Simon Says Die

means that much to you, fine. But I’ll do it. The paper work is easier that way.”
    â€œWhat are you doing?” Damon hissed.
    Madison’s gun wobbled, and she blinked in surprise. “You can’t shoot him.”
    He raised a brow. “Why not? If it’s okay for you to shoot him, then it’s okay for me. No one else will care if he dies. He’s a lowlife. A murderer. He deserves it.” He carefully aimed his gun. “Say your final prayers, McKinley. Make it quick.”
    Madison’s arm dipped. “You can’t just shoot him.”
    â€œWhy not? Hurry up, McKinley. I don’t see you praying.”
    She glanced back and forth between Damon and Pierce, confusion etched on her brow. She lowered her gun, and stepped forward. She put her hand on Pierce’s arm. “I can’t let you do this.”
    â€œYou said it yourself. He deserves it.”
    She blanched white. “Yes, he does. But killing an unarmed man would destroy you. All you care about is the law.”
    â€œNo, all I care about is you. I can’t let you shoot Damon. I can’t let you bear the burden of that guilt. But if it’s what you really want, then I will kill him. Just say the word.”
    He watched her intently, waiting for her decision.
    She glanced back and forth, from him to Damon, and back again. Finally, she let out a sob. “No, no, you can’t kill him. I can’t let you do that.”
    â€œWhat about justice for your father? It ends here, Mads. One way or the other. You have to make a choice.”
    â€œHe’ll come after you. I can’t let him hurt you,” she cried.
    â€œTrust me. I won’t let him hurt me, or anyone else. Trust me,” he repeated.
    Her face crumpled. “Let him go.”
    Pierce lowered his gun.
    Lieutenant Hamilton stepped through the opening into the basement, his gun at his side. “I thought for sure you were going to shoot him.”
    â€œHow long have you been standing there?” Pierce asked.
    â€œLong enough.” He glanced at Damon before looking back at Pierce. “That was a hell of a chance you just took, bluffing with Mrs. McKinley like that.”
    Pierce raised a brow. “What makes you think I was bluffing?”
    Hamilton cocked his head. “I guess I’ll never know for sure. Mrs. McKinley, you don’t have to worry about your former husband coming after you again or getting away with murder. Your brother has been working hard on your behalf and has uncovered a wealth of information in Montana. We have enough evidence now to arrest Damon McKinley for the murder of the real Damon McKinley. And before the week is out, I expect I’ll be able to arrest him for the ‘Simon says’ murders too. He’s going away for a long, long time.”
    A shout of rage had all three of them turning back toward Damon. He dove to his side and grabbed the gun he’d dropped earlier. Gunshots filled the air as Madison, Pierce, and Hamilton raised their guns and fired.
    F LASHING LIGHTS FROM the police cars outside lit up Madison’s family room, shining through the front windows of the adjoining home office. Madison waited beside the couch with Agent Casey, where the lieutenant had directed her to stay out of the way. He and Pierce and a dozen police officers were in the basement, dealing with the aftermath of Damon’s ill-fated attempt to blast his way to freedom.
    Damon would never hurt anyone else ever again. Her father’s murderer was dead.
    Finally, the lieutenant and Pierce appeared in the back hallway and walked into the family room. Pierce looked around, his gaze lightly touching on everyone there until he spotted Madison. He strode across the room, grabbed her hand, and didn’t even slow down as he tugged her behind him out of the house.
    He didn’t stop until they reached Forsyth Park a few blocks away. He plopped down on a bench and pulled her onto his lap. Then he buried his face against her hair. It was only then that she realized he was shaking.
    â€œPierce,” she whispered against his chest. “Are you okay?”
    He pulled back and the fury in his eyes took her breath away.
    â€œPierce?”
    â€œWhat the hell were you thinking meeting Damon alone? You could have been killed.” He pulled her against him again, and stroked her hair. “Don’t ever scare me like that again.”
    She stiffened and pulled back from his