Chapter 43

“Where doyou see this going, dude? Because I see it going all bad.” Mason called over his shoulder, his voice purposely low and steady.

Inside, he seethed, but calm would intimidate his opponent.

“Depends on your next move, SEAL.” Unfortunately, Goshiro didn’t sound panicked, either.

If letting it slip that Goshiro knew about his background was supposed to rattle Mason, the guy clearly didn’t know SEALs very well.

At the stairwell, Goshiro stopped him. “Turn around.”

Mason gritted his teeth and obeyed, his mind whirling as he took in the scene before him. Avery was pressed against Goshiro’s chest, her eyes wide with terror as he held a gun to her head.

He wanted nothing more than to rip Goshiro’s arm off and beat him with it. A nice fantasy, but here, in the real world, he was going to have to act like an adult.

For now.

He took a deep breath and reverted to his training. The first mistake Goshiro made would be his last.

If only he could risk activating his comlink.

Avery met his gaze. The corner of her mouth lifted in a heartbreaking attempt at a smile.

If he didn’t want to tear Goshiro apart before, he sure did now.

Eyes still on his, Avery reached up to brush a stray lock of hair out of her eyes.

The comlink. She’d just activated it. Hooyah!

A brilliant move, one that showed just how quick-thinking and resourceful she was. Even in the face of mortal danger, she was still looking for ways to fight back, to turn the tables on her captor.

Stiffening, Goshiro shoved the pistol against her head hard enough to bend her neck. “Don’t move.”

Mason’s hands clenched into fists, his jaw tightening with barely controlled rage. He wanted to choke the life out of Goshiro, to watch the light fade from his eyes as he gasped for air.

Seeking calm, he lifted a silent prayer, begging the Lord to keep her safe, to see them both through this nightmare.

Goshiro’s voice broke through his thoughts, cold and commanding. “I know you’ve got a walkie talkie or something. I want a car brought to the bottom of the gangway. Have the doors open and the engine running.”

“Done.” Mason tapped his comlink.

At least Goshiro didn’t realize Avery had comms too.

“Head’s up, guys. We have a hostage situation here. Goshiro has Avery. He’s demanding a vehicle at the gangway and clear passage off the property.”

“You okay with that?” Tai responded immediately.

“That’s affirmative.” He wasn’t, but the team would know what he meant. “He wants the doors left open and the engine running. Make it happen.”

Kate broke into the conversation. “So no good options at the moment.”

“Copy that.”

“Give me sixty seconds to get into position,” Graham advised.

Nice. He wouldn’t bet on the sniper being able to get a clean shot at Goshiro, but sometimes success was more about being prepared than being lucky.

Once outside, the killer would have his whole team to contend with.

Goshiro watched him, his eyes cold and dead.

But before Mason could say a word, Paul’s voice crackled over the comms, eager and excited.

“I’ll bring the car around,” he said, his voice filled with a child-like enthusiasm that made Mason want to scream.

“Affirmative,” Tai agreed. “Saves the rest of us for tactical.”

Yeah. It did. But that didn’t make Mason any happier. “Stay safe.”

“Once you drop off the vehicle, back away and take cover.” Kate addressed his bro. “Do not engage. Avery’s life depends on it.”

“Understood,” Paul said, his voice filled with a seriousness that belied his earlier excitement.

Goshiro waggled his fingers in a gimme gesture. “Now take it out.”

“Going dark.” He warned the team before digging the earbud out of his ear. He held it up.

“Smash it,” Goshiro ordered.

Not a problem. He let the device drop from his fingers. It bounced on the linoleum before he stomped it with the heel of his boot.

Goshiro nodded. “Now move. Once we get outside, you lead us to the vehicle.”

Mason led the way down the stairwell. Hope glimmered in his belly. Once they were outside, someone should have a shot.

But as they hit the gangway, Mason’s hopes began to fade. He led them to the SUV, carefully eying possible sightlines for the team, and making sure he stayed clear so he didn’t block a shot.

But Goshiro wasn’t an idiot. He kept Avery so close no one could risk firing.

Holding Avery against the side of the vehicle, Goshiro tipped his chin at Mason. “Over there. On the ground. Do it.”

Not a problem. With him out of the way, it gave his teammates a better chance to fire.

But no shots rang out.

Cheek on the cold cement, heart in his throat, Mason was forced to watch as Goshiro slid into the vehicle, dragging Avery in after him. The driver’s side window rolled down and Avery tossed her phone on the ground.

The last thing Mason saw as they pulled away was Avery behind the wheel, her eyes wide with terror.

Mason leapt to his feet in time to see the vehicle disappear down the street. “Nowhere far enough you can run, Goshiro. Nowhere on this earth.”