Page 159 of Seven Deadly Sins

“The tumor is making him unpredictable. Spurring him to greater evil. What comes next is going to be huge if he isn’t stopped.” His blood chilled to his toes. “We’re running out of time.”

“What do we do?”

“Let the National Guard do what they will.”

“People will die.”

“Collateral damage.” He swallowed against a dry throat. “More will die if the compound isn’t brought down.” Tough decisions were going to have to be made, and he was glad he wasn’t the one to make them.

The drive to the office was made in silence. Harper kept her gaze out the passenger window. She’d drawn so close to the door, he thought she’d try melting into it.

“If you have another way, I’m listening.” He turned his attention back to driving and pulled into the station’s parking lot.

“I don’t.” She shoved her door open and marched for the building.

He hadn’t meant to make her mad, but the whole town would be destroyed if Thompson wasn’t stopped. Fifty people or several thousand?

When he entered the building, the first thing he heard was the chief’s shouting coming from the conference room. Squaring his shoulders, he joined the others.

“The two of you got your way.” He shot Liam an accusing look. “The National Guard is here to protect the town. SWAT and FBI will take down Thompson and his people.”

“We said nothing, Sir.” Liam stepped next to Harper who didn’t glance up. He stifled a sigh. He didn’t like that she was still upset that he’d consider collateral damage in order to stop Thompson, but there really wasn’t any other way. Hopefully, she’d see reason soon.

“I’ll want the two of you there with the other FBI agents,” the chief continued. “You know this man better than any of us and have good instincts.”

Harper scoffed.

Chief Donnelly narrowed his eyes. “If there is a problem between the two of you, get it worked out. We’ll be marching within a few days.”

“A few days gives them more time to fortify.” Liam stepped away from Harper. “The gate is wood. We can probably burn them out. Maybe save some of them that way.”

“Or they can all choose to stay and be burned alive.” Harper glared his way.

“Again, I’m open to suggestions.”

“We wait until he orders us to come.”

“The whole town could collapse by then!” He struggled to bring his voice under control.

“The guard will make sure that doesn’t happen.” Her face darkened.

The others in the room glanced from him to her and back again, clearly enjoying the show.

“You can’t discard people’s lives like that. We’ve sworn to serve and protect.” Tears shimmered in her eyes.

His heart dropped. “I’ll do my best to make sure there’s as little death as possible. Even if it means my life.”

Chapter Three

Harper still didn’tunderstand Liam’s willingness to have “collateral damage”. She couldn’t believe the words had fallen from his lips. Yes, people would die. She wasn’t foolish enough to think otherwise. But, to have it said in such a matter-of-fact way pained her.

Because of that, she’d avoided Liam as much as possible. Easy when they’d gone home to sleep, not so easy the next morning when he handed her a cup of coffee.

“Agents will be filing in today.” His gaze roamed her face.

“That’s good.” She popped bread into the toaster. “Toast?”

“No, I’ll pick up something heartier on the way to the office.” He sighed. “I wish I knew what to say to make my words yesterday easier to bear.”

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