Page 76 of Security Breach

Rafe’s hands fisted.

Eli narrowed his eyes as he took in his teammate’s reaction.

“Jordan said the only way to leave the Hunt Club is in a body bag,” David continued.

Cal whistled. “Harsh.”

“How long has this club been in existence?” Eli asked.

“At least three years,” Rafe answered. He jammed a hand through his hair, his expression bleak. “Two members of this club murdered the woman I was planning to marry.”

“Oh, Rafe,” Emma murmured. “I’m so sorry.”

He cleared his throat. “Thanks.”

“You joined the FBI to hunt for her killers.” Jon glanced at his teammate. “Knew something prompted your decision. You aren’t fond of the federal government.”

“What do you know about the Hunt Club, Rafe?” Eli asked.

“Not enough. They’re like ghosts. A friend in the Bureau gave me a copy of the crime scene reports from Callie’s murder. The team found evidence of two killers, but not much else. No fingerprints, no murder weapons. Like Emma’s family, she was stabbed multiple times. The killers bypassed Callie’s security system. The outside camera caught less than the photos Jon pulled from Emma’s safe houses. The men knew the location of the external cameras and sprayed the lenses with black paint.”

He scowled. “These men are treating the US as their hunting ground.” Rafe looked at Emma. “Where were your safe houses located?”

“Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Kentucky. My family was attacked in Alabama. The marshals were discussing moving me from Rock Harbor right before the last team found me.”

David stiffened. “The FBI suspected your security had been breached?”

“I don’t know. They only told me if I was relocated again, they hoped it was the last time.”

Rafe growled. “They were setting a trap.”

She blinked. “A trap for the Hunt Club?”

“For one of the teams, and they were using you as bait.”

“Some trap,” Cal said. “They not only didn’t catch the hunters, they lost the bait.”

“I thought Agent Jordan wanted to keep me safe.” Emma looked stricken.

“He does,” Rafe said. “But his priority is catching a group of killers.”

“You said the teams have been operating for at least three years.” Eli frowned. “If there are teams all over the US, why haven’t they caught the attention of the media?”

“The teams use different methods to kill their victims.”

David groaned as realization sank in. Had one of these teams killed Emma’s grandfather, too? “And law enforcement may not realize a team is hunting in their area.” He turned to the woman he adored. “I’m sorry, Emma. If I had known this, I would have safeguarded your grandfather.”

Emma laid her hand over his. “You had no way to know. Even if the FBI had shared the information with you, you couldn’t have anticipated they would target him.”

“What purpose would killing Mr. Watts serve, David?” Jackson asked.

“I think the men killed Mr. Watts while trying to force him to tell them where Emma was hiding.”

“But he didn’t know.” Her voice broke. “What must Grandpa have thought if he learned I was alive but didn’t contact him?”

“He’d be thrilled that you were alive and safe. If he’d known where you were, Mr. Watts wouldn’t divulge the information. He was a tough cowboy.”

“Because of me, they tortured him. I should have defied the FBI and contacted Grandpa. He might still be alive if I had called him.”

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