Page 30 of Raven's Claw
“What if the place had been rigged?Or there’d been some of Rook’s men waiting in the damn living room?What if I’d shot you, myself, before I realized it was you?”
“Not my first rodeo, sweetheart.I’ve actually entered enemy strongholds before, though you seem to keep ignoring my twenty years in the service.”He leaned in impossibly closer.“Ten of those as a Ranger.And you’re far too savvynotto recognize me.”
“I haven’t ignored them.You and your teammates impress the hell out of me.But this isn’t the kind of battle you’re accustomed to.”
“You don’t know that.”
“Yeah, I do.Because I’ve spent my entire adult life running Rook’s missions.Paying the price of his disappointment.There were no pats on the back.No jobs well done.You either succeeded or had the failure ‘trained’ out of you.This isn’t the brotherhood you have.”She tamped down the roil of her stomach.“It’s a tactical cult.And those who don’t believe…”
She did her best to distance herself.“That’s why I left you behind.So you didn’t end up stuffed into a black bag with nothing more than a damn toe tag to show for all that honor.”
“Don’t you think I should get a say in what I think is worth dying for?”
“Not this time.I can’t…”
She took a step back.She’d left him once.She wouldn’t be able to leave him again if he stayed that close.Kept looking at her as if she’d already hurt him.“Go.Please.While there’s still a chance I can redirect his focus.”
“Not until we talk.”
“Christ.You just don’t know when to cut your losses.”She turned, scouring the room.“Talking will have to wait until I check the cabin.”
Kash scoffed, looking too sexy standing there with a tactical vest accentuating his wide shoulders and narrow waist.“Pretty sure if there was a tango hiding in your shower, he would have come out while we were rolling around on the floor.”He arched a brow.“Is that how you approach every fight?”
She gave him a quick glance, carefully picking her way around the room.“I’m not built like a tank.My only real advantage is agility.I get in close and keep them off-balance.And I’m not looking fortangos.”
“You have way more advantages than that.”He moved in behind her, shadowing her every move while guarding her six.“Fine, I’ll ask.Whatareyou looking for?”
“Proof he’s been here.”
“So, you did recognize the guy on the video.”
“No.I saw what you did, but…” She stopped searching for a moment.“As I see it, there’re only two possibilities.Either your team didn’t round up all of Striker’s men, and they’re messing with you, or I’m burned.It’d be nice to know which way it’s leaning.”
“But, either way, you’re gone.”
“Kash…” Jordan drew in a shuddering breath before pushing it out.“Are you going to help or just stand there, growling.”
“I’m not growling.”He crossed his arms over his chest.“What should I look for?”
“Nothing overt.It’ll be behind a photo or inside a drawer.A message.But check everything before you open it.”She motioned to the back of the room.“I’ll take the bedroom.You take the bathroom.”
“So, you can ditch me, again?”
Jordan stopped — faced him.“I didn’t leave because I don’t care.I left because I do.Because I wanted to save you.So, I wouldn’t put your brothers at risk.But now that you’re here, I’d never leave you behind.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Pretty damn sure I wouldn’t abandon the man I?—”
She caught herself, but it didn’t matter.The way he inhaled, his eyes widening, he’d known what she was going to say.
She pushed out a rough breath.“I’m giving you my trust, Kash.You should know what that means.”
She turned, making her way into the bedroom.Ignoring the heavy weight of Kash’s stare until she’d moved out of his sight line.The floorboards creaked in the bathroom.Proof he was searching the other room.
She focused on the small space — what seemed so sterile compared to Kash’s.Nothing appeared out of place.The pillows, the sheets — exactly the way she’d left them.Even the socks she’d tossed on the floor hadn’t moved.Of course, Rook wouldn’t send anyone to mess with her who wasn’t capable of the task.Assuming he hadn’t ventured inside, himself.
I’ll come for you myself.
