Page 28 of Raven's Claw
It took a full minute to bypass the window alarm and slip out — drop to the ground a few feet below.She hit two since she’d locked the door behind her as she reached the corner of the house.What she figured was their limit for how long it took to change — maybe splash some cold water on her face.
A quick sweep, then she raced toward her bike, all the while avoiding any direct sight lines from the windows.She popped the spare key out from under the cowling, then straddled the bike.
The front door opened.Kash and his buddies busting ass across the porch and down the path.She kicked the pedal, giving the motor some gas.It sputtered, then caught, revving loudly as she spun the rear tire then peeled out, shooting mud out the back.Her name sounded behind her, but she knew, if she so much as glanced over her shoulder, she’d stop.Cave to Kash’s way of thinking.And as much as she wanted his help, she knew exactly how it would end.
“Jordan!”
Kash slid to a halt, mud splashing across the bottom of his jeans as the bike’s taillight vanished around the far bend — where the driveway met the main road.He doubted she’d stay on the old highway for long.Not if she suspected someone was shadowing her.
Nyx gave chase, flying down the gravel road, ears straight back.Looking like a damn missile shooting across the ground.He whistled her back, aware there wasn’t a chance of her keeping up.And he couldn’t risk her getting hurt.Not when he suspected this was far from over.
He should have reacted faster.He knew Jordan would try to run.But he’d thought it would take more than two minutes for her to bypass Zain’s system and make it out to her bike.Especially with her keys still sitting on the counter from when she’d given them to Foster the night before.
She’d done that on purpose.A red herring of sorts.Knowing he’d assume he could catch up before she’d had enough time to hotwire the bike.
And he’d bought it.
Chase came racing across the path, cell in hand.He stopped next to them, shaking his head as he gazed at where Jordan had disappeared.“You’re not gonna like this.Greer just called.Seems someone broke into the sheriff’s station last night.Made it look like a routine smash and grab.But when she checked, the only thing missing was her report from the café.”Chase stared directly at Kash.“Including all of Jordan’s info.”
Kash’s stomach clenched.“Do we honestly think Jordan gave Greer her real address?”
Chase paled.“Greer already knew from when Jordan took down those bikers who’d tried to steal that purse.Maybe Jordan thought lying about it would only make her look more suspicious.If she’s half as good at reading people as we think she is, she’s pegged Greer as an ex-federal agent.Regardless, Jordan’s renting some old prospector cabin several miles from here.Completely isolated.”
“So, whoever took that report…”
“Knows where she lives.I bet my ass she’s heading there now to grab whatever she can’t leave behind before she vanishes.”
Kash stared up the driveway.“Not on my watch.”
Zain clapped him on the back.“I’ll drive.Chase, send us the address.”
Kash headed to Zain’s truck, letting Nyx jump in the back of the cab before sliding in the front.His cell pinged, Jordan’s address flashing across the screen.Zain took a look, then roared out, mud spraying across the road as he hit the corner, barely slowed, then turned right and picked up speed.The truck rocked down the highway, everything passing in a gray blur.
Zain looked over after a minute or two, hitting Kash in the arm before focusing on the road.“Tell me everything you know about her.”
Kash grunted, resisting the urge to punch his fist through the dash.“Anything I know that you don’t, isn’t something I’m going to share.”
“Not about her that way, dumbass.The woman’s rock solid.But she lets her guard down around you.I’d be surprised if she hasn’t let something slip after…”
“She said she knew Striker — had come across him and others like him in the field.That whoever was hunting her wasn’t like any other threat we’d faced.That it wouldn’t end well.”
“In other words, nothing we didn’t already suspect.”
Kash let his head fall back against the seat rest.“I knew she’d run.”
“We all knew she was going to run, buddy.”
“This was different.The way she kissed me before we joined everyone.”He gave Zain a quick glance.“It was goodbye.”
Zain sighed.“This isn’t about you, Kash.”
“Really?Because it feels pretty damn personal.She knows we’d have her back.”He tapped his chest.“ThatI’dhave her back.No questions.No hesitation.Obviously, that didn’t matter.”
“She ran because she doesn’t want to have your blood on her hands.Because she’s afraid that whoever that asshole was who slashed your tires is part of whatever Shadow Ops agency is gunning for her.”Zain snorted.“Yeah, you were right.Don’t gloat.And honestly, I can’t blame her.”
Zain glared when Kash gave him a swat.“I didn’t say I agreed, jackass.But she’s obviously never had anyone stand up for her before.Never had anyone care.Her little trip down memory lane last night is proof of that.And that’s a hard habit to break, brother.”
Zain pulled over at the end of a long, winding gravel driveway, switching maps — getting an aerial view.“Looks like there’s a building about three hundred meters down.Nothing else showing for a good mile in any direction.”
