Colby Core Read Online Free PDF Page A

startle her.
    â€œAny chance you could cut me loose?” He shrugged. “If they’re just going to kill me, I’d rather miss that part.”
    Her gaze drifted to the stairs again, before settling on his. “Tell them Renwick was responsible for the ambush. That he sent you, but you’re willing to negotiate your alliance.”
    Talk about surprised. Here he’d thought the lady was this innocent little angel but she was talkingambushes and negotiations. “And that’s supposed to keep me alive?” Oh, yeah, he could definitely see how admitting that the enemy had sent him would do the trick.
    â€œHis people recruited you.” She thought for a moment. “Phipps. Tall, thin, red hair. He offered you a hundred thousand to set up a takedown. You never met Renwick. Only Phipps.”
    â€œTelling them that I’m a mole doesn’t seem like a good plan to me.” His wrists were burning from the tightness of the ropes but that was the least of his problems at the moment.
    Those big blue eyes stared right through him, as if she hoped to penetrate his brain and make him pay attention. “It’s a good plan.”
    She turned and started for the stairs.
    â€œMaybe I’ll just take my chances with the truth.” Might as well cover all the bases…just in case.
    Tessa paused at the bottom of the stairs and met his gaze once more. “Then you’ll die.”
    Â 
    T ESSA CHECKED THE SECURITY peephole before activating the latch to enter the library. She held her breath until she confirmed that there was no one in the room.
    The pressure of the air seemed to change as she closed the door leading to the basement and held still to listen. The silence continued to linger in the air.
    Counting him, there had only been three peoplein the questioning room and two patrolling the grounds.
    If the others were in their rooms for the night, she should be able to reach her room without incident.
    She checked the entry hall before leaving the library. The house was completely dark but she knew every square foot. Learning the furniture placement had ensured she never bumped into a table or chair. The slightest noise would bring trouble.
    A loud thump echoed. Tessa froze. Outside, she determined. Another solid thump.
    Car doors.
    She hurried to the nearest window. Two SUVs had arrived. Five, six, seven…she counted seven men loitering around the vehicles.
    The soldiers.
    This was downtime. No ongoing operations. Two of the patients were ready for delivery. Risks weren’t taken during this time.
    Had the arrival of the man downstairs, Smith, generated all this activity?
    â€œTessa.”
    Her blood froze in her veins. Turn around. Face him. She knew better than to ignore him even for a second.
    She faced him. “Yes?” Her mind spun with usable excuses for why she was not in her room. The key in her pocket seemed to burn her skin through the flannel.
    He allowed her to carry a key. One key that fit thelock to the children’s room and that of the patients as well as her own room. If she angered him, he would take the privilege from her.
    â€œWhat’re you doing down here?” He turned on a table lamp and assessed her for several seconds. “You should be asleep by now.”
    â€œEveryone else is asleep. The doors slamming outside woke me. I was worried.” She gestured to the window. “Is something wrong?” Her voice sounded a little shaky. She prayed he wouldn’t make something of it.
    â€œThere’s nothing for you to worry about.” He motioned for her to come to him. “Your attention is needed elsewhere.”
    Tessa moved close enough for him to take her arm. The feel of his hand on her skin made her sick to her stomach. “I guess I’m a little anxious after what happened in Alabama.”
    â€œA nuisance.” He guided her to the stairs. “Nothing more. No need to fret.”
    She nodded.