Deadly Game (GhostWalkers #5)(82)
Author: Christine Feehan

Logan tracked them down. They’re studying them now. They’re set up to make the rescue when the senator is here. We’re going to have to push our timetable forward. There’s no doubt that Whitney is going to arrange an accident of some kind for Senator Freeman and his wife.

Maybe, Ken mused. But he wouldn’t want an investigation anywhere near this place. I don’t think he’ll hit the senator here. I think he’ll make his try either before or after he leaves. He’d be stupid to bring a firestorm down on his laboratory, and the one thing Whitney isn’t—is stupid.

He has to make it look like an accident this time, Jack said. Get word to Marigold and tell her if she can warn Violet, to do it.

No. Absolutely not, Jack. Ken was adamant. He crawled on his belly, careful of the sharp rebar sticking out of the walls, dragging his legs up and away from it. It was easy to lose oneself in the labyrinth, and Mari had been working on a new escape plan with the other women, as they feared they’d told Sean too much.

We don’t have a choice. Violet has to know what she’s up against. We don’t have a team in place to protect him. If he’s really Whitney’s enemy . . .

Ken sent Jack the impression of disgust. No. I’m not risking Mari. She’s taken enough risks in this hellhole. If Violet is undercover for Whitney, then Mari’s dead.

And if she isn’t, the senator is dead, Jack reminded him from his vantage point on the bluff. The air was cool. He wished he could send it to his brother trapped like a rat in the walls of Whitney’s prison.

That’s not my problem. Frankly, I’m not risking her life for anyone connected to Senator Freeman. I don’t trust him or his wife. I’m not risking Mari. I’ve gone as far as I’m willing to go for her family. We’re getting them out today, because if Sean doesn’t die today, he’ll be back tonight. I’ll kill him and be done with it, and Mari will know what a bastard I am. That won’t be good, because she’ll decide she doesn’t want me and then I’ll have to kidnap her and try to change her mind.

Jack sighed. You’ve gone caveman on me, bro.

Mari has that effect on me. And, by the way, Briony will be really upset if anything happens to Mari, and that will impact your life, so just get over having Mari warn Violet.

Man, you’re edgy. Chill out.

Ken frowned. He was edgy. He didn’t want to leave Mari alone in that cell, locked up and trapped like a rabbit in a cage, when Sean might come back at any moment. He forced his mind to concentrate on the business at hand. Speaking of the sick, twisted freak, have you caught sight of the bastard?

Jack gave a short, expressive snort. Um, that would a negative. I’ve never actually seen Sean.

I sent you an image.

Tails and horns aren’t exactly the real deal, Ken. You gave me a picture of the devil.

Ken made a rude noise, accompanying it with an even ruder gesture his brother couldn’t see but would know he’d done anyhow. I did my best to nudge Sean into making a try against Whitney. With a little luck, he’ll kill the doctor, and Whitney’s men will do him, and we can just write them both off. Thanks for helping out last night.

Sorry I didn’t step in sooner. I went to higher ground and dug myself in, just in case using that much energy took its toll. You must have been completely wiped.

Ken tried to sit up, and hit his head on rebar. He swore softly and glanced down at his hands. He hadn’t felt the scrapes as he moved over the jagged, unfinished cement, leaving smears of blood behind. It didn’t matter. Nothing mattered anymore but getting Mari out of there. For a couple of hours. I couldn’t get to Mari and I thought I’d lose my f**king mind. I didn’t realize I had such a vivid imagination. I lay there scared shitless. The only time I’ve ever been that scared was when Ekabela’s man was cutting my c**k into tiny little pieces. He’d never admitted it before. Never discussed it with Jack—but Jack had to know he couldn’t do without Mari. He had to get her out.

There was a small silence. She all right?

Sean was going to force himself on her. He’d been her friend; they trained on her GhostWalker team together. It’s obvious she had genuine affection for the f**kwad, and for him to betray her like that . . . Ken hit the cement with the flat of his hand, needing to expel his pent-up anger in some physical way. She was pretty torn up, Jack. Ken took a deep breath and forced his mind and body back under control. I’m going to be taking the women out through the corridor the minute you give me the signal. I marked the way to make the run fast, but if you get a shot at Sean, take him out.

You’re certain?

He’ll never stop. Even if we don’t get Whitney, and Whitney gives him a direct order, Sean is going to keep coming after her. In the end I’m going to have to kill the son of a bitch and she’ll have a hard time forgiving me.

She isn’t a stupid woman, Ken. You’re underestimating her. Not that I mind killing him one way or the other.

Take him out, Jack, if you get the chance.

Jack briefly laid his head on his arm. His brother’s emotions swamped him at times; then he’d recover, pull back, and regroup. But Ken was at a boiling point. Roger that. Is Mari organizing the women?

Ken reached out to Mari. Hey, baby. How you doing? It’s a great day for freedom.

There was a short silence while he counted his heartbeats. Yes, it is. There was a smile in her voice. Everyone’s excited. I’ve cautioned them about telling anyone the new escape route, and they’re waiting for the word. Her voice dropped an octave, the sound brushing like velvet on the walls of his mind and stirring his body in spite of the cramped, uncomfortable quarters. I can’t wait to be with you in your home.

Ken closed his eyes and allowed that breathy, sexy sound to wash over and through him. He could admit, there with the walls closing in on him and the dark surrounding him, that he had fallen hard for Marigold. It had nothing to do with sex and everything to do with the emotion threatening to choke him. He would continue to deny it, but right now, in this place, with her soul brushing against his, and cement walls separating them, he admitted it. “I love you more than life, woman.”

He swallowed and leaned his head against the concrete blocks. I can’t wait for us to be there together either.

Mari’s softness vanished and she got down to business. Whitney grabbed Rose. She’s the one who was afraid she might have conceived. He has us pee in a cup every morning, so if she is, he knows it. He’s going to hold her over our heads while the senator is here, to keep us in line.