Total pages in book: 96
Estimated words: 91402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 457(@200wpm)___ 366(@250wpm)___ 305(@300wpm)
It happened so quickly it was stunning.
“Get your fucking hands off of him,” I ordered.
“Okay,” Ethan said to Jason, who struggled against his confinement. “I understand why you wanted to do that, but don’t.” He released him with a slight shove, his guarded eyes watching for another attempt. “As I was saying, I’m here to help.”
“This is your fault.” Jason’s voice was thick with anger.
The tall and dangerous-looking American man’s face didn’t change. “I know.”
“You can lay blame later,” I said, because we didn’t have time for this bullshit. “How can you help us?”
“We’re going to Ettringen,” Ethan said.
“What’s in Ettringen?” we asked at the same time.
“Two bodies, one of them fitting the description of the triggerman. The car has a matching plate to the security footage.”
I couldn’t breathe. “The other body?”
“Another man. Not Juric.” Ethan combed a hand through his dark hair. “You coming?”
“Yeah,” Jason replied, not even glancing at me. “We are.”
Because my brother already knew this was what I wanted and it was pointless to argue against it.
There was a collection of police and BKA, the German equivalent of the United States’ FBI, wanting more information who stopped us when we tried to leave, but we’d already given our statements.
“These are US citizens,” Ethan said. “I’m taking them to the Embassy so they can speak with their government.”
It was a lie on so many levels, but I kept my mouth shut, and thankfully it worked. I was seated in the back of Jason’s BMW a few minutes later, my long legs turned sideways so my knees weren’t up against the driver’s seat. There was no time to argue, I kept reminding myself.
The car drove fast, barreling down the A96. I wasn’t going to say a damn thing about the speed. We couldn’t get there fast enough.
“What the fuck happened?” Jason said. “How did this happen?”
“The decision was made, over my head,” Ethan replied, “that Juric was more valuable as an informant. They thought they could turn him, and when that failed, they tried to contain him.”
Jason swerved around a slow-moving car. Anger was heavy and thick in his voice. “And when that failed?”
“Several good people went dark, and he vanished.” Ethan had his phone out, scrolling through a map. “When my handler received confirmation the AISE had him in custody, I was sent to collect Juric. Only it wasn’t him. He’d been planning the bombing ever since his escape, and this patsy was a way to make sure you’d feel comfortable out in the open. He wanted you and Laurel there.”
“You knew he was planning the bombing?” My hands clenched into aching fists.
I was going to strike and empty my rage at this man. Kara never would have had the chance to volunteer to take L’s place if Ethan had stopped the bombing. The injury to my staff, the destruction of my brewery—
“I didn’t mean it like that. I didn’t know this was Juric until I heard about the bombing. There was chatter about C-4 and stolen Osterhägen trucks yesterday, so I’m assuming now. I had no way of knowing those were connected.” Ethan’s gaze lifted from his phone so he could glance at both of us. “I’m not authorized to tell you this, but if there’s a chance it will help, I’m going to.”
When we arrived at the scene, it was already corded off with yellow tape, and an ambulance was parked nearby. The weathered barn’s doors were open on both sides, and floodlights streamed out through them. A step led into the front, and several officers were examining the set of tire tracks in the mud leading out the back.
Ethan turned in his seat, facing me.
“Someone may recognize you. I’ll be able to talk my way in and maybe the marshal, too, but you’ll need to stay in the car.”
No, that was unacceptable. I threw my door open when Jason’s voice cut into me. “She’s not in there, Shawn. Don’t slow us down while we’re trying to find her.”
“I’m supposed to sit here and do nothing.” I’d never sounded more bitter in my life.
“Yeah.” He’d been there, so his words were raw. “I know it’s hard, believe me.”
I watched my brother go with Ethan, and after a short conversation, the men ducked under the tape and disappeared into the barn.
It got hot and uncomfortable in the car, and I shed my jacket and tie. I needed to be in that barn, knowing what they knew so I could start organizing a plan.
Five minutes passed.
Then ten.
I was going to snap. The chime on my phone of an incoming email distracted me. I didn’t recognize the email address, but clicked it open anyway.
No. I exhaled loudly then flung open the door and sprinted toward the barn. Fuck the men trying to stop me. I would get to Jason if it killed me. The commotion outside drew both my brother and Ethan from inside.