I focus hard on the voices coming through.My fists stay locked against my thigh.I force myself to stay put while praying Fenella finally says the safe word.This is getting worse.She sprained her ankle.
“Where is that secret room she talked about?”I ask as soon as Fenella gives another hint.
“Some dead-end corridor.Looks like it’s still on the same floor, outside their ballroom,” the commander answers.“I’ll confirm the exact location with the field team.”
“Fenella is trying to get Alan’s confession now.”Golden frowns as he listens in.
“Oh, Fenella, come on, say the safe word, darling…” Jessy blurts out, pressing his hands together, his whole body shaking as his face creases.
“No.I bet she won’t stop until Alan spills everything on record.”Matthew smirks.“That girl is badass.”
“They’re heading to the back garage?”I ask, brushing off Matthew’s bullshit joke in a moment like this.
“Team 2, check the side of the house for the emergency garage door.Look for a wide, clear wall.Team 1 in the ballroom, any sign of Amy?”the commander calls through his communicator.
“Amy entered the ballroom.She interrupted Peter’s speech,” Team 1 reports.
“She just ratted Alan out to Peter.This is turning dangerous,” I say, losing patience.
“Team 1, move.Amy and Peter are priority arrests.Team 3, hold back the bodyguards.Team 4, prepare crowd control at the ballroom door and main gate.No one leaves.”
Fenella is in danger, and I can’t wait anymore.Even knowing she’ll complete the mission, I act on impulse.Without hesitation, I jump out of the van.
“Laird, wait!”
“Laird!”
Everyone in the van shouts in panic, but I ignore them.I sprint at full speed toward the house.I cross the yard and barge my way inside.
This doesn’t fit my character.I’m breaking my own rules about waiting until it’s safe.In the end, Fenella is right.I always end up running into the fire for her.
Inside, chaos already explodes.Panicked guests scatter, but a group of men in tuxedos block the exits right after I enter.They look like the FBI field team.If I had been one second late, I wouldn’t have made it inside to help her.
“Move!Get out of the way!”
I shove through the crowd, heading toward the farthest hallway in the house.A dead-end corridor with a secret door off to the side.That’s my only clue.I catch a glimpse of Senator Peter Morgan disappearing at the end of the corridor.
“There he is.”I growl as I push through the guests to clear a path.
“We’re FBI!Everyone stay where you are!No one leaves!”the agents shout, holding the guests at the exit.
“Sir, stay put!”an officer snaps as he blocks my path.
“I’m part of the team!”I dodge his grab.
“No one leaves!”he insists, grabbing for me again.
“Back off!Ask Golden!This is Laird Evans!I need to chase Peter!”
The officer speaks into his comm, then nods a second later.As soon as he shifts aside, I bolt down the hall after Peter.He runs behind me, probably as backup under his commander’s orders.
“Watch out!”a woman barks at me.
Amy pivot toward me.The moment I spot her, instead of stepping aside like she ordered, I charge.My hands close on her and I send her to the floor with a hard thud.
“Get off me!”Amy shrieks.
“It’s over, Amy.Just give up.”I pin her, wrench her arms behind her back.In the next second the officer who chased Amy and an FBI agent behind me slap the cuffs on.
