Page 23 of Agent vs. Assassin
“Is in Maryland, but she is not.”
“Exactly. Have Tic Tac send you the hit list and find a way to figure out who is next. Or just find her.” I start to move and hesitate. “Find Director Ellis. He won’t return my calls. He’s in Maryland looking for her, but it feels off.”
“You think he’s dead or dirty?”
“Maybe both if he found Elsa. Text or call me with updates. And call Tic Tac. He’s afraid to let anyone but you help him considering the high-level government officials involved.”
“You mean he’s afraid to break the rules he needs to break to give you what you want.”
“We both know Tic Tac is the light to your darkness.”
“And what are you?”
“A bitch who will cut you if you don’t get me what I want.”
“You know the worst part of you saying that to your loving cousin? I believe you.”
“Myloving cousin.” I snort. “Whatever.” I tilt my head and study him. “You aren’t drunk.”
“Nope.”
“Why play drunk?”
“You took my gun. I needed a reason to be that stupid.”
I almost laugh.Almost.Right now, it’s me against Ghost, and he’s a worthy enough opponent, but arrogant to a flaw. He thinks he’s the smartest killer I’ve ever faced.
He’s wrong. That was Roger, my mentor and The Umbrella Man. And now he’s dead.
Chapter Fourteen
Kane believes Lucas wants to get into my pants; therefore, I expect Kane to be waiting on me outside while fantasizing about giving Lucas a slow, painful death.
Kane hates Lucas.
The whole “cousin” thing when we aren’t blood-related just infuriates him. And regardless of why I called for him now, knowing Kane, in his mind, he sees me heading straight from a battle with him to Lucas’ house—to Lucas—as the deepest cut I could have delivered, which is absolute bullshit. And for Lucas’ safety, it’s a premise I need to snuff like a bad habit.
Or Pocher.
Yes, let’s snuff Pocher. What a birthday gift that would be!
I exit Lucas’ house to find the SUV parked at the bottom of the stairs with Kit, one of Kane’s most trusted men, leaning on the door. He offers me a mini salute as Kane pushes off the wall next to me and shows himself, predator waiting on prey, only I’m never prey, and he knows it. Ever. But I hope like hell Ghost makes the mistake of believing otherwise. I also wonder how much longer Kane’s jealousy and agitation would have allowed him to wait outside for me. Not much longer, I suspect, considering he made it this far.
I face off with Kane, toe-to-toe, as he towers over me. To most, Kane is as good-looking as he is intimidating, even terrifying. He doesn’t have that advantage with me, and he knows it. A big man has never intimidated me. In fact, it placesme in the sweet pocket to cause damage to the family jewels, though in Kane’s case, I wouldn’t go that far. A wife doesn’t need such violence. She has her ways.
“You know he has cameras with audio?” I ask, a warning to watch what he says. I might not be happy with him, nor do I agree with him on Lucas and his motives, but some part of me does not want Lucas knowing things that might hurt Kane. I should probably analyze that feeling at some point that is not now.
“Of course I know, bella,” he purrs, a mix of steel and acid beneath the precisely spoken words. “Iwant himto know that I’m here. Why areyouhere?”
I don’t bother to point out his possessiveness. A statement of fact we both already understand serves no purpose. “I’m not going to be for long,” I assure him. “We need to talk.In private.”
“I tried that, and you walked away.”
“Not about your shitty decisions under my radar. I had a visitor tonight. You can guess who.”
“I heard,” he murmurs, his voice as sharp as a fresh blade. “Is he dead?”
“Assuming as much is a stretch and a compliment that will get you nowhere, Kane. You’re in deep shit with me.”