Page 47 of Raven's Claw
“Seriously?For all I know, opening it sets off a damn explosive.I’m curious about the flame, though.”
“It’s my code name.”
“Flame?”
“Ember.”
“I see.”Greer shuffled over to Jordan.“I’m starting to think you’re not with WITSEC like you’d hinted at.In fact, I’m betting it’s much darker.One of those agencies you said shoot first.”
Jordan didn’t answer.She didn’t need to.Besides, she knew they’d discuss it,ad nauseam, back at Bodie’s.“The cell’s not rigged.”
“How do you know?”
“Because he’s going to call me on it, later.Which makes me wonder… Why this seat?He had all of them to choose from, and the one at the end is closer to the rear door, especially considering he only had thirty seconds to get it set up.But he chose this one, specifically.”
“I assume this mystery guy doesn’t do anything by chance?”
“Never.”Jordan ran through the past several months — all the people she’d put into memory.The regulars who, like Kash’s team, always picked the same seats, when one image hit her hard.
She inhaled, replaying all the times he’d sat at the counter, chatting.Friendly, without being overbearing.Like he knew she’d weathered hard times and understood she wasn’t ready for anyone to push.He’d had a look when they’d first met, as if he’d just seen a ghost, but it had vanished just as quickly.
“Jordan?”Kash was at her side, letting Chase grab her arm — take her pulse.“Sweetheart, breathe because you look like you did back in the chopper a moment before you passed out.”
She gazed up at him, his words not quite making sense as she sorted through her memories, again — prayed she was wrong.
Fingers snapped in front of her.“Jordan!”
She blinked, tumbling against the counter once her lungs finally remembered how to suck in some air —clear the dots scattered across her vision.She glanced at his team, and she knew this was it.The straw that would break them.That she’d never recover from.
Chase shook his head.“Keep breathing, Jordan, or you’re gonna face plant.”
How could she breathe when her next words would ruin them?
Foster obviously recognized the look because he stepped forward, kept his gaze locked on hers.“Whatever you need to tell us, just say it.”
She swallowed, nearly puked, then focused on Foster and Mackenzie.“Mac, do me a favor?Call Atticus.”
ChapterThirteen
Call Atticus.
Two words Kash knew would change the entire scope of the mission.Either band them together or isolate Jordan even more than she’d attempted on her own.What she obviously assumed would happen based on how ashen she looked.How she’d fallen against the counter when she’d gotten stuck in her own memories — shifted through all the faces she associated with that seat.The fact it was Mac’s father…
To her credit, Mackenzie didn’t panic.Didn’t rip her jacket in an effort to remove her cell.She simply dug into her pocket, palmed her phone, then hit her dad’s number.His phone rang over her cell’s speakers, going to voicemail after several tries.“He always answers.”
She took a step forward, the corners of her mouth twitching, the hand holding her cell shaking slightly.“Did Rook take my father?”She pointed at the counter.“Is that his blood?Jesus, did I get him?—”
Nyx growled, cutting off Mac and snapping Kash’s attention toward the door.A couple stood just inside the entrance, feet braced apart, backs straight.Obviously law enforcement.Kash just wasn’t sure which branch.
The massive guy looked at Mackenzie.“Your father’s not dead.At least, not yet.But he’s definitely Rook’s bargaining chip.”
Mac inhaled.“How do you know that?Do you work for him?Who the hell are you?”
Kash darted in front of Jordan as she pulled her piece — managed to stop her from simply firing.“Sweetheart, we don’t know if they’re friends or enemies, yet.”
She didn’t let up.“Anyone I don’t know is an enemy until proven otherwise.”
“Seriously, Cannon?This is why you don’t just barge into the middle of a situation.”Bodie turned to Jordan, looking as if he’d tackle her if she made a break for it.“Jordan, for the love of God, put the gun down.And don’t vault over the counter and start chucking knives or plates or whatever’s handy at them, either.They’re here to help.”
