Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,101
but how? Well, that’s something I haven't quite figured out.
“And where is this alleged evidence you have against me?” The calm in his voice is scarier than the snakelike grin.
The flash drive I'd asked Trey to hold on to appears next to me. Without looking, I snag it from his extended fingers and place it on the table. Slowly I inch it across the table toward Kyle, the tension tightening with each little push.
Disdain drips from the snarling look Kyle gives the flash drive now resting beside his glass.
“You don't expect me to give you an answer tonight, do you? To step down from the most powerful position in the world based on this supposed evidence?”
I nod. We assumed he’d balk at the presentation of evidence that he hasn’t reviewed.
“I require a decision from you by eight o’clock tomorrow morning. If I don't have your resignation letter in hand at that time, I’ll send that very large file of incriminating evidence to Sam. I don't think I have to tell you how quickly he'll act.”
“I see.”
“Do you?” I question. “You're taking this in stride right now, which is kind of freaking me out.”
“Ah, Walmart. It's easy to be calm when you still hold all the cards.”
“What?” The word is more a pushed breath. I’m still attempting to understand the meaning behind his words when he stands from his seat, towering over the small table. Taking his time buttoning his suit jacket, he straightens his shirt sleeves and gives me a mocking bow.
“Until tomorrow.”
“Eight o’clock, Kyle. I mean it.”
“Or sooner.” I swear he's stifling a haughty laugh.
Two of his agents stride to the door and step through, followed by Kyle and the other three agents right behind them.
“That was cryptic.” I fail to add the lightness to my tone I was going for, the creeping dread from his words keeping the relief I hoped to have after this meeting was done at bay. “What do you think he meant by him holding all the cards?”
The plates rattle against the white tablecloth as I use the table as leverage to scoot the chair back a few inches. Slacks sliding along the smooth wood of the seat, I twist toward the guys. Trey’s typing furiously on his phone while T has his sealed to his ear, both their faces fierce with concentration.
“Hello? Guys?”
“It wasn't cryptic, Mess.” A new wave of panic slams into my chest, stealing my breath when Trey looks up from his phone, fingers still moving across the screen. “It was a damn message.”
Well, fuck.
25
Randi
The thin wooden rods of the wicker rocker press into the exposed skin of my thighs as I tilt back and forth, hoping the relaxing rocking motion will soothe me. An hour ago, we arrived back at One Observatory Circle. An hour and a half has passed since I presented Kyle with the evidence and he responded with his cryptic message.
To my right, Sam stomps up and down the short flight of steps leading to the backyard, his dark brows furrowed in concentration and worry. At my back, Trey and T murmur to each other, their voices too low for me to make out a single word.
And here I am, in this frozen state of panic and worry. Several times over the past hour, I’ve caught myself not breathing at all, having completely forgotten that one necessary function needed to live. I changed out of my earlier suit like a zombie, my mind in a fog of what-ifs. It’s unnerving not knowing what Kyle has planned, because that much was clear earlier. He has one more card to play in this game, and we all have a feeling it’s the trump card none of us can stop.
Before the meeting, we had added to Taeler’s security detail, thinking that would be enough, but now we’ve taken it ten steps further with her and others. In a flurry of phone calls and texts, we've done everything we can possibly do at this point to warn those who we love. Sam’s family is secure, Mom’s rehab facility is on lockdown, and I’ve even had them reach out to the police in Boone to make sure Ben stays safe.
The security around the house is unreal. An agent armed to the teeth stands on guard almost every two feet. There’s no ease in the house, no laughter, everyone knowing to stay hypervigilant.
The final piece we’re waiting on now is Taeler, to confirm they made it to the US embassy in Paris safely.