Redeem My Heart Read Free Page B

is?”
    “I’m relatively sure you received the memo regarding my former employer,” Ryland stated dryly as he closed the distance between them. He carefully took the mug full of coffee out of her hand and poured it back into the pot. “The man in charge is no longer enjoying the benefits of good health, therefore my services aren’t required in the foreseeable future by that particular agency. It doesn’t help that my reputation is now tarnished for having received immunity for my testimony before the select committee—regardless that the case never reached the courts.”
    “Why then would you still have multiple organizations—including my own—tripping over their feet to ensure you remain in retirement?”
    “I’ve seen your intellectual test scores,” Ryland said, tiring of this back and forth nonsense. Fallon was an intelligent woman with no need to play games. “I shouldn’t have to spell it out for you. I did what I was contracted to do. I eliminated threats…many different contracts for an ungodly amount of money. Our government might have seen fit to furnish my immunity, but the various other foreign agencies aren’t so forgiving. I’m a threat to countless prominent individuals. It’s only a matter of time before I’m eradicated to preserve the status quo.”
    Ryland refilled Fallon’s mug once the machine had completed its cycle and then slid it across the counter until it was directly in front of her. He needed something a hell of a lot stronger than coffee, but he wouldn’t touch his preferred drink after her previous comment. At least not until she’d left him to his self-styled gilded prison. He’d do without for now.
    “I’m growing tired of this conversation.” Ryland sighed in resignation, accepting that Fallon wasn’t going to rise to his bait. This could have been a rather interesting visit, but it was more than apparent her mind was on business. He picked up his weapon and tucked it in the back of his waistband. “Say what you’ve come to say.”
    “Pack a bag,” Fallon instructed, walking around the counter and into the living room where she took a seat on a white leather chair that was rather uncomfortable considering the price. It always managed to surprise him that his past didn’t faze her like the others and he’d always chalked it up to her interest in his psyche. Her directive made him think there was something more, but he couldn’t quite put a finger on it. That in itself made him curious enough to extend this conversation to define what she thought she knew. “We’ll have a window of opportunity at zero five hundred to reach my vehicle undetected by those surveying the exits, including your new FBI doorman.”
    “And just where do you plan on whisking me off to?” Ryland asked, not moving from his place in the kitchen. He could see her just fine and noticed that she crossed her right leg over her left. The pull of the fabric at her waist indicated she was carrying, which was rare from his understanding. Interesting. His mind quickly classified and discounted what type and capacity she might be concealing. “The reason might aid in your attempt as well.”
    “The danger I mentioned isn’t a threat on your life, Travis, but instead a type of potential reenlistment.” Fallon was watching him closely, but Ryland made sure that his features were schooled at the mention of his birth name. He wasn’t that young man anymore, regardless of the fact that was whom the name of this condominium was titled under. She’d brought up his past intentionally, most likely to throw him off long enough to agree to whatever she was proposing. He didn’t appreciate her guile. “I believe that a classified project by the name of E.D.A.—Elimination of Destructive Alliances—is being resurrected. They want to bring you back in.”
    Ryland threw back his head and laughed. All the tension drained from his body and he finally turned to pour himself a cup of coffee. This was