Page 58 of SEAL by Fate

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GRAY SWIPED THE snow off the side of Nixon Cade’s truck and leaned against the frame. “I haven’t seen you in a while, buddy. How’s the wife and baby?”

Cade was as big as a house, but with the mention of his family, he looked like an overgrown teddy bear. “Melly and Marissa are both fine. I took some time off to spend with my girls, but I’m back. Jamison told me that Phantom was on Whispering Mountain.”

“Yep. Any news on the bomb that was set off at the church?”

“It was a vehicle bomb, detonated on the street. I don’t think the intention was to hurt anyone. Just to get some attention.”

“Our man isn’t working alone, Cade. He’s up to something and my instincts are warning me he has something big planned.”

“There are a number of places he could hit next. Unless we catch the scent of his trail…” Cade blew out a long breath. “Cases like this make you want to go home and hug your family close.”

Gray turned and looked out over the melting snow. He rubbed his freshly shaven jaw. “Who owned the vehicle?”

Cade reached in and took out a small notebook, thumbed through it until he found the page he was looking for. “They traced the plate number back to a female, thirty-two. Name is Colette West.”

It took a long second for the name to sink in. “Colette West?” Acid churned in Gray’s stomach.

“Yeah. Do you know her?”

“Fuck!” he pushed through tight lips. “Not personally, but I know someone who does.” He rubbed his brow and swiped his hand down his cheek. “No sign of remains?”

Cade dropped his notebook back into his pocket. “No. The area was scoured clean and aside from the bomb fragments and what was left of the car, nothing else was found. Just as I said, he wanted to gain attention and he got it.”

“It’s a red herring. He’s planting them like bread crumbs. He has her.”

“Who?”

“Colette.”

“How do you know?”

“Did Jamison tell you about the woman, Stormy, who I met on the mountain?” With the other man’s nod, Gray continued, “That’s her sister and none of this, not the accident, the cabin, nothing was fate. He’s using Stormy.”

“This puts a whole new spin on this case.”

“True. So, what is the missing link? I have to go, Cade. Listen, let me know the second you find anything more. Tell Jamison what I’ve told you and the team needs to rake a fifty-mile perimeter for any sign of this motherfucker’s existence. Don’t leave any leaf unturned. I believe I’ll be able to add more to the story later.” He gave his buddy a half-assed wave and hurried to his Jeep. Once he was headed back to the ranch, Gray knocked his thoughts around in his head, trying to get his bearings on what the hell was happening. Meeting Stormy on the mountain wasn’t a fluke after all.

Why hadn’t he put the pieces together before now?

He’d have to ask her questions and tell her that her sister’s car was used in the bombing.

Knowing he would hurt her drove through him like a wooden stake. After last night, making love to her, then falling asleep with her in his arms, he woke up feeling refreshed, on top of the world. He’d regretted leaving her, but he still had a job to do—an important job that was snowballing at the moment. Gray wasn’t new in this career and understood the risks of falling for someone, but all fingers were pointing at the fact that Phantom might have orchestrated this entire situation. And he had kidnapped Colette. But was she still alive? Gray believed she must be.

But why?

And how?

As he pulled onto the property, he drove up to the house and hurried inside. He found Stormy in the kitchen, taking cookies off a pan and placing them onto a platter. When she saw him, her eyes lit up and a lovely smile upturned her lips. His heart twisted. He didn’t want to see that smile disappear, but once he told her what he knew, she’d be heartbroken.

“I hope you like chocolate chip. I’ve also made cupcakes. I’m really giving the idea of opening a bakery a thought.” Stormy crossed the short space between them and she stood on tiptoes to give him a kiss. “You weren’t gone very long. I thought you said you’d be away all day.”

“Can I speak to you a minute?”

She dropped back, looking at him curiously, her smile fading. “Is something wrong?”

“Here. Have a seat.” He took her hand, led her to the kitchen table and pulled out a chair for her. His chest was tight and he had an ache in his temples.

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