Deadly Game

down, but the crawl space in the cement walls was a maze. Rebar stuck up in spots like deadly stakes. There were dead ends and places where he had to push through a thin plug of cement. That took precious time-time he feared he might not have.

She didn't answer him right away, and for a moment he thought he might lose his mind. Damn it, Man, tell me the truth. Are you safe?

I don't know.

She was worried and that added to his alarm. He took a deep breath and let it out. seeking to find a way to be detached. He had to quit acting like an idiot and think with his brain. I'm on my way to you, Mari. Whatever happens with Sean and Brett, know that I'm coming.

Don't. This place is a fortress.

I'm already inside, sweetheart. I'm a GhostWalker. Don't you know we walk through walls? He tried to tease her, gently, to reassure her that he was all right.

Mari peered through the bars of the window and saw streaks of blood on the opposite wall. Blood splatter went across the guard's station and pooled on the floor. Brett crawled toward her door, his shirt bright red, several large spots beginning to run together. His teeth were clenched together and he growled; all the while blood trickled from his mouth. Sean followed relentlessly, gripping a bloody knife, his face contorted into that of a stranger.

She backed away from the window, pressing her hand against her trembling lips. She had known Sean would kill Brett, but the vicious look on his face, the utter satisfaction and triumph was more than she could take. There was a feral quality to his snarling expression as he stalked Brett.

The back of her legs hit her cot and she sank down, pushing her way back until she was huddled in the corner against the wall, making herself as small as possible. Her hand slid beneath the cot mattress to hold Ken's necklace for comfort.

Ken felt Mari's sudden rejection, her complete withdrawal as if she couldn't stand his mind touching hers. Violence had always been her life, but not like this, not the cold, cruel, animalistic aggression the two men were displaying. She wanted no part of it. His heart clenched, a strange sensation, gripping him with another fear-this time for what she would think of him. If there was a violent man in the world, one who could detach from all emotion, it was Ken. Worse than that, when he allowed emotion to prevail, he could be as brutally efficient as any wild predator.

Don't push me away. He was pleading inside, but it came out a command, and he felt her wince away from the roughness in his voice. He was blowing it before he even got started. There was a limit to what any one person could take, and Mari was at hers. She needed out of this place. She needed freedom and to be able to make her own choices.

Someone is coming. Mari held her breath, hearing footsteps outside her door. Hastily she checked to make certain the chain and cross were well hidden. There was the murmur of voices. Sean wasn't alone. She wanted to remain huddled against the wall, but she couldn't let them see her feeling so fragile. Lifting her chin, she stood up and faced the door. Her heart was pounding.

I'm with you, sweetheart. I'm making my way through the second level. It's tough going, with a few roadblocks in the way, but no matter what, I'll get to you.

The entire compound has security cameras everywhere as well as motion and infrared triggers.

Thanks for the warning. And, Mari? Stay open to my mind. I need to know if you're in danger. Not that there was a hell of a lot he could do from where he was. The high cement walls were narrow and the maze seemed endless. He didn't get claustrophobia, which was a good thing, because the longer he was inside the thick walls, the more it felt like the labyrinth was endless.

The door slid open and Sean stood framed in the doorway. There was blood on his hands, a grin on his face. Behind him stood Whitney in his immaculate suit, with his dead eyes and his frightening half smile.

'Sean has elected to be your new partner. Mari,' Whitney said. 'I'm certain the news pleases you as you always objected to Brett.'

She forced her gaze to stay focused on the two men and away from the body slumped on the floor. Her eyes met Whitney's. She remained silent, not giving him the satisfaction of an answer.

'You wouldn't happen to know anything about an explosion in Dr. Prauder's house, would you?' There was no inflection in his voice, not even mild interest.

'I didn't hear an explosion.' She shrugged. 'Down four levels underground we don't often know about what goes on up top until someone tells us.'

'Nor would you happen to know anything about a visitor coming, would you?' Whitney persisted.

Her heart jumped and then began to pound in alarm. Had they discovered the Nortons? 'I'm afraid I have very few visitors. Dr. Whitney, as you well know. Why do you ask?'

'You left this facility without permission. Why would you join your former team unless you had an agenda? You were either planning to escape, in which case you knew one of your friends was likely to meet her demise, or, more probably, you wished to speak to Senator Freeman.'

She kept her face as expressionless as possible. 'Why would I want to do that?'

'Based on your past. I would say you were stirring up trouble again. That seems to be your most impressive talent to date.' His eyes narrowed and he took a step toward her. 'Sean is going to stay with you for a while. Let's hope if Norton didn't get the job done, Sean does, because after this, you aren't going to be very important to me.'

Her stomach lurched. 'I don't understand.'

'Oh. you're a very smart woman. Mari. I'm sure you do understand. Senator Freeman is coming here and wants to talk to all the women, but he mentioned you specifically. Freeman has no authority here.'

'I thought Freeman was a friend of yours.'

His cold gaze swept over her. When she was a child, that particular look would wither all defiance instantly. Now it left her with sweaty palms and a dry mouth.

'People who ask a lot of questions about things they shouldn't have any knowledge of have a way of disappearing.'

She knew he caught the sudden exhale as air left her lungs in a rush of comprehension. 'You ordered the hit on Senator Freeman. You wouldn't have allowed our team to protect him if you'd been there to stop us.'

'Cooperate this time, Mari, give me what I want. I've grown very tired of your tantrums.'

'Why? Why would you do that? He's Violet's husband.'

'Violet has forgotten where her first duty lies and so has the senator. We put him in that position, but he's growing more arrogant and ungrateful every day.'

'I didn't ask him to come here. I never even got close to him. I was shot.'

The dead eyes remained fixed on her face in accusation. 'You found a way to get a message to him. Violet would, of course, listen to you and persuade him. She will find I make a far better ally than enemy.'

Mari wanted to remain silent, afraid whatever she said would push Whitney over the edge and get someone hurt, but she couldn't let him leave without trying to save herself. She didn't dare look at Sean. The same brutish grin remained on his face throughout the conversation. She stiffened to attention, becoming the perfect soldier reporting to Whitney.

'I shouldn't have left without permission, but I was going crazy locked up. I thought if I could run a mission or two I'd feel better. You trained us as soldiers. Staying in these tiny cells is making us all crazy. I didn't speak to the senator, and when I was captured, I tried to reach out to my unit. My first priority was to escape, and as soon as the opportunity presented itself. I did so. Sean can verify that.'

Whitney studied her face with his dead eyes, giving nothing away of what he was thinking.

'That is correct,' Sean said.

Whitney ignored the soldier. 'You left without permission.'

'Yes, that's true. And I more than paid for my mistake.'

'Your point, Mari?' He was suddenly impatient.

She forced her gaze to the floor in a more submissive role. 'I'm tired and worn out tonight and would ask that you wait before you send Sean to me. At least wait until we know whether Norton got me pregnant.'

'No!' Sean was adamant. 'You gave me your word, sir.'

Dr. Whitney held up his hand and Sean fell silent. 'I certainly increased your chances with all the fertility shots I