Jeter continued as if she hadn’t spoken.“And the fact that it’s today, the day that history will revere me as a hero, makes it even more fitting.You were always supposed to be here when this happened.Be by my side.That would’ve happened years ago if you hadn’t run.”
He put his hands on his hips, moving his suit jacket to the side, and she saw what she needed.On one hip sat a smartphone clipped into his belt.
On the other was a holstered gun.
Either could work.
“I’m not excited that you went and had children, Bethany.That you let some other man touch you.But don’t worry, we’ll use them to keep you in line this time.”
Melissa began crying harder.
Praying he wouldn’t stop her, Bree walked toward Melissa, sticking a hand in her pocket as she went, fishing out the tiny SIM card.She sat down by her cousin.“You’re upsetting Melissa by talking about hurting innocent children, Michael.”
His nostrils flared and his lips turned up a little.He liked her calling him Michael—the sense of intimacy it implied.Her stomach churned, but it was something she could use.
She covered Melissa’s hands with hers.“It’s okay,” Bree crooned.“I’m not going to let anything happen.Crisscross, applesauce.”
She pressed the SIM card into Melissa’s palm as she said the words.
Melissa sniffled again, brows pulling together in confusion, but she didn’t draw any attention to the SIM card.
“I’m glad you’re here, Mellie.I don’t think I could do this on my own.But don’t cry anymore, okay?”
Melissa nodded.Bree stood and walked back toward Jeter, even though every instinct and memory told her to stay as far from him as possible.
“We could’ve done a lot together,” she said.
He tilted his head to the side.“Oh, we still will.You’re the only person who’s ever come close to being my equal.”
Scott snorted from the opposite side of the room, but they both ignored him.“You taught me a lot,” she whispered.
Jeter’s lips narrowed.“I taught you everything you know.I thought for a while that you were smarter than me, but the last few days have showed me otherwise.I was disappointed with how you came at our system, Bethany.Surely you must have realized that you couldn’t shut us down remotely.What sort of genius would I be if I couldn’t stop that sort of attack?”
The kind that was so conceited that a straightforward approach would slide right under his radar.
She took a step closer, and the guard cleared his throat.“Mr.Jeter...”
“She’s fine,” Jeter snapped, holding out a hand when the guard started to move toward them.Jeter himself closed the distance between them, reaching out to cup her cheek.
It was only by sheer strength of will that she kept herself from shuddering at his touch.She hoped Melissa was ready.They would only get one chance at this.
“You need guidance, Bethany.Discipline.You always have.I can be your greatest teacher.Together we can literally rule the world.”
Even if she had had more time, she couldn’t have stood one more second of hearing his voice, of feeling his hands on her.
She lunged for Jeter’s waist.She knocked the cell phone off his belt and kicked it toward Melissa, praying she would understand what needed to be done.
Then Bree dived for the gun.
But Jeter had already recovered.His gun was out of his holster, in his hand and pointed at her face.
She took a step back.
“I can’t tell you how disappointed I am that you did that, Bethany.And that you weren’t smart enough to figure out what side of my waist the gun was on before making your move.”
Melissa sobbed louder from behind her.Bree prayed it was to cover putting the SIM card into Jeter’s phone.
Because they were out of time in more ways than one.
