Total pages in book: 767
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 732023 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 3660(@200wpm)___ 2928(@250wpm)___ 2440(@300wpm)
“Don’t do this, Sam,” Dex pleaded. “Let me help you. I know I failed you, but let me help. I can’t make it right, but—”
“I made my own choices,” I said firmly. “And I’m making my own choices right now. You didn’t do anything wrong, Dex. I’m happier than I’ve ever been in my life. Well, I will be,” I amended.
I just had to go save my man.
“Don’t try to look for me,” I warned. “I’ll see you online, if you’re ever up for a game.”
“I’m going to find you, Sam,” he promised. “Whatever’s happened to you, I’m going to help you.”
“I don’t need your help. You need mine. I’m going to keep tracking Division 9-C for Jason. I’m going to make sure Natalie is safe for good. I’ll email him. But don’t bother trying to trace it, because you’ll just be wasting the tech analysists’ time. I mean, I know you’ll make them try, but don’t be too mean to them when they fail.”
I was in full-on hero mode, and it felt damn good. I was armed with a weapon and my wits, more powerful than I’d been in weeks. Possibly ever. Now, I just needed to get back to Andrés, log on to his laptop, and proceed to destroy his sadistic brother for good.
“Sam. Come back. Please.”
“I really do hope I’ll see you online,” I said, softening. “Don’t shut me out. You’re my best friend.”
“I’ll see you in person,” he said firmly.
“Webcams have been around for like, a quarter of a century, Dex. And I’m going to have a really great internet connection, so you’ll be able to see me crystal-clear. Tell Chloe she’d better take good care of you. I’ll be checking in.”
I ended the call and dumped the phone out the car window so Dex couldn’t use it to track me. I’d leave his car in the garage for Andrés’ building. By the time he traced it there on traffic cams, we’d be long gone.
It took me precisely twelve minutes to get to Andrés’ building. I relished knowing exactly how long it had taken me down to the minute. I really had missed everyday conveniences like digital clocks. Wherever Andrés and I ended up, we would have one in every room. I’d insist.
I diverted myself from my little fantasy of our home together and pulled into the garage. Well, I tried to pull in. The barrier didn’t open for me.
Fuck.
I put the car in park and hurried out of it, grabbing up Dex’s SIG on my way. I’d have to go in through the front. Which was a shitty non-plan, but I couldn’t linger here, either. If someone noticed Dex’s unauthorized sedan blocking the entrance to the garage, I’d be a sitting duck.
I needed to get up to the penthouse, get Andrés and his laptop, and get out.
Mustering up all the new-found confidence as I possessed, I strode through the glass front doors. The atrium was surprisingly bland, like any nondescript office building. But I supposed it wasn’t in Andrés’ best interests to be ostentatious about where he lived.
A man in a security uniform looked up from a row of computer screens as soon as I stepped through the door. He stood quickly, pushing out of his chair where he’d been lounging behind the front desk.
I pointed my weapon at him and shook my head before he could reach for his own gun.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warned. “I’m taking the elevator up to the penthouse. Do you have access?”
“No,” he said quickly, shaking his head and holding his hands up high to prove he wasn’t a threat.
“Okay, then. I’m going to the third floor. Is there another elevator?”
“Yeah. That way.” He pointed toward a darkened corner, and I saw little glowing circles that indicated call buttons for a set of elevators.
“You’re coming with me,” I told him, gesturing for him to come out from behind the desk. “Keep your hands where I can see them.”
He moved where I’d instructed, and I closed the distance between us to take his gun from its holster.
“Let’s go.” I ordered, and he began walking toward the elevators, his hands still held high.
I just needed to get to the third floor and find Lauren. She had access to the penthouse. Well, she did as of yesterday. I hoped Andrés hadn’t had time to revoke her clearance.
I shook my mounting worry from my mind. If she couldn’t take me upstairs, she’d know how to contact Andrés. I’d never seen him with a phone, but he must have one he used when he left his suite. I considered asking the guard if he was able to call Andrés, but I had to guarantee that he’d bring his laptop down with him. His most likely reaction to finding out I’d returned to his building would be to storm downstairs and try to make me leave. He’d be too enraged to think to bring his laptop, even if I asked.