Dangerous Liaisons by T. C. Archer Page A

her hands and threw a sidekick. He ducked, but she grazed his nose.
    “Jess, let me—”
    She dropped to a crouch and ignored the pain as she fell back on her hands, kicking with both feet. She caught him in the gut and he staggered back.
    “Jess,” he wheezed as she jerked herself back onto her feet.
    Cole turned, shoulder facing her, and she realized he intended to charge. She pivoted in readiness for a slam to the back of his head as he moved past her, then belatedly felt his fingers close around her sore ankle, and found herself, ass first, on the floor. She bucked to break his hold, but he fell on her, belly to belly. Pain shot from her leg and shoulder wounds. He jammed her arms against her sides, then clamped down on them with his thighs, and rose onto his knees.
    “Save this for someone who deserves it,” he wheezed.
    He grabbed the box of discarded gauze and dumped it out onto the floor beside them. “You’re forcing me to do this so I don’t hurt you.” In one quick move, he flipped her onto her stomach and yanked her arms behind her. Pain stabbed through her wounded shoulder. He clamped her wrists together with one of his massive hands while he wrapped the gauze around them in three quick turns, like roping a calf.
    “I’ll kill you!” She bucked.
    Cole tossed the gauze aside without cutting it. “Hush,” he said, and reached for the computer, still keeping his thighs tight around her ribs.
    Rage swept through her. She struggled to free her arms, but Cole tightened his hold until she wheezed for breath.
    He muttered something unintelligible and she twisted her head in time to see him finger the touchpad, his eyes intent on the screen. Jesse channeled all her strength into an upward heave. He didn’t budge. She had no leverage, and the effort only sharpened her pain.
    Cole pressed the heel of his hand between her shoulder blades. “I admire your tenacity, but stop it, Jesse.”
    “Damn you,” she rasped, precious air escaping from her lungs with every word.
    He hit control or alt-something on the keyboard and pecked at the keys with one finger. Jesse gasped, but lost more air than she gained. Cole eased the pressure on her chest, eyes still on the screen.
    Jesse surged against him again. “You fu—”
    Cole pushed down on her back. Air burst from her lungs in one humph. Lack of oxygen caused white flares on the edges of her vision.
    Cole leaped off her, then jerked her to her knees. Jesse sucked in a deep breath, pooling her energy to yank free.
    “Look,” he ordered, and turned her face to the computer screen.
    The progress bar moved across the screen.
    She halted and stared at the transfer. He’d either redirected the funds or connected to a proxy server that was faking the operation. A second later, the transfer concluded, and another started, shifting funds from the fourth account into a fifth one in Indonesia. He couldn’t fake that one unless he knew she had an account there and knew it was the fifth hop on the transfer.
    Cole released her and stepped back. “Whoever has the ability to intercept the transmission has the ability to trace it. We need to get out—now.”
    Jesse looked back at the computer. They knew her location. She had planned on sneaking a visit to Amanda. Her heart constricted. Harris had reported all was well. He had encouraged her to stay away—far away. He was right.
    “Untie me,” she snapped.
    Cole grabbed her shoulders and spun her around. He had the gauze off in two seconds. Jesse whirled, rubbing her wrists despite the fact they weren’t really chaffed. Her shoulder throbbed. She needed time to think. Lanton’s goons were probably nearby; in the next room, maybe.
    “We do things my way,” she said.
    Cole shook his head. “You’re in no position to be calling the shots.”
    “I won’t chance another ambush. Think twice, Cole. I can get the job done without you.”
    His expression hardened, and she couldn’t tell if he was hurt or angry. “Where