Page 93 of Home Town Knight

“For their clients. To prove their membership.”

“Yes, butwhy? A digital passkey would be smarter. But the gold medallion is flashy. It seems generous. Like Stillwater is welcoming the newbie into their special club. But really, it’s a lure. A shiny bauble to hide the hook. The gold makes their clients salivate for more. And soon enough, Stillwater isn’t just the broker, making deals and serving their clients. They’re the ones in pulling the strings from behind the scenes. Andthatis the reason I’ve never been fooled by the gold or the cash I guard here. Because I know how fucking scary Stillwater really is. How powerful they are. How many important people they’ve already got in their pockets. What’s the point in fighting against shit like that?”

Duke stood abruptly. I jumped, shrinking back against the wall. My handcuffs clanked on the pipe.

“You don’t want to hurt me. I know you don’t.”

“That’s true, Genevieve. I’d rather not hurt you.” Duke looked down at the pocket knife that lay on his palm. “But we all have to do things we don’t like for our jobs.”

He flicked the knife open.

CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Owen

Lynx workedthe controls on his drone. An elaborate, futuristic headset covered most of his face. “I’ve got the heat signatures of two people inside a cabin two klicks from here. One is on the ground by a wall. Arms seem immobilized like they’re cuffed to something. The other person is larger, sitting about a yard away.”

Stomach acid stung my throat, the taste bitter. I shoved my panic down. If the person on the ground was Genevieve, she was alive. Thank God.

We’d crossed onto the property we suspected of being owned by Stillwater. River and Lynx had taken point, checking carefully for any cameras using a radio frequency detector. No doubt there was something, but we hadn’t found any yet.

We were kitted out in the gear Aiden had brought from Last Refuge. Tactical clothes in a camouflage designed for snowy forest environments, body armor, earpieces and throat mics to connect us via encrypted radio. And of course, weapons and ammo. Plenty of both.

Dean had stayed behind in the truck, which was parked discreetly at the edge of the property. Years ago, he’d swornhe would never touch a gun again. It was a difficult subject for him. But he wanted to help in any other way he could.

I loved my friend, and I admired his commitment to his ideals. But if it would mean bringing Gen back safely, I was ready to sacrifice just about anything.

We had stopped in this clearing for Lynx to set up the drone he’d brought along. River had gone ahead to scout on the ground.

“What’s happening in the cabin now?” I asked.

Lynx’s drone had an infrared camera, and that was what he was using. A state-of-the-art device, surprisingly tiny, hovering over the mountainside. The only connection I had right now to Genevieve.

“The larger person just stood up. It looks like…the person on the ground is cowering. Trying to get away.”

“Fuck,” I breathed. A new surge of adrenaline rocked me. Commanding me to hurry. “We need to get to her.”

Aiden put a hand on my shoulder. “We will. She’s hanging in there.”

I nodded. “I’ve seen her in action. She’s tough.” Tough mentally, but physically too. I remembered how, days ago, she’d kicked Ellis’s butt when he’d plowed into her at the Alpine bar. I’d felt that strength when we’d made love. Her body rocking against mine, responding to me…if I lost her like this, knowing she’d voluntarily gone with the killer to save me and my people…

There would be no end to my vengeance. Every last person working for Stillwater would pay dearly.

River checked in on the comm, saying he was on his way back. I acknowledged. A couple of endless minutes later, River stepped into the clearing, and we gathered around him.

“There’s a paved driveway that connects to the dirt access road. Ends at the cabin Lynx spotted with the drone. That’s here.” River had a map on his phone where we’d beenmarking the key locations. “Downhill from there, I saw a heavy-duty door into what looks an underground bunker or storage facility of some kind. Here. It’s protected by cameras, and there are tripwires all around it. No signs of life.”

I shifted forward. “How does the bunker connect to the cabin?” I wanted to know the killer’s potential escape routes when we approached.

“There’s a walking path along here. Well established and used. If there’s a tunnel underground, I saw no indication of it.” River’s finger followed a curve on his phone screen. “More tripwires here and here.”

We waited while Lynx confirmed with the regular camera on the drone. “I see surveillance around the cabin. Still no indication of any other live security presence on the property.”

Just the killer. The four of us against one. But he had Genevieve.

River described the terrain between here and there, and we planned out our approach. After Lynx packed up his drone and equipment, we set out again.

I grew more agitated with every step.

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