Page 124 of Redemption

“Sloan, I—” He stopped short. Glanced at Amelia, the gun, my face. His eyes connected with mine, silently asking if I was okay.

I pressed my lips together and gave the briefest of nods. If only I’d listened to him when he’d tried to warn me about Edward in Turks and Caicos.

“Sit down. Hands on the table,” Amelia hissed.

“Let’s just calm down,” Jackson said, stepping closer to me, trying to put himself between us. “Put away the gun. And talk rationally.”

“No,” Amelia spat. “I’m done waiting. Sit or I’ll shoot her.”

Jackson sat, his expression eerily calm.

“What’s your plan, Sloan?” Amelia asked, her eyes wild. “How are you going to get me my money?”

“I—” I needed a plan and quick. Think fast, Sloan. “I need to talk to my brother.”

“No. Absolutely not.”

“He’s the CEO. If he and I agree to transfer the money, we can get you the sum you asked for.” I was lying, but she didn’t know that. I tried to remain calm.

She shifted. “Fine. Do it. Do it!” she practically yelled.

She turned the gun on Jackson, and my heart rate ratcheted up. No! That wasn’t supposed to happen.

I went over to the table where my phone was resting. I picked it up with shaking hands, then met Jackson’s eyes, hoping he would realize that I was about to cause a distraction.

“Hurry up!” Amelia commanded, swinging her gun back to me.

Jackson held my gaze. I wanted to defend him, protect him, but I knew I needed to put my faith in him. This was what he was trained to do.

I turned and dropped the phone. When I crouched to the floor, I heard the sounds of a struggle. The gun went off and Amelia screamed, or maybe that was me.

I popped back up, terrified that he’d been shot. I moved closer, ready to help him. But Jackson had already wrestled her to the floor. Her cheek was pressed to the carpet, and he tossed the gun aside.

“You okay?” he asked me.

I nodded, searching him for any sign of injury. My heart felt as if it would pound out of my chest. “I am. Are you?”

“Yes,” he said through gritted teeth, hauling Amelia to a standing position.

“Let. Me. Go.” Amelia struggled against his hold. It was laughable, really. There was no way she would be able to escape. Jackson would never allow it.

“Not a fucking chance. You’re lucky I don’t shoot you right now and make it look like an accident.”

Her eyes widened, perhaps sensing that wasn’t an idle threat.

He glared at her. “Apparently your brother didn’t take my message to heart.”

I realized he must have seen Amelia in my Hudson Security dossier and recognized her. Impressive.

“What message?” Amelia’s voice trembled with fear.

He leaned forward, getting in her face. “No one threatens the woman I love and gets away with it.”

Oh shit. Why was that so hot?

“Is he here?” Jackson glanced around, tightening his hold to the point that she winced. “Is your piece-of-shit brother here?”

Amelia shook her head. “No.” She looked close to tears, her bravado gone. “No. We knew it would be too suspicious if he showed up again.”