Page 292 of Vicious Temptation

“Who was chasing him? I don’t understand.”

The confusion on Ryan’s face is real.

Whatever version of this the police were given, they don’t know who’s actually behind it.

“I can’t explain everything right now, but you have to believe me. Thiago isn’t holding anyone hostage. He’s the hostage.”

Ryan looks back at the building, then at the officers surrounding it. “Then let me take this to command.”

“How long will that take?”

“I don’t know.”

“He could already be dying in there!”

“Which is exactly why we can’t go charging inside blind. If what you’re telling me is true, we need to figure out who the hell gave us false intelligence before I send a team through those doors.”

A hand clutches my upper arm.

“Remi, we need to re-strategize,” Mamá says behind me.

They’re right. Running into that building without knowing what’s inside could get Thiago killed, along with everyone who follows me. But understanding that doesn’t make standing here any easier. I step back from Ryan and turn away. Then movement near the command post draws my attention.

One of the BearCats idles several yards from the barricade, nose-first toward the building. An officer climbs down from the driver’s side just as someone at the command post waves him over. He leaves the door open and jogs toward them as another tactical officer at the rear of the vehicle unloads equipment onto the pavement.

My eyes return to the open driver’s door.

The engine is still running.

I look at the building, then at the concrete barriers blocking the entrance.

An armored vehicle built to punch through obstacles is parked less than thirty yards away, with nobody behind the wheel.

“Fuck this.”

I make my decision and sprint toward my car.

“Remi!”

I reach the trunk, throw it open, and grab my hard case as footsteps pound behind me.

“Remi, stop!”

I’m already headed for the BearCat. The officer unloading equipment sees me first.

“Ma’am! Get away from the vehicle!” He drops what he’s holding and charges after me, but I have the lead.

I get to the open door, throw the case inside, and haul myself into the driver’s seat. The officer grabs the edge of the door just as I yank it shut, forcing him to jerk his hand away.

I hit the lock.

“Get out of the vehicle!”

The driver comes running from the command post while officers across the perimeter turn toward the commotion.

Ryan’s face appears outside the windshield. “Remi, don’t fucking do this!”

Several rifles come up, but my family reaches the BearCat at the same time.