Colby Lockdown. Debra Webb

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СКАЧАТЬ they would be sorry they had chosen the Colby Agency as their target.

      She would see to that. Somehow.

      Nicole glanced at Merri and the others huddled around her. “She seems okay.” Her attention shifted to the newest investigator on the Colby staff, Kendra Todd. The swelling and bruises on her face reminded all the others that back talk would not be permitted. “But I’ll need to keep an eye on Kendra. She isn’t accustomed to being pushed around.”

      Several of the men, Ted Tallant and Trinity Barrett in particular, had their share of swelling, bruises and scrapes for having attempted to fight off the attack while the rest, Victoria included, ran for exits.

      Their captors had been prepared for just such a diversion. Both fire exits had been covered and the elevators had been locked down.

      “You monitor Kendra and help Simon with the others,” Victoria agreed. “I’m going to see if I can learn the shackled prisoner’s identity.” He was the one unknown variable in this equation.

      Nicole’s gaze followed Victoria’s to the man on the other side of the room. He’d been dragged into the conference room and shackled to a chair as far away from Victoria’s staff as possible within the confines of the same four walls. A cloth sack covered his face and head, and his plain gray sweatshirt and worn jeans gave no indication of who he was or where he’d come from. The generic sneakers he wore had seen far better days. There was nothing about his appearance or his bearing that gave the slightest impression of who he was. He hadn’t attempted to speak or escape, which could mean he was either gagged or drugged. Not that escape was an option considering the way his ankles and wrists were bound together and his waist was manacled to the chair. His head drooped forward as if he were in fact unconscious.

      “His guard doesn’t look too friendly,” Nicole commented under her breath.

      That much was true. The guard wore black like all the others, including the concealing ski mask. The weapon in his hand indicated he didn’t trust anyone enough to holster it. Though all visible beyond the mask were his dark eyes, that glimpse into his psyche warned that he wasn’t taking any chances or any grief.

      “The least I can do is try,” Victoria insisted as she struggled from her position on the floor to her feet. Her head swam. She braced against the wall to steady herself. She’d made the mistake of struggling with the two men who had escorted her to this room. Being made an example of wasn’t a surprise—she’d expected as much. Her attackers had wanted to ensure all present realized that Victoria was no longer in control. Several of her staff members had gotten roughed up when they’d attempted to come to her aid. All the more reason she had to tread carefully. Her staff would be taking their cues from her.

      Their safety depended a great deal on her every action.

      Even as the thought echoed in her brain, she slowly crossed the room toward the shackled man and his personal guard. She’d already spotted the tracks of dried blood down the front of his sweatshirt. He no doubt needed medical attention the same as she did and many of her staff members.

      “Back on the floor,” the man with the gun ordered. He shifted the business end of his weapon in her direction to reinforce his order.

      Victoria halted. “He’s bleeding.” She gestured to the mysterious prisoner. “I just want to check to see that he’s not seriously injured. He may need medical attention.”

      The guard scoffed. “He’ll be dead soon enough. Any injuries he sustained are inconsequential.”

      Victoria refused to flinch. “Surely you don’t mean to deprive us of proper care for our injuries, and some water.” She indicated the door on the other side of the room. “There’s bottled water and coffee in the lounge across the hall. And first-aid supplies.” If someone made a run for it, it couldn’t be her. She would not leave a single member of her staff behind. Perhaps Nicole would be allowed to go across the hall. She could attempt an escape if the opportunity presented itself.

      This very minute Lucas, Ian and Jim would be planning how to resolve this takeover. These bastards had no idea how lucky they would be to survive the coming battle.

      “Sit down,” the guard ordered. “Or—” he shifted his aim toward the others huddled around Merri “—one of them dies.”

      Victoria backed up a step. “Fine. I’ll sit.” She couldn’t take the risk that he might not be bluffing. “But you, sir, should think about how to keep your hostages from further harm. We’re no good to you unless we’re alive.”

      His glare was his only response.

      The unidentified prisoner was apparently unconscious. She hadn’t heard a moan or any other sort of sound from him. If he’d been awake and aware of himself, he would surely have tried to communicate as Victoria had questioned the guard about him.

      As she settled on the floor near the members of her staff, she and Nicole exchanged a look of defeat.

      No. Victoria refused to be defeated. Not by these men. Not by anyone. True, she had lost that battle, but she wasn’t through by a long shot.

      Simon Ruhl, one of her most trusted investigators and one of her seconds-in-command, kept one arm around Merri as she leaned against his shoulder. He flashed a ghost of a smile at Victoria. She understood what the gesture meant. They would be okay. Lucas, Ian and Jim would not fail. They would find a way to neutralize the hostiles. Simon’s confidence affirmed her own.

      All Victoria and her people had to do was remain patient and cooperate with these infiltrators. This day, this nightmare, would soon be reversed. The most brilliant minds on the planet were working together.

      The conference room door abruptly flew inward. All eyes swung to the man loitering in the open doorway.

      “You,” the man who appeared to be in charge said to Victoria, “come with me.” It was impossible to tell him apart from the others except for his voice. His accent said he wasn’t an American by birth. Perhaps he was of European ancestry.

      Simon and several others braced to defend Victoria, but she signaled with a small shake of her head for them to stand down.

      Whatever happened to her, the most important thing was for the others to remain safe. To survive.

      As Victoria dragged herself up once more and walked slowly toward the door, she tried to remember if she’d told Lucas she loved him that morning before leaving for the office. They’d shared a light kiss. That part she remembered vividly, as always.

      Tears brimmed on her lashes and the ache deepened in her chest. They hadn’t had nearly enough time together. She’d made him wait so very, very long.

      And Jim? When they’d spoken by phone last night, had she told him how very much she loved him? Or Jamie, her sweet little granddaughter?

      Victoria hoped that was the case.

      She might never get the opportunity again.

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