Heath coughed. “You’ve always been a crazy bitch.”
Ryker moved still closer to Zara.
Madison sighed. “Would you all please remember your manners?”
God, Denver hated her calmness. There was no way she knew him this well. “How did you find us?”
She giggled. “Why won’t you believe empirical evidence? I know how your minds work. Icreatedyou.”
“You are psychotic,” Noni spat, throwing her arms wide. Denver took another step toward her. Smart woman, his girl. If they could keep Madison’s attention moving, then they could keep moving into defensive positions. “I’ve always thought sociopathic,” he said evenly. “But dishonesty is something new.”
Madison sighed. “You’re easy to trace. Period.”
No, he wasn’t. He let go of the fear and shame; he let go of any uncertainty. He was damn good at his job. So there had to be a way Madison had tracked him to the hotel the other night and then all of them to this place. Realization hit him so hard his ears rang. “You bitch.”
Her eyes widened and then she giggled more. “Oh, Denver. You are too intelligent, aren’t you?”
He could barely keep from lunging and taking her down to the ground. “You taggeda baby? You’re that evil.”
Noni gasped and turned to Talia. “Tagged? What does that mean?”
Denver cut a look at Ryker, who was trying to control his shock.
Ry shook his head. “Even for you, Madison. That’s crazy. Beyond crazy. You definitely don’t believe in an afterlife, but I do. You’re going to burn in hell.”
Noni took Talia from Anya’s arms and held her close, turning to look at Denver. “What does that mean?”
“She’s okay, Non.” He kept his voice low and commanding. “It’s just a small tracker beneath the skin so the person is findable. Madison has done it with soldiers before.” But he still wasn’t getting it. “All right, so that makes sense that you’d find us now. But not at the hotel near Montana last time, when you took Noni and Talia.” He thought it out, clicking through facts.
She danced back in her boots. “You’re getting it now.”
Heat flushed through him. “You tagged the baby before we even won the auction. When the Kingdom Boys gang still had her.” It was the only explanation.
Madison smiled. “Yes. Did you really think I missed the numerous sites that held your picture with that slut? Come on, boy. I contacted that little gang in the middle of your so-called auction. Paid them a nice amount to let me spend an hour with her. They didn’t even ask why.”
Noni rubbed Talia’s back, her gaze still confused. Then ignoring everyone, she set her down and started feeling the baby’s arms.
Madison sniffed. “The tracker is in her left heel. There’s no need to search her.”
“Noni,” Denver said quietly, his mind reeling. How had he come from such a lunatic? “She’s fine. Concentrate on the matter at hand.”
Ryker took the opportunity and lunged at Madison. She fired, and he flew back into the wall.
“Ryker,” Zara yelled, rushing for him.
“Stop,” Madison ordered, “or I’ll shoot again.”
Zara hesitated, her gaze going from Madison to Ryker.
Ryker hissed and pushed himself into a sitting position, putting his back to the wall and grabbing his thigh. Blood welled between his fingertips.
“Ryker,” Zara whispered, her voice tortured.
He gave her a lopsided smile. “It’s just a scratch, Z. I’m fine. Just need a bandage.” Sweat popped out along his forehead and dotted his upper lip.
“No more of that,” Madison said coolly. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a blinking box. “We made good use of our time waiting for you.”
Denver’s blood chilled. “You planted explosives?” His voice had gone hoarse.
