Page 76 of No Lies No Promises

It doesn’t take long for Liam’s voice to crackle through the overhead speakers. “Hand over my daughter.”

The wary Irishman chuckles. “Did ya do wot we asked?”

“I have something better to trade.” My father’s threatening tone sets off alarms in my head.

I’d bet money Fitz hears it too. “And what moight that be?”

“A cure. Don’t take too long deciding.” When Liam ends the call, the team glances around the table, each of us waiting for someone else to speak first.

“We were right. Boyle’s developing a virus. Along with the drones to deploy it.” As Sean frowns and catches my eye, everyone remains silent.

We knew this was a possibility, but hearing it said out loud sucks the oxygen from the cabin.

“Every time we make plans,” I rub the back of my neck, where a headache forms, “my father ups the ante.”

Our boss leans back in his chair, staring at the cabin’s ceiling. “Any ideas how to stop an epidemic?”

“Disable the drones remotely.” Unlike the rest of us, Daed seems unaffected as he grabs a chocolate chip cookie. No matter what he believes, nothing is ever easy.

I play devil’s advocate. “What if they’re pre-programmed? No outside control?”

“Doubtful he’d go that route.” With his mouth full, the genius chews before swallowing. “My guess? Your father will activate them when he feels the time is right. Control. That is his weakness.”

I nod. He nailed it. Liam Boyle would want to be the one to push the button.

Talking of my father’s heavy-handedness reminds me of my sister. “Dante, do you have a way for me to call my sister?”

At first, I think he’s going to refuse, but a few seconds later, he tosses me a cell phone. “Make it quick.”

I stare at it for a second before pressing the number.

She answers on the first ring. “This better be you, Lil.”

“It is. Listen, I’m sorry for giving away your location, but the guys insisted. Are you and Grams okay?”

“Other than being bored out of my skull, of course. But what about you? Where are you? What’s going on?”

I glance around the table of operators making plans to save the world, all wondering whether I’m trustworthy. “I’ll tell you all about it once we get home. Just promise to stay where you are. No escaping. Okay? I can’t talk, so I have to sign off. I love you. Bye. Call as soon as I can. Sean says hi, too. Don’t worry about us. Everything’s fine.”

I wish.

There’s a beat of silence before I end the call.

Chapter 40

Sean

My inner Marine craves action. The forensic accountant demands more details. The lovesick puppy wants to move her someplace secure and never let her out of my sight.

Ignoring the turbulence, Daedalus launches into some technical mumbo-jumbo. My ears don’t perk up until he mentions a fail-safe. “Are you saying programmers always build back doors in case something goes wrong?”

“Uh-huh. Also for testing.” When a lock of blond hair falls into his eyes, he brushes it back with a quick rake of his hand. “Give me a team of hackers. I’ll breach the code in a couple of days.”

“Wait.” Face flushed and smiling, Lillian leans forward. I know the look well. She’s planning something risky. “If we… if I… could find out who my father hired, would that help?”

Daed nods. “Sure, but—”

“How?” As my gaze locks onto my woman, now bouncing in her seat, the realization hits me. I am such a fucking idiot. Jeff Pearson was wrong. I never put her at risk. Ever. It’s the other way around.