“And Miss Charles will be with you?”
He wasn’t so sure about Avery anymore. He wasn’t sure he wanted his brother’s leavings. It was just a shame that his brother wouldn’t know he’d gotten the bitch killed. His brother had always been so moral. His brother had believed in sin and honor when nothing of their childhood should have taught him values. Liam had been stupid. “I think not. I think it’s time I found another assistant. This one feels a bit used, if you know what I mean.”
She’d been so innocent, but she’d shown her true face. She was a whore like the rest of them, and he’d still have her. He would fuck her and then he’d get his hands around her throat. Then she’d know who her god was. He’d make her pay.
What was taking so long? Malcolm should have texted him by now. He looked down at his phone.
“Something wrong?” Nelson asked.
“I thought Malcolm would message me by now. He should have taken out Liam. He followed him.”
Nelson shook his head. “Malcolm is dead. Liam and his crew killed him. I assure you, there’s no way you took O’Donnell out with two men. He’s been trained by Ian Taggart. Whatever you think of your brother, know that he’s a well-trained killer now. He’ll be tougher than you imagine. Taggart is not someone you should underestimate.”
He dialed Malcolm’s number. Nothing. It went straight to voice mail. Fuck. Malcolm had never not answered. What the hell had happened? Was Liam still out there? Did Liam even know he was alive?
“You need help, Rory. I can deal with this for you.” Nelson used the same smooth tones that he’d used all those years ago when Rory had made his deal with the CIA’s version of Mephistopheles.
“How?” He didn’t want to owe Nelson anything, but maybe he should use him one last time.
Nelson leaned in. “I’ll tell you.”
Nelson started to talk. Yes. This was even better. This way his brother could watch as Rory raped his woman.
And Rory could be the one to kill him. As it should be.
After all, they were brothers.
Chapter Eighteen
“What exactly do you mean you couldn’t find the files?” Simon ground the words out, his voice low, his face turned down as the elevator started toward the ground floor.
Avery wasn’t sure how much she should say. She’d gotten a little paranoid about being overheard. She tried to sound as normal as possible. “I looked and couldn’t find them.”
“I asked you not to work on the new reports without me.” Simon turned, his back to the small red light that came from a camera in one of the corners.
Oh. That was what he’d meant. He’d been trying to tell her to wait for him. It would have made it harder for Monica to catch her. “Sorry.”
He turned again, his handsome face in a fierce frown. The elevator doors opened, and Avery stepped out. Despite everything he’d done, her heart softened the minute she saw Liam waiting for her. He leaned against the building, his eyes scanning the street. There was a tight set to his jaw that told her he was worried, but it was his body language that really scared her. Liam was always so graceful. He was tall and lean and so strong, but now his shoulders were slumped.
She forgot about Simon and rushed to get to Li. “What happened?”
He turned to her, and she could see the grim set of his mouth, but he smiled when she reached him. He reached for her with his right hand, pulling her close. “We’re getting out of here in the morning.”
A little surge of panic hit. “I can’t. I didn’t find the files.”
“That’s Weston’s problem now.” He shot a look at the other man. “She’s out.”
Weston nodded. “Good for you, mate. Take care of her. And don’t tell me anything else. I don’t want to know.”
“As if I would.” Liam slung an arm around her shoulder. “I have one question for you. Where did you really get all that information about Ian? Don’t try to tell me you hacked the system. That’s not your expertise. I’m surprised Knight bought it.”
Only the faintest hint of flush hit the Englishman’s cheeks. “I can be very persuasive. Acting is my expertise. I play this part quite well, but I’m starting to wonder if I haven’t been duped.”
“You got the information from an anonymous source, didn’t you?”
“At the time, I thought I was helping,” Weston replied. “I was able to verify that all the information was true. Now I have to wonder why someone in MI6 wants to cause trouble with your team.”