Page 42 of Run

“How about with the fact Rachel became CEO because her family owns the company and not because she worked her arse off?”

Elle inclined her head, as though considering the merits of Megan’s suggestion. “Or we could discuss how she got jiggy with Harvard while someone was trying to blackmail her. Because, you know, priorities during a mission.”

“True. Oh, I know, let’s discuss the weird imagery of Rachel talking about boys with her gal pals.”

“Or Rachel even having gal pals,” Elle added. “According to her, we aren’t friends, even though we totally are, and last time I checked”—she glanced down at her boobs—“yeah, still a girl.”

“Is the coffee happening anytime soon?” Rachel asked, sounding bored.

“She’s right about one thing, though,” Elle said to Megan. “This isn’t the time to start anything romantic with anyone. David and I could both be dead by the end of the week.”

“For the love of Prada, somebody make me coffee,” Rachel said.

“On the other hand,” Megan said to Elle, “it is a very good time to jump into bed with him and work off some of that sexual tension you two have going on. Just so you’re clearheaded for whatever comes next. Plus, what better excuse for getting jiggy than it might be your last ever chance?”

“Fine. I’ll get my own coffee.” Rachel made no effort to move from her seat. Instead, she tapped at her phone.

Elle sat up straighter and grinned at Megan. “You’re totally right. I’ve been looking at this all wrong. We don’t need to throw ourselves into something heavy. I mean, I did just learn his name. There are other ways for us to work out our issues.”

“In bed, right?” Megan appeared confused.

Elle sighed. “Why am I even asking you for advice?”

“It’s anybody’s guess.” Megan sat back in her chair as Ryan strode into the room.

“I got your urgent text,” he said to Rachel. “What do you need?”

“Thank heavens. I need coffee.” She pointed to the pot. “Make it strong. I’ve developed a headache from listening to these two.”

Ryan put his hands on his hips and glared at her. “You sent for me because you want me to make you a coffee.”

“I’m sorry, wasn’t I clear?” Rachel stared at him coolly. “Should I have texted the instruction instead? Perhaps a coffee emoji would have made it easier to understand.”

Ryan’s hands came up to form claw shapes in the air, as though he was getting ready to wring Rachel’s neck. For a second, Elle could have sworn she saw smoke coming out of his ears. Thankfully, Rachel was saved by the bell. Or, in this case, Ryan’s phone.

“If this is another text from you, I’m going to strangle you.” He checked the screen. “You are so lucky,” he told Rachel before saying, “Hey, Granddad, what’s up?” into the phone.

Ryan’s smile faded as he listened to his granddad, and suddenly, the women in the room were all very much focused on his phone call. His gaze found Elle and darkened. His jaw clenched as his body became visibly tense. He tapped the screen, then held out the phone to Elle, his face a mask of utter fury. “Your brother wants a word.”

Feeling as though she were stepping into an alternate dimension, Elle took the phone. In her peripheral vision, she could see Rachel tapping furiously at her phone screen. A second later, the team started streaming through the door.

“Elle?” Marcus said from the phone, louder than expected, making her realize Ryan had switched it to speaker before handing it over.

“Marcus,” she said, her heart racing and her palms sweating. “What have you done?”

* * *

“I didn’t wantit to come to this, little sister.” Marcus was speaking when David slipped into the crowded room and made his way straight to Elle’s side, hating the pain and shock on her face. “But you gave me no choice. I have Granger’s family, and unless you surrender to me, I’ll start putting bullets in them.”

“Don’t listen to him,” an older male voice shouted in the background. “We can take a couple of bullets. Run, Elle, run!”

Ryan made a deep growling sound, and Callum slapped a hand on his shoulder.

“Can you take a bullet to your head?” Marcus asked the old man casually. “Could your wife?”

“If this is the way we go out,” the old man said, “then so be it. It’s been a good life.”

“Are you happy with their lives ending today, Elle?” Marcus asked, sounding like it didn’t matter to him either way.