His eyes locked with hers. “Do you trust me?”
Concern washed over her as she started blinking. “W—Why? What’s happening?”
“No time to explain,” he muttered. He whipped out his Glock and pointed it at Anton’s head. “Pull over.”
Anton’s eyes bulged. “Are you crazy, man? I’m on your side.” He jerked the wheel, causing them to swerve to the right before he regained control of the SUV.
Delaney gasped, looking at Corbin like he’d lost his mind. “What’re you doing?”
“I said pull over!” he repeated, his voice cracking like thunder. He rammed the barrel of the pistol into the back of Anton’s head. “I won’t ask again.”
“All right,” Anton blustered. “Miss Mitchell, this guy’s crazy.”
“You’d better have a good explanation for this,” Delaney said through narrowed eyes.
“Turn off the engine,” Corbin said when the SUV came to a stop. “Now!”
Anton complied.
“Hands off the wheel.”
Anton turned to look at Delaney. “Miss Mitchell, this is ludicrous.”
“Turn on the overhead light.”
“I knew you were crazy at the bar. I should’ve busted your pretty face when I had the chance.” Anton flipped on the light, his eyes narrowing to black slits.
“Now roll up your sleeves and turn your hands over, palms facing up.”
Anton barked out an incredulous laugh. “You’re losing it, man.”
It was at that moment that understanding registered on Delaney’s face. She squared her jaw. “Do as he says.”
“Not you too. Fine, palms up. Want me to play patty cake next?” Anton sneered.
“The tattoo that Gina saw. On the deliveryman that gave her the rose,” Delaney exclaimed at the same time Corbin saw the tattoo, realizing it was an arrow.
Anton reached for his gun, but Corbin was faster. He jammed the pistol into Anton’s head. His voice was controlled, deadly. “Slowly, remove the gun from your holster. No sudden moves. I really don’t want to have to splatter your brains in front of thelady,” he said morosely. “Drop it on the seat,” he ordered when Anton held up the gun. He glanced at Delaney. “Get the gun. Do it!” he yelled when she hesitated. She leaned over the seat and grabbed it, then dropped it on the seat beside them like it was a hot coal.
“Now the cell phone.” He grabbed it from Anton’s hand and placed it on the seat beside him. “How much did Hugh pay you to become a traitor?” Corbin asked, disgust churning in his gut. Hugh had been able to get to Delaney’s closest point of contact. No one could be trusted.
“A lot more than your lady back there.” Anton rumbled out a laugh, his voice going vicious. “This world ain’t a big enough place for you to hide. He’ll find you. You too, pretty boy.”
Corbin swore when Delaney sucked in a ragged breath. Stress was taking its toll. Her breathing was shallow and labored, and he feared she might start hyperventilating. Time was ticking away. For all they knew Hugh and his goons could be closing in any minute.
He pointed the gun at Anton’s head. “Drive us to Sutton’s mansion. Any funny movements and you die!”
Chapter Ten
After a decent night’s sleep at Sutton’s mansion, Delaney was feeling somewhat better about her situation. Granted, she was still freaked out, and if she thought about it too much, her whole body would start to shake. On the upside, it was comforting to have Corbin by her side. Those first few moments when he put the gun to Anton’s head, she thought he was nuts. But if he hadn’t realized Anton was leading them into a trap, they’d be dead right now.
Delaney had no doubt that the security detail Anton referred to, the ones waiting at her condo, were Hugh and his men. A shiver ran down her spine. How long could they keep evading Hugh? Were they just postponing the inevitable? And now, it was not only her life at risk but also Corbin’s. She hugged her arms, shaking off the fears. Better to try and focus on the positive.
They were in Corbin’s SUV, headed to a shop to pick her out a wig. Corbin glanced sideways at her. “You okay?”
An automatic smile plastered over her face—the one she used on stage to suppress the jitters. “Yeah.”
“You’re a terrible liar.”