Page 32 of Nuclear Option (Owens Protective Services)

Rae and New Guy both came crashing into the new group of men, fighting all of them like this was a UFC fight and they were going for the title. But it wasn’t enough. The other two jumped back in the fight, and that’s when one last man entered the room, and he was headed right for me.

Pressing my body back against the wall, I tried to think of something I could do to get away. As soon as he was within range, I kicked hard, aiming for his balls, but he was quick and shifted out of the way just in time. I swung at him, hitting him across the jaw, but he didn’t even move. I tried one last time to fight back against him, but I was no match as he easily caught my fist and twisted my arm behind my back, straining the opposite shoulder in the process. I cried out, terrified when he grinned at me like this was hilarious. I tried to fight him from dragging me out of the room, but he was too big and I was too injured to stop him. I looked over my shoulder, watching Rae and New Guy fight for me, and I knew I let them down.

11

CASH

As Hayes satin the other room working on his computer, I left the room and went to talk to Rafe. He stood there watching, arms crossed over his chest as he stared through the mirror.

“Nice work in there.”

“Yeah, but now we have to figure out exactly where this guy is and what he plans on doing once he has it.”

“Ihave to figure it out,” he clarified.

My gaze swiveled to meet his, but he continued to stare through the mirror. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You know exactly what it means. The agency thanks you for your help, but your services are no longer required.”

“Rafe, you’re not cutting me out again.”

He finally turned, smirking at me. “Cutting you out? You were never in. You came to me with the information on Hayes. You willingly walked into my facility. We were never partners on this.”

“Are you fucking kidding me? You wouldn’t have anything if it weren’t for me.”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “There are other ways to get answers.”

“And you know it would have taken too long, which is why you called me.”

“And I’m very grateful you were so useful.”

I grabbed him by the shirt and flung him up against the wall, getting in his face. “You’re not fucking doing this to me.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. Your time here is over. You and your friends will be escorted from the property and you won’t be allowed within fifty miles of this facility ever again. Oh, except for your girlfriend. I’m going to need her to stick around.”

Fury built up inside me and I swung, slamming my fist into his face. Blood dripped from his lip and he spit on the floor, looking back up at me like it didn’t even bother him.

“Like hell you will ever take her from me.”

“That’s what you think.” He grabbed a remote off the table nearby and flicked on the TV in the corner. It was an image of the room I’d left Rae, New Guy, and Eva in. Except Eva was no longer in there, and the other two were in handcuffs, looking a little worse for wear.

“Where is she?” I growled, my temper rising.

“She’s somewhere safe. Did you really think I could let someone like her just walk around with all that information on the governor?”

“She’s not the only one that knows,” I pointed out.

“No, but she’s the only one that knows where the evidence is, and there’s no way in hell I’m letting her go now. She’s too valuable.”

“She’s not a commodity to be traded!” I seethed. “She’s a person, and I can protect her.”

“Obviously not, or you wouldn’t have insisted on bringing her here. Don’t worry, I’ll take very good care of her.”

He flicked the remote again, and this time it showed Eva, locked in a fucking padded cell. She sat on a bed, her head in her hand as she cried on the bed. He was going to pay for being such a dick. Things could have ended so pleasantly between us.

“Rafe, trust me, you don’t want to do this.”

“Oh, I really do. It’s nothing personal. This is a matter of security. Besides, I have a few uses for her.”

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