Page 57 of Last Resort

Chance reached for the computer, fingers slamming down on the keys as he found the picture of the letter Weston had sent. Curses flew out of his mouth as he read, fury burning through him with every word.

It’s a pity when the innocent get caught in the cross fire of battle, don’t you think?

But war is what this is and I’m determined to win.

With your queen as a prize, I’ll do whatever it takes to defeat you. I’m looking forward to it.

You make me good, but she will make me better.

Included with the letter was a picture of Maci coming out of the office. It was impossible to tell how long ago it had been taken.

Every nerve in Chance’s body demanded action. He wanted to move.

He wanted tokill.

Whoever this bastard was who wanted to drag Maci into his sick games... Chance wanted to erase him from the planet.

“Hang on,” he said into the phone, before tossing it onto the kitchen table. He was tempted to throw his laptop across the room in rage, but knew in the long run that would only hinder his ability to protect Maci.

Right now he needed to see with his own eyes that she was alright. Especially after last night’s disappearing act.

He knocked on the guest bedroom door. “Maci? I just need to know that you’re in there and you’re okay.”

To his surprise, she opened the door. She looked pale and a little fragile, but otherwise fine.

Before he could stop himself, he yanked her into his arms.

“Chance?” she whispered.

“We’ve got trouble,” he said, not letting her go. He wasn’t going to keep this from her. He respected her too much not to tell her if she was in danger. “A threat from the stalker directed at you. I’m on the phone with the guys.”

Her face got paler, but she nodded. He led her back out to the kitchen and grabbed his phone as she sat down in one of the chairs, pulling her knees up and wrapping her arms around them.

She looked so young and vulnerable. Her personality was so big, it was easy to forget that Maci was only in her early twenties.

He put his phone on speaker mode. “I’m back. Maci’s here with me.”

“Hi, sweetheart,” Brax said. “We’re so sorry about this.”

“I’m okay,” she said. “Let’s treat this like it was any other case. Try to keep our emotions out of it.”

The hell he could. But Chance just nodded. He spun the laptop in her direction so she could see the note.

“Where was the letter sent?”

“The office,” Luke said. “It might have been there a day or more, honestly. Mail hasn’t been a priority.”

“Guy is talking about war and battle,” Weston said. “I think we were on the right track when we were narrowing the list to people who are former military or law enforcement.”

“I don’t understand what’s made him change from Stella to me.” Maci’s voice was small.

Chance reached over and grabbed her hand, rubbing his thumb along her soft skin. “We think this has never necessarily been about Stella. Stalking is a game for this guy.”

“Probably closer is that he considers it to be an exercise or a military mission,” Weston interjected. “He’s trying to improve his skills and feels like going up against us will help do that.”

“So, targeting one of our own makes sure we’re willing to engage with him,” Luke said. “If he stuck with Stella, he has no guarantee we won’t quit or get fired.”

She shook her head. “Did I do something to make him come after me?”

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