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Janice turned to Lainey. “Then who is it?”

“I’m not telling you, so you can use it after they kill me. But good try, you skank.” God, it felt good to call her that. Lainey turned back to Amanda. “You see how she wanted me to tell her? That’s because she doesn’t know. You need me alive.”

Mateo had been ready to break down the door, but one thing he’d learned on his job, always try the easiest route first.

It worked.

After bringing Janice in, they’d forgotten to lock the door. Thank God for confusion and stupid terrorists.

Mateo and Kostya had listened as Janice tried to convince Amanda and Ivan to kill Lainey. His woman had been right all along. Her co-worker was a bitch of epic proportions.

Mateo crouched low. Kostya was high. Amanda no longer had her gun pointed at anyone. Lainey’s arms and legs were free, but the duct tape that had been used to secure her was all over her pajamas. There was some in her now-short hair. Ivan was still holding his knife outward, pointed between Lainey and Janice. In one quick move, he could stab either of them.

Mateo pressed the door open a little more to see if the security chain was on. It wasn’t.

“I want them alive,” Kostya ground out. Mateo knew he meant Amanda and Ivan. He didn’t blame him.

“Agreed,” Mateo said in an almost silent whisper. “I’ve got Amanda.”

“Right, I’ve got Ivan,” Kostya said.

Mateo nodded.

“Count of three?” Kostya asked.

Mateo nodded again.

“One.”

“Two.”

“Three.”

Kostya pushed forward through the door. Mateo lunged up from his crouch. They burst through the doorway. Amanda yanked her gun up and aimed toward Lainey. Mateo took his shot. It was a head shot. He didn’t care about taking her alive. All he cared about was that Lainey lived.

28

“You came.” Lainey croaked out the words as Mateo gently lowered her to her couch.

“You saved me.”

“Mí amor. Don’t talk. An ambulance will be here soon.”

Lainey heard the commotion, but it seemed far, far away. All she could see were Matt’s—No, Mateo’s—beautiful brown eyes looking down at her.

“You came,” she whispered again.

“Let me get you some water.”

When he tried to get up, she grabbed at his arms. “No! Don’t leave me.”

He pressed a kiss on her forehead and she closed her eyes. Then quickly opened them again, wanting to make sure this wasn’t a dream. That he was really here.

“I’m here. I’m not leaving you.”

His voice sounded shaky. Then he shouted over his shoulder. “Jase, bring over a couple of bottles of water. Now.”

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw an enormous guy drop a whimpering Ivan to the floor, then he went to the kitchen.