Page 94 of The Flame of Carson
While she knew she could have called Ethan or any of the others, she figured Anderson would have a contingency plan.Instead, using a screwdriver she found in the trunk, she had pried the screen from the phone and tossed the rest of the phone out by forcing the rear taillight out of place.A part of her also thought she could get lucky, and he would be pulled over by a cop for the busted taillight.She had then tucked the screen into the waistband of her jeans, hoping it would stay intact.
“It’s starting.I’ve sent the address, and now I’m waiting.Yes, she’s bound.I know that brother, I have studied her well these last two years.No, I won’t take any chances.I understand.Yes.Yes.I will call you when it’s finished.”Anderson said, then hung up the phone.He then turned and faced Stacey.
“You really think you can beat Gage?”Stacey asked calmly.
“I know I can.You will watch as life ebbs from him.Then, if I’m feeling generous, I might let you join him.Otherwise, you get to live with the knowledge that he’s gone, and you were the means that was used to do it.”Anderson smiled evilly.
“We’ll see about that Anderson.”Stacey challenged.
Anderson took two steps and grabbed her chin roughly.“Such a cocky little bitch.You still think Carson is going to be your knight in shining armor?Huh?Barging in here to save you?”
“Fuck you.Untie me and I’ll finish this my damned self.”Stacey shot back.
He released her chin and before she could blink, back handed her, toppling her and the chair to the concrete floor.Luckily, she landed on her uninjured arm.Stacey spit out the blood she tasted and just glared up at him.With a snarl, he yanked her and the chair upright before turning on his heel and walking off.After several minutes of silence, Stacey carefully removed the phone screen.The rope Anderson had found in the warehouse to tie her up had looked old so this would work in her favor.Or so she hoped.
As Anderson moved around the warehouse, Stacey worked at the rope with the phone screen.Yet, she kept her eyes trained on Anderson.She had two hours before Gage arrived.She would have to be ready to help him.Gage had said it himself.“I have your back, and you have mine.”Come hell or high water, once Gage got there, she would do all she could to help him, and they would walk out of this place together.
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Gage sat in his truckstaring up at the building before him.He could make out lights from inside and knew that somewhere in the massive structure was his woman.His life.Stacey.Taking a slow calming breath, he eased out of the truck and began making his way inside.Gage recalled the file that McCandles had sent detailing Anderson’s specialties.He had kept that in mind when he armed himself at Blackout, after receiving the address from Anderson.The moment the address came through, he and his team had left the federal building and returned to Blackout to prepare.
“Just hang on Stacey.I’m coming babe.”Gage whispered before opening the door.
With each step he took, he felt the calmness spread.On the drive from Blackout, he knew that he had to focus on only one thing.Eliminating Anderson.All other emotions could be sorted out after that task was completed and not before.Gage cautiously and silently opened the main door and stepped into the low light.Gage focused on his senses, listening for any sound.Any hint of traps or danger or sounds of Anderson and Stacey.The sound of something clattering on the floor above him.
As silent as the encroaching night, he moved to the metal stairway that led to the upper floor.Five steps up, he spotted the first booby trap.Gage smirked,‘Well played Anderson.But you tipped your hand and proved you don’t know me as well as you think.’
Gage quietly disengaged it and continued up the stairs.Along the way he found no less than four more traps.He took note that each trap was different and designed to injure but not kill.Gage figured they were planted as an early warning system and to cause harm.To hell with that.This only added to Gage and Blackout’s theory that Anderson was becoming unhinged.It also proved to Gage that Anderson still was not completely sure he could win in a fair fight.This could help as well as hinder.Finally, Gage reached the landing of the upper floor where he heard the sound from earlier.He spotted Stacey first.She was still sitting, bound to the chair, her back facing him.He then spotted Anderson typing away at a laptop that was set up with two large monitors.
‘Take your time Carson.’He told himself, stepping further onto the floor.
On his third step, a beeping sounded, and Anderson was on his feet.Anderson spun and faced Gage, a pistol out and aimed at Gage.Gage could see that Anderson was surprised to see him unharmed.“Nice booby traps Anderson, but you forgot that I have an eye for detail.Not to mention, I have training to disable them too.Oh wait, you wouldn’t know that would you?While I was getting that training your ass was in the brig.”
“You son-of-a-bitch.”Anderson hissed, now shifting his aim toward Stacey.“One move and I kill her.”
“I thought you wanted an audience.You were boasting how you’re the better Marine.Who will you have to prove that to if you kill her?I thought I was the one you wanted dead.”Gage challenged, hoping this would cause the man to shift his attention fully back on him and not Stacey.“You wanted this fight, Anderson.You backing out now?Like a fucking coward?”
Anderson sneered and tossed the gun.With a cry of rage, he charged Gage, not realizing he had inadvertently tossed the gun in Stacey’s direction.Anderson only saw Gage and that was exactly what Gage wanted.He wanted Anderson’s attention on him.Bracing himself, Gage caught Anderson around the mid-section and the two men hit the floor.
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As the two crashedto the floor, Stacey started working the screen harder against the rope.She had not heard Gage, and when the beeping started, she had cast a quick glance over her shoulder and saw him.Her seasoned Marine.Face a mask of calm fury.When he had started taunting Anderson, Stacey knew what he was doing.Keeping Anderson focused on him and off her.She also suspected it was to buy time for Blackout to get there.Stacey knew Gage would not have come alone and she bet Blackout and the M.P.’s were not far behind.Her head snapped up as she heard Gage let out a grunt of pain at the same moment the rope came free.Not hesitating, Stacey worked the ropes off and spotted the gun Anderson had thrown in her direction before charging Gage.She grabbed the gun and faced the two men wrestling on the floor.
“I’m going to take great pleasure in killing you, Carson.”
“Fuck you.”
Stacey raised the gun but within seconds saw she did not have a clear shot of Anderson.He and Gage were too close.She knew she had to help Gage and buy time for Ethan and the others to get there.Looking around, she spotted a 2 X 4.She sat the gun on the chair and ran over to it, grabbed it, and turned back to face the two men.It was then that Anderson saw her.
“You fucking bitch!”Anderson yelled and charged her.
“Bring it on mother fucker.”Stacey said, holding the lumber like a baseball bat.
When he got close enough, Stacey swung with all her might.It was difficult with her brace, but she did it all the same.The wood connected with Anderson’s shoulder, sending him off balance and to the floor.Gage was on top of him, trying to restrain him, in that moment of haziness.Securing one wrist in the zip cuffs from his pocket, Gage grabbed the other, but Anderson broke the hold and flipped Gage off him.
Stacey dropped the wood and moved in.With Anderson focused on Gage, she delivered a slap kick.Anderson cried in pain and tumbled off balance.Stacey, however, was not letting up.She started throwing punches and kicks at him.Mentally, she cursed as Anderson deflected most of them.Oh, he had done his homework on her all right.
