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“You have caused me a lot of problems, Ms. Stanton,” Reuben said.
Hollis took a half step forward,staring at Reuben’s face. He looked so…ordinary. Not like some criminal mastermind.
“This is all on you, Reuben,” she said, rage welling inside her. “You’re the criminal. Selling our tech and weapons to Russia.”
The man’s mouth tightened.
“Seriously, if you’d just left me alone, I never would have said anything.”
Sawyer gripped her wrist, a warning.
But Hollis was done.
Done being chased and shot at. Done seeing Sawyer in danger. And Park, a man she barely knew, risking his life for her.
All because of this man standing in front of them.
“I barely heard anything that night at your house. I certainly had no evidence.”
“I couldn’t take that risk,” Reuben said.
“I would have forgotten I heard anything if it wasn’t for all the things that started happening. People following me, the car accident, the camera.”
“My work is too important. I won’t let anything stop me.” Reuben glanced at Sawyer and Park. “Your guard dogs can’t save you this time.”
Sawyer made a sound. “You’re going to be very disappointed, Reuben. Or should I say Mikhail?”
“It ends here,” Reuben said. “Nothing will stop my work to support my home country. Myrealcountry.”
One of the men beside Reuben stepped forward and holding a knife. Hollis sucked in a breath. It was the bodyguard who’d spotted her in his house. Scarface. She saw the puckered scar on his cheek.
He flicked the knife open, then closed. Open, then closed. His gaze was on her like a snake, waiting to strike. She glared back at him.
“It’s already over,” Sawyer said. “The FBI raided your home and businesses today. I’m surprised you haven’t heard.”
Reuben’s eyes widened, and Hollis felt a spurt of satisfaction.
“No,” the older man breathed. “You’re lying.”
“Look it up,” Sawyer said. “They know about your shipments. You’re a wanted man.”
Reuben yanked out his cellphone. “Keep your guns on them.” He scrolled through the phone, then let out an enraged sound.
Hollis smiled. He was a man used to doing what he wanted, when he wanted. All that was coming to an end.
Reuben’s head snapped up. “You bitch. You stupid, airhead actress.”
“I’m not an airhead, asshole. And I’m an excellent actress.”
“You’re trash,” he spat. “I looked into your background. You’re one step from the trailer park. You’renothing. I won’t let a nothing like you ruin everything.” His voice echoed in the alley.
“I amnotnothing. I’m the woman I’ve made myself to be. Being born poor and disadvantaged wasn’t my choice or my fault. And it’s not some stain to carry around. Anyone can change their circumstances, and be what they want to be. It’s a shame that you chose to be a lying, scheming terrorist.”
There was enough light that she could see Reuben’s face turning red, and the look of hatred he aimed her way.
“For decades I’ve put plans in place, and in just a few seconds of eavesdropping, you destroyed it all.”
Sawyer tensed beside her, watching Reuben carefully.