Chapter 25
Tia lifted a hand, giving Amy and Jace a wave as they passed, her green eyes kind and trusting. Wasshenext on the dark web’s list? Or was it possible she knew what the man was all about? Amy remembered where she’d seen her—Tia was one of the dozen women on the speed-dating segment with Amy.
Mr. P led them down the rounded hallway and into a large, windowless room. Can lights created accent lighting that reminded Amy more of a movie theater than a business establishment. In fact, it was what she’d describe as an entertainment area. Or perhaps more or less a man’s room where they all gather for whisky at the wet bar and toke cigars while lounging on the leather sofas and chairs. A big screen TV took up one wall, while a massive aquarium created a glowing turquoise display of tropical fish along the adjacent side.
Amy glanced at the men seated in the lounge chairs throughout the space. Jace had shown her pictures of Maddox, Blaine, Baron, and Creed so that she could easily identify who was who. Creed was the one sitting over by the man with braids, while Baron and Blaine joked with the guy with the tattoo on his neck.
Maddox came to his feet as Mr. P neared; the others stayed in place. Mr. P spun to look over his shoulder, holding an arm out for Amy as she approached. “Ms. Amy Nelson, this is Mr. Frank Albert.”
Maddox gave her a nod. “Nice to meet you, Amy.” Amy reminded herself, as she reached out to take his hand, that the man was on Jace’s side. In fact, most of them were.
“Nice to meet you as well. I understand you might be interested in an endorsement sometime soon?”
“That’s correct. I’m charmed by your work, and would consider it an honor.”
“Well, now,” Mr. P said. “These two have a couples’ massage appointment to get to. Mr. Albert, wasn’t your assistant interested in seeing the parlor?”
Maddox lifted his chin. “Roger,” he called toward Creed. “Why don’t you go ahead.”
The guy with the long, braided hair stood too. Amy had been very aware that Jace was standing somewhere behind her, she just hadn’t glanced back at him.
“Allow these men to take my place as your escort, will you? Mr. Albert and I have some business to take care of.”
Amy’s heart revved up to a panicked pace. Like thunderclaps in her chest, pounding as they boomed down her arms and legs in pulsing beats. This was it. They were signing the papers. Logan could send in the officials. It would all be done soon.
Braids gave them a nod before heading down the rounded hallway. Amy and Jace followed closely behind while Creed kept at the rear. All of the sudden a beep sounded, followed by a burst of static.
A quick glance told Amy it was a CB on the braided man’s belt. “Volkoff’s not who he says he is,” a man warned in a frantic tone. “I repeat, Volkoff is a fake!”
Braids stopped walking and spun around as the rest of them came to a halt. The man’s hand moved to his CB like a cowboy readying to grab his gun. He looked at Creed, his brown eyes squinting in concentration. They widened slightly as he looked over at Jace, as if realization had struck.
Suddenly, Jace lunged at the guy and tackled him to the floor. Amy fought back a squeal as they wrestled at her feet. Braids wiggled from his side to his back enough to land a good punch to Jace’s jaw.
Jace hit back before getting him in a headlock. Creed hurried over and tugged the CB from the man’s belt.
“Get Amy out of here, would you? I can take it from here.”
“You got it.” Creed hurried to Amy’s side. “Come this way.”
Amy looked at the way Braids fought to break free. Adrenaline stirred thick in her gut. She couldn’t just leave him.
Suddenly, the sound of rushing footsteps barreled down the hall. Sounded like an army.
Creed pushed open the closest door and tugged Amy’s arm to bring him with her. Amy stood there among a rolling mop bucket and a shelf full of cleaning supplies while Creed darted back out to help Jace drag the braided man into the utility closet as well.
Amy’s heart hammered wildly as the door closed just in time for the army of footsteps to roar down the hallway.
The guy on the ground groaned. Jace hunched down and wrestled his hands behind his back. Creed wrapped zip cuffs around his wrists, and the two were back on their feet.
“I’ve got to get back out there,” Jace said. Amy wanted to argue, but she didn’t. She merely watched as he twisted the knob, pushed the door open, and dashed back into the danger without another word.
“He’s going to get himself killed,” Amy said to Creed, fearing the truth of it in her heart. Panic was rising in hot currents up the back of her neck. Making it hard to breathe.
Creed shook his head. “Jace knows how to survive. Trust me.”
She couldn’t just sit in this room and do nothing. The man she loved was out there. The man who’d admitted to loving her in return.
A look passed between her and Jace’s former team member as Amy contemplated hopping across the guy on the floor and rushing into the hallway herself.
