Page 173 of Protecting You

Another replaced it.

COMMAND>HQM1LDKJA2UIN3HQY4LDKJM1UIE2HQN3

The numbers corresponded with the letter placement, so he knew this was a four-letter word, followed by a three-letter word. “She says many men.”

Grant had moved closer. “How many?”

“If she knew, she’d tell us,” Callan snapped. “She’s doing her best.” He copied the next line of code and deciphered it.

“Cabin number eleven, south side of the island.” The next line of code was more concerning. Callan turned to Gavin. “She gave him Sputnik’s name.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Gavin pulled out his phone to make a call.

Gavin would make sure the Russian double-agent was secured. That didn’t concern Callan so much as what Ghazi had done or threatened to do to get Alyssa to give him the name.

A knock sounded on the door, and then Summer and Brooklynn stepped inside. “You wanted our help?” Summer asked.

Grant must’ve texted her because he answered. “Brooklynn, take Callan’s spot.” To Callan, he said, “So we can work out a plan.”

Brooklynn pulled up a chair.

“Watch the code. If you see a line appear, write it down fast.” He explained how to decipher it, and then left her to it.

Grant, Summer, Gavin, and Callan gathered at the table, conferencing with Bartlett and Michael. Together, they worked out a plan.

“She wrote something.” Brooklynn bent over the notepad. When she looked up, her face was pale. “They have drones.”

Drones.

Of course there were drones providing overwatch.

Their plan relied on the element of surprise.

Which they wouldn’t have. So…

How was this going to work?

CHAPTERFORTY-ONE

“You had me convinced.”

Though Ghazi’s words had been spoken softly and without malice, the acid in Alyssa’s stomach churned. She turned to where he reclined on the twin bed, relaxed as could be. Flicking his antique lighter open, lighting it, then closing it again. Over and over.

Benson stood with his back to the door, arms crossed. A silent prison guard.

Hacking into SJSS’s server had been simple, but extra security surrounded the drone control system, which was proving much more difficult to penetrate.

She hadn’t actually tried before. She’d never intended to let Ghazi get that far. She didn’t begrudge the time it took, only worried he would lose patience and use his leverage.

The eight-year-old girl sound asleep at Alyssa’s feet.

“My man at the country club took a video of the engagement announcement.” Flick, flame, extinguish.

She hadn’t noticed the club manager-turned-traitor recording anything, but she’d been focused on Callan.

“Did you see how your family was moved to tears as you lied to them? I wonder… Does your fake boyfriend know how you really feel? Because we both knowyouweren’t pretending. You might not actually be engaged, but you’re in love with Callan Templeton. It must hurt to know he was just using you.”

This evil terrorist knew nothing about Callan or his feelings for her. He knew nothing about love. Even if the engagement had been fake, Callan felt something for her. More than just friendship. The only thing keeping him from exploring those feelings was the little girl at Alyssa’s feet.

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