Page 66 of SEAL by Fate

“What do we do? Just sit here and wait until he decides he no longer needs us?” Realizing by Colette’s expression that her words were a little harsh, Stormy sat back down next to her sister and hugged her. “I’m sorry. I know this is hard. Don’t worry. Once Gray realizes I’m gone, he’ll look for me. He’ll find us,” she whispered.

“Who’s Gray?”

“I’ll tell you all about him soon, but for now tell me, are you okay?” Stormy inspected her sister as much as she could in the bad lighting.

“Sore.”

“Okay. Things will be okay.” Stormy hugged Colette close and saw her flinch. “What is it?”

“He branded me,” Colette said in a quivering voice.

“Branded you? What do you mean?” Stormy moved and lifted her sister’s shirt. A raw-looking, blistered mark in the shape of a D covered a two-inch space on her shoulder.

“I’ll always have this as a reminder. He’s dangerous, Storm.”

A door squeaked somewhere across the dark space, then footsteps echoed off the walls until Duncan stepped into the ray of light streaming in through the window. Stormy shifted to put Colette behind her. “What the hell are you doing?” she growled the words.

“I think you know, Stormy.”

“No, I don’t Duncan, or should I call you Phantom?”

His laughter vibrated her ears. “Either is fine, but I do tend to like Phantom better. It has a sense of mystery, don’t you think?”

“The only mystery about you is the fact that you like to play with explosives. You’re a sick man.” She watched him move closer to the cage and felt Colette shaking. “You’re going to pay for this. Someone will come and save us. You can bank on that.”

“Oh, you must be referring to the Ghost Hawk, Gray Carlisle. Yes, darling, I am banking on the fact that he’ll show up like a hero with a badge. When he does…well, we shall see.”

She blinked. “That was your plan? All this? From the wedding planner, to the cabin, and even Lola?” Dread filled her. “Where is Lola?”

“I’d like to think of it as the master plan. The letters were like the glue. I must say, I did enjoy being near you, and you played right into my plan. It was like eating a cupcake. Sugary and satisfying. I wasn’t sure the timing of placing you and the Hawk would work, but just like fate, it worked like a well-oiled machine. Lola, well, how’d you like that one? It worked like a charm. For a man who is supposed to be as smart as Carlisle, he certainly didn’t catch that one, but then again, when he has his dick balls-deep inside sweet pussy I’m sure that’s a good excuse. I know I enjoyed it too.” He grinned.

A sickness unlike anything she’d ever known washed through her. To think this maniac had touched her made her feel dirty. She wanted to scrub her skin and vomit.

“In the end I get what I want. It wasn’t always that I wanted to destroy the Ghost Hawks, but after they made my work their business, I knew what I must do. An eye for an eye.”

“You’re crazy, Duncan. You’ll use any excuse to defend your massacre of innocent people. Let’s just be honest here. You like having the blood of innocents on your hands, point blank. But your reign of tyranny has come to an end. Gray will see to it. You’re no match for him. I assure you.”

“Oh, but darling. I realize my time has come. That’s part of the plan. I’m willing to pay the highest cost so that my fellow people can seek justice for the wrongs the government has committed upon us. Yet, knowing I will take out Carlisle as I go down is a golden ticket in the eyes of my group. And thanks to you, you’ve made that easy. You’ve led the lamb to the slaughter and my blade is sharpened. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you have a front row seat to my revenge. Maybe even let you watch as Carlisle goes down, not as a hero, but the catalyst to all this. You like concerts. Remember, we had tickets to see the orchestra? Sorry, I had something that came up. If you’re a good girl, when I’m finished, I’ll make both your deaths quick and painless.” Raw anger covered his face.

There were so many things Stormy wanted to say to him, but she feared that he would take his anger out on Colette. She had to bide her time and pray Gray found them sooner rather than later. She trusted him. She loved him.

“Where’s Lola?”

“She served her purpose. When I reach my purpose with anything I end them, as you well know. I really am sorry it had to be this way, darling. I rather found you a delightful challenge, although a bit cold at times.” He shrugged and took a step toward the door. “But the time has come for all of us. I’ll let you ladies enjoy your last few hours.”

*

Gray stared from each of the men. Cowboy, Cade and Abel.

“Hate me, but you know it’s true,” Able said.

“Don’t apologize. It’s nice to know who has my six and who doesn’t,” Gray said pointedly.

“That’s not true, bro. I’ve always watched your back, even though we don’t agree most of the time. I only told Jamison that I felt you were a little too deep in this case to make rational decisions. I mean, you did put your hands on me. You’d feel the same if it was another one of us.”

“We didn’t pull Cade off when he was dick-deep in a case. Sorry, Cade, I’m only saying,” Gray said.

Cade shrugged. “I hear you, man. I understand.”

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