and handed it to Logan. Their firearms would be in the secure lockers watched over by the detention officers closer to the exit.
Feet pounded the tile.
Logan glanced over his shoulder to see Jamie, Evan and Tucker sprinting down the hall. They skidded to a stop and Harper grabbed their bags, tossing them over.
“Zora will meet us there,” Tucker got out between breaths.
That made Logan pause.
Despite her words, he’d still feared she wouldn’t go after Kelsey.
Emotion clogged Logan’s throat. He was so damn grateful for these people.
“It’s just us then? For now?” he asked.
Tucker nodded. “For now.”
Logan wouldn’t have it any other way. These were the men he’d walk into hell with. They were the very best.
WEDNESDAY. RONALD REAGAN Washington National Airport. Washington, DC.
Kelsey balanced her knife hilt down on the floor while pressing the plastic band to the point. She thought she had it this time.
Carefully, she pressed down. Not too hard. She didn’t want to cut the bond. Not yet. Just perforate it. Things were still too quiet outside for her to make a move. The guards on duty hadn’t failed to make their passes on time for the last few hours. She couldn’t rely on someone getting sloppy.
Dixon’s breathing rattled, sounding worse now.
She’d tried talking to him earlier. He hadn’t responded. Not even a shake or nod of the head. For all she knew he could still be in shock. She doubted Skilton had used anesthesia for cutting his tongue out.
All of that could easily happen to her.
She doubted Skilton was merely keeping his options open or holding her as a hostage. He struck her as a man with multi-layered plans. She didn’t want to wait around to see what else he had in store for her.
Something creaked in the forward cabin.
Was someone coming?
Kelsey used her knees to pinch the stiletto knife and pull it from the plastic. It was awkward, but it got the job done and the blade free. She twisted her arms, picked the knife up, and shoved it into her boot again.
She was getting faster at this.
Leaning forward, she watched the shadows shift and move. They’d closed all the windows in the plane, creating a thick darkness inside.
A light came on.
She lifted a hand, shielding her eyes.
Was that a cell phone?
She swallowed as the light came closer.
The footsteps weren’t heavy, so this wasn’t the guard.
Shit.
Kelsey scooted back so no part of her was in the aisle.
The figure holding the phone stopped a few feet away. Close enough she was visible. She peered up at them, trying to see past the bright phone flashlight.
There was no missing the pale blue sweater.
Skilton had come to call on her.
“Morning,” she croaked.
“I suppose it is.”
He took another step closer, turned and sat in the very chair she was attached to. Even leaning back against her bonds, she was practically sitting at his knee.
“I imagine you aren’t terribly comfortable,” he said.
Kelsey lifted a shoulder. “I’ve been in worse positions.”
He flipped the phone light off. She heard a click and the overhead lamp came on, illuminating them both in soft, yellow light. It was easier on the eyes at least.
“My people, have they treated you well?” he asked.
“Well?” She swallowed her instinctive laugh. “I haven’t been beat up or raped, so I guess.”
“We all have our place in things.”
And hers was here? Or was he talking about something else?
She was too tired to make heads or tails of his cryptic statement.
“I’ve read up on your work history,” Skilton said.
“Did Nadine have nice things to say about me?”
“Not only Nadine.”
Kelsey stiffened. Who else was he talking to?
“Have you considered becoming a solo operator?” His tone was too casual, too light.
She snorted. “You expect me to believe that question just came to you? What do you want? Don’t bullshit me.”
Skilton inclined his head. “You are a woman caught in a tricky position. I cannot let you go. You cannot get away. Your worth to me is limited once we reach our destination.”
“And you’ll what? Give me work out of the goodness of your heart?” Her brain screamed at her to shut the fuck up. He had plans for her. If she could keep breathing, she could find a way out of here.
“You know things and have skills that have proven better than some of my own people. It’s merely an option.”
Kelsey swallowed. This time she was able to take command of her words before they flew out of her mouth. “I’ll think about it.”
“Very well.” He glanced at his phone. “We will