Page 35 of Troubled Water
“And that is?”
“They’re all family businesses owned by members of the McConaghie family.”
My mind is whirling pulling pieces together. Finally, I croak out, “No.”
He’s dead.
The look on my face must speak a thousand words because the president admits, “It’s his son. He’s out for vengeance.”
Leaning forward, I order, “I want my wife taken into custody. Right now.”
“Thorn, I?—”
“What, sir?”
“He’s taken the entire top floor of McCallister Construction hostage. Including your wife.”
My heart stops beating.No, it’s not possible. I’d know if the other half of my soul was gone.I’m sure the pressure in my chest is an indicator I’m about to have a heart attack. I know it. Then, certainty flows through me. I’m not going to stand here and wait. I’m going to go and save my wife.
“Sir, I’m going to need immunity.”
His face turns cautionary. “For what?”
“To murder the bastards who are holding my wife.” Without another word, I disconnect the call and disengage the security so I can leave the office. Even as I race through the building, I’m punching Cal’s number since I’ve missed at least two dozen calls from him and Sam.
“Thorn, where the fuck have you been?” he screams in my ear
“They had me in the basement using a presidential authorization code that checked out,” I snarl. “The PPD just rescued me a few minutes ago. Where the fuck am I going?”
Cal’s silent for a moment, obviously trying to regain control of his emotions. “What are you planning?”
“After I’m done killing everyone who stops me from getting to my wife?”
“Thorn,” Cal begins. Then his next words freeze my forward momentum. My body wants to move, but my legs stop working.
Tears blur my eyes, but I manage to say, “I’ll clear you through the gate. Come and get me.”
“I’m on my way.”
30
“Can you provide details about your last three positions, including job titles and responsibilities?”
My eyes narrow at Fox trying to keep a straight face before I reply with no intonation. “Navy SEAL. Sniper. Associate Director of the Agency. At a high level, I ran several tactical teams. Work, classified. Promoted to director. All current responsibilities classified.”
“Sir, with all due respect, we’re all cleared in this room.”
My lip curls in a sneer. “Do you know what I was doing last night?”
“No, sir.”
“Then your clearance damn sure isn’t high enough for you to know what it is I do inside the walls of my office. Now move on to the next fucking question.”
Even as Fox opens her mouth to do so, I’m just grateful my heart rate didn’t fluctuate because last night’s events were definitely not part of the job responsibilities assigned to the director of the Agency. They are, however, the ones I assumed when I tied my life to Bethany’s.
To have and to hold.
From this day forth.
