Page 86 of Fatal Thrill
She forced air into her lungs. This was no time to give into fear. “What do Isay?”
“We have a protocol for this,” Jon reassured her. His voice was low, soothing. “I have a script for you to read from, and I’ll be here beside you, to coach you if Watt pulls anything weird,okay?”
The others stared at her, their gazes full ofsupport.
What else was there todo?
Jaya licked her lips. “Okay. Let me read it, thisscript.”
Trace handed Jon a piece of paper and Jon set it in front ofher.
Her eyes didn’t want to focus on the words, the idea of hearing Finn’s voice distracting her. He was hurt, but was it worse than before? Did he think she’d forgotten him? Was he counting down the minutes, fearing a certain death if she didn’t produce thecross?
I’m coming, Finn. Just holdon.
Shoving the fear down, she blinked and forced her brain to take in the words. It helped, seeing the black and white letters. Whoever had written the script even had what to say to various scenarios—if the kidnapper said or demanded more than what they expected, she had the right responses in front ofher.
And Jon. I havehim.
“Okay.” She nodded. “Are weready?”
Trace handed Jon blank paper and a pen. Jon uncapped the marker and met her eyes. “I’ll make notes on this if there’s anything I want you to say that’s not on your cheat sheet. Go ahead and dial when you’reready.”
Punching up her contacts, she found Finn’s number and pressed thebutton.
The phone rangand she hit the speaker button. Her knee bobbed withnerves.
One, two, three. The sound blared through the room with a secondring.
Come on, comeon.
A third jangle and no answer, the sound reverberating through her head as if the phone were between her ears rather than lying placidly on thetable.
Jaya bit her thumbnail.Please God. Don’t let Finnbe…
“Hey, it’s me,” her brother’s voice cut through her fog, making her heart lurch. “Since I didn’t answer, I must not want to talk to you. Either that or I’m sleeping, so go away. I don’t want what you’re selling and my computer doesn’t have a fucking virus so go find some other gullible douchebag to screw over. Text me like a normal person,k?”
The voicemail beep made her spirits fall. Fear raced through her and she looked at Jon. He held up the yellow tablet and she realized he’d been writing anote.
Go ahead. Give your demands—proof of life and then you’ll meet him at Runner’sBreak.
Runner’s Break? Her attention went to the map. Jon had marked it on there a minute ago when talking to his team. It was a point where the river made a sharp turnwest.
Gripping the table, she cleared her throat. “Justin? Or should I call you Dalton? I know who you are and I have what you want. Before we go any further, I want proof that Finn is still alive. I want to talk to him. Then I’ll bring the cross to Runner’s Break and we’ll make the exchange. Five minutes, Justin. You have five minutes to call me back or this negotiation will take a turn you don’t like. I have at least three bidders who’ll pay dearly for this cross, so consider your optionswisely.”
Without looking at Jon, she blew out a slow breath and disconnected thecall.
“Damn it, Jaya.” Colton jammed his hands through his hair. “What do you callthat?”
Her body trembled as if cold, even though sweat beaded along her hairline. She ignored Colton and looked at Jon. His face was tense. He obviously sided withColton.
Shit. “What if he doesn’t call back?” sheasked.
“I appreciate your gumption,” Jon said, “but it’s not wise with a guy like Watt to throw out a bluff likethat.”
A tense snort escaped her. “I wasn’t bluffing. Serial killer or not, he wants the cross, right? I’ve been running around, giving him and the others all the power in this scenario, and I don’t even know if Finn is alive.” She pointed at the phone. “That was me, taking back control, and I happen to know a thing or two about dealing with grifters, thieves, and blackmailers. I grew up surrounded by them. This Watt asshole thinks he’s pulled one over on us, manipulating you, me, and my family with his little game. I just want him to know he doesn’t have the upper hand in this scenario. Notanymore.”
Colton’s hands smacked his legs as he dropped them to his sides. He eyed her with something she didn’t see much from him—respect. “She has apoint.”
