Page 93 of When He Fights
“Oh, is that the lovely Dr.Marlowe?Now it’s just a party.”Logan’s voice was oddly delighted.“Do tell her how much I enjoyed our sessions.Maybe we’ll be chatting again.Soon.”A beat of silence.“Two minutes and counting, and then people start dying.”He hung up.
Kane released Emerson.She staggered forward as soon as her feet hit the pavement again.“What is happening?”
Gray tightened his grip on the phone.He glanced toward the dojo.“Agent Johnson!”
A young guy with light brown hair hustled toward Gray.
“Trace this number.”Gray rattled off the number that had appeared on his screen.“I want to know who owns the phone.”
“On it.”Johnson sprinted away.
Gray tucked the phone back into his pocket even as he kept staring at the dojo.
“Don’t do it,” Kane fired immediately.“It’s a trap.”Obviously.“You go in there, and you die.”He believed that with utter certainty—and that was why there was no way he was gonna let his friend step inside that dojo alone.Alone and unarmed?Oh, hell, no.
“I’m a federal agent.”Gray moved to the side, making his whole body visible as he removed the shoulder holster that he’d been wearing.He placed it on the hood of the SUV.To show Logan that he’s removing his weapon.“If I don’t go in, people will die.I can’t let that happen.”He rolled back his shoulders.The brace on his broken wrist was clearly visible.“It’s not who I am.”
Yeah, right.Kane knew exactly who Gray was.His friend was the true-blue hero.Always had been.The guy would sacrifice himself to save the world.
And I’d burn it to ashes if it meant I could protect the people I love.
“You can’t go inside.”Emerson grabbed Gray’s non-broken hand.Held tightly.“Is that what you’re thinking?You’re going in there, alone?No way.Youcan’t.You know Logan wants you dead!I told you before that he was after revenge.”
“He has at least two people in there with him.”Gray frowned down at her hand.“Maybe even a third individual.He said something about Ana’s friend.”An exhale.“I go in, unarmed, alone, and we make a deal.I can get the others out safely.”
“No!”Emerson was clearly horrified.“You go in and youdie!No one will be safe in there.”
Kane nodded.“Damn straight.Listen to the shrink.”
But Gray shook his head.“I know the risks.I also know my job.”A deep breath from Gray.“I go in alone?—
Forget that shit.He was done arguing.Kane pulled his fist back and slammed it into Gray’s jaw.He didn’t pull the punch, not even a little bit.
Emerson screamed.“What are you doing?”
Gray crumpled.Guy had a glass jaw.Normally, Gray could defend himself from a punch pretty well.This time, there was no defense, probably because Gray hadn’t expected the attack.
Kane grabbed Gray’s phone even as Emerson crouched over Gray.He dialed back the number that had just called.
“What the fuck?”Logan snarled when he answered.
“Change of plans, asshole.”Kane didn’t identify himself.If Logan was inside, he’d see Kane.Kane was standing there, after all, big and bright as day.“I’m coming in.You want a deal?You talk to me.I come inside.You let the other two bastards go.If you really have one of Ana’s friends in there, you let that person go, too.If that doesn’t work for you, then, hey, how about this option?How about I send in a swarm of federal agents, and they can shoot up the place?That good for you?”
Gray let out a groan as his eyelashes fluttered.
“Because I’m not Gray,” Kane bit out each word.“I don’t care about following rules.I don’t care about Turner or the lawyer.All I care about?—”
“Ismy Anastasia?”Logan finished quietly.
“She’s not yours.”Rage nearly choked him.
“We’ll see about that.”Mocking.“I’d had other plans for you but…come inside.Now.You and Gray.Get your friend off the ground.Come inside, and we’ll make a deal.Come inside!”
Something hit Kane from behind.Not something, someone.He turned and realized Gray had just slammed his shoulder into Kane’s back.
“Asshole, that was a low blow!”Gray snapped.
Actually, it had been an uppercut.
