Page 89 of Shockproof

“Let’s call this atrustexercise.” The voice’s tone increases in wickedness. “You come alone – wear a vest if it makes you feel more comfortable – with my accountant in tow and I’ll do the same for the handoff. Your hostage for mine. We make a simultaneous exchange and then both go home with who it is we want most in the world.”

Typical field negotiation tactics.

Provide the target with parameters, allow them to do something that makes them feel they have control, explain the trade, and paint a brief yet irresistible outcome of the scenario.

Too bad I’m not falling for it.

And since he seems to know who I am, he can probably guess this isn’t my first rodeo.

Then again, something tells me he’s banking on my love for Arley to outweigh my rationale decision-making skills.

I wish he were wrong.

Holy hell, do I wish he were wrong.

“Follow the instructions you’ve been given or be prepared to spend the next few years of miserable existence deep diving for her corpse on the ocean floor instead of hunting around the world for me.”

The call ends without waiting for my confirmation.

Or even an acknowledgement that I heard what he said.

HeknowsI heard every fucking word.

That I understand the severity of the threat.

That logic isn’t riding bareback with instinct.

No.

The shit is running away towards the sunset all on its own.

Locking eyes with Martindale, I force myself to find the strength required to rise back to my feet. “I’m willin’ to burn the world down to the ground and then its ashes for that woman.”

A faint twitch occurs in her lips.

“I’m willin’ to put my life directly in the line of fire,knowin’I may never make it out alive, without fuckin’ hesitation over jus’ theideait may save her from gettin’ so much as a goddamn scratch.”

The crimson stained area looks like it’s trying to part.

“I’m willin’ to dowhateverit takes,wheneverit takes, forhoweverlong it fuckin’ takes jus’ to try to give her one last fuckin’ breath on this earth, and yet the man you betrayedeverything for– company…friends…self – didn’t even bother toattempta negotiation for you.” Her stare tries to jerk away only to have mine follow. “Not a two for one. Not a safe surrender. Not even a fuckin’ mercy killin’.” I burrow my glare further. “You mean absolutelynothin’to him, Martindale.”

She sniffles but remains silent.

“How about provin’ he means absolutely nothin’ toyou?”

Her face remains frozen.

“How about provin’ he made amistakewhen he underestimatedyou?”

Britt continues her still position.

“How about provin’ that betrayin’youwas the second most dangerous thing he could’ve ever done?”

This time I let her gaze momentarily fall.

“Give me his name.”

The command conjures it back up.

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