Page 37 of Nuclear Option (Owens Protective Services)

A sly grin slipped across his face. He pulled out a folder and opened it up. “Eva James. You moved out of your house at sixteen and went to live with your aunt after you went to the police and filed a complaint against your step-father. You stayed with her until you were twenty, and then you moved to California, where you lived until a few years ago. Then you dropped off the face of the earth. There’s no record of employment, an address, or even a parking ticket in your name. Now, why would that be?”

“You already know why,” I hissed.

He stared at me a moment, then nodded and shut the folder. “Yes, I do. And if you want to have any kind of life, you’ll cooperate with me and tell me everything I want to know about the governor and his dealings.”

I cocked my head, laughing humorlessly. “And why would I tell you anything? You stuck me in this room and left me alone for hours. Do you really think I’ll ever trust you?”

“You don’t have anyone else to trust.”

“I have plenty of people to trust.”

He gave a slight nod. “The men you arrived with. The same men that we had escorted off this property not even an hour ago?”

I stilled at that. Maybe if they were here, they’d be able to help me, but if they were gone, I was truly on my own. I was shocked. I didn’t think Cash would actually leave me, but maybe he didn’t have a choice.

His knowing smirk made me want to pull out the metal piece and stab him, but I knew I couldn’t take him without surprising him. “Ah, you didn’t know they were gone. Well, they left, quite willingly. So, you have a choice to make. You can stay here in this room,” he said, glancing around at the white walls, “or you can come with me and tell me what I want to know.”

I pursed my lips as I stared at him, pretending I was really considering my options. Looking over his outfit, I knew I wouldn’t be able to stab him through his clothes. They were too thick, and I wasn’t sure I was strong enough to penetrate them. I would have to go for his face or his neck, but that would most likely mean killing him. The thought of taking another life didn’t sit right with me, but he was holding me against my will. It was either take him out or spend the rest of my life as a prisoner.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Someplace where we can talk, and then you’ll get a room.”

“Will I be allowed to leave?”

“Not until we’ve finished the job.”

“And what is the job?” I asked curiously.

“That’s for us to know.”

“So, you’re going to keep me here for weeks?”

I watched the twinkle in his eyes as he lied to me. “Sure.”

It was now or never. I didn’t know if I’d ever get the chance to escape, so I had to take it now. Otherwise it could be weeks before I ever got another opportunity. “Fine. Let’s go.”

He knocked on the door, waiting for it to be opened. I followed him out of the room, barely sparing a glance at the soldier who stood outside my door. As we walked down the hall, I peeked over my shoulder, noting he was following. Panic started to rise inside me as I realized I wouldn’t be able to escape. I might be able to take out the suit, but there was no way I’d take out the soldier also.

My hands turned clammy the further we walked through the corridors. The suit stopped just outside a metal door, pushing it open as he waved me inside. I looked at him, and then back at the soldier, feeling like I was going to my death. I hadn’t gotten my chance to escape, and now I might never again.

I stepped inside and walked over to the table, taking the seat facing the door. Somehow it felt like if I could see through the window, I might know better when to make my move. The door closed behind the suit as he took the seat opposite me.

“You never told me your name,” I said, hoping to stall.

“Agent Kramer,” he said, flipping open a notebook. He grabbed a remote I hadn’t noticed sitting on the table and pointed it at the corner of the room.

“What are you doing?”

“All interrogations are recorded.”

“Interrogations?”

“Sorry,” he smirked. “Would it make you feel better if I called it a friendly discussion? We both know what this is.”

My whole body shook as I sat in that seat, staring at my file in front of him. I had gone through so much to protect myself, and now I was trapped. Was I really going to tell him what I knew?

“What assurances do I have that I’ll be kept safe?”

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