He spotted Pike heading his way with a grim expression. “Gotta go.” He ended the call and came to his feet, ready for whatever was about to get thrown at him. “Problem?”
Lips taut around that carefully trimmed beard, Pike seemed to chew some facts. “Might have a problem.”
Range had learned long ago that keeping his mouth shut could be more effective thank talking.
Gray eyes hit his. “Thinking maybe Hellqvist or one of the VIPs sold us out.”
Something savage rose through Range. “Definitely Hellqvist.”
“Analysts picked up some heavy chatter on long-quiet channels. Seeing movement inbound.”
Range lifted his eyebrows. “Here?” His gut churned. “They’re coming here.”
“That’s our guess. Timing is too much to deny.” Pike considered him. “We need that name if I’m going to get some brass back-up against Hellqvist.” He scratched his beard. “It’ll take hours for the others to reach the Secondary, so ask her. Put the fear of God in her—”
“A woman like that doesn’t fear God.”
“Make her. There’s only one reason to keep her close: that name. Without it, she’s—”
“Expendable?” Why did it tick him off?
“—just like the rest of them.” Pike glowered. “Look, if you can’t get the name, I’ll send her with Casey and—”
“I’llgetthe name,” he gritted out.
Pike huffed, eyeballing him through a stern brow. “Okay.” He smoothed a hand over his beard. “I’m sending Casey and Phil to the Secondary with the victims. Then I’m rerouting everyone to another location.”
And why wasn’t he telling Range where that was?
“We’re readying to vacate the premises.”
“You think they’re coming.”
“I know they are. Get your gear together. When the time comes, I want you to take the girl and—”
“Take her …?”
“If we effect a family reunion between her and the others, we’ll get squat out of her! And I need that name to remain viable.” He stabbed a finger at Range. “She’s soft on you—”
Range barked a laugh. “That’s a load of—”
“Tell me what I saw in that interview room wasn’t some connection between you and her, what with all the googly eyes you two were shooting at each other.”
Range scoffed. “What you saw was me expecting her to knife-hand my throat or gouge out my eyes.”
“Yet she didn’t. She just … stared at you.”
“We made a deal.” Dang, that sounded just as pathetic as when she’d said it. “Besides, she’s not a woman I’d ever consider in that way.”Change the topic before you perpetuate the idiocy. Pike clearly had a plan. “What’re you thinking?”
* * *
“Dinner.” He set it on the table next to the bed.
“No fork?” she asked, feeling like a dog chained to a post.
“So you can stab me?”
“It would make it easier.” When she noticed him moving back to the door, she stood. “I would use the restroom.”
