“Omega has a plan in place to draw Freihof out,” Ren continued.
“You missed that deadline this afternoon, McClement,” Jaspers said. “You didn’t report in, didn’t show up. You missed your chance.”
“There were circumstances that couldn’t be helped. The plan will still work. So I’m just going to keep you guys here a few extra hours until I can get her out and in front of the media. Freihof will come.” Ren knew that for an absolute fact now that he knew what had happened between them. How Freihof had tried to control every part of her life. Letting Natalie wander free without him wouldn’t even be an option.
“You do this, your career is over,” not-Jaspers said. “It won’t matter if it’s for the greater good or not. Your time with Omega will be done.”
Ren already knew that. Had known it as soon as he’d come up with this plan. But he didn’t grieve the choice. It was time to stop living in the darkness that had been his constant companion for so long. Step into the light.
Natalie and her innate generosity of spirit and kindness had shown him that in such a very short time. He prayed there would be some way to get her to forgive him for what he’d done, what he was about to do. Some way to get her to share the light withhim, once they had taken Freihof out for good and he could never hurt her again.
He brought Jaspers and his partner into the woodshed and tied them, before going back to get Agent Three—now conscious—and brought him back also.
“There will be someone here to release you guys in the next couple of hours. Just don’t get yourselves killed in the meantime.”
“You’re done, McClement,” Jaspers bit out. “Your entire career washed down the drain. I hope she’s worth it.”
Ren moved a gag over the other man’s mouth.
“She is.”
Ren took a phone from one of the agents and stepped outside, immediately calling Omega.
“Steve Drackett.”
“I’m going to need a Homeland Security cleanup in aisle four.”
“Damn it, Ren. You missed the deadline. What the hell is going on? I was about to send agents in there myself. What happened?”
“It’s a long story involving a mountain lion and near death.”
Steve actually chuckled. “Doesn’t it always?”
“Are we too late for the media blitz?”
“I can maybe keep the press here in Riverton for thirty more minutes.” Steve’s voice was tight. “They passed restless two hours ago.”
Ren grimaced. They would need to take a snowmobile. He would move the other out of her path and tell her he ran into some hunters. But this meant more lies to Natalie and not enough time to explain about the whole plan.
Who Ren was. What he needed her to do. She’d be blindsided.
But there was no other way. He had to get her in front of the cameras. Once that happened, Homeland wouldn’t take her out of play if she was the best bet of luring Freihof in.
“Do it. We’re on our way. We’ll be there in twenty-five.”
“Please God, tell me there are no dead Homeland Security agents at that cabin.”
“No, but some very pissed-off ones. You need to send someone to get them in the woodshed.”
“You know those guys can make your life hell, right? We may not work for them, but they have the ear of pretty powerful people.”
Ren took a calming breath. “I know. I crossed a line. I’m done.”
The other man said nothing for a long second, then ironically echoed Jaspers’s words. “I hope she’s worth it, my friend.”
His answer was still the same.
“She is.”
