Page 26 of Dangerous Liaisons

“Jess,” he wheezed as she jerked herself back onto her feet.

Cole turned, shoulder facing her, and she realized he intended to charge. She pivoted in readiness for a slam to the back of his head as he moved past her, then belatedly felt his fingers close around her sore ankle, and found herself, ass first, on the floor. She bucked to break his hold, but he fell on her, belly to belly. Pain shot from her leg and shoulder wounds. He jammed her arms against her sides, then clamped down on them with his thighs, and rose onto his knees.

“Save this for someone who deserves it,” he wheezed.

He grabbed the box of discarded gauze and dumped it out onto the floor beside them. “You’re forcing me to do this so I don’t hurt you.” In one quick move, he flipped her onto her stomach and yanked her arms behind her. He clamped her wrists together with one of his massive hands while he wrapped the gauze around them in three quick turns like roping a calf.

“I’ll kill you!” She bucked.

Cole tossed the gauze aside without cutting it. “Hush,” he said, and reached for the computer, still keeping his thighs tight around her ribs.

Rage swept through her. She struggled to free her arms, but Cole tightened his hold until she wheezed for breath.

He muttered something unintelligible and she twisted her head in time to see him finger the touchpad, his eyes intent on the screen. Jesse channeled all her strength into an upward heave. He didn’t budge. She had no leverage, and the effort only sharpened the pain.

Cole bore down the place between her shoulders with the heel of his hand. “I admire your tenacity, but stop it, Jesse.”

“Damn you,” she rasped, precious air escaping from her lungs with every word.

He hit control or alt-something on the keyboard and pecked at the keys with one finger. Jesse gasped, but lost more air than she gained. Cole eased the pressure on her chest, eyes still on the screen.

Jesse surged against him again. “You fu—”

Cole pushed down on her back. Air burst from her lungs in one humph. Lack of oxygen caused white flares on the edge of her vision.

Cole leaped off her, then jerked her to her knees. Jesse sucked in a deep breath, pooling her energy to yank free.

“Look,” he ordered, and turned her to face the computer screen.

The progress bar moved across the screen.

She halted and stared at the transfer. He’d either redirected the funds or connected to a proxy server that was faking the operation. A second later, the transfer concluded, and another started from the fourth account to a fifth one in Indonesia. He couldn’t fake that one unless he knew she had an account there and it was the fifth hop on the transfer.

Cole released her and stepped back. “Whoever has the ability to intercept the transmission has the ability to trace it. We need to get out—now.”

Jesse looked back at the computer. They knew her location. She had planned on sneaking a visit to Amanda. Her heart constricted. Harris had reported all was well. He had encouraged her to stay away—far away. He was right.

“Get this thing off of me,” she snapped.

Cole grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. He had the gauze off in two seconds. Jesse whirled, rubbing her wrists despite the fact they weren’t really chaffed. Her shoulder throbbed. She needed time to think. Lanton’s goons were probably nearby, in the next room, maybe.

“We do things my way,” she said.

Cole shook his head. “You’re in no position to be calling the shots.”

“I won’t chance another ambush. Think twice, Cole. I can get the job done without you.”

His expression hardened, and she couldn’t tell if he was hurt or angry. “Where are we going?”

“Colombia.”

“Lanton expects me back at Langley tomorrow,” he said. “If I don’t show, he’ll get suspicious.”

Jesse brushed past him, grabbed her sneakers from the bedside, and sat down. She slipped on the first shoe and laced it. “I’ll give you a contact number. It’s an internet message center where I can retrieve voice mail.” She slipped on the second shoe, tied the lace, and stood. “I’ll be in touch.”

“Too many things can go wrong.”

She crossed to the laptop, yanked the cord free, then picked up the computer and stuffed the cell phone into her pocket. “That’s how it has to be,” She hurried to the door. Jesse started to turn the knob, but felt Cole beside her even as he shoved the door closed. She stared up at him. “I don’t want to hurt you Cole.”

“This is a bad idea.”

Headlights cut through the fabric of the curtains covering the window overlooking the rear of the motel. Cole released the door and strode to the window. He pulled the curtain back without care.

“Cole,” Jesse hissed, but didn’t wait for a response and slipped out the door.

“Jess,” she heard him say as she clicked the door shut.

She hesitated. Leaving like she had at the diner still hurt. Despite the fact she knew this was the right thing to do, it felt even worse. A car door slammed and she hurried forward, turning right on the well-lit walkway alongside the motel to the end of the building. She peered around the corner into the parking lot, saw no one, then turned left and bolted toward the office and main road. At the road, Jesse glanced over her shoulder. No one followed. Alone, she started to cross the deserted street, then stopped. Cole had called her on Tom’s cell phone. She couldn’t drag The Professor down with her. She withdrew the cell phone and tossed it in a nearby storm drain.