Page 31 of The Best Trick

Zeus snorted like that was so ridic. “Nobody’s calling the cops. We’ll tie him up, and when we get back, we'll do some threats.”

“Do some threats? Do you even hear yourself?” I demanded. “Don't you see that being with you guys is romance enough? When you go around freaking out on people who don’t bend to your every whim, it’s not sexy!” I said. “It’s not hot!”

“I think it’s a little bit hot,” Zeus said.

“Not hot,” Thor said.

Zeus turned his angry gaze on Thor. God, were Zeus and Thor gonna fight now?

“Uhh!” I spun around and stomped toward the far end of the giant area. I couldn’t take any more of this interpersonal stress!

I didn’t have a destination, I just wanted to get away from the whole situation. I headed on past our car, past fuel tanks, out to where the shuttered popcorn wagon truck stood, sides painted with bright yellow and white popcorn puffs, long since faded in the California sun.

The group of them were arguing back there, all growls and raised voices. Zeus was being obstinate. Harley wanted his gun back. Odin was trying to make everybody be rational. Thor sounded upset, even guilty, like the whole thing was his fault in some way.

I stomped onward, eyes clouded with tears. I suppose that's why I didn't see the figure separate from the shadowed side of the shuttered popcorn truck way off to the side.

By the time I heard the crunch of gravel, it was too late to do anything sly or defensive. A hand gripped my arm. The nose of a gun touched my temple. A split second later I was staring into the angry gray eyes of our mortal enemy.

Agent Denko. From ZOX.

Time slowed. Fingers of cold sweat traveled up my spine.

We’d been so careful! How did he find us? I tried to yank away, but he tightened his grip.

“Behave,” he warned. “You’re just as good to me with a shot foot.”

My mind whirled. Was this really happening?

Over across the dusty field, all arguing had ceased. Four faces turned to me and Agent Denko.

“Let’s go,” he said, marching me across the field toward Harley and my guys. “I’m not looking to hurt anyone.”

“Fire up the balloon!” I yelled. “Get away! He has nothing if you're not here!”

“I'll shoot that thing down so fast,” Denko yelled. “So fast.”

“Wait, what?” Harley said, looking ashen.

“Do it! Get away!” I pleaded. “He won’t shoot it down—he doesn’t want you dead!”

“I just want to talk,” Denko said.

We were just a few yards away now.

My guys appeared to be motionless, but the opposite would be true. They’d be talking in low tones, working up a plan, arranging weaponry between themselves. They’d do anything they could to keep me safe, even if it meant giving themselves up to face imprisonment, torture, and ultimately death.

Which was why this was such a nightmare scenario.

My legs were shaking so hard, I could barely walk. I could never live with myself if they gave their freedom for mine—I wouldn’t survive it. I wouldn’t even want to.

“No way are we talking to you when you have that thing pointed at her,” Zeus said. “Take one of us instead.”

“And give up this pretty little high-value hostage?” Denko said.

My guys were slowly fanning out now, with the intent to surround us. They’d provoke Denko to take one of them out, but whoever was behind Denko would take him out.

Harley backed away.

---