“I’m not risking you being taken out . . .”

His harsh words scrape me raw. This is what my life has become.

I edge behind the solid steel wall that Kane obviously put here for a purpose. Probably so he could use it for cover if he ever had to shoot at someone driving in through the reinforced garage door that’s opening as I hide.

Mount is here.

I should have expected him to come, and I’m not sure why I didn’t. Keira said they were coming back, and I should have assumed, as problem number one in the company, Mount would come take care of me.

Take care of me.

My blood turns icy.

Is he going to kill me? Have I become that much of a nuisance that I’m better off dead? Is he going to punish me for the trouble my brother has caused?

My heart slams with terrified beat after beat as the possibilities race through my brain. I immediately try to justify my way out of this.

Keira wouldn’t let him. He already said he’d make sure I was safe. If he didn’t care if I was dead, he wouldn’t have sent Kane to me.

Right?

Unfortunately, I have no idea how to answer that question.

The only thing I know for sure is that Kane won’t let him hurt me, no matter what. He may not want me, but he won’t let anything happen to me.

I inhale slowly, trying to remain calm, and tell myself this isn’t going to turn into a shootout that ends in bloodshed. Please, God. Don’t let that happen.

Two car doors slam and the overhead door closes as I send up the prayer.

“Where is she?”

“Busy.”

“I don’t have time to fuck around, Kane. Is she ready?”

“Not yet. I haven’t told her.”

Told me what? My stomach knots tighter, and I know whatever it is, it isn’t going to be good for me.

“What the fuck are you waiting for?”

“It’s not like this is easy.”

“Yes, it is. You tell her she’s going to her brother. End of story.”

The knot in my gut loosens at Mount’s words.

I pop out from behind the steel wall, and immediately the barrels of two guns are trained on me.

“Put your fucking guns down.” Kane barks the order, holding an arm out and taking two steps to stand between me and what would be the trajectories of the bullets if both men fired.

I tell myself it’s only because he feels responsible for me.

“I get to see Rafe?”

That’s the only thing that matters now. Part of me had already resigned myself to the fact that I’m never going to see my brother again. That I need to learn how to live with that knowledge. But now, hope bubbles up inside me like water through a fountain.

“When? Where?”

“Temperance,” Kane starts, but Mount interrupts him.

“Tonight.” He jerks his head at the guy behind him. “Get the bag.”

The man nods and pops the trunk before going around the back of the Maybach to retrieve a duffel.

My mind races with what could be in it. Money? Information? Guns?

They come toward Kane and me and hold it out, along with the keys to the Maybach.

What the hell is going on? Kane accepts the bag and keys before tossing another set of keys to the man.

“Didn’t have a brand-new Range Rover for you, so I hope you don’t mind taking the Tahoe.”

Why are they trading cars? I want to ask the question so badly, but something tells me to keep silent.

“As long as I get mine back in one piece.”

“Obviously.”

Mount’s gaze narrows on me. “I hope you’re ready.”

I have no idea how to answer because I don’t know what’s happening. So I bullshit instead. “Whatever it takes to make sure Rafe is okay.”

Mount’s eyebrow inches up almost imperceptibly. “You’re a better sister than he deserves.” Then he looks to Kane. “The jet will be ready at seven. Don’t be late.”

Jet? The knot in my stomach is back and has quadrupled in size. Who the hell is getting on a jet?

“We’ll be there.”

Mount nods and heads for the Tahoe, which is parked at the door. His man climbs in the driver’s seat and Mount in the passenger side. The windows go black.

Kane crosses to the control box. “Behind the wall,” he says, and I slip back before he engages the door opener.

As quickly as he arrived, Mount leaves, although in a completely different vehicle this time.

As soon as the door is closed, I pop out from behind the wall and my questions are rapid-fire. “What’s going on? Why is there a jet? Who’s leaving? Rafe? Where’s he going?”

Kane releases the control box, and his expression is totally blank.

“Kane . . . Please, you have to tell me something.”

He stops in front of me. “Rafe’s leaving the country—”

I feel like someone grabbed my heart and squeezed. Then he drops the next bomb.

“And so are you.”