Page 27 of Raven's Claw
Foster cut off mid-sentence, smiling at Kash as they walked into the kitchen.“I was just about to send Chase over to bust down the door.Coffee?”He grabbed two mugs off the counter, handing them over.“Not as good as Kash’s, but it’s hot, and you two look like you could use the kick.”
Jordan held the mug between her hands, taking in the gathering of people.“Does anyone need to get any ribbing or chest pounding out of the way before we go over the footage?Maybe exchange some cash for whoever won this pool?”
Chase laughed.“I did, and we’ve already settled, but thanks.Though, we all know you were really just worried about Nyx.”
She smiled.At least his buddies weren’t overly concerned, yet.Weren’t slipping on tactical vests or nailing plywood over the windows.Bracing for the storm she might have brought to their doorstep.Instead, they just waved her and Kash over.
Zain ran his fingers through his hair, looking less than impressed.“The footage isn’t great, but judge for yourself.”
He hit the button, and the screen popped on, the driveway flickering to life in eerie shades of gray.Kash’s truck loomed in the distance, just visible amidst the thick fog.Nothing happened for the first few minutes, the truck fading in and out as the mist rolled across the ground.
There.
Back end.
Creeping up the side.A figure.More mist than man.A shoulder, then a leg.Crouching down.She caught a flash of something hanging down his neck for the split second his head took shape, a few square items protruding from his chest area, then it was gone.Nothing but the grainy feed showing the truck slowly sinking a bit as the air bled out.
Kash scrubbed his hand down his face.“That’s it?”
Zain fisted one hand but didn’t slam it down.“I’ve been more worried about people infiltrating the house than taking a shot at one of our trucks.”
“No argument there, brother.”Kash gave her a quick side-eye, and she knew he’d noticed it, too.“Can you zoom in on the guy when his head’s somewhat visible?”
Zain sighed.“Already have, though I’m glad you spotted it, too.”
Damn.That meant it had been a comms unit.
Who needed to coordinate with a team to slash some tires?
Foster crossed his arms.“We were thinking the same thing.”
Jordan stilled.Had she spoken that thought out loud?She glanced around at Kash’s buddies, groaning inwardly.And she’d thought she was off her game last night.
Foster leaned against the counter.“You look a little pale, Jordan.Everything okay?”
She swallowed, impressed when she didn’t puke.“I need to change.”
Mac scooped her clothes from yesterday off a nearby chair, then handed them over, leaving her set of keys still lying on the surface.“There’s a bathroom just down the hall.”
“Thanks.”Jordan left the keys as she headed for the bathroom, stopping when Kash hooked her elbow.“I just need a few minutes, okay?”
He held firm, studying her face — probably looking for any sign she was lying to him — before nodding.He released his grip, his gaze following her as she walked down the hall then slipped into the washroom.
The lock clicked over, though it wouldn’t keep anyone out for more than a few seconds.The amount of time she’d give herself to grieve the loss before she boxed it away.Did her best to bury Jordan with it — bring Ember back to life.
While she hadn’t recognized the silhouette, it screamed Rook.The kind of guy he would send to mess with her head.A warning, she supposed, of how far he’d take it if she didn’t surrender.
That he’d kill Kash and his teammates without a moment’s pause.That’s why the creep had slashed all the tires.It represented Kash’s team.That they’d all pay the price if Rook found her there.
And despite how much she wanted to stay — to ask them for help — she knew she’d never survive if she got them killed.That the part of her she’d kept hidden — that she’d given to Kash — would die with them.
After a couple sobbing breaths, she changed in record time.Pushed down all the thoughts of Kash and the future until they were nothing more than a hint of a suggestion.Something she could examine later — agonize over.
He’d be pissed.She knew it.
But at least he’d be alive.
While that might not be enough for him, it meant the world to her.
