Page 94 of When He Fights
“Come inside,” Logan bellowed, “or I will slit their throats right now!”
Gray stared at Kane.Kane stared at Gray.Then they looked at the entrance to the dojo.They squared their shoulders.And started to advance.
So this is what it feels like to walk straight into a trap.
But…
Gray snatched the phone from him.“Proof of life,” he barked.His jaw was dark red from the punch.“Give us proof of life right the hell now.You want us inside so badly?Then let me talk to Turner.Or the lawyer.Or Ana’s friend?—”
“Zuri?”Laughter from Logan.“I’m afraid she can’t come to the phone right now.She’s all tied up.And you will talk tono oneelse.Not Turner.Not the lawyer.Not until you get your asses inside.I want to see you both.Face to face.”More rough laughter.“You know what?I think the two minutes are up.Time for me to kill a bastard.”
Once again, the line went dead.
“Uh, Agent Stone?”
Gray whirled on the brown-haired agent who’d approached him.“What, Johnson?”
“It’s, ah, I traced the number, sir.Like you asked.The phone that called you?It’s…it’s registered to a Zuri Harris.”
Gray’s head sagged forward.“This just went from bad to clusterfuck status.”
Kane knew there was no choice.They were going in the dojo.
ChapterTwenty
“May I borrow your phone?”Ana asked.
Tyler frowned at her.They’d just arrived at the airport.They were still outside, right next to the vehicle.
“I need to call my friend Zuri.”Her fingers strummed nervously at her side, playing a tune on a harp that wasn’t there.Get control.Everything is going to be okay.At least, she hoped things would be all right.“I want to tell her that I’m leaving town.”
“No, Ana.”
Yes, Tyler.“She’ll be so worried about me!The shooting at my house must have made the news.Please, Tyler, I’m sure you have some burner phone somewhere close by.”Didn’t all these government types have untraceable phones somewhere?“Let me use it.Let me tell my friend that I’m okay.Just that I’m all right so she won’t worry.I can’t just vanish on her without a word.”She had to let her friend know that she was safe.Otherwise, Zuri would worry herself to death.
Zuri and my clients.Ana would need to get someone to cover her music therapy sessions.She’d need someone to take over the yoga classes.She’d need someone to?—
Take over my life.
Because she was leaving everything behind.Again.
Tyler reached into his pocket.“Burner,” he muttered.“I do happen to have one.Make it fast, all right?Do not mention you’re at the airport.Say nothing about me.”
Yes, yes, she got it.Ana dialed quickly.Her breath held as she waited for Zuri to pick up the call.Was her friend at the restaurant?Probably, but Zuri usually had her phone nearby even when she was working.The phone rang once.
Twice.
And—
The phone was answered.Only no one said a word.Maybe she had a bad connection.“Zuri?”Ana prompted, frantic because she didn’t have much time.“Zuri, I need you to listen.”
“No, my Anastasia.I needyouto listen.”
The phone nearly slipped from her fingers when she heard Logan’s voice.“Logan?”She grabbed for Tyler’s hand.
He’d already spun back toward her.
“Your boyfriend is dead, Anastasia.He’s a dead man walking right now.”Laughter.“And Zuri will be dead soon, too.Unless you do exactly what I say.Do you understand me, Anastasia?Are youlisteningto me?”
