Page 253 of Cowboys & Navy SEALs

“Yes.”

“Blanche was in cahoots with you.”

“Blanche got a hefty payment for her assistance. She’s living it up in Mexico.” She frowned. “Too bad she’s greedy, always wanting more money to keep quiet.” She pursed her lips, cocking her head. “I guess I’ll have to deal with her when the time comes.”

It was at that moment that a chilling realization swept over Addie. Piper wouldn’t be telling her all this if she planned to let her go. She didn’t want to die! Not now, when she’d finally found happiness. She forced away the fear, willed her mind to concentrate on the details. Piper still needed something from Addie or she’d already be dead. She’d said earlier that Maddox could hear her, but that he couldn’t do anything about it. Hopefully, that meant he was still alive.Even if I have to die here today, please let Maddox be okay, she prayed. “What was on the hard drive?”

“I’m so glad you asked,” Piper answered gleefully. “Because I’m about to show you.” She grabbed the remote from the coffee table and turned on the TV. A video of Jordan came on.

Tears rose in Addie’s eyes when she realized he was speaking to her.

“Hey, Addie,” he began, offering a slight smile into the camera. “If you’re seeing this, then it must mean that the situation has escalated.”

A sense of horror rose in Addie’s chest as she listened to him outline the events in a dispassionate, cool tone—telling hereverything Piper just had. When he got to the part about giving PZT to Gram, his voice choked. “I can’t begin to tell you how sorry I am,” he uttered.

Tears rolled down Addie’s cheeks.

“How touching,” Piper cooed, her voice dripping with venom.

A scorching indignation pulsed through Addie’s veins as she glared at Piper.

Piper fast-forwarded the video. “You already know all of this part,” she explained. “This is the part I want you to see.” Her voice hardened to flint. “That way, you won’t waste my time trying to deny that you don’t have the formula.” The video slowed to normal speed, Jordan’s voice commanding Addie’s attention.

“Addie, you’re the only one I can trust. This drive contains Therapia’s lab results for PZT, including how the damaged tissue samples were switched. I’m putting this into your hands because I trust you will get it to the right people to stop PZT from hitting the market in its current form.” A pained look came over him. “I’m so sorry I failed you.” He smiled thinly. “My intentions were good. You have everything you need, including the formula for PZT. I suppose a part of me hopes that you can get it in the right hands, so the formula can be refined.” His face radiated optimism. “Think about what it would mean to the world, Addie, if we can cure this horrible disease once and for all.” A boyish smile tugged at his lips as he pushed on his glasses. “You were my hope and inspiration. I love you.”

“How sweet,” Piper purred, turning off the TV. Her face went hard. “Where’s the formula?”

Confusion swirled around Addie. “You said you kept the formula for PZT on a single computer, locked in a vault. You killed Jordan, stole the hard drive. You already have everything you need to move forward. Why am I here? Unless …”

“Jordan broke into the vault and messed up the formula.” Piper smirked. “Yeah, unfortunately, I didn’t realize that part of the equation when I killed him.” She stepped forward and got in Addie’s face. “Where’s the formula?”

“I don’t know,” Addie admitted.

The hard slap against her jaw took her by surprise as she yelped in pain, the force of the hit jerking her head sideways.

Piper eyed her. “I was afraid that might be the case.” She sighed. “Well, let’s see if I can jog your memory.” Piper left the room and returned a minute later, holding a gun in one hand and a knife in the other.

Revulsion swelled over Addie like something rotten as she swallowed. She had no idea where the formula was. Even if by some miracle she found it, Piper would kill her. She prayed silently for help. Piper stepped behind her. Addie realized she was using the knife to cut the zip tie.

As she stood, Addie felt the cold press of metal in her back. “One wrong move, and you die,” Piper growled. “Hands up where I can see them!”

Addie complied, raising her hands into the air.

“Move,” Piper ordered, pushing her forward.

Addie’s wrists burned, and her legs felt like wobbly toothpicks. Her thoughts rushed back to when she was kidnapped as the same feeling of desperation cloaked her. Maddox had rescued her then. Not likely to happen this time. The notion sank like lead in her gut.

“We’re going to my bathroom,” Piper said.

Piper’s bathroom? Fear iced down Addie’s spine. A strangled cry sounded from Addie’s throat when she saw him. Maddox was lying in a large Jacuzzi tub filled with water up to his face. His eyes were open, his body motionless. For an instant, Addie feared he was already dead, then saw the distress in his eyes.“What did you do to him?” She moved to rush to his side, but Piper grabbed her sweater, yanking her back.

“Not so fast.” Piper jabbed the gun in her back.

Trembles started in Addie’s hands and rippled through her body, snaking down to her toes. “Oh, my gosh,” she uttered, her hand going over her mouth.

Piper stepped around to face Addie, pointing the gun at her.

Rage trumped the fear as Addie glared at Piper. “What did you do to him?”

---