Page 108 of Defending You

Asher? Surely not. Surely he didn’t think he could just talk her out of this. He’d only get himself killed.

Gagnon tapped on his phone. “He has me curious.” He picked up the comm unit. “Get in here. I want you to hear this.”

Three minutes later, the scarred commando leader stepped into the room. Unlike everyone else who’d come up the stairs, his approach had been stealthy and silent. “What’s going on?”

“There’s an enemy out there, and he’s close.”

“Copy.” The leader turned away and spoke, presumably to men listening through the little earpieces she’d seen in their ears. He listened, then said, “And?” Another long pause, and then, “Check it out. Don’t be seen.” He focused on Gagnon. “We have movement on the north side, near the gate.”

Gagnon shot Cici a cruel smile. “I’ll get him talking. You close in.”

No.What could Asher be thinking, trying to negotiate with a psychopath?

Lord, protect him.

Minutes passed, and then the comm unit on the desk cracked. “We’re in position.”

“Got it.” Gagnon lifted his cell phone. “Let’s just find out what your little bodyguard friend has to say, shall we?”

He dialed and must’ve put the phone on speaker because she heard ringing.

“I have what you’re looking for.” Asher’s voice carried through the phone, clear as day. He sounded…normal. Not weak, not hurt, just confident and in control, as he always sounded.

He’d told her he’d choose her over all the women in the world. Apparently, he was willing to prove that by dying…withher. Because he couldn’t think Gagnon was going to let either one of them walk away.

It was impossible.

Gagnon’s focus was on the phone, but Souza had moved toward Cici, his cold eyes broadcasting a warning.Keep your mouth shut.

Or what? He’d kill her? That was already the plan.

She wasn’t about to let them take down Asher too.

She met Souza’s eyes. And then she shouted, “Asher, run! They know where you?—”

Souza’s kick was swift, straight to her ribs. Her breath whooshed out, replaced by pain, sharp and hot.

The second blow came to her head. The office pulsated, the world around her muffled, shrinking to darkness.

She ducked, curled, and prayed…for relief. Mostly, for Asher.

She desperately wanted him to survive this.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

The sound that followed Cici’s warning—a sharp, sickening thump—ignited every protective instinct Asher possessed.

“Leave her alone.” The words tore from his throat. Another muffled cry of pain reached him, and he squeezed his eyes closed. “I swear, if you hurt her?—”

“Easy, Asher. Easy.” Grant’s voice cut through his earpiece, steady and commanding. “Remember, you’re desperate. You’re scared. Play your part.”

Asher forced himself to breathe, to channel the rage burning through his veins into something useful. The emotion was genuine, threatening to consume him. “Please don’t hurt her.” His voice cracked with the weight of it. “Please.”

The thought that she’d risked pain to warn him, that, as terrified as she must be, she’d tried to protect him, made his chest tighten with something that went far deeper than strategy or duty.

“Much better.” Gagnon’s voice carried a note of satisfaction, as if he were conducting an orchestra and enjoying the music. “Now that we understand each other, perhaps we can discuss terms. What exactly do you think you have to bargain with?”

Asher pushed down the image of Cici crumpled and hurt. “I have what you’re looking for.”