Cut And Run - Divide And Conquer Part 37

Julians shoulders tightened. He lowered his head and shook it slightly. "I told them before. I will not be involved. Im sorry youve wasted your time." He glanced at Cameron, his expression softening. "Perhaps you should see the sights before you go home, make the trip worthwhile," he told the two agents. His voice was polite, but he couldnt fool Cameron. He was angry and tense.

Though Zane was the one talking now, Cameron paid more attention to Ty. He still had his gun out and in hand and was staring devotedly out the balcony doors.

"No misunderstanding, Mr. Cross," Zane said, his voice genial enough under such odd circ.u.mstances that it pulled Camerons attention away from Ty. "This isnt a request."

Cameron stiffened when Zanes eyes turned to focus on him speculatively, and Cameron bit down on his tongue to keep from blurting out what was sure to be a stupid question.

"Then so be it," Julian finally answered stubbornly. "Anyone else looking for me will follow the bread crumbs youve left behind you, no doubt. The longer youre here, the more you become my problem."

"Okay," Ty said impatiently as he stuffed his gun into his holster and moved around the couch, approaching Cameron. "Mr. Cross, I understand you wont be accompanying us to Was.h.i.+ngton willingly, is that correct?" he asked brusquely, continuing before Julian could answer. He moved toward Cameron as he extracted a pair of handcuffs. "Cameron Jacobs, you are under arrest for harboring a federal fugitive."

"What?" Cameron yelped, putting his hands behind his back and backing away. "Harboring a fugitive? Julian, what is this?" "Stay calm, love," Julian requested, though the undertone in his voice told Cameron he was having trouble following his own advice. Whoever these two men were, they knew physically threatening Julian would have no effect on him, and physically threatening Cameron would just p.i.s.s him off. Arresting Cameron, however....

Ty gripped Camerons elbow and pulled at him, turning him around with alarming strength as he clasped one cuff on his wrist. Cameron looked up at Julian, hoping he knew what he was doing.

"Youre bluffing," Julian said as he looked at Zane. "You have no grounds to arrest him, and you cant force me to Was.h.i.+ngton." "Actually, yes, we do, and yes, we can," Zane replied. "It would be a shame to find an unregistered firearm in Mr. Jacobs possession, especially if he threatened a federal agent with it."

Cameron gasped. "Thats awful and you know it!"

"Yeah, youre breaking my heart." Tys hand tightened on Camerons shoulder as he secured the handcuffs, and his voice was low and gruff in Camerons ear. "You have a good evening now, Mr. Cross," he said in a louder voice, pus.h.i.+ng Cameron in front of him toward the door.

Cameron tried to dig in his heels, but he was no match for Ty. Both the FBI agents were closer to Julians size than his, and since the top of his head did well to reach Julians nose, he wasnt much problem for Ty to push around. But Cameron was determined to stay calm, like Julian had told him, though it wasnt looking good as Ty propelled him forward. At least he was almost certain these guys wouldnt kill him.

"Im sure you have ways to find us," Zane told Julian as he walked toward the door, somehow managing to look casual but keep facing Julian the whole time. He was still holding his gun. "If you decide to change your mind."

Julian sidestepped, stopping their progress. He didnt budge as Ty moved Cameron toward the door. Tys fingers dug into Camerons shoulder to stop him.

"Zane, I think Mr. Cross is a little more attached to Mr. Jacobs than we realized," Ty said casually to his partner. "Well, leave it to intel to miss important little details like that," Zane muttered. He offered Julian an insincere smile. "Your choice, Mr. Cross. In a manner of speaking."

"Either get out of the way or have your man on the roof shoot us," Ty told Julian, sounding as if he hadnt a care in the world. Julian narrowed his eyes. He glanced to the side, looking at Zane as he held up his hand and slowly reached into his coat with the other. He extracted his cell phone carefully and slid it open. He looked back at Ty as he pressed a b.u.t.ton and put the phone to his ear. "Preston," he said slowly. "Shoot the stupid one."

Before Armed & Dangerous, meet Julian Cross and Cameron Jacobs in.

About the Authors.

M ADELEINE URBAN is a down-home Kentucky girl whos been writing since she could hold a crayon. Although she has written and published on her own, she truly excels when writing with coauthors. She lives with her husband, who is very supportive of her work, and two canine kids who only allow her to hug them when she has food. She wants to live at Disney World, the home of fairy dust, because she believes that with hard work, a little luck, and beloved family and friends, dreams really can come true.

Visit Madeleines blog at http://www.madeleineurban.com/. You can contact her at Visit her web site with Abigail Roux at http://www.urbanandroux.com.

A BIGAIL ROUX was born and raised in North Carolina. A past volleyball star who specializes in pratfalls and sarcasm, she currently spends her time coaching volleyball and dreading the day when her little girl will hit that age. Abigail has a baby girl she calls Bitty, six cats, a crazya.s.s extended family, and a cast of thousands in her head.

Visit Abigails blog at http://abigail-roux.livejournal.com/. Visit her web site with Madeleine Urban at http://www.urbanandroux.com. The Cut & Run series from URBAN & ROUX

Also by MADELEINE URBAN and ABIGAIL ROUX.