“What do you want, Fowler?” She forced strength she didn’t feel into her voice.
“I want my money and these FBI goons are gonna get in the way. I need you to get rid of them.”
“Just tell me where to bring the money.”
“And let these goons come instead to haul me in? No way.”
“You’re the one who got them involved by putting a note in the car, not me. I can’t make them leave even if I want to. Which I don’t.” She let all the anger from his stalking and the robbery flow through her words.
“Hold on there now, little lady. Maybe before you make such a rash decision you should check on your daughter first.”
“Ella,” she whispered.
“That’s right. Your precious Ella might not be as safe as you think at the moment.”
Megan pulled away from Reid and charged toward the den.
“Megan, wait!” Reid called after her. “Don’t go in there.”
Despite his warning she kept going, rounding the corner and flying down the hallway toward the den. Reid’s footfalls gained on her. Her heart beat a wild thumping rhythm, nearly exploding from her chest.
Shaking with fear for her daughter, she arrived at the door to the den. A strong arm clamped around her middle and lifted her off the ground. She kicked and tried to break free.
“This could be a trap,” Reid said. “Let us take care of this.”
Jack pounded down the hall and stopped next to Megan. She quit struggling and fully intended to let them take charge, but her gaze landed on Ella. A red dot glowed from the middle of her daughter’s forehead.
A laser. Fowler had a laser weapon trained on Ella.
“Nooo!” Megan screamed and bucked, trying to free herself again.
“Relax,” Reid said.
“No!” she yelled. “Ella’s forehead.”
Reid pivoted, taking Ella out of Megan’s view. He stiffened before he muffled something under his breath and settled Megan on her feet.
By the time she turned, he was racing through the den. He snatched up Ella and dove to the floor, protecting her as he fell. He’d safely moved her out of the beam coming through a tiny gap in the drapes.
Megan started for them, but Jack stopped her by getting in her face. “You’re safe in the hallway. Don’t move out of here until Reid or I give you the all clear.”
“But Ella.”
“No buts. Reid has her, and she’ll be fine. If I can’t trust you to stay here, I can’t go after Fowler. Will you stay?”
“Yes,” she said, despite her motherly instincts screaming to protect her baby.
Jack edged past her and bolted down the hallway. She returned her attention to Reid and Ella. He was whispering to her, and she was smiling at him. She reached up, placed both of her hands on his face, and spoke, but Megan couldn’t hear her.
Didn’t matter. Megan knew what was going on. She recognized Ella’s actions. When Ella wanted to tell Megan she loved her, she would lay her hands on her face and smile. A sweet, angelic smile that melted Megan’s heart, and then in a soft voice she would state her love.
Megan hoped that wasn’t what was happening in the den, but it seemed likely. Maybe not saying she loved Reid, but that she liked him. Megan couldn’t let Ella form a deep connection with Reid. He would only hurt her.
Her cell rang. She jumped. A quick glance at caller ID told her it was Fowler again.
She put the phone to her ear. “What do you want?”
“I want the money delivered without any agents around.” He sounded out of breath. Maybe he’d had to run from Jack.
