Page 26 of Exposed

“Beth, we’ve got to move and find someplace safe.” If he didn’t get her out of there soon, it would be too late.

“Group therapy’s almost over,” Beth said. “They’ll come back here to kill me. That’s when we can get them.”

He saw the determination written all over her face, even as his gut was screaming at him to protect her. God, he might regret this. “Here’s take my knife. Use it if you need to.”

Eric sent a quick text to Tig, letting him know his location and current situation before taking up guard beside the busted door while Beth stuck close behind him. The warmth and nearness of her had him wanting to turn and sweep her into his arms and confess his feelings for her, but now wasn’t the time or the place. Not until Hart and his staff were in custody and Beth was safe.

Of course, then they’d be on their way back to San Francisco and their fake relationship would be over. His chest pinched at the thought before he shoved it aside. That was a chance he would have to take.

Stay sharp. Stay focused.

“Hey,” Beth said beside him, her soft tone melting his resistance. “Thanks for rescuing me.”

He looked back at her over his shoulder. “Anytime, sweetheart. Anytime.”

17

“They’re coming,” Beth said, from her post beside the window a short time later. He gave her a silent nod and she gripped the hilt of his pocketknife tighter in her sweaty palm. She’d come here looking for a story and damn if she hadn’t gotten one. When she’d filled Eric in on her suspicions about what Hart was doing, the tightness in his jaw and steely glint in his eye had shown her he was just as pissed as she was about it all.

“Ready, sweetheart?” Eric whispered from his place behind what was left of the door.

“Yes,” she said. And she was. Ready for this all to be over so she could be alone with Eric again and tell him how she really felt. But first, she had a bit of goon ass to kick. Her throat still felt sore from where he’d squeezed it early and that wasn’t even counting the tape burns around her mouth. Yeah. She’d gladly dick punch that guy’s ’nads into next year for that. She could do it too. Heath had shown her how.

According to Eric’s instructions, she was supposed to wait until the goon was inside then jump out at him with the knife. Eric would then come out from behind the door with his gun pointed at the goon and force him to surrender. She only hoped the old stereotype of big and stupid held true in this instance.

Sure enough, the goon who’d kidnapped her walked inside, cursing loudly when he saw the door busted open. Only problem was, he was on his phone talking to Hart when he did it.

“Yeah, she’s gone, sir,” the guy said. “No, I don’t know how. Looks like someone busted in and helped her out.”

The goon bent over to inspect the cut ropes on the floor and Beth seized her chance, running at him and stabbing him in the arm with the knife. The guy yelled and turned while lashing out, knocking Beth sideways and sending the knife skittering away.

Eric stepped out from behind the door, gun aimed at the guy’s chest. “Touch her again, asshole, and you die.”

“You first,” Robert Hart said from the doorway, his own pistol aimed at Eric. He flashed that creepy smile of his again, then clicked off his phone and shoved it into his pocket. “Over there with your wife. Or girlfriend. Or whatever the hell she is.” He gestured with his gun toward where Beth stood. “And place your weapon on the floor. Slowly. Good. Don’t try anything either. My staff have you surrounded.”

Eric glanced at Beth then did as Hart asked before inching his way over to where she stood, his hands up.

“You won’t get away with this,” Beth said, raising her chin defiantly. “I’ve already emailed my editor everything. If I turn up dead, he’ll publish it all anyway. This is over, Hart.”

It was a lie, of course, but if it made Hart hesitate and bought them some time, it was all good. Eric gave her a quick side glance, but she refused to show fear no matter how much terror was coiling inside her like a cobra.

“Mrs. Holman,” Hart said, smirking. “Or should I call you Miss Williams? That’s your real name, right?” He rattled off her address in San Francisco and her parents’ names and address too. Her chest constricted with fear though she didn’t let it show. She’d put too much time into this story, sacrificed too much to get here to give up so easily now. They’d find a way out of this because they had to. Eric wouldn’t let her down. She believed in him now as much as she believed in her own abilities, which was saying something.

“You think I plan to run these stupid retreats for the rest of my life?” Hart continued. “Hardly. With this last round of intel, I’ve got access to enough cash to last me a lifetime. Now all I have to do is get away.”

“That’s what you do, isn’t it?” Eric asked. “Hack into people’s accounts and use the information for insider trading or for blackmail?”

At first, she couldn’t understand why Eric asked those questions. They knew the answers. Then, she realized that it was a stalling tactic. He was waiting for his opportunity to strike. She willed herself to be ready, too.

Hart smiled, happy to brag about his criminal activity. How she wished for a recorder, so she could get every word to use against him later. “Of course. With the right pressure, I find people will do anything I want. Funny how much incriminating evidence people keep saved on their hard drives. But I know all their dirty little secrets. And by accessing their bank accounts, I knowexactly how much they can afford to pay me to keep my mouth shut.”

“You’re pathetic,” Beth said, disgusted. “Those people came here because they trusted you.”

“Their fault.” Hart shrugged and smiled at Eric again. “Ask him. He knows. You should never trust anyone. I think your father and I would get along well together.”

“For once we agree,” Eric bit out, his posture stiff beside Beth. She longed to hug him and tell him that wasn’t true, that he could trust her, but that would have to wait until this was over and they were safe. Eric took a deep breath, his gaze darting out the door before returning to Hart. “Maybe you’ll get to meet him after all.”

“Really?” Hart gave a mirthless chuckle. “How? Is he getting out on parole soon?”

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