Page 88 of Shockproof

Seeing her jaw struggle not to tremble informs me that she’s about to be a little more useful to me alive than dead.

At least for a couple hours.

“For the right price…for the right compliment…for the right promises…you can always find someone else to betray their employers. Loyalty – more often than not – is truly a false notion, Wahl. You should know that by now.”

I do.

Except for me it isn’t.

Never has been.

Never will be.

And there isn’t a damn thing on this whole fucking planet that I am more dedicated to than Arley Carmichael.

“My accountant on the other hand isirreplaceable.”

The man in control of his money?

Cleaning it?

Laundering it?

Keeping those watching from being able to connect all the pieces?

Of course he’s irreplaceable.

Without him, I doubt the operation itself could continue to even exist.

“We will be trading your current plaything for my righthand – both alive – in two hours, Wahl. I could break into the enhanced interrogation room myself – I assume you’re using the one in c not d – but that’s far too messy, and I’m far too busy. After all Christmas is coming and there are so many bonus checks to receive.”

So, hewasa field operative for HE at some point.

It means he’s highly trained.

It also means following any sort of manual approved plan should be thrown out the window.

Not that I was going to load one into play, anyway.

“You have two hours. Two hours will give you time to stitch up the damage I’m sure you’ve done.”

I grab a glimpse of the hyperventilating, shaggy dark-haired male definitely in need of medical attention.

“And if HE’s favorite resident genius promises not to bite, I may even do the same.”

“DON’T FUCKING TOUCH HER!”

“Fine. I’ll let her bleed to death.”

“You let her bleed to death, and we’ll drown you in a pool of your own blood,” Blu promises without missing a beat.

“She’ll be alive as long as he is.”

The nod I give Blu indicates it won’t be a problem.

“In one hour, I will give you the geographical coordinates for the trade. And the next you will use to get there. Trust me when I say, you’re gonna need that whole hour, Wahl. You’ll come alone – no reinforcements.”

“That’s a trap,” Blu grunts the obvious.

---