Page 62 of Security Breach

The operative looked from David to Emma and back. His lips curved. “I’ll wait on the deck,” he murmured.

As soon as the door closed behind Cal, Emma asked softly, “Are you mad at me?”

He blinked. “Do I look angry?”

She studied his face. “I don’t know what that expression is.”

“It’s the I-think-I-screwed-up-and-I’m-worried expression.” His lips curved. “Get used to it. The expression might be permanent until the killers are behind bars.”

“Then let’s find these guys so I don’t have to see that expression often.”

“Deal.” David wrapped his arm around Emma and drew her close to his side. “Let’s do this.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

David scanned their surroundings, his skin prickling. Something was off, but what? He studied the cabins. According to Abe’s computerized reservation program, all the buildings were occupied except for Cabin 10. The curtains were open in each cabin except that one. Vehicles were parked in front of the structures, but no one appeared to be around. Abe’s vacationers must be down at the lake.

Eli said softly to Cal, “Recon.”

“Yes, sir.” The operative walked to the closest cabin and around the back of the building.

A sheriff’s SUV drove into the clearing and parked next to the Fortress vehicle. Elliot and Levi exited the cruiser. Dressed in uniforms, their shields glittered in the bright sunlight.

“Updates?” Levi asked, glancing at Emma who sat inside Eli’s vehicle.

“We’re waiting for Blackhawk to deliver Emma’s supplies, and don’t give me grief. She needs the supplies to keep herself grounded and calm.”

His brothers exchanged glances. “Didn’t know Chief Blackhawk made special deliveries.” Elliot glanced around, his eyes narrowing. “You feel that?”

“Oh, yeah.” Levi shifted to David’s other side, studying the tree line. “Emma shouldn’t be here, bro.”

“I won’t keep her locked up.”

“Better than Em being hurt or killed.” Elliot’s gaze locked onto the unoccupied cabin. “Cabin 10 has closed curtains. You checked it?”

“We arrived two minutes ago. One member of Wolf Pack is doing recon.” He sent Elliot a pointed look as he tossed his brother the master key. “Don’t shoot him on sight or arrest him.”

“If I spot him, he deserves what he gets.” With that, Elliot walked in the opposite direction from Cal. Within thirty seconds, he melted into the dense shadows of the woods and vanished from sight.

David’s phone rang. He glanced at the screen. “Montgomery.”

“It’s Blackhawk. I’m ten minutes out.”

“Copy that. Be careful. We could have trouble brewing.”

“Sit rep.”

David updated the other man, ending with, “Emma insisted on coming with me. She’s inside a Fortress SUV, but I don’t have a good feeling about this.”

“Listen to your gut. If you suspect a trap, choose another place to meet. I’ll catch up with you.”

Torn, he looked at the SUV again to reassure himself that Emma was still safe. “What’s your ETA now?”

“Two minutes.”

“Hurry.” David ended the call. He started to go to Emma when a shot rang out, followed by another, then another in rapid succession. “Emma, get down!”

He and the other two men dashed to the driver’s side of the vehicle and dropped down. After a quick glance to be sure Emma was out of sight, David asked, “Anybody got a bead on him?”

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