Deadly Game (Fortress Security #5)(35)

Brent shifted position as the man side-stepped, hoping to gain an advantage. Shadow Man moved into a bright patch of moonlight. Didn’t recognize him. The guy stopped circling and ran at him like a linebacker. At the last second, Brent made a minute adjustment and Shadow Man missed him. He pivoted and charged again.

Brent blocked a right cross, countered with his own which connected. The other man swore and redoubled his efforts to throw punches. A kick to the ribs had the man roaring in pain and fury. Shadow Man tried his own spinning kick. Brent blocked the kick, grabbed his leg, twisted, and took him down to the ground. Two short punches to the gut and ribs, a fist to the jaw, and in less than a minute, Brent flipped him to his belly and zip tied his hands. A quick search revealed a .40 caliber Glock and a Smith and Wesson knife. Sweet, well-balanced knife. Brent had one of his own that he favored.

He yanked Shadow Man to his feet. “Let’s go.”

The man struggled and earned himself a clout to the side of his head.

“Knock it off,” Brent snapped. “You’re lucky I didn’t shoot you on sight.”

“Where are you taking me?” the man growled. “I didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Trespassing is something.”

A low laugh. “That all you’ve got? I’ll be out on bail in a matter of hours.”

“Who said anything about calling the cops?”

Shadow Man froze in place.

Brent shoved him into motion again. “Now you’re worried?” Idiot. He should have been worried the minute he stepped foot on Brent’s land. His eyes narrowed. Unless this clown was after Rowan. “Why are you watching my house?”

“I don’t have to say nothing. I want a lawyer.”

“Tell it to the nearest cop.” He didn’t bother asking any more questions. No point. Brent would learn more information by running his prints and picture through the Fortress system.

In the kitchen, he shoved Shadow Man into a chair and secured his arms and legs. He glared at Brent when he snapped a picture of him and sent it to the Fortress comm center with instructions to run the photo through the facial recognition system. Despite the prisoner’s protests, Brent scanned his fingerprints and sent those to Fortress as well.

A soft squeak in the hall told Brent Rowan had left the bunker and was approaching the kitchen. He didn’t want her too close to Shadow Man. In fact, it would be better all around if this clown didn’t see her face.

“Don’t come any closer, baby,” he said softly.

Shadow Man’s eyes shifted to the hall, excitement in their depths as he strained against the zip ties, trying to break free to get to Rowan.

That was not something Brent wanted to see. He’d been hoping this guy was after him. Seeing his reaction, Brent was forced to consider the unwelcome thought that Rowan was the target.

How did this clown find her? Had Brent missed a tail? His gut burned at the thought that he might have put Rowan in danger instead of protecting her as he’d promised.

He backed up so he could see Rowan without facing away from Shadow Man.

“Should I call Zane?” Rowan whispered.

He gave a slight nod. Brent wanted this guy away from Rowan. If Shadow Man knew where they were, chances were good someone else did as well. Brent needed to take Rowan to one of the Fortress safe houses.

Rowan retraced her steps to his bedroom and shut the door behind her.

Brent returned his attention to the unwanted visitor. “You’re not here for me, are you?”

A sly smile appeared on the man’s face. “What makes you say that?”

“You aren’t as afraid of me as you should be.” If Shadow Man had known anything about him, he wouldn’t have such a cavalier attitude.

Shadow Man’s eyes narrowed. “I’m not afraid of nobody.”

“Then you’re a fool.” And a scapegoat. “How did Invisible Man know she was here?”

A flicker of fear crept into his gaze.

Brent sighed. Confirmation this clown came after Rowan, not Brent. “How much did he offer to pay you?”

“I don’t have to tell you anything.”

A shrug. “You’ll wish you had. By the time I finish digging into your life, you won’t have any secrets.”

Shadow Man scoffed. “You’re just her boyfriend. You should walk away while you still have the chance. Nobody escapes us.”

Brent didn’t bother correcting the assumption Rowan belonged to him. In fact, he liked the idea. The more he thought about it, the more enamored he became. Would she be interested in more than an occasional date? Man, he hoped so. She fascinated him on every level.

His phone vibrated, signaling an incoming message. Brent glanced at the screen. Zane sent a message for Brent to call. He tapped in his friend’s number. “Talk to me,” he said when Z picked up.

“Can you talk freely?”

“No.”

“Is Rowan okay?”

Brent stilled. “Why?”

“She sounded shaken.”

“I’ll take care of it.” Somehow. The last thing he wanted was for Rowan to be afraid. Whatever he had to do to reassure her that she was safe with him would be his first priority once Shadow Man was secured. “What do you have?”

“Comm center got a hit on your man’s prints. He’s a low-level thug named Tom Silverman. Been arrested several times for disorderly conduct and inciting a riot. Silverman is also a member of a militia.”