Page 128 of Lion’s Den

“I’m afraid so.”

“Tell her about the time you rappelled down a steep mountainside and found a woman lying naked at the edge of a steep drop that ended in a raging river,” Dario called out.

He groaned. “Did you have to mention that one?”

“You’ve got to admit that it fits the circumstances,” Isaac said.

“Sedona is not Isabella Dunleavy.”

“He’s got you there,” Spencer said. “I can vouch for the fact Sedona has never babbled.”

“That’s a compliment, Sedona,” Dario said. “Isabella will forever be dubbed the Babbler when we talk about her rescue.”

“I’m glad I passed muster,” Sedona said. She bit her bottom lip, looking from Cam to Spencer and back again. “How are Julio, Eddie, and Daisy? You rescued them, right?”

“We did. All of them are okay. You can verify that for yourself when we go to the hospital to have your wrist checked.”

“I hate to ask, but what happened with Mr. Lyons?”

“That is an excellent question, Miss Hart.”

The Thunderhawks spread out, hands raised. Their spacing gave them angles of attack when Cam gave the word.

A red laser light slid across Sedona’s chest. A second light appeared center mass on Cam. Without thinking, he pushed Sedona to the ground and followed her down, covering her body with his. Good thing he’d pulled on his bullet-resistant vest. He just hoped the assassin hadn’t loaded armor-piercing rounds into his magazine.

Cam reached for his gun. As his fingers brushed the grip, the same male voice said, “I wouldn’t, Mr. Sims. You won’t like the consequences if you pull that weapon.”

Cam’s hand drifted away from his Sig. Where was the man? He turned his head slightly to look at David with his eyebrows raised. His boss inclined his head to Cam’s left.

By minute degrees, Cam turned his head. Despite Simpson’s ability to use camouflage to hide his position, his voice came from the same place, which was a surprise. Simpson was too much of a professional to make that mistake. He must know the backgrounds of the teams working on this mission. Underestimating them was foolish.

He scanned the clearing again. Where were Elliot and Owen? His gaze caught David’s. Forming hand signs with his fingers on the side of his thigh, Cam signaled David, asking about Elliot and Owen.

The answer? They’re close. Stall.

Well, that was vague enough. Stall, huh? Easier said than done with a man not known to tolerate fools.

“Where is Lyons, Mr. Sims?” Simpson demanded. “I want him. Now.”

Cam hesitated for a moment, then slowly rose to his feet, arms away from his body, empty hands spread toward Simpson. He casually stepped in front of Sedona. “Did you really think a man as paranoid as Lyons would stay in his home when an identified threat is coming to his doorstep?”

“He never leaves his home.”

“Ordinarily that’s true, but your reputation precedes you, Simpson. You should take that as a compliment. Lyons accepted an offer of a temporary safe house.”

Simpson pushed through a handful of his cronies despite their attempt to keep him behind them. “Where is he?” he ground out through gritted teeth. “Tell me, or there will be consequences.”

Cam studied the other man. “What’s in it for me?”

Simpson blinked. “You might get to live if I’m in a merciful mood.”

Yeah, he knew better than that. Simpson already had a bullet in the chamber with Cam’s name on it. “What else?”

Simpson gave a bark of laughter. “That’s not enough for you?”

“Frankly, no, it isn’t.”

After a lengthy pause, Simpson said, “All right. I’ll bite. What do you want?” He held up a hand. “Oh, wait. I bet I already know. You want my word that I won’t touch your girlfriend.”