Colby Agency 42 - Colby Core by Debra Webb

Author:Debra Webb
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Harlequin Romance, Intrigue
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2010-11-28T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

4:45 p.m.—41 hours, 30 minutes remaining

It was dark.

Matched his mood.

Riley could not believe what Tessa had done. What the hell had she been thinking? This meeting was supposed to be about what Riley had to offer—not her!

Since having a scene in the parking lot of the Rusty Hinge wasn’t a smart move, they’d driven to a more anonymous location. On the northern outskirts of the city, a truck stop had worked. The parking lot was huge and the big trucks provided plenty of cover. Yet the good lighting prevented anyone else from loitering nearby to keep an eye on them.

“I will not let you put yourself in that position. End of negotiations, Tessa.”

She glared at him, her lips compressed with fury.

“I know you want to save those children.” He did. And he understood that. “But you’re a victim, too. I won’t trade one victim’s safety for another. We have to find a different approach. Make it about what I have to offer.”

“Four children are in that compound, Riley,” she threw back at him. “Four. There are four young women—younger than me—who are due to deliver any day. That’s a total of twelve lives.” She planted her hands on her hips. “You’re not thinking logically. You are an unknown variable. Renwick knows I’m deep in this organization. He will be more likely to take that bait.”

She was out of her mind. She was. “I see your reasoning,” he agreed. “I do. But what you’re trying to do is my job. That’s why I’m here, to save you and the others. If anyone is going to take this kind of risk, it’s me.”

Her hands went up in exasperation. “So it’s okay to sacrifice you, but not me.” She shook her head. “Sorry, but I don’t see it that way. You’re innocent of any crimes here. I’ve been a part of this organization for almost six years.” She blinked back the emotion shining in her eyes. “I’ve been a part of things…that I can’t even bring myself to talk about.” She stuck her thumb in her chest. “This is the least I can do to absolve myself.”

“No way.” He shook his head. “I don’t care what you think you’re guilty of, there were extenuating circumstances. You are not one of them!”

She stared at him with those pale blue eyes. “Yes. I am. I’ve known dates and places and—” she shook her head “—everything. I didn’t try hard enough to stop him. I have this chance and I’m not going to fail.”

He looked away. Couldn’t bear to see the anguish in her eyes. Nothing he said seemed to be getting through. They had argued all the way here and for another twenty minutes since.

Riley cleared his head. He needed to think rationally. He was allowing far too much emotion to intrude on this case. Maybe because he had a younger sister about Tessa’s age. He couldn’t imagine having her go through what Tessa had likely gone through. Not to mention his parents. An unimaginable nightmare.

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