Disgust for Kendall and his unnamed boss clawed at Knox's insides. He swallowed the words he knew he shouldn't say.
"We thought about forging them, of course," Kendall remarked casually. But then he looked at Drakos. "But you would have fought us. My boss really doesn't want to deal with that. This way is simple and quick. That's what he likes. Simple. Efficient."
Kendall's smugness grated on Knox's nerves. "What's so simple about this bizarre plan with all the bombs? You realize your boss sounds insane? Threatening so many innocent lives just to gain ownership of a resort?"
Kendall shrugged. "It's simple for my boss. He just gives an order, and it's handled quickly. And my boss believes the explosive devices . . ." he waved a hand in the air, apparently searching for a way to finish his sentence, "seemed like a more sophisticated plan. The boss doesn't simply want to send armed goons and strong-arm his enemies. He believes this elaborate threat makes him look more sophisticated."
Knox eyed Kendall. "Do you believe your boss is sophisticated?"
Kendall's gaze turned cold. "He is very powerful, of that I'm convinced. How he wants to display that power is up to him, but he always gets what he wants, one way or the other."
Chapter 17
Allie drained her second cup of coffee while she watched the video feeds, paying close attention to the areas in front of the elevators. When people waited for an elevator, they usually had to wait for a minute or two. She was able to get a better look at them while they waited than by watching people walk through the lobby for ten or fifteen seconds. She kept flipping between the elevator areas in the lobby and the different hallways. When the hallway she was looking at was clear, she tried to click to the next one. The mouse wasn't working.
"Rowan, I think the battery is dead in my mouse. Do you have any extra batteries?"
"Oh, yeah. Not in here, though. They're in my room. I can get them for you."
"Thanks," she said.
She watched him refill his coffee mug and walk out into the hall. Before the door closed behind him, she heard him shout, and then a cracking sound. She raced into the hallway, weapon drawn, and saw a man down on all fours, moaning. Rowan stood over him, wild-eyed, holding his broken Iron Man mug. Shenoticed his focus snap to motion behind her a second too late. Something solid slammed into her back. Pain exploded across her shoulders. She fell to her knees, but in one fluid motion, she spun around on her rear to face her attacker and raised her weapon.
Her attacker took a step back, eyebrows sky-high. Apparently, he hadn't expected her to be armed. His hesitation lasted only a breath. A scowl quickly replaced his surprise as he reached for his own weapon.
Her finger gripped the trigger. Training would dictate she fire if he pointed his gun at her at this range.
Adrenaline roared in her ears. Which was probably why she noticed her attacker halt before she processed the shouts coming from down the hall.
Knox and Jason yelled for both men to freeze, drop their weapons, and lie on the ground.
A staggering level of vehemence permeated Knox's shouted commands. Her attacker flinched, as if the barked orders were physically assaulting him.
Allie released the breath she'd been holding.
A few seconds later, Jason and Knox had both men face down on the floor of the hallway, their hands cuffed behind their backs.
Knox's head whipped to Allie. "Are you alright?" he asked.
"Yeah, yeah, I'm OK," she said.
His gaze lingered on her for a few extra seconds.
"I'm fine, Knox. Really, I'm OK. He hit me about two seconds before you and Jason rounded the corner."
He glanced around her face and arms. "Where did he hit you?"
"My back." And yeah, it was sore, but she waved off his concern. "I'm fine." She looked at Rowan. "Are you OK?"
Rowan still hadn't spoken. He was breathing heavily and gripping what was left of his Iron Man mug. He nodded. "I think so."
Knox's gaze darted from the man on the floor covered in coffee to Rowan, to Rowan's mug. "You cracked him in the head with Iron Man? Nice. Two points for Iron Man."
Rowan looked like he wanted to smile but wasn't quite capable yet.
"Nice job," said Jason.
The coffee-doused thug turned his head to the side, giving Knox a view of his face.
