“It’s only for a short while, Iona. Don’t worry. I’ll be back soon, and then we’ll continue our discussion.”
Although she fought Crusher and Rowdy, Iona didn’t put everything she had into it. Wouldn’t do to clue them in on her skills. Five minutes later, she and Elias were chained side by side.
“That should hold you until I get back,” their captor said. “I will enjoy the next few hours.”
Eddie’s smile gave her the creeps. As soon as Elias’ father was gone, along with his enforcers, Elias raised his head and glared at her. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Rescuing you.”
“Some rescue. We’re both prisoners of my father, and this is exactly what I was afraid would happen. He’ll use you against me. To protect you, I will do anything, Iona.”
“Back at you, babe.” Come on. Didn’t she get a little love for finding him, sneaking into the compound without detection, and bringing their teams?
“You don’t understand, Iona. I know the price of sparing you pain and suffering.”
She wiggled the handcuff key from her watchband. “Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“Me. My father knows I won’t fight him if he’s threatening someone I care about. Don’t you get it, baby? You’re my weakness.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
HIS LADY’S MOUTHcurved into a real sultry smile, not the fake one she’d flashed at his father, and knew he’d forgotten one absolute truth. “Wait.” Elias stared into her beautiful eyes as he rested his head against his biceps. “You have a plan. How could I forget you always have multiple plans going in that beautiful, big brain of yours?”
She hurried to reposition the cuff key so she could use it. Iona slipped the key into the lock and twisted it. The handcuff popped open, losing its grip on her wrist. She turned to the other cuff and was soon free of the restraint. She turned to Elias and freed him from the handcuffs.
He sank to the floor, unable to keep his legs steady. Man, this was so embarrassing. “Sorry,” he muttered.
“Don’t be. The shame is your father’s.”
“Ten seconds,” Seth warned.
“Copy.”
A slow, painful smile curved his mouth. His teammates were here. He should have known they’d insist on coming to the party. “Should have known.”
“Yeah, you should have. We don’t leave a man behind.” Iona reached down to her boot and withdrew a Sig from the holster at her ankle. “And by the way, Elias. I’m not your weakness. I’m your strength. Together, we’re unstoppable.” She handed the weapon to Elias.
Oh, yeah. He was toast. Iona was his greatest strength. “What about you?”
“Crusher needs to learn a few things. I have plenty of weapons, and I’ll have more when our teammates arrive.”
Seconds later, Seth and Violet rushed into the room with Noah close behind. Violet slid the mike bag off her shoulder and set it on the floor beside Elias.
The medic whistled. “Buddy, you’ll be colorful for a while.”
He grimaced. Not what he wanted to hear. “Tell me something I don’t know.”
“How much time do I have, Seth?”
“Not as much as you want. I can give you two minutes, not one second more.”
“I’ll take it.” She knelt beside Elias. “Give me the rundown fast, Elias.”
“Ribs and back are the worst. Can’t breathe deep.”
“What about your shoulder?”
He scowled. “Yeah, about that. Sarge knew about the injury even before he ripped my shirt off. The doctor will have to repair the damage again. I’m pretty sure all my stitches popped during the beating.”
