Page 25 of Hunter's Game
“That’s why we have backup plans.”
“And backup for the backup plans.” She checked her phone one final time, confirming that her automated systems were in place. If anything went wrong, if they didn’t make it out, everything she’d gathered would still reach the right people. “Speaking of which...”
She pulled a small drive from her jacket and pressed it into his hand. “Insurance. In case things go sideways in there.”
Hunter studied the drive, understanding the implications. “You expecting things to go sideways?”
“I’m expecting my father to have at least three contingency plans for dealing with me.” The words tasted bitter. “And Thompson to have twice that many. The question is, which one of them moves first?”
Through her surveillance feeds accessible through her phone, she watched both men meet in her father’s office. The camera angle wasn’t perfect—she’d never managed to get eyes directly in that room, having to post strategic cameras from outside through various vantage points—but she could see enough through the open mini-blinds to know something was off about their interaction.
“They’re too relaxed,” Hunter noted, watching the same feed from over her shoulder. “For men about to be exposed as murderers and traitors, they seem awful confident.”
“Because they think they’ve already won.” Eden’s hands tightened on her weapon. “Thompson’s men found my backup location. As far as they know, all my evidence was destroyed in that raid.”
“Which means they’re not expecting us to walk right through the front door.”
“Oh, they’re expecting that.” Her smile was sharp. “They’re just not expecting what comes next.”
Before Hunter could respond, movement at the clubhouse entrance caught their attention. New vehicles arriving—expensive SUVs withdiplomatic plates that had no business being anywhere near an MC clubhouse.
“Romano,” Hunter identified the first man to step out. “And friends.”
Eden studied the new arrivals through the scope of the gun they’d positioned in front of one of the windows. Three men in expensive suits, moving with the kind of confidence that came from absolute power. Behind them, more professional security—not club members or federal agents, but the kind of operators who worked for people who didn’t officially exist.
“Intelligence community.” She recognized the type from her mother’s notes. “Romano’s bringing in the heavy hitters.”
“Think they’re here to help clean up Thompson’s mess?”
“They’re here to make sure certain evidence never sees the light of day. The kind of evidence my mother died trying to expose.”
Turning her attention back to her feeds, she watched the men join Thompson and her father in the office. Despite the camera angle, she could see enough to know the conversation was intense.
“Time to move.” Hunter was already radioing King. “Before they finish whatever deal they’re making in there.”
They moved like shadows through familiar territory, Eden’s childhood knowledge of the building’s layout guiding them past the exterior guards. The new security system was good, butEden was better. Three careful keystrokes on her phone and the cameras went into a loop, buying them precious minutes.
Hunter took point as they approached the back entrance, his movements silent and deadly. Eden tried not to admire how efficiently he dropped the guard there, but something primal in her responded to his lethal grace.
Focus. She needed to focus.
They made it to the second floor undetected, following the sound of voices to her father’s office. Eden’s heart hammered against her ribs as they took up positions on either side of the door.
“—doesn’t matter what she took.” Thompson’s voice carried clearly. “By morning, the evidence will be gone and your daughter will be in custody. Or dead. Your choice.”
“My daughter.” Merrick’s laugh was cold enough to make Eden’s skin crawl. “You know, I always wondered if she was really mine. Her mother was...accommodating to many of my associates back then.”
Eden’s hands tightened on her weapon. Hunter caught her eye across the doorway, a silent question. She gave him a sharp nod.
“Time to find out,” Merrick continued. “Though it’s a shame about Sarah. She could have had such a comfortable life if she’d just played along.”
“Your wife made her choice.” Thompson’s voice held no emotion. “Just like your daughter did.”
“Ex-wife,” Merrick corrected. “Though I suppose that’s a technicality, since she’s been dead for fifteen years.”
The confession hung in the air for a heartbeat. Then several things happened at once.
An explosion rocked the building from the direction of the art gallery. Shouts and gunfire erupted from below as the Blind Jacks launched their assault. And Hunter kicked in the office door, and Eden flooded in, her weapon trained on her father’s heart.
