Page 42 of Covert Past

Ellie wasn’t sure what jarred her from the tranquility. Just the faintest of sounds. But enough out of place that it had her sitting up.

“Didyou hear that?”

Boone confirmed he had.

She jumped to her feet with him. While she listened, something else made it clear the sound hadn’t been a figment. “That’s smoke.”

???

“We need her alive. Understood.” The boss’s dark eyes bored into him. The warning was as clear as if reading his mind. “Not a hair on her head will be touched until we have the information.”

He dug his hands into his palms but managed a confirming nod.

“Good. Ignite the fuel. When the others flee the premises, you can kill them. We need her.”

The men struck matches and tossed them onto the soaked logs of the cabin.

Whoosh. Even though the rain had drenched everything on the island, with that much fuel the house wouldn’t stand a chance. Soon, flames lit up the place. He watched and waited for the first person to leave. Over the crackling fire, nothing could be heard. Men were stationed at the rear of the house in case they tried to escape that direction.

There’s no way out for you, Ayla. Give yourself up.Accept your punishment. Die like you should have died the last time he and his men found her.

You’ve made me look like a fool for the last time.

It would be his pleasure to end her existence when the time came, and it wouldn’t come quickly. He’d take his time. Make sure she begged and pleaded for her life. He rubbed his hands together in anticipation. She’d understand what true pain really felt like!

???

“It’s at the front of the cabin.” Boone pulled her along with him to the kitchen and pointed to the front. “The place is on fire.”

“There’s a hose around the side of the house,” Declan told them. “Hopefully, it will reach the fire.”

Boone pulled his weapon, grabbing everyone’s attention. “There’s something off. The lightning passed some time ago. There hadn’t been any trace of a fire before when we were outside.”

“You’re right. It could be a setup.” Declan grabbed a pillow from the sofa and tossed it outside. A wealth of gunfire confirmed the truth.

“They’ve found us.” Ellie couldn’t believe with all the precautions they’d taken by destroying the tracking device, they’d found it too late.

“I’m calling JT. He and Bryce need to know they’re walking into a trap.” Boone grabbed his phone and made the call.

Eli hurried to the back entrance. “We’re surrounded.” He turned to deliver the disturbing news when shots rang out. The window above the sink shattered. One bullet hit its mark. Eli grabbed for his shoulder, the force of the shot knocking him off his feet.

Ellie screamed.

Declan ducked low and pulled his friend out of the line of fire.

“I’ve got to go,” Boone said into the phone and ended the call.

“How close are they? We’re going to need backup.” Declan opened Eli’s shirt to examine the injury. “It’s not so bad, buddy. The bullet went straight through.”

Boone’s silence had Ellie turning his way. “What’s wrong? Something happened.”

“It’s Gideon. He’s been found dead in his hotel room. An overdose. Apparently by his own hand.”

Chapter Sixteen

The bottom dropped out of her world. Ellie couldn’t stop shaking her head. “That’s not possible. He wouldn’t.”

His eyes filled with sympathy. “It’s true, Ellie. He’s dead.”

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