Page 79 of Fallout

They drove maybe another half hour. Long enough for Simon’s head to begin to droop. Adrenaline had dissipated until he realized he’d dozed off for a second. He heard a persistent buzz, but it wasn’t his alarm clock. They were still in the SUV.

“Here they go.”

One of the men beside Simon chuckled.

The older man turned his phone so Simon could see camera footage. The FBI kicking in what must be the man’s front door. There was no audio, but the screen moved as a stream of people entered his house.

So that was why they had been mobile all day.

The kingpin took pleasure in watching the FBI find nothing in his house but empty rooms. Simon almost prayed the guy hadn’t wired up any traps that would take lives, but why waste his breath?

Peter would be praying, and that was enough for both of them.

“Let’s go.” He nudged the driver, who headed for the freeway.

If Simon was anything other than himself, he’d swing his arms toward the guy on his right. Then, the one on his left. Break a nose. Knock them out, maybe. But if he tried it, he’d end up with another swollen eye to add to the one he already had.

Maybe these guys didn’t know who he was.

Or they knew they shouldn’t let him anywhere near a computer terminal, even to do some kind of task for them. At gunpoint. He’d still be able to fake a communication out, so they’d never know he’d given up his location.

But without a computer, there was zero chance of rescue.

What are they going to do with me?Eventually, he couldn’t stay silent. “Are we just gonna drive around until we run out of gas?”

Someone snorted.

The older man studied him.

They’d proven to him that they knew all about his family, driving by where Lucas lived with Simon’s sister, Freya. They’d driven by the house where Clare and Gage would take their baby home and the medical center—although they’d given it a wide berth since the Famous Ones were there. He’d have thought all that knowledge would mean he was valuable as an asset.

“I do have a job for you.”

“Great,” Simon said. “Get me to a computer. I’ll do it, and you can let me go.”

Back to his family and friends, his life. Why else show him everyone he cared about? Sure, he was vulnerable, but he wasn’t the weak link here just because he was a computer guy not an operator. This guy didn’t need to exercise his power and try to break Simon’s will.

The older man smiled, but there was no humor in it. “This isn’t a one-time deal. There will be no exchange or ransom. Vanguard might have employed you up till now, but that arrangement is no longer.”

Simon asked, “And if I refuse?”

“Hopefully, you left things on good terms with your family. As it will be your final words. Your goodbye.”

They were going to kill him.

The older man said, “You work for me now.” He looked down at his phone and began to laugh.

Not good.

Simon was in serious trouble.

THIRTY-FIVE

“Idon’t like it.”

Destiny leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be fine.”

In the back seat, his father cleared his throat. “I’ll leave you guys to it.” He climbed out of the car right in front of the medical center where Jasper had pulled up. The door shut.