Page 32 of Peak’s Code

"You want us to walk away?" Peak asked.

"I want you alive,” Captain said. “That asshole will want the same thing because you’re valuable to the government, so leaving him there is the only option.” It wasn’t their only option. He could kill the son of a bitch, but that wasn’t really something that Peak wanted to do either—especially if Mercer knew where Wren was.

“If we leave now, we might never find out what happened to my sister,” Maeve said.

“But you’ll live to fight another day, and that’s what matters right now,” Captain insisted. His Prez was right, as much as he hated the plan. If they did things Captain’s way, they’d live to fight another day, and right now, that was what mattered.

“Fine, we will leave him here,” Peak said. Peak glanced toward Maeve and noticed her disappointment. He hated the way that she was looking at him, but this might be the only way that he could save them all.

Her shoulders stiffened. "No." She shook her head. "He knows where Wren is."

Captain heard her through the phone. "I know, sweetheart. But if Mercer doesn't check in, they’ll know something is wrong.” He was right. Professional teams lived on schedules. Miss one check-in, and someone would notice. "Listen carefully," Captain continued. "I've got three brothers sweeping the tunnel from our side. They're ten minutes out. You and Maeve are leaving."

Peak looked around the underground chamber. "What about this place?"

"We'll secure it,” Captain promised.

"What about Mercer?" Peak asked.

Captain's answer came without hesitation. "Warden will deal with him." Peak knew exactly what that meant—Mercer wasn't leaving Maryland. At least, not breathing.

"No." Maeve's voice cut through the chamber. Mercer and Peak both looked at her. She stared at Peak. "He stays alive."

Peak arched an eyebrow. "You sure that’s a good idea?"

She nodded. "If he dies, so does every lead to Wren." Captain stayed quiet on the call. Maeve stepped closer to Peak and took the phone from his hand. "Please, Captain, give me your word that you’ll keep him alive until I can find my sister.” It was the first time Peak had heard her ask anyone for anything. The woman who carried flash bangs in her jacket and was able to hack military-grade security in two minutes. Hell, the woman who'd spent eighteen months hunting monsters alone. She looked tired.

Peak looked back at Mercer and then at his phone. "Captain."

"What,” his Prez asked.

"We're bringing him with us,” Peak said.

"No,” Captain shouted. “You need to get the fuck out of there, Peak.”

"He talks, or he dies,” Peak said. “It’s the only way to find Wren.”

Captain exhaled. "Peak⁠—"

"No.” Peak surprised himself with how firm his voice sounded. "If Maeve's right, then he's our only witness."

Silence filled the other end of the call until Captain muttered, "You've got exactly one hour to get him here. After that, I want both of you gone." The call ended, and Peak slid his phone back into his pocket.

Maeve looked at him. "You didn't have to do that. He sounded pretty pissed off that you were going against his orders.”

"I know,” Peak said.

"Why did you do it?” she asked.

He shrugged. "I don't like loose ends."

She smiled faintly. "Liar."

Peak laughed. "Okay." He looked at Mercer. "I don't like the look on your face every time somebody mentions your sister."

Her smile disappeared. "That's closer to the truth.” She was right. It was the most truthful thing he’d said in a damn long time now. He’d do just about anything to help Maeve, and why that was, he had no clue. But he planned on figuring it out.

Mercer sat in the center of the Grave Prowler’s clubhouse with his wrists zip-tied to the steel chair. Warden hadn't bothered being gentle. The mercenary's face was bruised from where he'd hit the concrete in the tunnel, and dried blood streaked down the side of his neck. Even beaten and restrained, he looked far too comfortable. Peak hated comfortable prisoners.