Deadly Lies (Deadly #3)(90)

Isn’t he? “The two of you drugged me.”

“Did we?”

“The FBI is after you, and you’d better pray they find you first!” Because Max wanted to rip the *’s head off. Rage had his whole body tightening.

“If they find me, I promise…” still that low, rough whisper, “they’ll never find Quinlan. Not until it’s too late.”

Another game. “Quinlan’s been killing with you.” That was what Samantha thought and what he feared. How? How had things gone so wrong? Could I have stopped this? Saved him?

His mother’s image flashed before him. W-Watch him.

Max’s teeth clenched. Dammit. To just go back—

“I went to Quinlan’s room before I dosed you…” Whispered. “And you don’t remember me dragging him out, do you? The cameras saw what I wanted them to see… and no one saw him.”

Samantha was back. She’d grabbed her gun and holstered it at her side.

“How much is he worth?” The voice taunted. “How much will you pay? What will you do? After all, you’re the one who ruined everything—you and your whore.”

“Don’t you say—”

“You want to be the hero? The one who saves Quinlan? Then you’ll f*cking do exactly what I tell you to do.”

Sonofabitch.

“Bring the bitch with you, get in the car, and I’ll tell you where to go.” A rush of static on the line. “You can trade your life for his. Quinlan can walk away.”

Fucking liar.

“You’re dead,” Max said and meant it.

“One of us will be.” More static crackled. “Now move. If you let that bitch bring in the Feds, Quinlan will be the one who is dead. I’ll slice him apart, and his death will be on you, big brother.”


“Sam called.” Kim announced as she rushed into Hyde’s office. “Donnelley’s cell number just popped up on Max’s phone. She said it sounded like he was making a demand, something about Quinlan.”

Hyde leapt to his feet. Monica had been sitting across from him, but she jumped up too.

“Did you order a trace lock on Donnelley’s phone?” Hyde asked.

“Yeah, we’re triangulating the signal now. We should have the doctor’s general location in just a few more minutes.”

Monica fired a hard stare at Hyde. “If the doctor’s on the line, then where’s Quinlan?”

She’d just gone through her entire profile with Hyde. As far as Monica was concerned, Donnelley wasn’t the key player. Too weak. Too disorganized.

Hyde’s jaw clenched. “We’re going to damn well find out.”


The call ended with a soft click. Max swore and raced for the door, wrenching the knob.

“Max?”

Max didn’t look back. “Don’t come with me, baby.”

But her steps hurried after him. Then her hand was on his arm as she tried to turn him back to face her. “What did he say? What’s happening?”

Your life for his.

“I have to go alone.” He shook his head. “He could be watching. I have to go alone.” Because he wasn’t going to risk her.

“No, you can’t.” Snapped out.

He faced her and saw the tears glistening in her eyes.

Samantha shook her head. “No, do you hear me? This is some kind of setup. You can’t—”

“Give me your gun.”

Her eyes widened. “I-I can’t. You know I can’t!”

He held out his hand. “How much is family worth?”

She flinched at that. “You know… you know what’s going to happen.”

He grabbed her and kissed her with the desperate rage that pumped through his veins. He kissed her even as his hands swept down her body and took her gun.

No, he took the gun because she let him have it. Max’s head lifted, and he stepped back.

Sam stood before him, her lips trembling, red and swollen from his kiss. “Max, what did he say?”

“He wants me to come to him.”

“Where? Just tell me—”

“I don’t know.” But the bastard wanted her. Max had put Samantha in his sights. He won’t touch her. “He hasn’t told me yet.” Hurry; no time to waste. “Remember,” he said, “he always knew every move we made.” Just as he’d know now, because he was close.

Watching.

“Max.”

There was no choice, not for either of them. “Some things are worth too much,” he said quietly.

And he left her.


Sam stood for a moment with her shoulders hunched and her heart racing too fast. She watched Max leave because there was no other choice. If the kidnapper had told him to get into the car alone, then she’d make sure he went alone.

But I won’t leave you alone.

She’d given him her weapon, but she had a backup. And no way would she let him face the hell that was coming on his own.

Sam reached for her phone. The other agents would need to stand down and not interfere, yet. Max would take them right to their prey, and she’d be there to make sure he didn’t end up like Frank.

I’m coming.


“We’ve got Donnelley.” Excitement had Kim’s voice rising. “The cell signal was traced to the four-hundred block of New Curtis.” She looked up. “He’s in a motel room.”