Chapter 22
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RADLEY GLANCED AT THEsecurity cameras in the hall as she headed to the elevator bank, a sudden urgency spurring her along.They were close to nabbing one of the suspects.She knew it.Everything they’d been surveilling and analyzing over the past weeks was coming to a head.Cooper and Xaden would handle Seattle.Jett’s team had New York and St.Louis covered.And she and Boone were about to blow the lid off the cover of the man here.
Adrenaline coursed through her veins as she rode the elevator back down to the lobby.It was late, past ten p.m., but the space was still milling with guests.She pulled out her phone, noting locations of the cameras.
Radley breezed through the doors, circling the building.There were cabs on the street, regular traffic, and bystanders passing by.She spotted a homeless guy down on the corner.L.A.had plenty of homeless people, just like other big cities, but she didn’t think he was a problem.Striding down the sidewalk in her heeled boots, she slowed her walk as she turned the corner.She wanted to note the locations and angles of the cameras.Once she got back inside, they could pull up a satellite image of the hotel.They would give her a bigger picture than down here on the ground.
She could’ve asked Quinn to send them all the views, but Radley wanted to see for herself where it was most likely the guy would exit the building.Then again, he could stroll right out the front doors, the bellhops none the wiser to what he was carrying.
Radley moved further down the side of the building.There was a loading dock near the back, along with a dumpster outside.Unlikely that he’d have any reason to come out here.She paused for a beat, scanning the building exits, then turned, gasping when a man stepped out of the shadows.
She froze for only a beat then took an instinctive step back.One, then another as the man strode toward her.He hadn’t said a word, which somehow made it feel more ominous.As he suddenly broke into a run, Radley turned and sprinted away.She was rounding the corner of the building when he launched himself at her, taking Radley to the ground.She grunted in pain as she fell, the big man easily rolling them both so she was pinned beneath him, her face down on the asphalt.
Radley kicked and fought, but he was too much stronger than her.Something sharp pricked her neck, and she immediately felt herself weakening, overwhelmingly groggy.
His voice was harsh as he finally spoke.“We meet again, bitch.Only this time you’re not getting away from me.”
Everything faded to blackness.
***
RADLEY AWOKE BOUNDand tied to a bed in a dimly lit room.Nausea roiled through her, and she fought against the ropes, listening to the amused chuckle of her captor.She felt groggy but tried to be alert and focus.To be ready to fight.
Except she was rendered immobile by the asshole who’d taken her.
“Schultz told me how good you were,” the man sneered, his voice hard as he moved toward her.“I’ll finally get to try you out for myself.”
Radley gasped as he stepped further into the light, and she realized it was Mike Cameron.He’d shaved his head and wore different clothing from the day he’d attacked her, but the evil in his eyes was the same.That was all she’d seen given the facemask he’d worn that day in her condo building, and it haunted her still.
Nothing but pure hate.
“He told me that your pussy was so tight—he fucked you all night long.You couldn’t get enough.”
“You’re lying,” Radley said, her voice shaking.
He chuckled.“Must be tough not remembering.You begged for it—begged for his cock.Sucked him off then moaned like a whore.”
“You’re sick.Disgusting.”
“You’re a tease.You tried to run his assets—take credit for everything Schultz had worked for.What he deserved.You think the intelligence you gathered was so crucial to national security?He could’ve done the job without you around.And he didn’t have to sleep with his sources to gain secrets.”
“I never slept with anyone,” Radley said, her voice steel.
“You fucked Schultz,” the man sniggered.
“He drugged me!”
“You could’ve paid off medical to skew the test results.Women like you will do anything for attention.You wanted his job and framed him.He lost his career.His freedom.You destroyed a man’s life!And now I get to enjoy taking revenge,” he said, stalking even closer to her.