are still seated at the table while one exits the bathroom, still buttoning up his pants. Glen has his gun tucked into his back waistband, the two sitting have theirs on the table, and the one who just came out of the bathroom… I haven’t seen a gun on him.
Because, of course, Brian isn’t a threat to them.
Still, I’m nervous because it’s going down now. Even though a peaceful transition has been negotiated, there are still guns capable of firing bullets that will kill.
Glen saunters over to the door—more like a strut—and what I wouldn’t give for Brian to punch him in the gut after all this is over. But that’s not going to happen.
Almost as if they realize they should be a bit more active in this, the two men at the table stand, guns ignored. They don’t think Brian is a threat any more than I do.
Glen unlocks the door, which is a slide bolt, and pulls it open. Brian stands there, a satchel hanging over one shoulder. His eyes wander the room, coming to land on mine.
“Sorry I’m early,” he says quietly, then a bit louder, “But I just needed to get my sister back.”
It’s hard to describe what happens next, but there’s almost a whistling sound coming from my left near the four windows made of splintered wood and rectangular panes of glass. I narrow my eyes when I see a shadow being thrown from the streetlight. It gets larger and larger until it’s right at the window.
Then, with a resounding crash that causes me to scream in fear, something comes barreling through the window. It hits with such force, the entire wooden frame crashes inward. There’s just a split second—barely a moment—where I realize it’s a man swinging through on a rope.
There’s hardly time to digest the fact before he hits the ground, leans forward, and rolls to stop his momentum.
My eyes flare wide as he pops to his feet right in front of the chair where I’m sitting… and I realize it’s my husband.
“Close your eyes,” he orders before curling his body over mine, placing his hands over my ears.
I do as he says. Despite the covering over my ears, I hear three loud explosions and see flashes of light under my eyelids. When I jerk, Cage curls around me tighter. I can hear men yelling, “Get down, get down,” and “Hands up, asshole.”
I’m so confused. I can’t comprehend what’s going on. Is Cage here with Brian to rescue me?
And how in the hell did he come crashing through the window?
And for that matter… why?
Cage releases me, kneeling so he can look me in the eye. Smelling acrid smoke, I start to turn my head toward the doorway to see what happened, but Cage grips my chin so I’m forced to look at him. “Are you okay?”
I nod, barely able to think of anything to say. I feel like I’m in a dream.
“Are you sure?” he demands.
Jerking my chin away from his hand, I snap, “I’m fine. Now, what the hell is going on?”
Cage stands, taking me by the arm and urging me out of the chair. When we turn to face the door, I’m stunned to see all four men who kidnapped me on their knees with their hands behind their heads. Two men dressed in black fatigues, black shirts, and black combat boots are holding guns on them.
Brian stands off to the side, clutching the bag in front of himself, looking terrified.
More activity starts… more men come in with guns drawn, wearing navy jackets with yellow letters spelling out FBI.
I twist to look at Cage. He’s dressed like the other guys in black.
I glance at the FBI, my brother, then to the men on the ground.
“What the fuck is going on?” I manage to say.
“This is your rescue,” Cage murmurs, and I whip back around on him.
Eyes narrowed, I ask, “Rescue? You’re a car salesman. What the hell are you doing crashing through windows?” I throw my thumb over my shoulder. “Are those your fellow workers from the car dealership?”
Cage tips his head back and laughs, because, yes, I know that sounds ridiculous. What the hell else am I to conclude, though?
“I have a lot to explain to you,” he says, pulling me into his arms and giving me a hard hug. Except there’s nothing within me that wants to hug him back. I have the weighted feeling I’ve been played for a fool by this man.
I shrug out of his embrace,