Page 144 of These White Lies

“No—please—don’t kill me!” Her words stumble over each other, as she panics.

Vincent moves closer, but before he is close enough to grab her, Anna surges up, and Elizabeth’s head jerks backward.

One manicured hand is wrapped in Elizabeth’s hair, the other holds a jagged piece of glass to her exposed throat.

The panic is gone from her voice replaced by a coldness. “I walk out of here, or her pretty dress is going to be ruined.”

My weapon stays trained on her.

Elizabeth still isn’t moving.

I see a slight stirring, her head moving, and Anna tightens her hold.

My heart is pounding in my ears, my entire focus on the glass hovering above Elizabeth’s vulnerable body.

Focus.I even out my breathing and don’t allow my eyes to drop to Elizabeth.

“That’s not the card you think it is,” I tell her evenly. “I already have everything I need. The necklace. It’s worth more than her life a hundred times over.”

Every ounce of me revolts at the lie. She means everything, and I don’t care if I walk out of here if she doesn’t.

Anna sneers, tugging Elizabeth’s neck to an unnatural angle. “Then I’ll kill the bitch anyway. Be done with it.”

My body tenses, but in my periphery, Finn and Rhodes are edging closer.

I force myself to shrug, even as the bitter taste of bile burns my throat. “Go ahead. We’ve already been paid. Let’s be honest. Your pockets are a hell of a lot deeper than hers.”

The woman studies me, suspicion warring with calculation in her gaze. It’s easy for her to believe I’m as corrupt as she is.

“How much for the necklace?”

“Twenty million,” I say coolly.

Her eyes narrow, but her arm relaxes, the glass inching away from Elizabeth’s neck.

“Ten.”

“Fifteen,” I counter coolly.

“For fifteen I walk out of here, and you give me the necklace.” Her eyes flash with something unholy. “If you double cross me, I’ll kill everyone you’ve ever cared about.”

I let my mouth lift in a cold smile and lower my gun. “I’m a businessman. And we’re mercenaries, after all. Our loyalty will always be to the highest bidder.”

Inside my pulse pounds hard enough to break my ribs.

Please let her buy it. Make her arrogance believe I’m this stupid.

“Deal,” she agrees, but before I can exhale a relieved breath, her expression changes. “But just so there’s no take-backs…” Her hand descends, the shard of glass glinting under the overhead lights.

Everything slows. My lungs seize as the air is punched from my lungs.

Then there’s a loud crack and Anna screams, her body lurching sideways before collapsing into a heap. Blood runs from her knee. Finn lowers his gun, while Vincent yanks her from behind the chair and shoves her toward Rhodes.

“Secure her and get her in the van.”

I’m only half-listening, having already lunged forward to crouch on one knee in front of Elizabeth. I holster my weapon and cup her face, my heart breaking when she cries out in fear.

“It’s me,” I soothe, reaching for her restraints. “Elizabeth, I’m here. I’ve got you, baby.”