Page 75 of Broken Trust
Then she heard it too.
Footsteps. Slow and soft, coming straight toward the office.
Not a surprise walk-in. Not at this time of night.
Someone coming for them.
Her pulse kicked into a sprint.
Liam moved instantly, crossing to her side. He caught up her wrist, his grip firm but steady. “Under the desk. Now.”
Her heart stuttered. “Liam—”
He gave one sharp shake of his head.No sound.
Elin ducked down, tucking herself into the shadows beneath the workstation, her nerves clanging. From her angle, she could see his legs as he took up position by the door, gun raised,breathing controlled. When she shifted a little more, his face came into view.
He glanced back once—just long enough to make sure she was hidden—then his focus snapped forward again.
The metallic click of the lock releasing sounded as loud as a cannon blast through the room.
Liam coiled to strike.
The door swung open.
Kent stepped in, the picture of government respectability with neat hair and a bland suit. His shoulders were squared, his eyes cold.
He wasn’t surprised. He wasready.
Her heart skidded to a sloppy, rolling, flip-flopping stop.
“I was wondering when you’d show up.” His voice, though calm, pulsed with rage.
Liam didn’t answer, just held his ground. Waiting. Assessing.
Kent’s gaze cut around the office and landed on his desk. His lips curved in a smile that made her blood turn to ice. “Ah. The hacker.”
Of course. If she could see him, he could see her.
His hand blurred toward his jacket.
“Gun!” Liam’s voice was a warning to her and his team that was in his ear. The growl barely passed his lips before the fight exploded.
Liam lunged, slamming the door shut with his shoulder while his other hand shot out to grab Kent’s wrist. They collided hard in a clash of bone that echoed through the office. A flash of black steel made Elin’s stomach twist as she saw the gun slip partway out of Kent’s pocket.
“Drop it!” Liam’s voice boomed the command.
Kent didn’t. He shoved Liam, twisting, elbow jamming ruthlessly into his side, but he didn’t make a sound from the blow that would have knocked the wind out of other men.
A scream stuck in her throat, and she scrambled out of her hiding spot, attention locked on the fight.
Liam grasped Kent by the arm, wrenching it brutally. They slammed into the filing cabinet, the metal ringing.
Where was the team? Con said if they weren’t back in ten minutes, they’d come in.
Kent stumbled, lurching forward…then came up with the gun.
“Liam!” Her vocal cords shredded with the terror gripping her.
