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Then—

Zarek’s voice.

Ragged. Out of breath. But alive.

My knees nearly gave out.

“The Broker,” he gasped. “She’s a woman. Black skirt. Blonde hair. Red top. Find her. She’s—” He sucked in a harsh breath. “She’s evil.”

“Simon. Tell your buddies, we’ve got her description,” Code said. “Stand back, Zarek, Jase is going to shoot the lock.”

The second gunshot echoed through the room, louder this time.

I flinched hard, hands flying up to cover my ears.

Then Jase swore.

“Jesus—get an ambulance in here. Now.”

Cold terror wrapped around my spine.

“What’s wrong with Zarek?” I demanded.

“Not him,” Jase said quickly. “The other guy. I shot him.”

I pressed my hand to my chest, breathing hard, trying to stay upright.

Through the noise, through the chaos, I heard Zarek again.

“Give me your phone,” he said, voice rough but commanding. “I want to call my wife.”

“Yes,” I breathed. “God, yes.”

“Jase, give him your phone,” Simon barked at his subordinate.

I spun, frantic, looking for my own.

Trenda was already there, holding my purse out toward me.

“Here,” she said softly.

My hands shook as I dug through it, fingers clumsy, panic thick in my throat.

The phone rang.

I answered without looking.

“Zarek?”

“Yeah,” he said. “It’s me.”

The sound of his voice—really hearing it, knowing he was alive—cracked something open inside me.

“I’ve been so scared,” I whispered.

“I know,” he said gently. “But I’m good. It’s all good. We’re shutting them down.”

And there it was.