Fatal Strike (McClouds & Friends #10)(121)

Greaves grabbed her chin and jerked her face around to meet his eyes. “You are lying.”

She shook her head, as much as his bruising grip would allow. “No,” she said. “I really don’t know how it’s generated. I have no clue at all.” Which was, in fact, literally true.

Seconds ticked by. His gaze did not waver. It felt as if he were reading her mind, though she knew his probe could not penetrate Miles’ barrier. “No,” Greaves said slowly. “You are still lying. I can’t read your mind, but I can read your face.”

She tried again to shake her head, but his eyes were widening, elated. “My God. It’s not your shield at all.” His voice sounded almost delighted. “It’s his! He’s the one generating it. It was his all along. He’s completely masking your profile!”

oh shit miles he knows about yr shield

im right outside Miles replied.

no! go! run!

“You’re communicating with him right now, aren’t you?” He waggled her head with his gripping hand, painfully. “You sneaky bitch. He’s swallowed you up, inside his own shield! That’s amazing. I had no idea it could be done. Bring him in, immediately.”

“Huh?” She stared, gaping stupidly.

“Bring him in!” he said, more sharply. “Call him, now! I want to know more about this shield!”

“I don’t know what you’re talking ab—”

Smack. He whacked her on the side of the jaw. She reeled, seeing stars, but unseen hands gripped her, jerked her upright. “Do not waste my time,” he said. “I have a lot to accomplish today. Call him!”

She took a deep breath. Braced herself. “No,” she said.

Greaves crossed his arms over his chest, regarding her steadily for a few moments. “Anabel,” he said calmly. “Come here. Put your knife to her carotid artery and take her outside.”

“Yes, sir.”

Anabel’s arm clamped around her, and the knife bit cold against her throat. The clamps of Greaves’ telekinesis fastened around her body, locking her arms against her.

Anabel’s breath was hot and rapid against her neck as Lara stumbled awkwardly in front of her toward the door. She messaged frantically.

he’s coming after u run run run NOW

The door opened. Anabel shoved her out the door, onto the porch.

oh f*ck oh lara baby

RUN!

no

“Mr. Davenport, please put down your rifle, come inside and have a civil conversation instead of lurking out there in the woods,” Greaves announced, in a clear, ringing voice.

pls pls go let me go its ok she pleaded.

“I will count down from five,” Greaves said. “Five. Four. Three—”

“Stop.” Miles’ voice was not loud, but it carried perfectly through the still air of dawn.

He stepped out from behind the RV, and walked toward them. The breeze off the lake blew his coat back, so it billowed behind him. His hair blew back from his face. So beautiful, it hurt to look at him.

He looked calm and unafraid. He stopped, a few yards away from them, his eyes fixed on Greaves. He did not look at her.

“You can put the knife down,” he said.

“I decide when the knife goes down,” Greaves replied. “Silva, go see if he’s still armed. I’m sure I don’t have to tell you what happens if you’re not perfectly compliant, Mr. Davenport.”

“Of course.” Miles lifted his arms, waiting patiently. Silva patted him down, while Miles and Greaves stared, measuring each other.

Miles broke the silence. “Shall we go in, have that conversation you were talking about?” His tone was casually polite, as if they were discussing the buying and selling of a car.

She literally felt energy prickle in the air as Greaves bristled silently. “Don’t make suggestions or take any more initiatives,” he said. “Just follow my lead. Is that clear?”

Miles shrugged. “Okay, fine. Your move.”

Greaves’ gaze flicked to Lara and then away, dismissing her. “Put her back in the vault, Anabel,” he said. “Silva, go with them. I’ll wait here with Mr. Davenport until you both return.”

Finally, Miles made eye contact, and she understood why he had not done so before. The look in his eyes pulled her heart outside of her body. Which was where it had been since the night they met. Or even before that, in the Citadel. Her heart’s home. She belonged there, shielded and cherished. His, forever.

o my love she sent.

He gave her a tiny, crooked smile that did not even try to reassure her as they wrenched her around and dragged her back into the house.

ttyl babe he messaged. love makes u strong





28


“Anabel.” Greaves’ voice was edged with menace. “You’re overdoing it.”

Anabel wrapped another round of duct tape around Miles’ wrist, and ripped it off, wrapping it tightly around the chair back. “I know this guy,” she said, in her husky, ruined voice, and jolted to her feet, rocking. “I know his tricks. He’s a filthy, dirty, tricky bastard.”

Whap, she backhanded him on the side of the head.

“Stop!” Greaves snapped. “I want to speak to him, not beat him.”

Anabel panted, eyes white-rimmed. “He deserves it. What he did. Chaining her in the dark. Fucking her on the floor. Pig. He deserves to have his parts cut off in chunks while he watches. He deserves to—”