Page 29 of Tangled Lies

I grabbed one of the large stuffed chairs knowing my head could be seen above it, but otherwise I was inconspicuous. Now I waited like a patient, pretentious businessman.

The elevator dinged. Over my shoulder I saw her as she stepped out.

Bingo.

I typed a quick text to the boys.

Me: Ready

I watched her walk slowly, settling in behind the men, near what I assumed must have been future mother-in-law. Hard to say. She struggled to walk a straight line, but Margaux stayed near her. Good. I could work with that. The toxic trio of men seemed to trot on like little prized ponies thinking everyone followed as they should.

One step closer. Two steps closer. Three steps. I reached my hand back, brushing the back of hers, and watched as she looked up from studying her own feet, eyes widening as it clicked.

I whispered, “Hey there, pretty girl.”

The three men kept walking and didn’t notice as she stopped and I grabbed her hand, standing in one fluid movement and pulling her to the hall.

Someone shouted, and I had to assume the guys I’d written off were guards and they had noticed her getting taken.

“Hold on, babe,” I said and grabbed her up into my arms and picked up the pace to the back stairwell.

“Where is she? How did you let happen?”

I could hear the shouts of what must have been Carrow or the senator. I didn’t really care. I didn’t stop because the footfalls were getting closer. I slammed into the door into the stairwell.

“Hold on, Margaux. Your rescue is just up ahead.”

“J?” That was Talon calling up the stairwell.

I smiled.

“Get ready, they’re coming.”

I got down the two short flights and burst out the door. Ronan was already ready, and all I had to do was put her on the bike and they were gone. Her dress fluttered on the sides as he pushed the bike.

I stood there.

“Do we wait for the show? Three. Two.”

A gun pointed at my face a second later.

“Sweet. It’s been a few days since I’ve looked down the barrel of a Sig. Your employer knows reliability.”

I put my hands up, not because they asked and not because I actually wanted to show them I was indeed armed, but because it made it easier to grab the knife at my wrist. I already had my own gun in the opposite hand.

“Where is she?” one of the guards shouted at me. I took a peek and saw Talon nearly hidden behind the door. They hadn’t noticed him yet.

A shadow moved behind the open door. That would be Knox. Good. All accounted for.

“I dunno. Who is she? I don’t know if you noticed, but do I look like I'm struggling to get a woman in my bed?”

There were only two guards. They stepped closer.

“Shut up. Where is she? The senator’s niece. Don’t play stupid.”

I shrugged.

“I dunno. I don’t see any cute little nieces out here. I see a few cute little guards though. Is this your first gig? I mean that explains a lot.”