Never Gonna Happen - Cynthia Eden Page 0,55

mind.

“I love her. Can you say the same?”

Only Sebastian hadn’t said anything because he’d been distracted by Winston’s appearance.

“That’s what I thought. And if you don’t love her, then you need to stop this crap before she gets hurt. Hell, hurt more than she already has been.”

How much had Alyssa heard?

“I didn’t see him,” Winston announced grimly as he closed in on Sebastian. “I’m sorry, man. I was looking for threats, I was watching the building, but the bastard was good.”

Antony frowned. “What are you talking about?”

The doctor exited the exam room. He glanced expectantly at Sebastian. “Did you work out her transportation home?”

He reached for Alyssa’s hand. “She’s with me.”

But Alyssa tried to pull her hand back.

“Trust me,” he told her softly.

She stilled.

The doctor was called away by a nurse. His coat flapped behind him as he rushed off.

“You okay, Alyssa?” Winston asked her.

She nodded. “Just a scratch.” She gave Winston a weak smile.

Antony’s expression darkened. “It could have been a lot more than a scratch! We’ve got to stop this bastard!”

“Lower your voice,” Sebastian ordered. For a spy, Antony was sure as hell loud lately. “Look, we were trying to catch him tonight. That’s why I had Winston there.”

Winston nodded. “I was backup, in case there was trouble.”

“There was trouble,” Antony instantly said. “A lot of it. Only I didn’t see you when the bullets were flying.”

“Bullet,” Alyssa corrected. “I think there was only one bullet. Not multiple bullets.”

Winston straightened his spine and pinned Antony with a hard glare. “You didn’t see me because I was trying to locate the shooter. As soon as the shot was fired, I was racing to where I thought he would be.” He shook his head. “But he was gone before I arrived, then I had to deal with some government jerk named Dexter Ryan who tried to pull rank on me.”

Sebastian released a low sigh. “I am familiar with the jerk in question.”

“Yeah,” Winston pursed his lips. “Figured you would be. He wouldn’t let me or my men anywhere near the scene to investigate. He kicked our asses out.”

“Can he do that?” Alyssa asked. Her voice was husky and soft, and Sebastian just had to slide a little closer to her. “Can he kick out police officers?”

Sebastian’s hold tightened on her hand. “Dex thinks he can do anything.”

“He usually does anything. Anything he wants, that is.” Antony glowered. “Can you believe that guy wanted to take Alyssa away?”

Sebastian’s stare met hers. “Not happening.” He wouldn’t be separated from her.

“Yeah…” Winston looked extremely uncomfortable. He even released a little cough. “About that…”

Sebastian didn’t like this. Didn’t like this situation at all.

“I’m sorry,” Winston said. “I saw them in the parking lot, and he has already given orders that passed through my department. There isn’t anything I can do.”

Sebastian saw the team in the corridor. The men in bad suits who were coming toward him. Men who were walking with Dex.

Dex’s gaze wasn’t on him.

It was on Alyssa.

“They’re going to take her,” Winston added softly. “But this isn’t over. I have people I trust pulling traffic cams from around Shark Gaming and Design. We’ll find the perp. We’ll stop him, and then they’ll let her go.”

Dex was almost on top of them.

“Sebastian?” Alyssa’s voice trembled. “What’s happening?”

Winston glanced back at the approaching men. His shoulders slumped a bit as he stepped to the side. To Sebastian’s side. “Don’t fight, not here. Because if you make a scene…look, I don’t know how that guy has the power he possesses, but he’s got some serious connections…and if you make a scene, I’m supposed to lock your ass up.”

“Then you’d better get ready to put cuffs on me,” Sebastian told him. “Because if he thinks he’s taking Alyssa away, I will sure as hell be making a scene.”

Dex stopped just a few steps away. The men behind him immediately stopped, too.

“Alyssa.” He inclined his head toward her. “I believe we were interrupted before.”

Interrupted by a bullet.

“But I’m here now to take you into custody.”

“No,” Sebastian snapped.

“You’re not taking my sister anyplace,” Antony announced at the same time.

Dex’s brows rose. “This isn’t a negotiable situation, as I’m sure the detective has told you.” He motioned vaguely to Winston. “He has his orders, just as I have mine.” A small hesitation. “And, Sebastian, Antony—you have orders, too. In this case, your orders are to stand down.”

He got it. He was being given a direct order from his handler. The problem? Sebastian didn’t fucking care. “You should have brought