The way he’s acting doesn’t give her much hope for what is about to happen. He talks like this is the last time he will get to say those words to her. Liz lifts herself onto the tips of her toes, savoring the feel of Riley’s lips against her own.
Riley pushes the door open, reaching for his gun while slowly stepping into the room. Liz peers into the dark, a sinking feeling in her gut. Someone is there. The room is too dark, even for late afternoon, like someone had blacked out the windows in anticipation of ambushing them.
They take another careful step inside while Liz holds the door open with the tips of her fingers, trying to keep as much light from the dim hall as possible. The light flicks on and her heart drops. Riley rushes back to her side, tucking Liz behind his back, safely away from the man sitting in their chair, or rather, as safe as he can make her in the situation.
Liz counts eight other gunmen, all with weapons aimed at them. She peers around Riley’s side, watching the man look between them. She moves further behind him, shielding herself from his gaze.
“It’s good to see you, Russ,” Riley says, face to face with his old mentor again.
“Is this the woman you let turn you against your county? This mousy little thing who has to hide behind you? I expected better,” he says, ignoring Riley completely. His voice is rich, warm like honey, and somehow comforting. That doesn’t stop the anger bubbling out of Liz hearing someone blatantly insult her.
“Hey, fuck you buddy,” she shouts. Riley wraps his arm around her waist, yanking her back as she storms toward the man in the chair. “Riley is risking everything to keep people safe. He didn’t turn against his people, your little buddy, general fuck face, did.”
“I stand corrected. She’s a little spitfire,” he says with a deep chuckle.
“Tell your men to stand down so we can talk,” Riley orders.
“No matter the history I may have with you, I don’t negotiate with terrorists,” he remarks.
“With all due respect, sir, if you believe any of that bullshit, then you are a lost cause, and there is no point in attempting to talk,” he starts, feeling Liz slowly reach for the other gun tucked into his waistband.
“These are my most trusted men, so say your piece,” he says with a wave of his hand, signaling his men to lower their weapons.
“I don’t have time to go over all the details. Tyler has sent you an encrypted message with all the intel we have. Long story short, Scott has been supplying the Russians with weapons in an attempt to bring on a new world order. He was behind Liz being taken, as well as my capture. When he was caught… well, I’m sure you have heard rumors of what’s going on in Montana. He was recently spotted with Ivan, Dmitri’s right-hand man. No one has seen him since,” Riley quickly explains. The room is silent for a long moment, nothing but the sounds of electricity buzzing from the lights overhead.
Russell gets up, cracking the faintest smile. He walks to Riley and extends his hand. Riley takes it, allowing his mentor to pull him into a tight hug.
“I knew you wouldn’t be stupid enough to kidnap a general,” he says
“I also wouldn’t be stupid enough to get caught. You trained me better than that,” Riley says with a cool shrug.
“So, what is it you want from me Riley? Or is it Reaper, now?” Russ asks.
“It’s Riley, sir, thanks to her,” he says, pulling Liz into him. “We need help, any help you can give to find Scott. It’s the only way to clear our names and put an end to his dealings with Dmitri.”
“I saw what Tyler sent, and I will do what I can, but you, this little ball of fire,” he says looking at Liz, “and the rest of your squad need to put your full trust in me and my men if this is going to work. You know better than anyone, I won’t be questioned,” he says, carefully eyeing the pair before him.
Liz squeezes Riley’s hand in an attempt to ground herself. Something feels off, but if Riley trusts him, so can she. Riley nods in agreement.
“Cuff them,” Russ orders, pressing a finger to an earpiece Liz missed before.
The men in front of her raise their guns, keeping them aimed while two men step forward. Her mind goes dark when she spots the glint of the metal cuffs.
CHAPTER 41
“Great plan, Ry. Really top notch. One of your best, really,” Mikey drawls sarcastically, resting his head against the cold concrete wall of the prison cell they are sitting in.
Liz slides across the icy metal bench, pressing herself into Riley’s side.
“Shut up, Mikey,” he barks back. Riley closes his eyes and tips his head back, slumping against the opposite wall.
Liz watches everyone crammed into their small cell. A deep seed of distrust settles in her chest at the sight of so many furious faces. Riley asked for their trust and they willingly gave it. Now, they are all sitting in a jail cell on a military base after being ambushed. Their faces have been plastered all over the news as soon as a reporter got footage of them being walked out of the hotel in handcuffs. Luckily she was able to be led out without them.
“Well, someone needed to congratulate you on a job well done,” Mikey remarks.
“I don’t want to beat your ass, but I will if you keep this shitup, Mikey. Just shut the fuck up,” Riley says, harsher than Liz has ever heard him speak to his friend before.
“Why should I? We blindly followed you into this plan and look where it got us?” he shouts, sitting up to look at their leader.
