Page 80 of Cruel Ice

Cade had rushed to the scene as soon as he’d learned what happened. After checking in with Declan, he’d gone to grill some of the cops. And the bomb squad members. Certain individuals in those groups owed Declan. They would tell Cade as much as they could.

Maybe they’ll give me something to track the bastard.

Meanwhile, Hunter was gathering his intel from his own contacts.

“Declan?” Marley touched his hand.

“My office has extra security. I always activate it when I leave.” He could activate the system from his phone. A bit of tech he’d created. “Full camera surveillance and additional locking mechanisms on the door. No one gets in the office when I’m not there.” So the SOB had just done the next best thing…

He’d gotten into Declan’s assistant’s office space.

“I’m guessing you have checks running on every security camera in the building?” Marley wanted to know.

Yeah, he did. “I already know that Pierre deactivated some of the systems last night.” Particularly on the floor where the bastard had died. “Cade is working to pull up footage from the stairwells and the elevators now.”

Speaking of Cade…he was jogging toward the limo. Andy stood guard on the side of the vehicle, but he opened the doorimmediately for Cade. Cade ducked in. Slid into the seat across from Declan. Grimacing, he announced, “You chose wisely.”

Declan frowned at him.

“Could have been the elevator or the stairs, am I right?” A nod from Cade. Also, a long exhale. A heavy expulsion of air that seemed too loud in the quiet limo. “You realize there is a bomb. Maybebombsplanted to kill you.You have seconds to figure out how the hell to get out with your lady.” A wave toward Marley. “What do you do? Elevator or stairs? Usually, when there is a fire, you’re told to never use the elevator. To always take the stairs.”

What was the point of this ramble? “There wasn’t a fire.”

Cade grimaced once more. “There’s a fire now. It’s still smoking. The sky is black, and every news crew imaginable is just past the barricade point.”

Yes, Declan was aware.

“Some people would have gone for the stairs. I think that’s what he expected you to do.” Cade held his gaze. “And when you opened the stairwell door, you would have set off another explosion. The perp was prepared. He thought that was how you’d flee, but you didn’t. The bomb squad just found the device he’d left in the stairwell for you.”

Declan felt a knife stab into his chest.

“If you don’t mind me asking, boss, why did you choose the elevator?”

“Because it was right there. Because I wanted Marley behind the doors—I wanted to get her down and out of that place, and if I could do nothing else, I was just going to throw her inside so…” He stopped.I was going to throw her inside. Seal her in. Make sure she was safe even if the blast hit me.Rapid, churning thoughts. “Fuck it, I wasn’t thinking clearly.” Gruff. Rough. “I just wanted her out. My damn mind shut off.”

We’re lucky to be alive. A wrong choice would have killed her.

His head swung toward her. All logic had fled. He’d just wanted to get out. To get her to safety. He’d fucking panicked, and they were lucky as all hell.

Declan, I love you.

Had she really said those words? Or had he imagined them before the blast? When he’d felt the boom, he’d been terrified that the cables holding the elevator would snap. He’d pictured them plunging down, and Marley screaming.

Marley dying.

No. That would not happen. It could not happen.

“Yeah, well, good, panicked choice.” Cade exhaled. A much lighter exhale this time. His hand reached up and rubbed the back of his neck. “Why do I have the feeling that shit is going down that I don’t know about? Can’t help but get the impression I’m in the dark and more is at play.”

Because you’re on my suspect list. You’re on Marley’s, too. How much do you hate me, Cade?“I know what happened.” Flat. Seemed like the best way to get it out in the open. “I know why you started working for me.”

Cade’s hand dropped to his lap. His expression—normally warm, open—hardened in an instant. “Idon’t know what you mean, boss.”

Yes, you do.“Collateral damage.” It was everywhere he turned. “Your parents were informants, Cade. They turned on my dad. Before they could testify to the Feds, they were killed.” More bloodshed that went back to Conor Flynn.

Cade swallowed. “Bullet to the head and a bullet to the heart.”

“OhmyGod.” From Marley. She grabbed Declan’s hand. “Seriously, youknewthis, and you kept Cade close? You had himwatching your back?” Her hold tightened on him. “Declan, what—why?”

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