Page 102 of Forged in Peril

“I’m glad I got to make my confession,” Jaclyn said, grasping the gun firmly and getting out of her seat. “But nothing changes now. It’s too late for that.”

CHAPTER

THIRTY

CAMERON

Cameron watched as Jaclyn moved toward Bristol, passing him without so much as a glance, as though he wasn’t there at all.

He could see the fear in Bristol’s eyes as the woman moved around the desk and circled the two chairs, the gun steady in her hand.

She reminded Cameron of a panther eyeing her prey, but unlike an animal, it was something beyond instinct or even logic driving Jaclyn now, something far more sinister.

Bristol’s fingers shook as the lawyer drew closer, and he watched the rise and fall of her chest as she tried to keep herself calm.

He was sitting only feet away, but there may as well have been an ocean between them.

Jaclyn grabbed Bristol by the arm and yanked her to her feet, shoving the barrel of the gun against her ribcage.

He wanted to jump in and put a stop to the slow-motion disaster that was unfolding in front of him, but he’d been too slow. The chance to go for the gun had ended as soon as Jaclyn had abruptly gotten tired of talking.

If he pulled out his own firearm now, there was nothing to stop Jaclyn from retaliating.

He’d thought that they had more time, that there was a chance that this broken woman could be stopped without the need for violence.

He’d been naive, and stubborn, and it was the woman he loved who would pay the price.

Bristol stared at him, her eyes pleading, a fawn waiting to be devoured by a dangerous predator.

Jaclyn’s expression was completely blank. It seemed that there was nothing behind her eyes anymore, not even pain.

Cameron wondered if she even realized what she was doing, or if the madness that had been growing within her since the death of her son had finally taken hold completely.

Before he could think of a new approach, he felt his smartwatch vibrating on his wrist.

Once, twice, three times.

Somehow, the urgent message broke through his swirling thoughts, red warning bells sounding in his head.

The snipers no longer had a clear shot.

He forced himself into action, his knee slamming against Jaclyn’s desk as he rushed toward the two women.

“Bristol, get down!”

It was too late.

Jaclyn had taken hold of her, dragging her to her feet, the cold metal of the gun pressed against her temple.

Bristol’s eyes were closed, but he could see tears escaping from them, rolling down her cheeks in twin rivulets as her shaking legs threatened to give out beneath her.

“What’s the plan, Forge?” Jaclyn asked. “Ambush from the hallway? Snipers across the street? You security types are so predictable. Seriously, you guys need to learn to innovate if you want to keep up with the criminals in this town.”

Cameron reached for his own gun, drawing it out from his waistband, knowing that it was nothing but a hunk of useless metal now.

There was no way to take a shot.

Jaclyn glanced at it, a cruel smile twisting her elfin features. “Very good. Very cinematic. Bringing out the gun at the height of the drama. Obviously, I knew it was there a long while ago.”

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