The Safe Bet (Hidden Truths #1)(84)

“Where to? What’s this about?” The sudden lines in Director Jeffrey’s face exposed the fact that he was closer to fifty than she realized.

The other man handed paperwork to the director. “That’s classified, sir,” he responded with a deep, throaty voice.

“Miss Daniels?” The man at her side placed his hand on her forearm and tilted his head at the door.

She averted her attention to Mr. Jeffrey, biting her lip in a silent plea. If anyone could help her, he could, right?

His lips parted, but no sound escaped, as the two men rushed her out of the office so fast that she didn’t even have time to grab her hoodie from the chair.

Ava retracted her arm from the man’s grasp. “I can walk on my own.”

Once outside, goosebumps formed on her bare arms at the sight of the black SUV waiting at the curb, its dark tinted windows leering sinisterly.

The largest of the men shoved Ava into the backseat of the SUV. “What the hell?” Something dark covered her head, through which only a pinprick of light shone. Briefly, she wondered what had been written on that sheet of paper, as metal pressed against her wrists.

Handcuffs? Seriously?


Ch 2


The man removed the bag from Ava’s head, and his eyes lingered far too long on her chest while leaning forward to unlock her cuffs.

“Was that necessary?” Static from the bag had her hair clinging to her face. She smoothed a hand over the stray hairs and rubbed her wrists.

“Wait here,” he said with a voice that could have chilled Orlando on a summer day.

“Like I have a choice?” She leaned back in her chair, trying to assume a casual demeanor, but before she could even fake relaxation her gaze was drawn to a man in the doorway. He looked a few decades older than her age of twenty-eight. He was above average in height, about six two, and his chocolate brown eyes were anything but warm. The weathered look of his tanned skin and neatly trimmed brown hair gave her the vibe he’d spent time in the military.

“Miss Daniels, I apologize if you suffered any discomfort during your transport here. This location is top secret, and it’s not safe for anyone outside of the agency to know about it. The precautions were taken with your safety in mind.” The mystery man traced the lines of his black blazer lapels with long, thick fingers before taking a seat at the table in front of Ava.

Ava straightened in her chair and tried to keep her voice steady. “I understand secrets. I work for Homeland Security.” The words fell from her lips at a slow pace. “What agency is this? Is this a division of Homeland?”

The man tilted his head as he narrowed his eyes at her.

Ava swallowed, feeling minuscule in the large and almost empty room. The walls were bright, like the silver of a tin can, and she shrank from them as though they might peel back at any moment.

“What can you tell me about last night?” The man’s hands slipped to his lap as he studied Ava.

He’d dodged her question, but she was too afraid to press the issue. The interrogator, if that’s what he was, appeared casual, but there was something about him that terrified her. Ava concentrated on the table, thinking about what to say. She was stalling. She couldn’t tell her interrogator what had happened last night. She doubted he had clearance to her project.

“Miss Daniels?”

She glanced up at him from beneath long lashes. The man’s brown eyes beheld her blue ones, and at that moment, Ava thought, I’m screwed.

“I can’t tell you anything. I’ve signed government orders . . .” Her voice was shakier than a landslide.

“Ava.”

She brought her hand to her lips and bit her thumbnail—unprofessional, yes. But none of this was professional, she reasoned.

“Ava, your orders came from us. The president placed our team in charge of your assignment at the lab.”

“I need proof.” Her words echoed her convictions; she was proud to hear them. “I won’t say anything without proof.” Judging by the small smile that teased the corners of the man’s mouth, he approved Ava’s firm stance. After a moment, he rose and left the room.

When he returned, he had a folder in hand. “Here.” He slid it across the table, and Ava rested her hand on it. Part of her didn’t want to see its contents. Fear trickled through her body, but she peeled away the layers of anxiety just enough to steady her hand.

“Your signature is on the document, as you can see.” He cocked his head to the left just a little and smirked.

She grimaced. You’re an arrogant SOB, aren’t you? She pulled her gaze away from him and scanned the thick packet of papers. They were the same set of documents she had signed before starting her project, six months ago. All the non-disclosures and confidential agreements—the same familiar black ink that covered half the words throughout the document was still there, hiding whatever the government didn’t want her to know.

She pinched the bridge of her nose and shut her eyes. She needed to think.

“Ava?” The man’s icy voice caused her eyes to snap open. “What is it that you’re not telling me?”

The man crossed his arms and remained standing near the table, staring down at her, waiting for Ava to speak.

“You have cameras at the lab. Shouldn’t you be telling me what happened?” The rebelliousness in Ava’s voice surprised even her. She reached for a loose strand of her brownish-blonde hair and twisted it as apprehension coiled inside her like a snake.