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“Too bad. I’d love a chance for a little payback.”
“You might get it. One’s heading for the back, one for the front.”
“Bring it. They’re going to be sorry.”
“I want answers, Iona, and would prefer not to see you behind bars.”
“Copy that.”
“Seth, do you trust me?” Teagan asked, voice soft.
“Yes.” No question.
“Get behind the door. Let me greet your buddy when he breaks in.”
Although he’d love to refuse, he couldn’t. Teagan was his partner. Seth had to trust her to do this so he could capture Wilson and Kepler without bloodshed. “Be careful, babe. Don’t take any chances.”
“Same to you. Keep your temper in check.”
His lips curved. Seth saluted Teagan and took position behind the door. All they could do now was wait.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
TEAGAN REMAINED STILL, balanced on the balls of her feet, gaze fixed on the door. One minute. Two. At the three-minute mark, she heard the signs of someone picking a lock.
She rolled her eyes at the time it was taking the cop to bypass Seth’s lock. It would have taken her about fifteen seconds on a bad day. Wilson or Kepler had already hit two minutes. Then again, the cops probably weren’t as paranoid as Teagan. She hated to be locked in anywhere unless she was the one with the key.
She knew her experiences with the cult when she was a teenager had contributed to her need for freedom. Instead of treating it like a shortcoming, Maddox had capitalized on it and taught her to be the best at picking locks so she would never be locked in against her will.
Teagan backed further into the shadows. The cop wouldn’t see her until it was too late. She palmed her weapon and settled in to wait until he picked the lock.
Finally, at the six-minute mark, the knob slowly turned under the cop’s hand. The door swung open, and the man slipped into the quiet house. He closed the door, weapon in hand, and took five steps forward.
“Nice of you to drop in, Detective Wilson,” Teagan said.
Wilson froze and cursed in a low tone. “What are you doing here?”
“That’s my question for you.”
“Come out where I can see you,” Wilson ordered. “We’ll talk.”
Right. Talk. “You shouldn’t be here, Detective,” she murmured.
“Neither should you.” His rigid stance relaxed, although he didn’t put down his weapon. “You deserve someone better than Dixon.”
She snorted. “Meaning you? I don’t think so. I’ve already had a taste of how you treat your women. No thanks.”
“Oh, come on, now, beautiful.” He stepped closer, more confident that he had a handle on the situation. He was so wrong. “I didn’t hurt you. I was just having a little fun.” Another step. “And then you punched me.”
She laughed and shifted position, still hugging the shadows. “Some tough guy you are. Can’t take a punch from a woman.” Again, she changed position.
He went from stillness to sudden motion. Wilson raced toward her.
Teagan waited until the last second, then shifted just enough for him to miss her by less than an inch. She tripped him. When Wilson fell to his hands and knees, Teagan slammed the side of her fist on the back of his neck.
The detective sank to the floor and went motionless.
A short commotion in the kitchen, followed by silence, told Teagan that Iona and Rayne had taken down Kepler.