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“Sit,” Ryland ordered, nodding to the pristine white couch. He lifted his t-shirt just enough for her to see the gun holstered at his side. “Is anyone else home?”
Reluctantly, Selma took a seat. “Not at present.”
“I take it you don’t recognize me or her,” Ryland said, motioning between him and Bruja.
“Should I? I think you have the wrong house.”
“Does the name Ex Nihilo ring any bells?” Ryland asked, studying her closely.
No one missed the recognition that briefly flared in her guarded eyes.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” she insisted.
“Think hard,” Bruja said. “We know you’re a part of The Agency.”
For a moment, Ryland thought she was going to deny it, but then her shoulders sank and resignation filled her face. “I didn’t want to be. But my husband forced my involvement.”
“Why would he force you?” Bruja asked.
“Because he’s a power-hungry bastard and knew we’d have more control if we both sat at the table.”
“What’s your husband’s name?” Ryland asked.
“Marcus Santiago.” Her gaze flitted from Ryland to Bruja to Harper, as though she were trying to decide who, if any of them, she could trust. “He’s a horrible man. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m in the process of filing for a divorce.”
Ryland made a mental note.Name number three: Marcus Santiago.
Her attention landed back on Harper and she began to wring her hands, talking directly to her. Ryland got the instant impression she’d quickly identified her as the weak link and was playing on Harper’s sympathy.
“He threatens me all the time and, if I don’t do exactly as he says, he beats me. I have no choice.” She turned her arm to show a bruise. Of course, she could’ve gotten that anywhere and Ryland wasn’t buying what Selma was selling.
“And he forced you to be a part of The Agency?” Harper asked softly.
“That’s right.”
“I’m so sorry. I know what it’s like to be pressured into doing things you don’t want to do in order to please people you care about.”
Ryland suppressed a smirk when he realized Harper was a much better actor than she’d given herself credit for. He could tell she was fishing for intel and, by playing the naive blonde, she was making Selma feel like the one in power.
Clever girl.She was playing it up like a pro and Ryland was more than a little impressed, and so damn proud of her, watching as she smoothly took control of the interrogation without making Selma withdraw or shut down.
Not a good actor? Who had put that bullshit in her head? Hell, he was half-convinced himself.
“I got sucked into the whole thing without any say. The only thing I can do now is leave him.”
“Because you’re scared your husband will hurt you,” Harper said.
“Yes, that’s right.” She turned her attention to Ryland. “Are you a part of Ex Nihilo?”
“I’m asking the questions here. And I want to know why the hell my team was fucked over in Abu Dhabi. Who made the call to take us out and why?”
For a moment, Selma didn’t respond and Ryland knew it was because she was mentally crafting her story. “It was determined your team can’t be trusted,” she finally said.
“Why not?” he prodded.
Selma looked him straight in the eye. “Because one or more of you is a traitor.”
Stunned silence filled the room.
