Chase stepped up beside him. “We sweep together. We get her and get out fast.”
They all nodded.
Then, as a group, they moved silently toward the first building.
Lainey twistedher body to look at Travis. He stood ten feet away, pacing. Avoiding her. Silent.
But then he stopped and stared at her like he was at a crossroads and knew all roads led to hell.
She held his gaze. Didn’t blink. Didn’t flinch. She kept her voice low and steady. “Travis, do the right thing. You don’t have to go down with him.”
He stood there, silent and still.
She tilted her head. “This isn’t what you signed up for, is it?”
His jaw clenched. “Keep your mouth shut.”
“Can’t,” she replied. “You don’t want to hurt me. I can see it.”
He turned away, scrubbing a hand over his face. “You don’t know shit. I’m already in too deep.”
“No, you’re not,” she said. “But if something happens to me, you’ll never get out. You think Richard’s gonna protect you? He’s using you. You’re disposable.”
Travis swallowed hard.
“He doesn’t care about you,” Lainey said. “But I will remember. If you untie me and let me go, I’ll tell them you weren’t the one.”
“You can’t promise that.”
“I can. Because I have a son that I need to get back to. Please help me do that. You’ll get a chance to walk away.”
“You don’t get it,” Travis snapped. “Once you’re in with people like this, you don’t get to walk away. Just ask my friend Dean.” He gave a broken laugh. “If you can find him.”
Lainey’s heart dropped.
Then he moved. He crossed the space between them, dropped to one knee. His hands were shaking as he fumbled with the knot behind her back.
She held her breath. Didn’t dare to move, to speak. Didn’t dare to hope.
“Fuck,” he muttered. “I should’ve run when…”
A crack splintered the air.
Travis jerked once, slamming into the back of her chair before collapsing behind her.
Lainey screamed.
Richard lowered the small pistol. “God, good help is so hard to find. I told him not to get sentimental.”
He tucked the pistol behind his back and stepped closer. Then slapped her hard across the face.
“I really hoped this wouldn’t get messy.” He put his hands up like she was the problem. “But there you go.”
He stepped back, eyes gleaming. “I have a couple of friends coming over to talk to you. Hopefully, you’ll be more compliant.” He grinned. “They’re not as nice as I am.”
Lainey worked the ties around her wrists. Travis has loosened them enough. Not enough to escape easily but maybeenough to give her a chance. Her heart pounded so loud she was sure Richard would hear it.
“You’re a bas—” Her voice caught. “You’re a…”
