Page 41 of Raven's Nest
She sucked in some air. Too fast to help with the dizzy feeling spinning the room, but at least she didn’t pass out. “That guy from the ship, today. He was there. On theVigilant. I remember him standing on the deck that night. I… I think he might have shot me, only there was someone else…”
She groaned, then flopped back on the bed. “Nothingmakes sense. Hell, maybe it’s not even real. Maybe I’m imagining he was there because I need to justify what I saw today. Prove that I’m not losing my mind.”
Zain loomed over her. “Bodie was pretty confident he’d be able to scrounge up photos of the research crew. Maybe identifying him will help shake a few more memories loose. In the meantime…”
He went to his elbows, nipping at her lip when he froze. His head tilted to the side, every muscle primed. Like back at her apartment. She scanned the room, looking for whatever had caught his attention when he snapped his gaze toward the window.
The drawer creaked a second later as he slid it open, grabbing both weapons. He placed the spare she’d used on the nightstand, then tugged on his clothes. “There’s someone outside.”
She glanced at the window. “How do you know?”
“I heard the wooden boards on the deck creak. And a shadow passed by the window.”
He’d noticed a shadow dart past the window? With it still pitch-black outside? And how the hell had he heard anything above her breath wheezing out of her chest?
Not that she’d question him. Zain had the situational awareness of a squirrel on crack. The kind of honed senses that went beyond training. That was etched into his DNA. She’d trust his instincts any day.
Zain waited until she’d dressed and grabbed his spare, then headed for the door. He cleared the hallway and the great room before waving her over. He opened a lockbox in the front closet, grabbed a couple flashlightsand a few extra mags for both weapons, then palmed the handle. Rain still pounded against the roof, the wind rattling the windows as he showed the countdown on his fingers, opening the door once he’d reached one.
He darted out, sweeping the porch as she moved in behind him, guarding their six. The soft glow from Foster’s place brightened the pathway between the two buildings, casting long shadows where the trees blocked out the light.
Zain narrowed in on the far end of his house, motioning her to get behind him as he shuffled enough they were somewhat covered. “Whoever’s in the shadows better step out now before I start shooting. Because if you make me run you down, I’ll use extreme prejudice.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
A chuckle, then the figure moved into the light. “I’m pretty sure Foster distinctly told you to keep your ass in the house all night.”
Zain cursed and lowered his weapon, stepping out from behind the post. “Seriously, Jordan? What if I’d shot first and worried who it was later?”
She shrugged, seemingly unfazed by the possibility. “I’ve been doing this for twenty years. You’re not the type to overreact.”
“Someone just tried to kill us. It wouldn’t be overreacting.”
“Maybe if you’d stayed at Saylor’s but here…” Jordan scrunched up her nose as if she thought he was crazy. “You have too much respect for your team. Though, I’m impressed you heard me. You really need to fix that damn board.”
“That’s why I left it.” He searched the tree line. “Where’s Kash? Because I know someone darted pastmy window a second before that board creaked, and there’s no way you rounded the corner that fast.”
Jordan motioned toward the woods. “Nyx caught a scent. Kash is checking it out.”
“Shouldn’t you have his back?”
“And leave you vulnerable?” Jordan held up her hand to stop him from interrupting. “I know. You’ve got this sixth sense thing where tangos are concerned. But on the off chance your exhaustion had kicked in, we agreed it was better if I stayed here. Besides, Kash has this thing about me being around bullets.”
Zain scoffed. “Maybe because you’re pregnant.”
“Please, I can still take out a wet squad.” Jordan grinned, nodding at Saylor. “Looks like you already have backup, though. How’s the shoulder?”
Saylor shuffled in beside him. “It burns, but nothing I can’t handle.”
“Spoken like a true warrior.” Jordan glanced over her shoulder. “Speak of the devil.”
A twig cracked then Nyx leaped over the railing, landing on the porch in a flurry of fur and mud. Water dripped off her coat as she sniffed the air, yipped and raced toward them, giving him and Saylor the once-over.
Zain grunted when the mutt leaned fully against him, soaking his pants. “Did you think about growling at me? Because I’ll reconsider sharing my bacon with you when that happens.”
The dog flopped onto the deck and offered her belly.
He groaned, giving it a quick rub. “Someone needs a bath.” He looked up when Kash vaulted over the railing a moment later. “Find anything?”
