Page 8 of Raven's Claw
She turned, keeping one elbow jammed between the asshole’s shoulder blades as she targeted the front of the room.Bright headlights cut through the fog beyond the open door, a black Hummer slowing down as it crept past before turning at the next corner.
Sheriff Greer Hudson and her deputy Bodie Page stood in the entrance.Guns drawn.Feet braced apart.They glanced at her, then over to Kash’s teammates gathered behind her.Looking as if they weren’t sure whether to start shooting or start talking.
Jordan focused on Bodie.No hint of fear, just his gaze rock steady on her — his muscles primed for a fight.He’d seen battle.The way he moved — how he took in an entire room in one glance.Like Kash and his teammates.Definitely ex-military.Ranger or maybe a SEAL.He was the threat.And she’d deal with him, first, if it came down to it.
Kash inhaled, then stepped between her and them, holding up his hands.She shifted her focus enough to keep Greer and Bodie in her peripheral vision as she met Kash’s gaze.
He gave her a guarded smile, nodding at the weapon.“Easy, sweetheart.Tucker’s not what you think.Now, give me the gun, and let Greer and Bodie finish this, okay?”
Give him the gun?Was he nuts?
What if this was all a distraction, and Rook suddenly burst through the door, guns blazing?Or half a dozen highly trained assholes crashed through the windows, throwing flash bangs and smoke grenades?What if the guy nearly choking from the way she had his jacket clenched in her fist miraculously recovered and launched another attack?
Kash shifted to her left, closing off more of her view.“Jordan.We’re all friends, here.But I need the gun.”
She held firm, the tension in the room at the breaking point.Everyone poised on the edge, waiting for a reason to start firing.A breath.A misstep.Maybe a cup clattering to the floor.Kash waved his fingers, holding his ground as she weighed her options.Knowing she only had one if there was any hope in defusing the situation before it couldn’t be stopped.
She took a breath, slowly easing up as she let the gun rotate around her finger.Kash inched forward, exaggerating his movements.Giving her plenty of time to anticipate his hand reaching up — gently taking the piece.She raised her palms next to her shoulders, still working on how she’d counter an attack if Greer or Bodie changed their minds, as she took two calculated steps back.
That set her off.Had her pulse thundering in her head.Every nerve twitching.This was wrong.Backing away.Giving up the gun while there were still threats in play.She’d never stood down.Never surrendered.Willingly giving up that control…
It hit her hard.Had snippets from that last mission looping through her head.The smoke.The explosions.The blood soaking her clothes.How she’d all but passed out once she’d found some roadside bathroom to clean up in.If that kind trucker hadn’t taken pity on her, she never would have made it out of the state alive.Would have been unconscious on that grimy floor when Rook eventually showed up.
Either she’d made a noise, or the color had drained from her face because Kash stepped in close and tugged her against his chest.He didn’t talk, just slid his hands across her neck and waist, surrounding her with all that muscled strength.She fisted his hoodie, her chest heaving.Every instinct begging her to run.To fight her way through the masses then hop on her bike and never look back.
Finally acknowledge that she’d only ever be Ember — Scythe operative and the woman destined to fade away.
Kash held firm, waiting until she’d finally released her death grip before dropping a kiss on the top of her head.He grabbed her chin with his thumb and forefinger, holding still until she met his gaze.“You okay?”
She pushed down the riotous roil of her stomach, allowing her head tilt back.“Considering how I just neutralized a guy in front of a dozen witnesses?I’ve been better.”
He chuckled.“Spoken like a true warrior.And it’s not as if we all didn’t think you were capable of it, it’s just… damn.”
“Damn about sums it up.”
He nodded toward the counter.“Come on.Let’s get you a coffee.Give you a chance to rein in some of that adrenaline.”
“Trust me.I’m in complete control.”
“Then, you can drink because you look like a damn ghost.”
“You’re the one who’s blue.Do I want to know why you smell like the ocean?”
It was subtle.Just a hint of salty brine on his skin — what she suspected hadn’t washed off in the shower.But it was there.
Kash sighed, thanking Zain when he darted behind the counter and grabbed the coffee pot.“Long story.”
She grunted.Every sense still on overdrive.Every muscle still primed for a fight.“Doubt I’m going anywhere.And I could use the distraction.”
Kash gave her a once-over.Looking as if he knew exactly how raw she was.How little it would take to set her off.“Let’s just say our newest recruit wasn’t quite up to the task.Tapped out while I was hanging on the side of a cliff with Nyx over my shoulders — a series of poor decisions dragging us down.Then the cliff gave way, and?—”
“Wait.Him?”She nodded at the creep.“He’s with Raven’s Watch?Since when?”
“This morning.It was a trial run.”Kash tilted his head to the side.“He said he’s been in here before.Claimed he knew who you were.Do you recognize him?”
She studied the guy’s face — reran the last few months’ worth of people she’d put into memory.“No.”
Which meant he’d either been shadowing her without her realizing it or he was lying.Neither of which sat well with her.“How long has he been in town?”
