Page 118 of Twist of Fate

Hale considered that. “Then we proceed on the assumption that the buyer still intends to complete the purchase.”

Luke studied him. “You’ve been in contact.”

Hale said nothing.

“You have.”

Silence stretched between them. Luke could continue playing the game, waiting to see whether Hale revealed something useful. On any other assignment, he might have.

This time, he didn’t have the luxury.

“What are you actually selling?”

Hale’s expression didn’t change, but something shifted behind his eyes. A decision—and not one Luke was going to like.

“That’s none of your⁠—”

The air tightened.

Pressure mounted a heartbeat before something struck the glass behind Hale. Cracks spread across the wall in a sudden web, then the entire pane shattered inward.

Luke crossed the office in two strides. He caught Hale by the collar and drove him behind the desk as a black-clad figure came through the broken window.

The force of the entry should have sent the intruder sprawling across the carpet. Instead, he cleared the jagged frame and landed in a balanced crouch, one hand braced against the floor. Either he’d had a lot of practice or he had magic. Either way, it wasn’t good.

Then a second black-clad figure appeared in the shattered opening and dropped into the office behind him.

Luke reached automatically for a weapon he wasn’t carrying. Of course he wasn’t. This wasn’t supposed to be that kind of meeting.

The first intruder lifted one hand. The air twisted, compressing around Luke’s chest until pain drove the breath from his lungs. He staggered, one knee striking the carpet.

Magic.

And Connal wasn’t here.

Luke braced a hand against the desk and forced himself back to his feet. “Stay down.”

Hale didn’t argue.

The second intruder advanced toward the desk. Luke shifted between them and Hale, tracking the distance to the office door, the scattered chairs, and the shattered window behind them. The first intruder had knocked him down, but neither man treated him as their objective. Their attention kept returning to Hale.

This was a targeted assault. Luke was only standing in their way.

“Sir—” The intercom crackled to life. Patrick. “Your eleven o’clock has arrived early.”

Hale froze behind him.

Luke didn’t need an introduction.

The buyer.

The office door opened. The man who entered didn’t rush or hesitate. He adjusted one cuff as his gaze swept across the shattered glass, the masked intruders, Luke, and finally Hale crouched behind the desk.

Irritation crossed his face, but no surprise or fear.

“Good morning,” he said.

The nearest intruder charged.