Page 87 of Skin In the Game (The BlackWater)

“Ahh.” He grinned again. “So you’re there are you.”

“What do you mean by ‘there’?” She asked.

“As in this part of the plan.” He said slowly, deliberately.

“What?” She snapped.

“You didn’t think this was the end did you? We’ve got it all planned out, every step of the way.” He stated.

She narrowed her eyes. “Go on then, enlighten me.”

“And ruin the surprise? We both know how disappointed you’d be then.” He joked.

She shook her head. He was still enjoying it. Still thinking he was somehow running this show. She took another bite of her sandwich.

“Looks tasty Mads, wanna share?” He said.

“I’m good. Besides you better get used to shit food, where you’re going you’ll be lucky to have rice porridge for meals.” She replied.

He laughed. “Nah. I heard prison food is way better these days.”

“Except you won’t be going there Grant. You’re not a normal prisoner. You didn’t rob a bank. You risked national security, you think they’ll let you in with the general population? You think they’ll let you into a normal prison?” She laughed then and saw the confusion on his face. “Tell you what if you’re a good boy now and start actually talking I might just put in a good word.”

“What do you want me to say eh? Who’s behind this? Who the mole is?” He snapped.

“Do you know?” She asked.

“Maybe but I’m not gonna just show all my cards now.” He said, his voice still serious.

“No? Not even to save your own skin?” She replied.

“You think that would help? I start talking and I’m dead.” He stated and suddenly she felt like the mask had dropped, the bravado was gone. That the real Grant had finally surfaced.

“We can protect you, get you into a safehouse, witness protection.” She said

He laughed. “Don’t be fucking naïve Maddie. You know how big this is. You think that would help?”

“So what you’ll just sit here, keeping your mouth shut, rotting away while the people who should be held accountable get off Scott free?” She pushed.

“Aww Mads it almost sounds like you care.” He teased.

“I do care. I care about what you did, I care about what you stole, and I care about all the lives you and the rest of your buddies have put at risk.” She snapped back.

“But not about me huh?” He said.

“Would it make it easier if I pretended? Pretended that you matter? Would that help ease your bruised ego?” She asked.

He laughed. “Don’t worry, I’m not delusional. I knew I was more into you than you were me. Why do you think I proposed huh? I wanted to force your hand.”

“Why? The whole thing was fake.” She said confused.

“Not for me. Not in the end.” He met her eyes and she frowned.

“What?” She said quietly.

“I wanted to save you Mads, to whisk you away from it all. That’s what I was doing at the café too.” He said quietly as if he didn’t want everyone else listening in to hear even though there were microphones all around them picking up every single minute noise.

“Sure you were. You’re a real knight in shining armour.” She quipped.

“I know what their next move is.” He stated.

“And it involves me does it?” She said.

He smirked.

“Why? Why me Grant?” She asked him and he shrugged.

“You know why.” He said.

“That’s the point. I don’t fucking know.” She snapped and he laughed.

“Yes you do Mads. It’s all there, in your head. You just need to put it together.” He said.

“Seriously?” She snapped.

“Go on, have a long think about it. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” He said grinning again.

“Why don’t you give me a clue?” She said.

He smirked. “Nah I think you’ve had enough.” He stated leaning back against the chair with his arms chained out in front of him.

“Not even one for old times’ sake?” She asked leaning forward and he shook his head.

“You’ve got all you’re gonna get out of me.” He said.

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