The Billionaire's Mistake

MISTAKE 165

Chapter 165: The police set a trap

Anya didn't put up even a token protest, merely inclining her head in acquiescence. Truth be told, the thought of reclining on one of the plush sofas in their mahogany-paneled sitting room held immense appeal right about now. Perhaps she could sneak in yet another restorative nap with Daniel's soothing presence beside her... She was just rising from her chair, intent on following her husband back inside, when her phone buzzed with an incoming text notification from Emma's number. A frown etched her brow as she quickly scanned the message:

"Did you hear from the police? Martin woke up. Just got a call from the cops about him claiming Gina trying to off him. Would it be wrong if I laugh?"

Sucking in a sharp breath, Anya felt her lingering weariness dissipate as her mind was forced to confront the familial drama she'd tried to put from her mind. Of course Emma would be irate that she hadn't been immediately looped in on the update regarding their stepmother's apparent attempt on Martin's life.

"Everything okay?" Daniel's concerned voice broke through her distracted reverie.

"It's...nothing, really," Anya hedged, forcing a tight smile. "Just my sister overreacting to some nonsense with our stepmother, as usual. I'll fill her in later once I have all the details straight."

-

It wasn't a total lie any situation involving Martin and Gina was usually rife with overblown hyst Daniels from someone. With a shake of her head, Anya tucked her phone away and reached to slip her arm through the crook of Daniel's elbow. "Come, my love," she said, purposefully affecting a tone of nonchalance. "You're right - a bit

f rest and relaxation is just what I need to recharge this afternoon."

If Daniel suspected her abrupt subject change was avoidance, he gave no outward indication. Squeezing her hand in silent support, he turned and guided her back inside their sanctuary,

ghosts of family drama that still insisted on haunting

away

at the hospital, a tense silence had descended over the makeshift command center the police had established. Detectives Carr and Ruiz pored over the case files one final time, ensuring every contingency had been meticulously planned for the operation ahead. "All right, people, listen up," Carr addressed the assembled team of officers. "We

his partner, who took over the briefing. "Our best intel suggests the attempt will be made sometime after shift

lying in wait; we'll have an officer portraying Jones in his original room, with the rest of our unit strategically positioned as harmless staffers and visitors."

assessing glance. "Our target is likely a professional, so we have to be on high alert. Chances are he'll strike fast and try to disappear just as quickly. Our window

H

"So no one breaks cover until I give the go signal over comms, is that clear? We want this bastard trapped in

of nods and murmured affirmations rippled through the team. Carr allowed himself a grim smile of satisfaction. He'd overseen enough of these high-stakes stings

let's get this circus on the road. I want everyone in position

plainclothes officers assuming the role of the unconscious Martin Jones tucked beneath the starchy linens. Several others had adopted roles as night staff -

worried family member, he would be perfectly placed to make the bust once their mark

muttered under his breath, keying his comms unit. "We're in

utterly agonizing. Carr forced himself to control his breathing, to maintain his facade of a concerned relative whiling away the long hours of the night. He could only imagine the tension gripping the

intel had been compromised somehow, the faintest sound of footsteps reached his ears...footsteps that seemed to be growing nearer, rather

to react, not to tense up even as his hand strayed towards the concealed holster beneath his jacket. The footfalls continued advancing until they reached the door of Jones's room...paused for the briefest of moments....and then continued inward with a nearly

enough to allow a whisper of sound to reach Carr's ears - the unmistakable crinkle of fabric being disturbed. Their mark

M

Go! Go!" Carr hissed into his comms, already surging to

wards