Page 64 of Breaking the Rules
“I’d like to talk to your friend,” Xavier said. “Invictus can extend our resources to her.”
Kate and Waverly shared a look. “I don’t know if that will be possible, but I’ll be sure to extend the offer,” Waverly said, choosing her words carefully.
“So how do we find out what Brad’s up to? And if he’s going to come after you?” Kate asked, graciously changing the subject.
Waverly’s phone rang, and she glanced down at the screen. “I guess I just answer the phone.”
Xavier and Micah both stood up abruptly and began heatedly debating the best course of action.
Waverly sent Kate a signal and took the phone into the living area while Kate chucked a donut at the guys to get them to shut up.
“Brad, what do I owe the pleasure?”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“He wants you to do what?” Xavier snapped.
Micah looked like he was going to barf up his donut.
“My new assignment is to kidnap Petra Stepanov,” Waverly repeated, tossing her phone down on the table.
Kate picked up another donut and shoved half of it at Waverly.
“I’m to snatch her Saturday.” Four days from now.
“You said you just gather intel,” Micah began.
Waverly nodded. “My recent performance has led to some doubt about my loyalties,” she said, quoting Brad. “I can redeem myself by stepping up my game and collecting ‘the asset.’”
“This is insane,” Xavier argued. “What are you supposed to do with her?”
“I’m supposed to keep her in a secure location until I can deliver her personally to Brad.”
“Sounds like a freaking trap to me,” Kate said, shaking her head.
Waverly shook her head. “It makes perfect sense. He can’t get to her. I’m the only one who’s been able to get close enough. So either I fulfill the assignment, and he gets what he wants, or I fail, and I’m out of the way anyway.”
“You mean going down in a hail of bullets,” Xavier said. He was pacing now. Gone was the calm, calculating man from moments ago. He’d been replaced by a caged animal. Waverly saw it then, the vulnerability he carried because of her. She was his weakness… and he was hers.
“This doesn’t change step one,” Kate reminded everyone. “We still need to talk to Petra and find out what she knows.”
“It’s a big jump from breaking and entering to kidnapping,” Micah put in.
“Between Xavier and I, I’m sure we can convince Petra to come with us. So we’re back to just breaking and entering,” Waverly reassured him. Micah didn’t look like he was buying it.
“Are you actually considering doing this?” Xavier demanded.
“I just want to talk to her, and I want your help in assessing how safe she is in that house. If I don’t take her, Brad will just have someone else do it.”
Xavier closed his eyes and took a slow breath. Waverly went to him and put her arms around his waist. “I need your help, X.”
He dropped his forehead to hers. “And you’ll have it. But I’m not letting you walk into a trap.”
“Oh, my God! Xaverly’s back!” Kate cheered from the table.
“No, we’re not,” Waverly warned. “I just… we’re just…”
“Yes, we are,” Xavier said arrogantly.
