She licked her bloody lip, her arrogance on full display. “Peyton.”
Neither of us fell into the obvious trap.
Elena waited. When we continued to remain silent, words poured out of her. “I befriended Peyton when I realized she would be working upstairs. It was ridiculously easy. Poor thing never had a friend. All I had to do was say hello to her one morning and it was like offering a puppy a treat. Winning her trust was almost as easy. She never even thought to make sure I was not looking when she put in her password.”
My jaw ached from holding my teeth together. Heat built into an inferno that needed release.
I’d have that soon enough. If not on Elena, then on Anton and his men.
“Any time I went upstairs and Peyton was absent, I stole files. Until today, this has been the easiest job ever.” Pride lifted her chin and she tossed her head. “Peyton did not deserve that job. She did not even try to keep your secrets. She might have even offered them to me had I asked. I have never known a woman so desperate for friendship. Weakness. Bah.” She spat again, then sat back and stared out the window. “You are all weak.”
I curled my hands over my thighs to keep from making fists.
That would give away my anger, and I would rather she never know how much her words angered me.
I’d kill her for Peyton, to make her pay for what she’d put my love through.
Fuck Elena and her spying.
We had come to expect such actions.
Peyton was innocent.
Peyton had needed a friend, and Elena pounced on that need.
She became Peyton’s friend, then fed her to the wolves. That was unforgivable.
I shot Misha a look. He met it, then dropped his head in a nod. He understood.
When the time came to deal with Elena, I would show no mercy.
29
MISHA
Get in. Get Peyton. Get out.
Don’t die.
I liked this plan. Very concise. Very Leo.
I checked my guns before sliding the gag from my back pocket and showing it to Elena. “If you even try to bite me, I will shoot you in the gut and let you bleed the entire time we’re in there. I’ll make you walk every step with the pain ripping you apart from the inside. Understand?”
She swallowed hard, and for the first time she looked like she understood that I’d be more than happy to kill her.
Beating her might have made me slightly uncomfortable, but not enough that I would have refused.
I reached across the SUV and tied the gag around her mouth, making sure it went between her teeth and wouldn’t come untied.
Her hands were still tied behind her back, and I checked the zip ties to make sure she hadn’t started working her hands free.
Always had to keep an eye on the wily ones like Elena.
Leo exited the SUV and opened the hatch.
Mags slid into place, and the barrel of a rifle swung into view. Our men raced around the SUV on either side to take up offensive and defensive positions. We were going in quicker than we would in any other situation, but Peyton’s life and wellbeing depended on our taking care of the problem now.
There was no later.