Page 56 of Deadly Sins

And with each mile, the sense of unease in her gut grew stronger.

Something wasn’t right about this op, about Hawk’s sudden reappearance in her life. But she couldn’t put her finger on what it was.

All she could do was keep going, keep pushing forward, and hope that whatever lay ahead, she’d be ready for it.

Because out here, in the middle of nowhere, with nothing but the snow and the wind and the two men by her side, there was no turning back.

Suddenly, the men’s headlights illuminated the ice shelf surrounding the crushed station. Now Hawk’s real plan would be revealed.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she followed the two other machines up to the tiny opening in the crevasse. Her butt was numb from the long ride, but the adrenaline pumping through her veins kept her alert and focused.

Hawk hopped off his machine and flicked on a powerful flashlight, aiming it at the narrow passageway leading into the abandoned building.

As she dismounted her rig, she glanced to her side, relieved to see Fenn less than five feet away. She grabbed her flashlight and followed. They headed inside, through the tiny vestibule of ice and past the boxy generator, their flashlight beams cuttingthe dark as Hawk led them to the center of what once was a large, open room.

Still a few feet from the broken staircase leading to the lower level, Hawk paused and pulled off his helmet, visor, and goggles. Kate followed suit. But when she turned to look at Fenn, she froze, her blood turning to ice in her veins.

The man removing his helmet wasn’t Fenn. It was a balding stranger, his eyes cold and calculating.

She backed away, reaching for her handgun, but Hawk was too quick. He grabbed her arms and pinned them behind her back, his grip like a vise.

She struggled against him, her flashlight falling to the ground, but it was no use. There was no way she could break free, no way to access her weapon.

The balding man tossed Fenn’s helmet on the ground, a cruel smirk twisting his lips. “Howdy do, Miss Kate,” he said, his voice dripping with false politeness.

Kate’s eyes widened in recognition. It was Jimbo, the hotel clerk, his once-friendly demeanor replaced by a cold, calculating sneer.

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Jimbo approached,his eyes gleaming with a predatory light, no hint of the pleasant, slightly dim desk clerk left.

Kate struggled, but Hawk gripped her upper arms, his fingers digging into her flesh through the layers of clothing.

“Grab her sidearm,” Hawk ordered, his voice cold and commanding.

Jimbo obeyed instantly, moving in with a smirk. He unzipped her parka, his fingers brushing against her chest as he grabbed her M18 out of its holster.

“Nice,” he said, his voice dripping with appreciative sarcasm. He stuffed the gun inside his own jacket, patting it with a self-satisfied grin.

“Don’t forget the knives.” Hawk hauled her back against him. “You still carry a couple for extra insurance, right, Kitty Cat?”

She clenched her teeth, wanting more than anything to punch him in the face.

“Yup,” he gloated, as Jimbo dug the two weapons out of her boots.

Hawk released her, pushing her away from him with a rough shove. She stumbled forward, catching herself against the ice-covered wall before she fell.

She whirled on the two men, her eyes blazing with fury. “Where’s Fenn?”

Jimbo opened his mouth to speak, but hesitated, glancing at Hawk with a questioning look.

Hawk merely shrugged, his expression casual and unconcerned.

“He’s catching some extra Zs,” Jimbo answered finally.

Kate’s hands clenched into fists at her sides. She wanted nothing more than to wipe that smirk off Jimbo’s face, to snap his neck like a twig.

But she knew she wouldn’t make it two steps before Hawk stopped her. He was too fast, too strong, and too skilled, and with her gun in Jimbo’s possession, she was at a serious disadvantage.

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