tell her to stash the bird somewhere. We’ll get it later.”

Wait. They didn’t want the newcomer to know they had the huma bird? Craig wasn’t worried about Enzo, it was someone else.

“And you.” Enzo faced me, finger still up. “What was your name?”

“Drew.”

“Keep your mouth—” His gaze shifted past me, and ice burst up my spine.

Oh no.

Enzo’s shoulder rammed into mine as he dashed toward the hangers by the door.

Jayce yelped as he dragged her out of her hiding spot.

“Let go of her!” I shouted. So much for playing it cool.

“Fucking Reynolds Recoveries.” He pulled the gun and jammed it against her temple. “I should have killed you in the Catacombs.”

Jayce’s bad leg buckled, and she stumbled. What if the movement jarred his hand and he shot?

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