CHAPTER 1
ALEX
Alex fidgeted in his seat, his fingers drumming against the laptop as he waited for the files to transfer to his flash drive.
A variety of emotions roiled inside him, each fighting for dominance. The lingering fear of his recent kidnapping still sent shivers down his spine.
Anger at The Board’s audacity boiled within him, and a constant worry for Ava gnawed at his sanity. He felt a pang of helplessness, knowing he couldn’t protect her from every looming threat.
And the incredible events that followed his rescue, including their confrontation with Raven and the sudden involvement of Homeland Security, had left him struggling to catch his breath.
They’d demanded to be a larger part of Raven’s team, a man who had yet to show them his face. He’d agreed, but was that what they really wanted?
Did they want to be pulled further into the drama with The Board after what had already happened?
He imagined Ava was struggling just as much, but he wouldn’t know for sure. She had agreed to meet with the Homeland agents and provide the information they requested. It was a necessary move, but the thought of her being grilled by the feds…
He hadn’t been sure she should do it. The memory of their conversation with the agents replayed vividly in his mind.
“So, what do you say, Ms. Collins? You’ve been in close contact with several high-ranking Board members. We’d like to know what you know,” Agent Sanderson said.
“Whoa, wait a second,” Alex said, holding a hand up between them. “I don’t know about this.”
“What’s to know, Mr. Stone? We could hold her for forty-eight hours under the Patriot Act without any explanation at all. We’re asking politely.”
“Just what are you accusing her of?” Alex shot back.
Agent Sanderson shot her partner a look. “Should we be accusing her of something?”
“Absolutely not. And I don’t think she should be talking to you without an attorney present.”
Ava pressed a hand against his chest, stopping him in his tracks. “Can you give my husband and me a minute?”
Agent Sanderson shifted her weight before she waved a hand to indicate they could step away. Ava dragged Alex a few steps away, shooting him a glance.
“Ava, don’t do this. This is a bad idea.”
“I’m not sure I have a choice, babe. And I’d rather go willingly than be dragged there as an enemy of the state.”
“Avs, they’re going to put the screws to you. You heard her. She said you’ve been in close contact with Board members.” Alex’s mind raced. What if they find out morethan they expected? What if they turned this all against her?
“And I have been. Sebastian Bancroft is a high-ranking Board member. I can explain everything.”
“Really?” Alex exclaimed. “What are you doing to say? I was hanging out with him because a creepy dude who goes by the name of Raven said I should get close to him?”
She clicked her tongue. “I wasn’t going to go with that, no. I wasn’t going to mention Raven at all.”
“How are you going to do that?”
“I’m not going to give anything away to them. I’ll give them everything they need on Sebastian, but beyond that, I’m not going to give away all our secrets.”
“Babe, I’m not certain you’re going to be able to dance around everything we’ve done with Raven. What if they know about my abduction? What if they know you got into a Board stronghold?”
Ava shifted her glance to the agents again who watched their every move. “Alex, again, I’m not sure we have a choice. I’ll say as little as possible.”
“Put them off. Let me call Barry. Tell them you’ll meet them tomorrow.”
She sucked in a breath before she nodded. “Okay. But I think this is a chance we need to take.”
