by Donna Young
Kate watched the lines of Roman’s face harden into granite and knew enough from the past few days that he’d made his decision and would no longer listen to her. Up to now, their argument had taken place in harsh whispers, but with his look, she had to curl her hands into fists in order to fight back the urge to scream in aggravation. Taking a deep breath instead, she tried not to forget that Threader’s men stood outside the door.
“He could have it backed up somewhere off-site. He has dozens of residences throughout the world.”
The critical note in Roman’s tone set Kate’s teeth on edge. “Possibly,” she hissed. “Although I think he’s too arrogant to have worried about a contingency plan.”
Roman studied her for a moment, his face unreadable. A terrible sense of bitterness assailed her. “For once you could let me decide my future.”
The words hung between them for several seconds before Roman let out a heavy sigh. “I’m going to regret this.”
A small spark of victory shot through her, and she almost squealed in triumph until he dropped his head and touched his ear. The sensation died instantly.
“Here.” He glanced back up, his eyes locking with hers. The iridescent glow of their amber flecks flared in the dimness of the closet. “I’ve got her. She’s fine.”
Roman didn’t have to tell her it was Cain. Kate’s heart sank. It was hard enough to convince Roman to let her help him. Without Cain’s agreement, the probability of Roman putting her at risk just dropped to zero. Frustrated, she turned away, her arms crossed tightly in front of her.
“Negative. There’s been a change of plans.”
She spun back around, not quite believing the softly spoken words.
“Your sister thinks she can sabotage Threader’s lab. I agree.” Roman’s frown told her that Cain wasn’t happy.
“There is no other solution. We take out the lab while you take care of the guard quarters.”
Kate gaped, not quite understanding Roman’s grim smile.
“It’s done, chief. We’ve made our decision.”
Then he paused. “I’ll keep her safe.” Once again Roman’s face hardened. “Give us thirty minutes. And watch your back.”
For several heartbeats silence filled the closet. Then she was in his arms, hugging him tight.
“You win, Doc.” His voice was quiet. “But you better do exactly as I say, or I scrub the mission.” He pulled back. “Got it?”
“Yes.” Her immediate agreement earned a disbelieving grunt from Roman before he led her from the closet.
“We’re taking the lab out, Quamar. Cain and Ian will rendezvous with us for backup after they’re done demolishing the guard quarters. We’re not to wait.”
Quamar’s lack of reaction didn’t surprise Kate as he slipped out onto the balcony. When a soft whistle floated through the open doors, Roman and Kate followed.
The moon carved shadows throughout the balcony, making it appear more treacherous than it had in the daylight. She stopped short. It was easier being brave in a closet than on the terrace.
Roman slid a comforting hand up her spine, acknowledging her hesitation. “We’re going to have to use the balcony to remain undetected, Doc.” Stepping away, he turned his back toward her. “Climb on piggyback, close your eyes and leave everything else to me.”
Quamar, one leg over the railing, smiled at her. “Do not worry, Doctor. Allah protects us. You will be safe.”
Hoping Quamar was correct, Kate smiled tentatively in his direction, then stepped behind Roman and wiggled into position.
She caught sight of the black nylon rope dangling from the railing just before she shut her eyes. “Ready.”
Her heart hammered against the tight muscles of his back, and she pressed her cheek against the warmth of his shirt for reassurance. Roman eased over the side. “Here we go.”
A harsh jolt slammed her teeth together and told her they’d hit ground.
“Allow me, Doctor.” Before she could react, Quamar picked her off Roman and set her down. Resisting the urge to kiss the soft dirt beneath her feet, she took several moments to steady her shaking limbs.
“Thank you,” she said hesitantly, still not quite sure how to react to Quamar.
Then suddenly he grinned. “My pleasure.”
Before Kate could stop herself, she grinned back.
“One you won’t have again,” Roman growled. “Come on.”
Kate didn’t know the exact time, but the darkness of the sky and the placement of the fingernail moon told her it was the middle of the night. Noiselessly she followed Roman while Quamar trailed behind, protecting their back.
Even with avoiding Threader’s surveillance equipment, gaining access to the lab was surprisingly easy. Quamar took them in through the personnel entrance. Located within an old blacksmith shed across the compound, the subterranean elevator was secured by only one of Threader’s men. Within a fraction of a second, the giant rendered the surprised guard unconscious.
While she watched silently, Roman signaled for Quamar to boost him up to the security camera by the lab’s door, allowing him to disable the apparatus with his knife. The easy precision with which the men worked left no doubt in Kate’s mind that Roman’s claim of friendship had been genuine.
The moments spent after, waiting while Quamar identified himself to the computer, were terror-filled. If Threader had discovered their deception, the security system would sound the alarm.
At the computer’s softly spoken words of acceptance, she took a large, solid breath of relief. Their mission was hardly over with, but they’d passed the first hurdle successfully.
Just as she was about to step through the open doorway, Quamar caught her arm. “Remember, Doctor, the lab is monitored by camera and sound. We can talk, but we must keep our voices below the noise level of the equipment.” She nodded her agreement and allowed the men to go first.
As they entered the lab, she automatically glanced around the empty room. Quickly they located a workstation—secluded by a portable half wall—and settled behind the desk.
Propping his Uzi beside him, Roman started to work. She watched in amazement as his fingers flew over the keys.
“You were wrong, Doc,” he whispered as smug satisfaction settled across his face. “They constructed five new security levels, not three. Give me a minute to bypass the main menu and access the root file, then it’s all yours.”
Kate said nothing, noting the low current of excitement in the statement.
“Almost there, babe. Just let the commands slide into place.” Roman’s voice dipped to a husky timbre as he talked to the machine. As Kate watched, the screen went blank, leaving only a flashing cursor at the top.
Roman typed Bella Rosa.
Suddenly the computer screen flickered, filling with security data.
“Twelve minutes, Cerberus.” Quamar whispered the words, but the warning came loud and clear.
Resisting the urge to tap her foot, Kate shifted, planting her feet firmly behind Roman. The man seemed to be taking forever to finish. She glanced at Quamar. Sensing the attention, the giant returned her look with an easy smile before continuing his surveillance of the empty facility.
Kate’s gaze snapped back to the computer as Roman hit the enter button and leaned back in the chair. “Well, I’ll be damned,” he murmured. “This program controls all the systems on the island.”
Kate peered over his shoulder. “What?”
“The perimeter alarm, the fire, even the power grid can be accessed through here.”
“Is there a backup?” Not waiting for an answer, she started shoving Roman’s shoulder. “Move, big guy. My turn.”
She took the data in at a glance. The computer, knowing no different, gave her access to all of Threader’s security and informational mainframes. Roman was right. There was no backup system. Threader had the island’s network linked into the computer’s mainframe. Damn, the man was arrogant, thinking his programs would never be compromised.
“Don’t take too long gloating, babe. The clock is ticking.” But his tone of admiration belied his words. He understood. The exhilaration, the satisfaction. Her virus was going to work and bring Threader to his knees. For the first time in the past five days, she felt in total control.
Embracing her newfound strength, Kate swung back and started constructing the viral sequences. “First the bug deletes the files, then it triggers the meltdown.”
It was Roman’s turn to watch over Kate’s shoulder. “Making it easy for Ian’s team to infiltrate.”
“Exactly.”
The sound of the equipment pitched to a higher tone, and Kate paused. Some type of environmental system had just kicked in. “Hear it?”
The degree was subtle, but Roman had noticed. He glanced over the terminal, eyeing the room. “Speed it up.”
Kate entered another sequence. “I only need a few more minutes, then the virus will take over. We should be long gone before Threader detects a breach. By then it will be too late.”
“We’ve got eight minutes before the guard house blows,” Quamar inserted.
Kate nodded, concentrating on the abundance of data running before her on the screen. “Got it.” Working quickly she continued programming. “We have to do more than just wipe out the information. We have to render the server useless. Otherwise, Threader can hire any half-decent computer expert to retrieve the deleted information.” As quickly as possible, she inserted her commands.
“Six minutes,” Roman urged, his hard body leaned further into hers, expelling its urgency. “You need to go faster, Doc.”
“Almost there.” She glanced up when his machine gun bumped her elbow. “Stop crowding me. I’m on your side remember?” she muttered, willing her hands to work quicker. To think she had actually worried about him when he’d been captured.
“You can use the time to tell me what Threader said to you out on the yacht.”
Roman tensed behind her. “We never went to the yacht.”
Startled, she looked up. The fine hair on the base of her neck buzzed with electricity as she recalled her earlier conversation with Threader. Quamar has escorted them to my yacht where they won’t be underfoot. I’ll be meeting with them later tonight.
Deafening alarms drowned out her warning to Roman, the loud horns mingling with the sound of the heavy steel lab doors slamming shut.
Roman spun around, his machine gun raised, and a stream of curses spilled from his mouth.
Desperately, Kate typed in the final sequences to her program and hit Enter. Roman glanced her way and she nodded. The file deletion had started.
“Good evening, gentlemen… Katherine. This is an unexpected pleasure.”
The laboratory intercom amplified the deceptively friendly words. Kate glanced over the portable half wall to see Threader approach one of the observation windows not thirty feet away. Quickly she stood, hoping to draw attention to herself and away from the computer.
The harsh light of the observation room revealed the arms dealer vividly, compared to the dimness of the lab, his white suit adding a menacing simplicity to his manner. Kate could make out the smooth elegance of his features that covered the deadly anger she knew seethed beneath.
His hand brushed over the wall beside him, and the alarms stopped.
“Annoying noise, but necessary sometimes to gain one’s attention,” he said almost apologetically before his gaze moved to the threesome. “You realize your attempts are unrealistic. It will take far more time than you have available to break through my security.”
“He hasn’t discovered the breach, Roman,” Kate whispered, keeping her face angled away from Threader’s view. “Stall him.” Perspiration dampened her shirt. It was only a matter of time before Threader’s men converged on the lab.
“Stay put,” Roman growled before he stepped away from the desk, putting himself in plain view of the observation room and Threader. His first thought was for Kate’s safety and to hell with the mission. But they were far too close to succeeding, and the stakes were far too high for them to cut and run.
His radio had gone dead the moment they’d reached the subterranean level, not allowing contact with Cain. They were on their own. Resigned to play the hand out, Roman sent a hard look to Quamar. The giant stepped to the other side of the workstation, flanking Kate.
“Isn’t that brave.” Threader’s laugh came across the sound system low and menacing. “But there is no need for heroics. Not yet.”
Roman’s eyes narrowed as he took in Threader’s disfigurement. The hideous mark was recent. Roman had seen it for the first time during Amanda’s final mission and had wondered about its origin. Threader’s scar provided Roman with an excellent target.
Using the point of his gun, Roman tapped the side of his own eye. “I approve of the look, Threader. Reflects the inner you.”
Fury flooded Threader’s face as he automatically reached for the disfigurement. Then in a millisecond the expression disappeared, replaced by a thin smile. “You’ve made quite an adversary, Cerberus. I shall miss that.”
Very much aware of the bulletproof glass that separated him from Threader, Roman shifted until he partially sat on an adjoining desk to Kate’s and shrugged, then jabbed again. “Too bad I can’t return the compliment.” With the Uzi now resting comfortably in his lap, Roman swung his foot casually. “I’ll enjoy sending you to hell.”
Threader laughed as he pulled a cigar from the inner pocket of his white suit. “I’ve manipulated you these past months, patiently, methodically. Savoring the challenge in destroying you bit by bit.” Threader lit the cigar and took several puffs. The arrogance with which he paused told Roman that Threader believed he held a pat hand. “But now my patience is at an end. It’s time to move on to more important developments.”
Threader’s gaze flickered to Kate. Roman maintained a bland expression, but inwardly his blood thickened. Out of his peripheral vision, he could see Kate discreetly checking the computer monitor. “Time, Doc,” he demanded quietly.
“Ten, possibly twelve minutes,” she whispered.
In ten minutes they could all be dead.
Time to call Threader’s bluff.
He slid from the desk, the machine gun cradled in his arm, his finger resting on the trigger.
“Where are your guards, Threader?” Roman glanced around the deserted facility. “You aren’t one to dirty your hands when it comes to a quick kill.”
“You’re correct, and unfortunately you will have to die quickly. You’ve left me no time to indulge myself.” His voice showed real disappointment at that. “It’s the screams, you know. The pitches are more exquisite sometimes than the most beautiful arias. Yours would have been one of those, Cerberus.” He flicked an ash from his lapel. “Nevertheless, I have chosen to deal with you promptly, while my men are taking care of Prometheus.” Threader glanced at the monitors. A flash of apprehension hit Roman.
“And Phoenix? Where is she?” Roman questioned, only partially drawing the older man’s attention back. It wasn’t good enough. Mentally Roman tossed in his ace. “Or does she still prefer to be called Amanda?”
Chapter Seventeen
Threader’s head snapped around. “Well, well. I am impressed.”
But not pleased, Roman thought.
“Are you aware Phoenix wants you dead?” He jabbed his cigar in Roman’s direction. “It’s true. She was afraid you would discover her new identity, even with the plastic surgery. I disagreed, thinking that self-pity had diminished your competence. I was mistaken.” Threader’s glance rested briefly on Quamar and for the first time acknowledged the man’s presence. “But then, it appears that wasn’t the only mistake I made.”
Quamar, catching the arms dealer’s gaze, shrugged neglig
ently—the only movement he’d made since Threader’s appearance. But Roman knew his friend— Quamar was content to wait for Roman’s signal, his Uzi pointed directly at the observation room.
Roman addressed Threader in a friendly tone. “The solution wasn’t difficult once I learned you’d adapted my system. Amanda was one of the few people who had the opportunity to copy the program. The fact that she’d lied about being incapable of breaking into your system made her the traitor.
“That and her new name.” Roman flexed his shoulders, trying to ease the burden of failure that had just grown heavier with betrayal. “Phoenix. A mythological bird consumed by fire, only to rise later from its own ashes.”
Threader smiled wickedly. “The charade was her idea, you know. Since the plan appealed to me, I allowed it,” he explained, his voice indicating how much he enjoyed their sparring. “As she worked on the program, you hid in the jungle, waiting. Ironic, really. She was actually feeding me Labyrinth’s secrets while you waited for information on my operations.”
Something in Threader’s voice tightened Roman’s insides. For Amanda to betray her country, Threader must have controlled her with something powerful. “What did you threaten her with, Threader, to make her turn?”
Threader laughed. “Money.”
Roman’s nostrils flared in disbelief. Damn it, he couldn’t have misjudged Amanda that much. But his constricted gut told him differently.
“Not everyone has such a strong sense of justice, Cerberus,” Threader observed. “Phoenix is a greedy woman. Much more than you or Labyrinth ever realized or could afford.” He rolled the cigar between his thumb and forefinger, as if considering something, then flicked the ashes onto the floor before smiling. “Didn’t you ever wonder at how easily she placed herself inside the enemy’s mind?”
He paused, almost as if he was letting them wait for the punch line of a joke. “It was because she was the enemy. If you think about it, the amazing part of this scenario was her performance as an ally.”
“One minute to detonation.” Quamar interrupted softly. Roman felt Kate step closer to his side.
