When All Else Fails (A Push of a Button Novella)

Chapter Nine

"Not entirely correct, love." Dane rested his hands on her hips with a tight smile in his direction. "The Supremacy and I have been keeping an eye on him for a long time. The only reason I didn't have the plug pulled myself sooner is because I didn't think he was really the threat they thought he was. Personally, I'm not threatened by questions with no action. But the Supremacy... Well, they have a different opinion, don't they?"

He growled and clenched his fists. "You're the one who sent that hit man after me?"

"Me?" Dane scoffed. "Absolutely not. My handler went over my head on that one, and he ordered a hit. Typical Supremacy arrogance. All the Supreme Ones are the same. And a word of advice on that? The assassin is the best the Supremacy can field. You shouldn't be alive, so... Maybe hide somewhere very hard to find. He's still furious you escaped."

"I'm not going to hide anywhere without Vivian."

"Sebastian..." Mr. H laid a hand on his arm. "Don't make this worse."

"Really?" He rounded on the old man. "You can't be serious! You're recommending I leave the woman I love in the hands of this... This reprobate lackey?"

Dane laughed. "That stings, Auclaire. It really does."

Seb whirled around with a glare. "And you! You ought to be ashamed of yourself for lying to a girl who has lost nearly everything all because of you."

"I didn't ask her to run. In fact, it would've been much better if she'd let me finish explaining in the first place. She heard about the contract and left me without another word. I tried to find her to explain."

"And the apartment?" Seb stalked forward. "What about that, Dane? You were threatening to kill me then."

"Not everyone in my group was loyal to me, and there were cameras recording everything. I couldn't risk giving you an out. Sorry, Auclaire. Had to make it convincing."

He shook his head. "You don't feel any remorse over anything, do you? It's all about whatever's best for you."

"Now you get it." Dane grinned. "You should try it some time. See, I'm not the villain. Not really. The Supremacy takes that title. But I'm also not a hero, not according to your definition. I do my own thing."

Well, he couldn't argue with that one. He ground his teeth and balled his fingers into fists at his sides. His attention turned to Viv. "You don't know if he's telling you the truth. He could have ordered his men to shoot us the minute he leaves with you."

"He's many things, Seb, but he's not a liar." Her lips pressed into a thin line. "Can't fault him there, at least. He's always done what he said he would, and he never did lie to me, even if he manipulated and misguided me with the skill of a trained con artist."

"That's right." Dane chuckled. "And as further proof of my good will, Auclaire, I'll warn you about one other thing. I wouldn't use your button ever again if I were you. They armed it before I left the office."

His hand flew to his button, and he scowled. "What, you mean this button? The one that was meant to kill me ages ago and didn't?"

Dane's mouth thinned to a hard line of disapproval. "Yes, that button. What other one is there?"

He fingered it. Using the button might be the only way to get Vivian back. Alone, he didn't stand a chance.

"Don't do it." Dane's eyes narrowed. "It would be a shame if you died."

Oh, so now he cared? Probably because Dane still needed Viv to trust him to avoid a major fight. Though, without her button, what could she really do? Where would she go? She was helpless, and she wasn't strong enough to fight Dane off right now. Especially not with Dane having access to his button. He squeezed his eyes shut. There was only one other thing he could do before resorting to the button if he was going to free her so they could run.