Total pages in book: 155
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 146417 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 732(@200wpm)___ 586(@250wpm)___ 488(@300wpm)
“Good news?” He would ignore all the insults and get to the important part of what Levi was saying. This was all some kind of a trick.
Ian stared at the camera, his expression completely serious. “He’s brought a presidential pardon with him. Solo can’t be prosecuted for anything she did during her time with the Agency. She’s a completely free woman.”
And just like that Levi had pulled the rug out from under him.
* * * *
She was free? She didn’t even think about what Beck had asked her to do. She moved in front of the camera. “What kind of game is this?”
Beck cursed under his breath while a deeply satisfied smile crossed Levi’s face.
“Hello, Solo. I knew you were there. Beck wouldn’t let you out of his sight. I’ll be honest, I’ve wondered for years if he actually knew where you were. After what happened yesterday, I suspect the answer is no,” Levi said. “And as for what kind of game I’m playing, I’m not playing anymore at all. The pardon is real. Your frozen accounts have been released, and while the Agency feels it would be best if you parted ways, they will not give you a bad recommendation if you choose to go back to work.”
No. This was some kind of a trick. He wouldn’t let her go so easily. She hadn’t spent seven years of her life in hiding so Levi could simply free her.
“Solo, why do you think I got Mitch up at this unholy hour?” Tag asked. “I wanted to make sure this was on the up and up before I said a word. He’s looked at it and he believes it’s real. I got some of your old friends on the phone and they made some calls. They’ve verified this is legal.”
“What he means is he called former president Hayes, who called the current president,” Levi explained. “All because apparently no one here has any trust in government.”
Mitch held up the piece of paper. “This is real, and you cannot be prosecuted or punished in any way legally.”
“But we have to understand this fucker is likely planning something,” Tag added.
Levi frowned his way.
“Yes, he was willing to do anything to get a look at you again,” Beck said between clenched teeth. “Which was precisely why I didn’t want you to show your face. It rewards him.”
But she’d needed to see Levi to know if he was lying. “I’m sorry, but it’s my freedom we’re talking about here.”
And Roman’s. His future was on the line, and that was something she’d put off thinking about because she hadn’t had the answers. Everything changed if she wasn’t in hiding, if she could live out in the open.
“And I’m giving it to you,” Levi said, his face softening. It was his persuasive face. It made her want to punch him, but then she pretty much always did. “Solo, if you’d given me a chance earlier, I would have told you that I’m not the same man you knew. I know I’ve done some things in the past that hurt you and I’m sorry. Please allow that seven years can change a man.”
Like he could change. “I don’t need a pardon. I didn’t do any of those things you said I did.”
“I never said you did anything, sweetheart. The data did,” Levi corrected. “I was always going to get you out of this. Beck didn’t give me the chance. Beck nearly got us all killed. And he never even thanked me for not having him locked up. I could have, you know. The truth is I stopped looking for you years ago. I even rescinded the bounty I had back then. You could have been free for a very long time.”
She seriously doubted that. Every word that came out of his mouth was a lie, and he hadn’t changed at all. “You told me you were going to use McDonald’s drug on me. Did you think I would forget that?”
“Solo, I would never do that, and the fact that you’re making up some ridiculous story makes me ache inside. How would I even have McDonald’s drug?” He managed to sound truly wounded. “I know you probably told Beck that because he hates me and you needed him on your side. But it hurts. We were friends once.”
“You fucking liar.” She wanted to go through the screen and strangle him.
Beck put a hand on her leg. “Kim, the walls are thin.”
Roman could probably hear her. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down, her attention still on that screen. “I know what you said to me that day.”
“I said a lot of things,” Levi admitted. “You know how interrogations work. I needed to get to the heart of what happened. I’ll be honest—I was shocked and angry at what I saw on those reports. I felt betrayed, and if I lied to scare you, my anger was the reason. I should have calmly sat down and asked you to explain why you did it. I should have honored our friendship.”