Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
“He could pardon you,” Steph pointed out.
“For a crime that won’t ever be on the books?” It was the conundrum she was in. No one would acknowledge McDonald had been a problem, therefore technically there was no crime. But the Agency wouldn’t forgive or forget, and she knew there would be a whole lot of her coworkers who bought what Levi was selling. There would be a bunch of assholes who would glory in her downfall. “Look, I knew when I took the job that Hayes wouldn’t be able to get me out of trouble if I fell into it. He and Connor Sparks did as much as they could, and now I’m on my own.”
“That sucks,” Walt said.
She appreciated the fact that he didn’t try to find a way out of the situation for her. He simply stated the obvious. “It does. Do we know if Levi survived?”
She brought up a secondary account. Same message.
Behind her Beck cursed under his breath, obviously understanding the state she was in. “Please tell me he died in the accident. Also, are the police looking for us?”
Steph handed him a fresh T-shirt. “I was listening to the radio and they dispatched an ambulance. Two men were treated at the scene—one for scrapes and cuts and the other was listed as a possible concussion, but no one was taken in.”
“And the police were called away long before they should have been,” Walt added. “I think we can bet there won’t be a report. He’s cleaning up as we speak.”
She made it to the third account, got the same message, and gave up. She closed the laptop. “Well, he’s likely got access to roughly forty million now. He’ll use it to try to find me.”
Beck gingerly pulled the shirt over his head, wincing when he moved his arm. “We’ll see about that. I know some pretty good hackers. And some lawyers, if it comes to that.”
She didn’t want to pull him in any further than he already was. “It’s cool. I know some, too. I’ll see what I can do about it.”
She wasn’t going to cry. She had to suck it up because she couldn’t let Beck see how weak she felt, how much she wanted to beg him to help her, to stay with her. She needed to acknowledge that she had to face this alone.
Beck turned back to Walt. “You think it’s safe for us to be on the streets? I’d like to get to the safe house as soon as possible. How far away is it?”
“Oh, it’s a drive,” Walt replied. “I’ve programmed the route into the computer. I’ll monitor you the whole way and let you know if we need to change course. You’re going to take the Chunnel across to France and then make your way to Paris. That’s where the safe house is.”
She could handle Paris. She had a small flat there, but she wouldn’t be visiting it. Levi definitely knew about that place. She would take a couple of days and figure out where to go from there.
Then she would disappear until she could clear her name.
She turned to Beck. “Thanks for the save. I can take it from here.”
A single brow arched over his heavenly eyes. “Oh, you can take it from here? I’m supposed to hang around and wait to be arrested?”
She didn’t see that happening. Beck was far more protected than she was. Damon Knight had serious pull in Europe, and Big Tag could work miracles in the States. Neither of those men owed her anything. Beyond that, Levi had shown his true hand today. “Levi’s not coming after you.”
“He’s always looking for an excuse. Every time I’ve come up against the man in the last few years, he’s tried to kill me.”
“Killing you would cause him problems.” She wasn’t sure what Beck’s point was. It would be far better for him in the long run if he wasn’t in the middle of this war she found herself in. “I think it’s best you stay here in London and work on the problem with Damon. I’ll find a way to contact you when I land somewhere.”
Beck stared at her, his gaze predatory. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. You shouldn’t be out there alone. Unless I’m mistaken. Maybe I’m looking at this the wrong way. I assumed you wanted to be rescued. Or do I find myself in the middle of a lover’s spat?”
Her heart rate was right back up. “What did you say?”
“Maybe we should get back to The Garden.” Steph packed up her kit, a forced smile on her face.
Walt nodded, obviously feeling their bad vibes, too. “Yeah, that’s a good idea. Look, when you get to Paris, a man named Rene will be waiting for you. He’s a friend of Big Tag’s. Used to be French intelligence, but Tag said he’s solid. He’s going to arrange everything. Call if you get in trouble.” Walt started for the door and stopped. “Like real actual mission trouble. Not the marital kind. I’m not good at that. Ariel is, though. I could try getting her on the phone.”