AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Sorry, sweetheart,” he rumbled. “Can’t do that.”
“Oh, my God, stop! I’m going to scream!”
“Be my guest. But I think you should know that pop you just heard? That was a gunshot. There are some bad guys after me—and now they’re after you, too.”
“Me?” she squealed, bouncing up and down against his back. “I didn’t do anything!”
Ignoring her, Ryland switched the gun to the hand wrapped around Harper’s legs and dug his keys out of his pocket as he raced for his Jeep. After unlocking it, he tossed Harper across the console and into the passenger seat. Then he dropped down into the driver’s seat and set the gun on his lap.
“You have a gun,” she said, voice low and shaky.
“Actually, I have two. One’s in the holster at my back. Well, technically, three if you also count the one in my duffel bag in the back.”
He hit the gas and they peeled in a circle, smoke pouring from the tires. Harper grabbed her seatbelt, fastening it fast. She was studying him closely in a way she never had before as she whispered, “Who are you?”
Before he could answer, his phone rang and he answered it through the car speaker. With hindsight, it probably hadn’t been his wisest decision.
“Yeah?”
“You and your team have been compromised,” an electronic voice said. It reminded him of the altered voice Merlin used, but it was slightly different.
“No shit. Who the hell is this?” Ryland snapped.
“There’s been an order issued for Ex Nihilo’s immediate termination. If you don’t go off grid, they’re going to find you, hunt every one of you down, and you will all die.”
“Who. Is. This?” Ryland growled.
“And now the girl’s a target, too.”
Click.Ryland slammed a fist against the steering wheel after the line went dead. He looked over at Harper who stared at him, slack-jawed.
“Let me out,” she ordered.
“Sorry, can’t do that, sweetheart.”
“Please.” Her voice shook and he felt bad, but he couldn’t let her return home.
He had to assume she was “the girl” the voice indicated and was on their radar now, too. Dammit, he didn’t want her sucked into this madness. But if she was already, her days were most likely numbered without his help and protection. Because they were dealing with a serious threat.FPCON Delta.
“Where are we going?”
Good question.He had no idea, so he hit Pharaoh’s number. It rang and rang then dropped into voicemail. Pharaoh always answered his phone. Usually on the first ring. A cold dread spread through him as he tried again, but to no avail. Mouth dry, fingers trembling slightly, he called Saint.
“Rip, where are you?” Saint answered, sounding out of breath.
“Just neutralized an intruder and made a run for it with my neighbor. How about you?”
“Ditto. Someone broke into my place and tried to take me out.”
“Shit!” Ryland hissed. “We need to meet up and figure out what the hell is going on. Command center?”
“No, somewhere they won’t connect to us. Somewhere safe.”
“It’s the middle of the night, Saint. Where do you suggest?”
When he remained silent, Harper spoke up. “I know a place.”
Ryland glanced over at her. “Where?” he gritted out.
