Deadly Games - Cate Noble [84]
He also noticed there were different cars at the gas pumps. He’d been talking, unaware of time or even what all he’d said.
No matter. He tugged his hand free of hers. “Go inside and pay for the gas. Then call Hades … Max. Tell him I remember. And tell him where you are.”
“Please don’t leave! I can help you, Logan. Max will help you, too.”
Logan.
Mission incomplete.
Logan could feel the insanity inside his skull frantically changing tracks as it tried to take over again. He knew he couldn’t fight it much longer.
He panted through the pain. “I’m not leaving, Erin. Just go. Pay for the gas, then use the phone at the back of the store.”
Delving into Erin’s thoughts one last time, he read her indecision. Her concern for him was genuine. She wanted to help him.
Suddenly desperate, Logan opened fully to her and let himself feel the power of her caring. Her innate goodness. And her total love for Max. The same love Logan had once shared with Bettina.
Dropping his defenses and opening to Erin allowed Max to charge into Logan’s thoughts. She’s mine! If you harm her, I’ll destroy you.
Logan opened his car door. “Go on,” he said to Erin. “Pay for the gas and call Max.”
As she hurried inside the store, Logan moved to the back of the car and began to loosen the gas cap. He watched Erin pause at the counter to prepay before moving toward the phone near the coolers.
She’s calling you now, mate. Taz projected the message to Max. I let her go.
The sense of relief Logan received in return was profound. You’re doing the right thing, Max replied. We can help you.
I’m beyond help.
Not true. Erin will fix you. She fixed me.
But the chips, mate. No one can be trusted with them. The stuff they did to us should never happen again.
Logan lifted the gas pump nozzle and flipped the lever. Then he doused himself with gasoline.
Don’t do it! Max’s voice reverberated in his head. Erin, stay back!
She’s a keeper, Logan thought. Don’t be a fool like me and lose her.
Bettina had asked Logan to stay, but at his hesitation, she’d withdrawn her request. “Pay no attention to me, love. I know you’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Just hurry back to me.”
Logan walked away from the car and withdrew the Zippo lighter from his pocket, feeling free for the first time in years.
“I’m coming, Bettina.”
Logan flicked the lighter and felt the wonderful ease of relief as his clothes and skin began to burn.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Minh Tran’s Compound, Thailand
October 6, 9:00 A.M.
Maddy was in the formal dining room, waiting for Minh Tran to join her for breakfast. Dreading it actually. What would she do if he made any advances?
She’d been drugged last night with a powerful sedative. This morning Sunlee had woken her early for a bath. Afterward Maddy had been given a gauzy pantsuit and heels to wear.
“I can’t wear this,” she’d protested. “It’s practically see-through.”
“It is important you please Master Tran,” Sunlee had insisted. “It is important I please him as well.”
That Sunlee was simply following orders made it no easier for Maddy to walk down the staircase. One guard stood near the front door but he’d ignored them. She’d been relieved that the dining room was deserted and prayed that Minh Tran would oversleep.
Now all hell broke loose. The early morning quiet was decimated by ringing phones and harsh alarms. People started shouting. Maddy didn’t understand their words, but total pandemonium transcended language.
The house came alive with frantic activity. A half dozen of Minh Tran’s guards ran down the hall, toward the front entrance, as household staff ducked out of their way.
Sunlee had risen from the table and stepped outside the room to speak with one of the guards. When she returned, she was pale and visibly upset. “We go back to room. Now.”
Maddy stood. “Sunlee, what is wrong?”
“Upstairs. Quickly!”
In the hall, two guards stood before a recessed cabinet handing out compact submachine guns and ammo clips to other guards who seemed to stream