Page 106 of Defending You

“Every life matters,” Bartlett said.

“Agreed, and I’d rather not die today. But I will. For her.”

The words seemed to float above the group, and a tiny part of Asher wished he hadn’t said them, not because they weren’t true, and not because he was embarrassed or ashamed of how he felt. Just because the last thing they needed was a distraction.

Everybody was staring at him.

He ignored the rest and focused on Grant, who seemed the least distractible.

Grant prompted with “While you’re playing bait?—”

“The rest of you breach from the rear. Get to her.” Asher looked at each of them. “By the time Gagnon realizes what’s going on, God willing, you guys will have saved her.”

“But what about you?” Alyssa asked. “If something happens to you… Does Cici feel the same…? Is this thing between you?—?”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “Saving her life. That’s what matters.”

Alyssa’s eyes filled with tears, which was exactly the last thing he needed.

He met her gaze steadily. “I’m scrappy. I’ll figure it out.”

“‘Scrappy’ is not a plan,” Callan said. “It’s a death wish.”

“You have a better idea?” His voice rose, and he didn’t care. “Because I’m all ears. Please, tell me a better way to guarantee Cici is saved.”

The silence stretched between them. Asher could see the calculations running behind Grant’s eyes, the weighing of odds and outcomes.

“He’s right,” Grant finally said, his matter-of-fact tone cutting through the tension. “It’s our best shot.”

“No.” Bartlett’s shout was loud enough that it reverberated off the trees.

“Listen.” Grant held up a hand. “Gagnon’s got the high ground, superior numbers, and defensive positions. A straight assault gets people killed. But if we can draw their attention to the front while we hit from behind…” He nodded slowly. “Itcould work.” His focus shifted to Asher. “But unless you have a death wish, we’re going to switch it up.”

He definitelydidn’thave a death wish. “Let’s hear it.”

“You’re not walking up to the front gate. You’re going to get in touch with him.” Grant turned to Alyssa. “Can you get a number for Gagnon?”

“On it.” She slid the laptop closer and bent over it.

“You call him. You tell him where you are. Maybe do something to prove it, but stay out of the line of sight. That way, if they want to find you, they have to send men.”

“Drawing them away,” Bartlett said.

“Exactly.”

Asher asked, “Where will I be?”

Grant lifted his phone screen and tapped on the forest that surrounded the road leading to the front gate. “In here somewhere. We’ll find a good spot to hide you. It’s the most logical place for you to approach.”

“They’ll see my hiding as a way to protect myself, a way to start the conversation without acting like a sacrificial lamb.”

“Exactly. While they’re trying to find you—and you’re making all sorts of threats about the SD card, which they may or may not buy?—”

“You guys will move.”

Alyssa’s phone buzzed. She glanced at the screen, then looked up. “Michael says they can reposition a satellite, but it’ll take a couple of hours to get into place.”

“That’ll be too late,” Asher said. “We’ll have to go without it.”