Page 96 of Power Switch

“Hello? Guys?”

“It wasn't cryptic, Mess.” A new wave of panic slams into my chest, stealing my breath when Trey looks up from his phone, fingers still moving across the screen. “It was a damn message.”

Well, fuck.

25

Randi

The thin wooden rods of the wicker rocker press into the exposed skin of my thighs as I tilt back and forth, hoping the relaxing rocking motion will soothe me. An hour ago, we arrived back at One Observatory Circle. An hour and a half has passed since I presented Kyle with the evidence and he responded with his cryptic message.

To my right, Sam stomps up and down the short flight of steps leading to the backyard, his dark brows furrowed in concentration and worry. At my back, Trey and T murmur to each other, their voices too low for me to make out a single word.

And here I am, in this frozen state of panic and worry. Several times over the past hour, I’ve caught myself not breathing at all, having completely forgotten that one necessary function needed to live. I changed out of my earlier suit like a zombie, my mind in a fog of what-ifs. It’s unnerving not knowing what Kyle has planned, because that much was clear earlier. He has one more card to play in this game, and we all have a feeling it’s the trump card none of us can stop.

Before the meeting, we had added to Taeler’s security detail, thinking that would be enough, but now we’ve taken it ten steps further with her and others. In a flurry of phone calls and texts, we've done everything we can possibly do at this point to warn those who we love. Sam’s family is secure, Mom’s rehab facility is on lockdown, and I’ve even had them reach out to the police in Boone to make sure Ben stays safe.

The security around the house is unreal. An agent armed to the teeth stands on guard almost every two feet. There’s no ease in the house, no laughter, everyone knowing to stay hypervigilant.

The final piece we’re waiting on now is Taeler, to confirm they made it to the US embassy in Paris safely.

The all safe call should come through any minute now, but I’ve yet to hear either man’s phone ring or beep with an incoming text. My phone sits eerily quiet atop my lap, all focus absorbed on its blank screen.

“They'll get there, Randi.” I welcome the comforting warmth that seeps from Trey’s hand into my tight shoulder and the strengthening squeeze. “She’s surrounded by trained agents, and they were only an hour outside Paris when we called.”

Those details should offer comfort, but until she's safe in that embassy surrounded by deadly marines protecting her, I can’t stop freaking out.

No one has said it out loud, but without a doubt we’re all thinking the same thing: Kyle had a contingency plan in place in case Sam didn't drop the investigation against him.

The bushes farther down the wraparound porch rustle. Everyone tenses, Trey's hand tightening in a protective grip, ready to toss me to safety if needed. Tearing my focus from the phone, I scan the darkened backyard, peering through the shadows for the perceived threat. A shadow shifts as a man steps into the porch light.

Trey's grip loosens as the agent continues his patrol along the border of the property.

Geez, we're all strung tight.

Nine more hours of this breath stealing worry. Nine hours until the deadline I presented Kyle expires. If we can keep our loved ones safe over these next several hours we will be in the clear. There’s not a single doubt in my mind that my guys will keep me safe, and the protection we've put in place for everyone else will hold against any threat.

Just one final piece needs to fall into place. The most valuable and vulnerable piece of them all.

Taeler.

Time slinks by, the minutes like hours and the hours feeling like years as we wait.

And wait.

And wait.

The call that changes everything comes through around one in the morning. Call it motherly instinct, but the moment T's phone rings, I know deep in my gut it isn’t the news we’ve been hoping for. The fact that I remain calm is a testament to the way the VP role has molded me into a somewhat leader. The wicker creaks as I stand, continuing to rock as I step around it to face T. Phone to his ear, his features fall, his dark eyes refusing to meet mine.

Too wrapped up in trying to hear what’s being said on the other side of T’s conversation, I fail to feel the vibrations from my own ringing phone, my body too numb to notice.

“You need to get that,” Trey says, his voice tight.

Fog coats my brain, jumbling his words. Eyes wide, I just blink as a visual sign of my confusion. His lips purse as he searches my face. Careful fingers loosen my grip on the thin metal, peeling it from my hand. After swiping the screen, he presses it to my ear and nods.

Closing my eyes, I focus on Kyle’s voice slithering through the speaker. “You thought you would outplay me. I've been a step ahead in this game, and now you're in a fucking corner. Erase all the evidence,youstep down from the VP seat, and your daughter goes free. If you don't, well, what happens next is on you. Checkmate, Walmart.”

The line goes dead.

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