The office door opens, and I’m ready for Toby’s guys to wrap this up like a prime-time TV episode. Arrest Rafa, Jenny, and Earle so I can pick up the pieces of my messed up life.
Instead, I gape at the person in the doorway. Instead of the cavalry, it’s Dylan. Unsuspecting-but-madder-than-hell Dylan. Bailey’s bulky frame appears behind him.
Add another traitor to the list.
My pulse thrums in my head, and I wonder if anyone else can hear it.
I attempt to stay calm. “It’s Gabby’s boyfriend. Let them go and I swear I’ll do what you want.”
Rafa ignores me and stares at Dylan. “You picked the wrong time to play hero.” A muscle in his jaw twitches.
I pull air into my lungs and steady myself. There’s a chance Dylan can get out. “He’s not here for me. He’s dating Gabby now. Let them go and I swear I’ll do what you want.”
Rafa sits at Earle’s desk, his elbows propped in front of him and fingers loosely laced.
Dylan folds his arms across his chest and looks boldly at Rafa. “I’m not leaving without Emerson and Gabby. Be smart and let them go. I’ve called the police.”
My heart stills, like its battery finally ran out of juice. The office reminds me of one of those wax museums; we’re a scene frozen in time.
“Check his cell phone,” Rafa demands. Jenny’s husband, Bailey, steps from behind Dylan, keeps a gun pointed at Dylan, and holds out his free hand for the phone. Dylan gives it to him and Bailey tosses the phone to Jenny.
Earle doesn’t sit behind his desk. Instead he’s been moved to the side of the room opposite me, from where he avoids eye contact with me. Gabby’s beside him in one of those folding chairs. She keeps staring at me with an expression I haven’t seen since we were kids. Her too-wide eyes and pale face make me want to grab her and run.
While Gabby won’t quit looking at me as if I’ll disappear, Jenny hasn’t looked at me once. I should be more hurt that she’s here and helping Rafa. I’ve been fooled so many times lately. I’m starting to expect disappointment. I only ache because of baby Reed.
Toby’s presence at my side is barely reassuring. I’m well aware he’s got a gun, but I have no idea of FBI protocol. Will it even be possible to pull it on Bailey without getting us killed?
At the corner of the desk, Jenny looks up from Dylan’s phone. “No. He lied. Last calls were made to Emerson.”
Rafa shakes his head at Dylan. “I’m not a violent man. But you’re a problem.” He looks at Bailey. “I don’t need any more problems.”
Bailey grabs Dylan’s arm. My still heart has resurrected into a rocketing burn in my chest. I step toward Dylan but Toby places a hand on my shoulder.
“Don’t kill him. He might know more than he’s let on about the code. He’s been tight with Emerson. Maybe she’s confided in him,” Toby says. His words, so evenly spoken, skid across my brain. I swing around to glare at him. My hands are clenched into tight fists.
“No, he’s not.” My voice isn’t as steady as Toby’s. “You want that code? He and Gabby leave. Now.”
Rafa smiles at me as if he pities me. “Toby, if she moves, shoot the sister,” he says.
Toby reaches inside his jacket and pulls out a gun. My mouth opens and I suck in air as he points it at Gabby while his fingers dig painfully into my shoulder. Fear rushes in my ears and whirls in my belly.
“Toby? Why?” I cannot process this moment, stuck again in the wax museum scene where something momentous is going to happen.
“Sorry,” he whispers. “Nothing personal. Money talks.”
“Fuck. You.” Shock and hurt punctuate each word.
The door swings open and hits the wall at the end of its path. Bryce stands with a handgun pointed at Rafa. “Surprise, bitches,” he says, theatrically rolling out the ‘r’.
Bryce? How the hell did he get here?
Rafa stands and points a gun at Bryce.
Gabby’s surprise spreads across her face in slow motion. She hops from her seat and Bailey instinctively swings his gun to her. Bryce grabs Bailey by the arm and swings him hard. I break from Toby’s grip and run to shield my sister.
I’ve almost reached Gabby when a body hits me from behind and I fall flat. The impact knocks air from my lungs like a popped balloon.
“Stay down,” Dylan says, his lips at my ear to be heard above the noise. His hands are on my shoulders and his entire body covers mine.
Pop. The sound echoes amid the screaming.
A distant part of my brain recognizes Gabby’s scream.
“OhGod-OhGod-OhGod.” Jenny whimpers from somewhere. “Bailey,” she screams. “Not, Bailey.”
“Gorgeous Girl. You okay?” Dylan lifts the bulk of his weight from me. His voice is unsteady.
I raise my head. “Gabby.” They are the only words I can utter.
“Sissy.” A hand grabs mine. “I’m here.”
Noises ratchets inside the room like the volume’s been turned on in a surround-sound theater. “No one move. Show your hands. Hands up.”
I peer up, vaguely aware of too many people in the room. Bailey lies on the floor near me. He’s face down, but blood is in his hair and on the floor.
“Dylan?” I ask.
“I’m right here,” Dylan says, his lips touching my ear. “Gabby’s not hurt. Rafa shot his own guy. He was trying to shoot Bryce.”
I nod and rest my forehead on the floor and cry.
Gabby and I sit at the table trying to wake up and start fresh today. I scribble on the pad in front of me: 1) Live life without fear of making mistakes, 2) Be smart, 3) Be honest. Gabby smiles at my list, which she is nosily reading, pushes her coffee to the side, and pulls the laptop in front of her.
“We’re in an article on CNN today.” Gabby sits straighter and waits for my reaction.”
“Oh yeah?” I’m not media hungry and certainly didn’t want to make headlines ever again after Dad put us there.
“Rafa is going to prison for a long time.” She leans in to read for a second and continues, “Cyber terrorism. Kidnapping me. Bailey’s murder. And that’s the short list.”
“Good.” I drop my pencil on my notepad and take a sip of my ice water.
“I’m sorry about Toby. I know you thought he was a good guy. What a traitor.”
I shrug. I realize I’ve been quiet and Gabby’s digging for some kind of confession about my feelings.
“Bryce is thinking about applying to the police academy.” Gabby waits for my reaction.
“Didn’t see that coming.” I shake my head one corner of my mouth lifts at the thought. If I can smile about anything, it’s Bryce.
“He thinks he can be some kind of superhero after what happened.” She snorts and rolls her eyes.
“He has a crush on you.” I meet her eyes.
“I know.” She drops her gaze to her fingers. Then lifts to meet my eyes again. “He’s just too young for me.”
“What are you talking about? He’s your age!” I scold.
“I have a thing for older guys. Guys like Jordy.”
My mouth drops open and for a long minute, I simply stare at her. “Jordy is too…too…”