“Stay where you are, Monroe,” Vance barked.

Grant held his hands up, palms out, showing they were empty.

“I just want to talk,” Grant said.

He took three slow, cautious steps forward.

“Please, Allison. Just two minutes. Alone.”

I looked at Vance, then back at my ex-husband.

“Give us a moment, General,” I said.

Vance frowned, his jaw tightening as the rain beat down on his cap.

“We do not have time for this, Colonel,” Vance said.

“Two minutes,” I repeated.

Vance nodded slowly and stepped back toward the SUV, keeping his eyes fixed on the sedan.

Grant walked closer until he was standing just a few feet away from me.

The cold rain dripped from the tip of his nose and ran down his neck.

“You won,” Grant said, his voice shaking.

“This isn’t a game, Grant,” I said.

“I know,” he said.

He looked around the dark, empty estate, then back at my face.

“My mother is in the back of the car,” he whispered.

“She is terrified. We can make a deal, Allison.”

I kept my face completely still, letting the water run down my cheeks.