Page 99 of Wild Oblivion

“I didn’t steal your system password,” Ashton said. “Mittens_123wasn’t the most secure password in the world, and you use it for everything! Newsflash, probably not a good idea to use the name of your pets, birthdays, or other common phrases as passwords."

"Thanks for the heads up,” she sneered. “I’ll remember that next time I date a sociopathic asshole!"

"I did it for us, baby." It was the ultimate narcissist turnaround.

Emily scoffed. “You never cease to amaze me. Really? For us!? How exactly did you see that working out? You screw me over like this, and somehow that’s for us? What else have you been lying to me about?”

“Quite a few things, actually,” JD muttered.

Emily shot him a sharp look. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

"It doesn't mean anything," Ashton said. "Look, we're going to get through this, and I'll explain everything."

I laughed. "Good luck with that one."

Ashton scowled at me. "I think we have more pressing concerns right now."

"I agree. If I were you, I’d be praying for that bomb to go off. Because that’s going to be easier than explaining the brunette to her.”

Ashton swallowed hard.

“What brunette!?” Emily snapped.

JD snickered.

Emily and Ashton bickered.

The flex cuffs dug into my wrists as I tried to pull my hands through. I had kept them loose, just enough room to wiggle through. After taking off the top layer of skin, my hand was free. It didn't feel too good, but it was a hell of a lot better than the alternative.

I sprang to my feet. "I hate to interrupt things, but I need a knife.”

"There's an X-Acto knife in the drawer," Emily said, nodding toward the counter.

I hustled across the room, pulled open several drawers until I found the blade, then hustled back to the table and cut Jack free.

I gave the knife to Jack, and he released Emily while I addressed the bomb. Once she was free, she joined me, evaluating the device.

Begrudgingly, Jack cut Ashton loose. He climbed to his feet and rubbed his wrists.

“How much time do you think we have?” JD asked.

I shrugged. “Not enough.”

Ashton took one look at the device with wide eyes and said, “I’m getting the hell out of here.”

He bolted for the door. It was probably the smartest decision he ever made in his life.

“This is based off your tech,” I said to Emily. "How can we defuse this? Or should we just cut bait and get the hell out of here?"

"I don’t want to lose the lab and all my work, but I don't want to lose my life either.”

I shared a look with JD.

“I’d rather not get vaporized.”

“I’ve got an idea,” Emily said.

She hurried across the lab and rolled over a portable fluoroscope. She positioned the C-arm over the table with the DR plate underneath the device. She powered it up, and an image appeared on the screen.