Page 120 of Lion’s Den

“Are you telling me you will be a problem, Miss Hart?”

Goosebumps rose across Sedona’s skin.

Simpson continued. “Because if you are, I have several methods of dealing with problems, all of them unpleasant and permanent.”

The cold finger of death traced a chilling trail down her spine. “I didn’t say I refused to try.”

“Then what are you saying?”

“I might fail. If I do, I want your promise that the kids will be released.”

He stared. “You trust me to keep a promise even after you’re gone?”

She nodded.

“Why?”

“You’re obviously a professional at what you do. Although I’m not familiar with your profession, I believe you wouldn’t have a thriving business without a reputation for keeping promises.”

More staring, then, “You are correct, Miss Hart. If I was known for breaking my word, I wouldn’t have any clients. Very well. You have my word that the troublesome teenagers will be released upon your death.”

She flinched at his blunt words. At least she’d obtained his promise to free the kids. “Thank you.”

The corners of his mouth curved upward. “I wish others were so trusting. It would make my job easier. Now, it’s time to make a plan. Do a good job, Miss Hart. Your life depends on it.”

Right. Back to the threats portion of the program. “I understand. Is there a deadline to reach the access panel?”

“You have one hour after you take the first step to complete the mission.”

One hour. If Sedona hadn’t reached the panel by that point, she would never reach it. “How long do I have to prepare?”

A glacial smile curved Simpson’s lips. “Five minutes. Make them count.”

What a joke. That meant she was going into this mission blind. So much for her plan to stall as long as possible and give Cam and his buddies time to find her. Instead of rescuing her, he might be picking up the pieces.

She studied the schematic. At least she would be inside the tower instead of outside where the capriciousness of the wind might hinder or help her reach the goal. With the beam inside the tower, Sedona’s worst enemy was herself. The tightrope taught her to discipline her fear, but this was a total freefall. The ground beneath her had never felt less steady. She had to win this challenge, though. If she didn’t, Sedona stood to lose her chance at the life of her dreams with a hero who loved her and wanted to build a life with her.

Sedona looked at Simpson. “What about the alarm system? A wealthy, paranoid man must have the best alarm system ever made and likely a backup.”

“That is not your problem. All you must do is walk. It’s a simple skill that you’ve been practicing since you learned to walk as a toddler.”

Simple. If walking this beam was so simple, why didn’t he do it? Since Simpson wasn’t worried about the alarm system, he must have a man who could deal with the protection. Good for the assassin. Bad for her. She wouldn’t be able to use that as an excuse to slow down.

Sedona rolled the schematics into a tube shape and handed it to Simpson. “I’m ready.” What a lie. She would never be ready for this walk.

“Trey, escort Miss Hart to the SUV. We have an appointment to keep.”

Ten minutes later, the caravan of vehicles parked at the side of the road, and the occupants spilled out onto the roadway, each one loaded down with weapons.

If Sedona had any doubt that this was a small, private war, the sight of those men armed for battle solidified the truth in her mind.

Trey grabbed her upper arm again. He gripped her tight enough to leave behind evidence of his enthusiasm in carrying out his orders. “Let’s go. Don’t give me any trouble, Miss Hart. I’m not a patient man, and I know how to keep my women in line. They obey, or suffer the consequences.”

She stared. Surely he misspoke. Sedona couldn’t resist a clarification. “Women? Did you mean woman?”

He snorted. “I said what I meant.”

“You have more than one woman in your life?”