Page 32 of Fighting for Scarlett

“It’s Eagle Oswald.”

The legend himself. The former SEAL who had been forced into retirement after an op went badly wrong and he lost part of his leg was almost a mythical being in the special forces community. Using the billions he and his siblings had inherited when their parents were murdered to start Prey Security, Eagle had connections everywhere, was respected by everyone, and had a reputation for being used to getting his own way.

Why was the man calling him?

There was no way Eagle could know that he’d slept with Scarlett a few months back. Nobody knew. Tate didn't go blabbing about his sex life, and even if he did, there was something about Scarlett that felt different, he definitely hadn't spread the word that a woman had managed to affect him in any way.

“What do you want?” he asked, unable to think of a reason why the legend that was Eagle Oswald would be calling him.

“Are you outside her house?” Eagle asked. So far, the man was yet to make a physical appearance, but he had no doubt that the founder and CEO of Prey was keeping himself apprised of the situation. In fact, Eagle was likely the one who had given the order that Fox and the guys, as well as Athena Team, were to keep their distance from Scarlett. Tate just couldn’t figure out if it was because Eagle believed Scarlett was guilty, or if he wanted a clean investigation to clear her.

If it was the former it filled him with the uncomfortable feeling of wanting to rip the man apart for doubting Scarlett.

Which absolutely made him a hypocrite because he doubted her too.

“Why does it matter where I am?” he demanded, unwilling to answer without knowing more about Eagle’s motivation.

A chuckle came down the line. “I’ll take that as a yes. Don’t take your eyes off her.”

Before he could open his mouth to ask why, the line went dead. His gaze moved to the house, where the lights were shining brightly, and he could just make out shadows moving in the front room.

A ball of anxiety rested heavily in his gut.

Was he worried about Scarlett because she was a danger to her team and her country? Or was he worried for Scarlett because she had been dragged into something dangerous?

How did he get an answer to that question?

And what did Eagle Oswald know that he hadn't shared?

CHAPTER EIGHT

January 15th

2:26 A.M.

Déjà vu.

It was happening all over again.

What had she been thinking staying here alone?

Scarlett didn't hesitate this time like she had the night she’d been kidnapped. Even as she wished she’d listened to her team when they suggested she come and stay with one of them, or listened to her gut when she faced her bedroom and realized she couldn’t stay in there and should go to a hotel, she was already sliding out from under the covers.

It was too late for wishes. She hadn't gone to stay with one of her team when they’d asked—begged really—and she had stubbornly refused to go to a hotel, so now she was stuck here, and if she didn't want to wind up kidnapped and tortured again then she had to be smart this time.

No panicking.

No pretending she was imagining things.

Because she hadn't imagined the sound of footsteps passing her room.

Someone was inside her house.

Her need for some time alone, to try to process her ordeal, was once again putting her in danger. That need to shut herself off from others—because although she understood her team had been ordered to stay away, they had still stayed away when she needed them—had left her alone and vulnerable.

Not that she could do anything about it.

Was it Raul Castillo sending more of his men after her? Scarlett had known that might be a possibility, but she hadn't really thought he would try to make a move this soon. Surely, she was being watched by some government agency, the suits or some of their colleagues. And if Prey thought she was in danger, they’d have someone watching her, too … wouldn’t they?

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