Page 40 of Raven's Claw
She sucked at her bottom lip.
Chase sighed.“Sorry, I didn’t mean to pry.You don’t have to tell us.”
“Ember.”She pushed out a slow breath.“That’s what Rook called me.He claimed I had a spark no one could tame.Said it made me uniquely qualified, which doesn’t sound all that positive, now.”
“Oh, I don’t know.It kinda sounds like he suspected you might be the one to burn it all down.”Chase pointed to her side.“I should check that before we head out.”
He nodded at Kash then turned, the rest of the crew following after him, leaving her standing there, staring, until Kash reached out — took her in his arms.She melted against him, hoping he didn’t let go.
He dropped a kiss on the top of her head, holding on until even she knew they were out of time.“It’s going to be okay.”
“You’re damn straight because if it comes down to my life over any of yours, I’m making that call.”
He pursed his lips and looked as if he wanted to argue before he nodded.“Then, let’s see it doesn’t.”He stepped back — tugged her hand.“C’mon.We’d best catch up before Zain and Bodie devise some insane plan.”
“I meant what I said, Kash.I can’t live with more blood on my hands.If it were yours…” She wouldn’t survive it.
“Men just like Rook tried killing us for twenty years.And despite his experience, his inflated ego, he’s never faced a team like ours.”He smiled.“Or an agent like you.We’ll get that intel, and you’re gonna see Rook and Scythe burn.”
ChapterEleven
Kash sat in the back of the helicopter, side doors already open as Foster skimmed across the trees, only the stars poking through the night sky as any source of light.Foster had night vision and instruments, but it still amazed Kash that his buddy handled the machine with such precision when Kash could barely make out Nyx sitting between his legs.Mac shadowed them in another chopper, making it look just as easy.
Jordan placed her hand over his and gave it a squeeze, silently asking him if he was okay.If he was still all-in.She’d been doing that all day, randomly checking in.And not just with him.Chase, Zain, Bodie, Mac.She’d given them all an out.Had suggested that Rook showing up was more than enough motivation to attempt the trek, alone.
A part of Kash loved her for that.For worrying about his brothers.About him.But they’d never backed down from a fight, and they sure as hell weren’t starting now.
He looked over at her.“Still not bailing.”
She sighed.“You realize it’s not you or your buddies I’m questioning, right?I’ve just never worked as part of a team.I’m not sure I know how.”
“Easy.You worry about doing your part and let us do ours.”
“What if Rook shows up?I’m just supposed to let you handle him?Not step in front?”
Kash straightened — crossed his arms over his chest.“If you want to step in front, put on a vest.”
“I’ve never worn a vest.Ever.”She slapped the one he wore as if it might bite her.“I promise, if we live through this, I’ll get used to one.But I can’t face Rook without being the best version of me.And that means I need to move a certain way, which I can’t if I’m wearing a vest.”
“Which I promised you I understood.But you can’t get mad when I jump in front of you if bullets start coming your way.”
She frowned, staring at him for a while before shaking her head.“And you can’t get mad at me if I eliminate any resistance before they get a chance to fire.”
“You’re determined to be difficult, aren’t you?”He leaned over.Kissed her.“All you have to do is believe in us, and everything will fall into place.”
She nodded, though he suspected she wasn’t quite sure how that worked.Whether believing meant running beside them or allowing them to take half the risk.
His comms buzzed, Foster’s voice coming through.“Infil site in thirty.”
Kash rocked to his feet, placed his headset on the seat and had Nyx poised between his legs a second later.Zain and Bodie followed suit, keeping Jordan between them.She gave them each a raise of her brow, then settled in.
The bird banked over, evergreen branches whizzing past before Foster flared off the speed and brought them into a two-foot hover just in from the edge of one of the cliff sides.What they’d agreed was the fastest route while minimizing both them and the helicopter as a viable target.
Kash and Nyx jumped down — provided support as soon as the machine stopped moving, the rest of the team filing out behind him.Bodie and Zain ran ahead — took up point while Jordan moved in beside him.She wore boots and form-fitting everything with weapons tucked in places he didn’t want to think too hard about.Nothing like him and his team.Black cargo pants and sweaters.Body armor with knives and frags for good measure.But he had to admit, she moved like a ghost, virtually floating over the ground.All but disappearing as soon as they entered the woods.Blending in with the shadows until he had to focus just to bring her into view.
Bodie and Zain cleared the path until they neared the cabin — dropping to one knee as they waved him ahead.Kash moved up with Nyx, keeping the pace steady but not rushed.Nyx scented the ground, moved ahead, then scented, again.Continuing toward the cabin before stopping.She tilted her head, gave him a whispered bark.Not loud enough to carry, but he heard it.
“Stay.”He moved in beside her, scouring the forest floor.Needing a second pass to pick out the thin silver wire woven through some ferns to some rough IED strapped to a nearby log.What would have taken one or two people out — made one hell of a heat signature for anyone with IR-capable satellites scouring the area.
