“No,” Jonathan said. “Wait a minute.” He strode closer to them, his expression full of suspicion. “How do you know my son?”

LENNON

LENNON TRIED TO grab Maisie’s hand, but one of Jonathan’s men grabbed him, holding him by the arm.

Ethan stood several yards behind his dad. He looked like he might puke.

“I don’t,” Maisie said.

“You called him Ethan.”

“You called him Ethan,” she retorted. Lennon was impressed by how smoothly she was lying. “ ‘Ethan, shut up and go home,’ ” she said, lowering her voice in an impression of him.

Jonathan regarded her suspiciously. “Why did you just do that?”

“What? Save his life? You’re welcome, by the way.”

“Thank you!” Ethan called.

Jonathan closed his eyes briefly, his jaw twitching like he was trying to control his temper.

“I didn’t save just his life. I probably saved yours, too, and all these other dudes.” She gestured at the men around them. “We’re not with Declan. I’m not trying to blow anyone up. I tried to get here earlier to stop this, but I didn’t make it. I’m sorry. It’s been a really busy few days.”

Lennon almost laughed. That was an understatement.

Jonathan’s confusion intensified.

“But, listen, I need for you to let us go, because we have to get to the gate in…” Maisie trailed off as she checked her watch. “Jesus. Less than fifteen minutes.”

“No,” Jonathan said.

“No?” Lennon repeated.

“No.” He pointed at Maisie. “I’ll let you go, as a thank-you for that stupid stunt you just pulled. The future president’s son stays with me, however.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I want him.” He shrugged, like obviously. Lennon met Ethan’s eyes briefly. He gave Ethan a sympathetic look, because while this might have been a real shit situation, the guy had a real shit father.

“He’s no good to anyone on this side of the wall.”

“Are you kidding? He’s gold. No one will touch the Q while he’s in here. And all I have to do is lightly threaten to do terrible things to him on occasion and I can get whatever I want.”

“They don’t negotiate with terrorists on the other side of the wall.”

Jonathan waved his hand. “They just say that. I’m sure we’ll be able to work something out.”

Ethan was staring at Lennon in a weirdly intense way, and Lennon raised his eyebrows, silently asking what was going on. Ethan just barely nodded his head down, to where he was holding something in his hand.

It was one of Ivy’s smoke bombs.

Lennon saw Ethan’s thumb move.

He drove his elbow back into his attacker’s stomach, as hard as he could.

Smoke filled the room.

MAISIE

THROUGH THE SMOKE, Maisie saw the outline of Lennon as he ran for her. She held out her hand, grabbing his and breaking into a sprint.

Gunfire echoed around her. She heard a man yell out in pain.

Jonathan Spencer was shooting despite his own men being in the line of fire.