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She’d been a solo operative but strike teams—mercenary or military—were usually five or six.

“There are more of them,” she breathed.“Fuck.These two are a distraction.”

The men both held perfectly still, their lack of reaction all she needed to see.

Annie whirled for the door, feeling stupid, so fucking stupid for not realizing.The attacks up until now had been so amateurish she hadn’t treated this one like a professional job, even though she knew these two were professionals based on their lack of ID and the fact they clearly had enhanced interrogation endurance training.

One of the Spartan Guard—the one who’d held John’s head—realized what she was thinking.

Annie raced out of the room, the Spartan Guard and Agravain on her heels.The second Spartan Guard stayed behind, which was good.

They might need hostages.

This time,Xavier’s shock didn’t hold him back.The angry young man he’d been, the one who’d had more than a few fistfights, surged forward.

Xavier lunged for the man, throwing a feint with his right fist, and when the man leaned out of the way, Xavier caught him in the solar plexus with his left.The resulting whoosh noise as air left his lungs was satisfying.

But Xavier couldn’t press his advantage because someone grabbed him from behind, hooking their arm under Xavier’s, their hand at the back of his neck, locking his shoulder in place and forcing him to look down to alleviate the pressure on his neck and the back of his head.His free arm was locked behind his back, his wrist pulled up enough to make his muscles burn and the threat of a shoulder dislocation clear.

Xavier was able to raise his gaze enough to see Colum.

When he did, he froze.

They had Colum on his knees, hands behind his back.

And there was a gun pressed to his head.

Footsteps sounded on the stairs.

“Annie, no!”Xavier shouted.“Run!”

The man he’d punched lashed out.Pain exploded in Xavier’s head, and the world went hazy for a minute.

“Don’t hurt him,” Colum demanded.“Please, just…don’t hurt him.”

“Colum, what’s happening?”Annie called out from the stairwell.

“They hit Xavier.”

“How many?”

“There are four of us,” one of the black-clad men said calmly.“And please, join us.”

Portuguese, Xavier decided, trying to process the accent despite the headache making it hard to think.

“Oh, thank you so much for the invitation, I think I will.”

Annie emerged from the top of the stairs, smiling.Xavier growled at her, as if that would make her go back.Colum in danger was making him feel sick.Both of them in danger might break him.

“Xavier, you’re bleeding!”Annie put a hand over her mouth, eyes wide and round.“Please, let me at least get a washcloth and an ice pack for him.”

“We know who you are, Ms.Ward.No need to pretend.We are well aware of how dangerous you are.”There was a smile in the man’s voice.“It’s an honor to meet you.”

Xavier was going to have to dissect that later.

Annie’s smile dropped, her expression almost disinterested.

“Youare?”