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Carter and his men had done a shit job of searching me—or at least not one worthy of a SEAL. The lock pick I’d hid in my boot was still there. I used it on the cell door and slowly pushed it open. I didn’t see anyone around, but I kept scanning the hallway in front of me, expecting the sharp whine of the hinges to send someone running.
No one came. Had Carter left me here alone?
My pulse increased as I wondered if this was a trap. Did he set me up to escape so someone would have to shoot me to subdue me?
Maybe. He wanted information or at least he pretended he did. I was sure he wanted to know why I’d fucked over my team, but that was a secret I couldn’t reveal. Not unless I wanted to ask him for help.
Yeah, right. That was one of the dumbest ideas I’d ever had, and that was saying a lot. Why would Carter help me after what I’d done? What could he do anyway? I was caught between two ruthless sides and neither gave a fuck about me.
I heard something just as I stepped out of the cell. Footsteps? Someone on patrol?
I moved silently down the hall and waited by the door. When it opened, a man in all black stepped inside.
I slammed my clasped hands down on the back of his head. He slumped to the floor, and I made my exit.
I encountered two more guards, but I managed to blend into the darkness, so they passed right by me. As I moved toward a parking lot, the edges of my vision darkened. The fucking tranquilizer was still in my system, making me slow. I had no idea when I’d last eaten. I’d been so focused, so…scared. Goddamnit. I could at least admit that to myself.
I turned and locked eyes with yet another guard. I guess Carter hadn’t wanted me to escape after all, or maybe the number of men here was Miles’s doing. From what I’d learned, he was merciless when it came to anyone hurting his friends.
I turned and tried to run, willing my limbs to work and my feet to move at the pace I needed. My vision was blurry, but I couldn’t stop.
The man fired a shot and missed. Then someone yelled. “Stop!”
It was Carter. Was he talking to me or the man shooting at me?
“Don’t shoot.”
That was my signal to keep running, but I didn’t move. There was no way in hell Carter wouldn’t catch me when I was slowed by the drugs.
I’d fucking frozen at his command. My body wanted to obey him. If only that could play out in bed, not here. He was going to drag me back to my cell and this time he was probably going to be much harsher. Did I even care?
“Don’t even think about running,” Carter said. The menace in his voice was darker than I’d ever heard it.
He knew I was weighing my options, but I couldn’t have moved even if I thought he was going to kill me. The look he gave me had me rooted to the spot. It was full of anger, but also hunger. Damn, I wanted to fuck him. Again.
Carter didn’t say another word. He just turned away, knowing I’d follow him. I expected him to lock me up again. Even if I told him everything, spilled it all out right there, I didn’t think he’d give a fuck about who ordered me to do what I did or the reasons why I did it. I’d still fucked him over. I’d still shot him. I’d still broken his heart. And I’d do it again if I had to, because no one was going to hurt him.
He led me away from the building. “Where are we going?”
“You don’t get a fucking say.”
“I hadn’t expected to, but I also didn’t expect to go on an excursion.”
“I hadn’t planned to take you on one until I talked to Leo.”
I stumbled, almost hitting the pavement. “Leo?”
“Yes. Don’t play games with me. Not anymore.”
My pulse thundered in my ears. How much did he know? Had Leo spilled my secrets for me? When I’d arrived in New York, I’d contacted X, a powerful man I’d worked with briefly on a joint mission with Army Rangers. He’d put me in contact with Leo who was former CIA.
“How the fuck do you know Leo?”
“I don’t, but X thought he should enlighten me about what really happened last year.”
“So he told you I’m not the bad guy you thought I was?”
Carter glared at me over his shoulder. “You’re most definitely a bad guy.”
