Echoes at Dawn (KGI #5)(79)

I’m going to kill that son of a bitch for hurting you, Rio seethed.

But Grace shut him out, forcing a bland expression to her face. Emotionless. Untouchable. She wouldn’t show this man her fear. She wouldn’t show anyone how terrified she was. She was finished being a victim, and by God, she was through wishing to die. She wanted to live. She was going to live. She’d promised Rio she’d do whatever it damn well took to survive, and it was one promise she wasn’t going to break.

To her dismay, Hancock jerked her upward, twisted her arms behind her back and handcuffed her wrists. Then he hastily tied a blindfold around her eyes before the hatch opened so they could disembark.

She was careful to keep her emotions in check because they would only set Rio off again and Shea would worry more than she already was.

Hancock’s men filed off the plane and then Hancock took her arm in a surprisingly gentle grip and guided her toward the steps.

“Watch your step,” he ordered. “First one coming up. Stay beside me and take your time.”

“It wouldn’t do to have the lab rat break her neck before she can perform,” Grace said nastily.

“If you break your neck, I don’t get paid.”

“I hope you choke on your damn blood money.”

He chuckled. “In another situation, I just might like you, Grace. But quite frankly you’ve been nothing but a pain in my ass since I took this mission and I’ll be happy to see the back of you.”

“The feeling is entirely mutual,” she snarled.

She found herself shoved into the back of a car. It was comfortable. Expensive leather. It even smelled expensive. The ride was smooth too. Unlike the various vehicles she’d been hauled around in when she’d been captured before.

“Who do you work for?” she asked softly.

“You’ll meet him soon enough.”

Him. Not them. One person. She didn’t know what to make of that revelation.

I don’t think this is the government or some lab like last time, Rio. She tried to keep the worry out of her message. It has a different feel. Not much has been said but I just got off a plane and I’ve been on one since we left you in Virginia. Hancock just said “him” when I asked who he worked for. Not “them.” Not some faceless group. He said “him.” But I’m blindfolded so I can’t see anything!

We’re on our way, honey. I don’t want you to worry, okay? I want you to stall for time. Do what you need to do but do not make them angry. If your chy. If yooices are to submit or for them to hurt you, then you damn well do what they want you to do. Do you understand? No matter what happens, baby, you and I will deal with it together. I’ll always be here for you. You’ll never be alone again.

She closed her eyes, knowing Hancock wouldn’t be able to see through the blindfold. She knew exactly what Rio was telling her. No matter how bad it got. No matter what she was asked to do. No matter what was done to her. He didn’t want her to give up and choose to die. He wanted her to live.

I’ll be here waiting. I know you’ll come for me, Rio.

She poured every ounce of her trust, her faith, her absolute belief in this man. He loved her. She had no doubt. He was an honorable man no matter what he thought of himself or his past choices. She knew without doubt that he’d move heaven and earth to bring her home again. Home to him.

What seemed an eternity later, the car ground to a halt and the doors opened. There was urgency to everyone’s movements. Orders were issued in stilted English, with an accent she didn’t recognize.

Hancock yanked her roughly from the car and shoved her forward. Her tennis shoes crunched the gravel beneath them and then she nearly stumbled when it turned to smooth pavement. Hancock righted her and continued forward past the sound of bubbling water. A fountain?

The air was warm. Hot even. She could feel the sun’s direct rays on her arms. The smell of salt was heavy in the air and a breeze blew over her, bringing with it the feel of the sea. They were close to the water.

As soon as they stepped inside the building or house or whatever the hell it was, the air was much cooler. She went through a series of hallways before Hancock finally stopped.

She heard the door in front of her fly open and she took an instinctive step back, bumping into Hancock.

“Is this her? Is she the one?” a man demanded in a voice that sent fear snaking down her spine once more. There was something about his voice. It reeked of desperation. It was cold, hard and determined. Evil.

Her pulse sped up and her hands began to shake in the cuffs that still circled her wrists.

“This is her,” Hancock said in an even tone.

She found herself yanked forward and then the door slammed behind her. Suddenly the blindfold was torn from her eyes, and she rapidly blinked to adjust to her surroundings.

She was in a large study or office. It had the look of a library but there was a large executive desk at the back. To the right was a large fireplace, which despite the warmth of the day, was burning.

She took in as much as she possibly could as quickly as she could. She glanced left, hoping for a window, hoping for some sign of where she was, but was frustrated as she realized there were no windows. It was more like a dark cave where a beast skulked about.

Then she focused on the man in front of her who was staring every bit as hard at her as she was at him. For someone who’d frightened her so much with his voice alone, his appearance was deceptiv