They’d always referred to the mysterious group tasked with keeping Capitoline in check as ‘Gina’s friends’ because they’d always come through when she needed help with resources. Ironic, considering her ‘friends’ now wanted her dead. Walker and Malcolm also belonged to the group until Gina had pulled them into Watchdog. At least that was the official word. The truth was, they never left it.
“The hell?” Jake shook his head in disbelief. “I don’t?—”
“What you’ve failed to grasp is that there’s been a target on Gina’s back ever since Hawaii.”
Lach watched Elissa flinch. “That’s my fault,” she said. “If I hadn’t destroyed Skeleton Key and just given it to her like I was supposed to on that mission, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Stop right there, Elissa,” Lach said, holding up his hand. “What would have happened instead is that the entire world would have been held hostage. Don't let me ever catch you blaming yourself for that. Gina wouldn't stand for it either.”
Lach looked up one more time to see if Camden and Malcolm were coming. They weren't.Fuck it. “So Walker and Kayla are alive.”
“What the hell do you mean they're alive?” Jake asked. “They couldn't have survived that. I hacked into the coroner’s report. They found blood.”
“They found blood, but no bodies. And they won't. I'm telling you, Walker and Kayla are alive. Gina arranged their escape.”
Elissa pumped her fist in the air. Yes, that's my girl.”
Jake looked chastened. “Boss. Lach. I am so sorry. Fuck. I am so sorry for doubting Gina.” He looked across the table at Elissa. “And I'm sorry I yelled at you. That was totally uncalled for.”
“Hell yeah it was,” Nash said as he tightened his arm around Elissa.
“No, Nash, Jake, it's okay. I get it. It's Capitoline. Those assholes mess everything up. They're splitting us right down the middle at a time when we need to be together.” She looked at Lachlan. “So where's Gina? What's the plan? I know she's got something up her sleeve. What do we do?”
Lachlan grimaced and chomped down on the pen casing. “Well, here's the hard part. The hell of it is, I don't know where she is.”
“What do you mean you don't know where she is?” Costello asked. “This wasn't planned?”
“You know Gina. She’d neither confirm nor deny the entire plan. She was supposed to rendezvous with me, but she never showed up.” Lach looked back at Elissa. “That's why I've been having you search the marina.”
“Why didn't you tell us she's alive right away? Why didn't you tell us that Walker and Kayla are alive? Dammit, Lachlan. We’ve been at each other’s throats.”
“Gina insisted that you not know until after you were interviewed by the police. She didn't want to risk any tells that might give you away just in case Capitoline was watching, or in case they have a mole within law enforcement. Because you can almost guarantee that they do. I'm sorry. She was supposed to be back by now, and this,” he gestured in disgust at everyone in the room, “would have never happened.” He looked at the door. “Now where the hell is Camden and Malcolm? I don’t want to repeat this more than once.”
Jake stood up. “You want me to go look for them, Boss?”
“Yeah, if you would?—”
But before Jake could leave the room, the door opened and Camden appeared, but not with Malcolm. Someone else was with him instead.
Malcolm’s fiancée Annalie Givens stood beside Camden, looking terrified.
“Malcolm is gone,” she said. “He left me a note saying I should come here, that I’m not safe. Lachlan, please tell me what’s going on.” She wiped her eyes. “I’m afraid to think the worst.”
Lachlan's heart sped up as his stomach plummeted. “I don’t know what else to think, Annalie. But we’re not letting you out of our sight.”
Especially if Lachlan's greatest fears were true. Gina had recruited Malcolm to Watchdog even before Walker. Malcolm was an ice-cold dude. Sure, he'd warmed up since meeting and falling in love with Annalie on an assignment. But Lachlan always feared that at his heart, Malcolm was still a cold-blooded killer.
The nightSea Promptexploded, Walker had received orders from their group to kill Gina. And they both knew that there had been a backup if Walker refused or failed. There was a good possibility that Malcolm was that backup.
And now he was gone. And so was Gina.
“Camden, I’m issuing a call to heel for anyone who isn’t already here now, along with their families. Contact anyone who had strong connections to Gina, Walker, or Malcolm. Jake, that includes your parents and your sister. Elissa, I want you searching for Malcolm,now.”
Elissa looked doubly pale. She and Malcolm had bonded during their mission in Hawaii when he’d helped protect her. “You don’t think he’s gone after her, do you?”
“If he doesn’t know that she’s innocent, he might have.”Or he may have no choice,he thought. At least they had Annalie safe with them. In the hands of Gina’s enemies, she’d make a perfect bargaining chip for coercing Malcolm.
Elissa flew out of her chair. “Already on it, Boss. Come with me. I have some ideas, but I’ll need your help.”
