Page 44 of Axel Martin

This wasn’t just about Marley.

Axel was off the grid—and not by choice. “Where was Fraiser? He went with Axel.”

I turned back toward Shirley’s kitchen.

“I need to get him back,” I said, not even realizing I’d spoken out loud.

Willa stood. “Then we’ll figure out how.”

“Willa, don’t you have to feed your goats?” Grandma Shirley said. Whose grandma was she anyway?

“Can I ask you a question? Whose grandma are you?”

She laughed. “I used to teach Sunday School, and all the kids called me Grandma Shirley. That was years ago, and they still call me Grandma Shirley. Unfortunately, Ed and I had no children of our own. He died in Vietnam, saving his team. I loved that man so much. I never met another one that I wanted to marry.”

“I’m sorry.”

“That was a long time ago. Let’s find out where Axel is.”

40

Lark

Istared at the burner phone in my hand like it might start talking again.

Axel wasn’t just unreachable—he was possibly in trouble.Realtrouble. The kind you don’t come back from without help.

I didn’t know how to get to Jordan. I didn’t know how to infiltrate a former safe zone turned trap. I didn’t know what Marley had actually uncovered or what the hell a man like Greg Bishop had planned.

But I knew someone who did.

I pulled out my real phone, scrolled past a dozen names, and tapped one I hadn’t expected to use.

Eloise Raider.

Veterinarian. Badass. Wife of Jack Raider, another SEAL who probably had a war chest buried in his backyard and a team of operatives on speed dial.

She picked up on the first ring.

“Lark?”

“Yeah. Sorry—it’s late.”

“Jack’s out cold on the couch with one of the dogs. What’s wrong?”

I swallowed. “I need help.”

Eloise’s voice sharpened instantly. “What happened?”

“I got a cryptic message from my sister. She’s been overseas doing investigative work. She said she’s leaving Gaza. But someone named Lena—an old contact of Axel’s—just told me he might’ve walked into a trap trying to find her.”

Silence.

Then Eloise said, “Where are you?”

“Shirley’s house.”

“Stay put. I’ll be there in fifteen.”

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