Page 22 of Raven's Claw
She stopped just shy of the covered area stretching the length of Kash’s home.“We’re here, safe and sound.Thanks for the tracking lesson.Looks like I need to brush up a bit before our next session.”
“Sheesh, you two spend all of ten minutes together, and you’re already talking shop.”Kash moved out of the shadows, cup in one hand, a travel mug in the other.“It’s like you just can’t help yourselves.”
Jordan jumped.She’d been so focused on Zain, she hadn’t noticed Kash lurking in the dark.Which suggested she really was slipping, especially when she should be on high alert.
Zain shrugged.“Occupational hazard.”
Kash shook his head.“That’s lame, brother.”He held out the travel mug.“Figured you’d need a hit before you head off.Assuming you’re done with the war games for the night.”
“Just because I didn’t find any trouble doesn’t mean it’s not out there, brewing.”
“Which implies it’s not ready, so you can afford to get a few hours of sleep.”
Zain didn’t reply just tipped the mug at them then headed off.He crossed the open lawn, disappearing into the building off to their right.
Jordan moved in beside Kash.“First, I don’t realize you’re actually awake when I slip out of the bed, then I don’t see you in the dark.Are you trying to make me question my skill set?”
“Your skill set’s fine.I’m simply attempting to prove that you’re safer as part of a team than the lone wolf mentality you seem to think is your only option.”He nodded at the knife.“I hope that’s one of mine because if it’s not, I’m not sure I want to know where you were hiding it.”
“I got it from the drawer next to the dishwasher.And have you stopped to consider that I’m trying to keep you safe?That I don’t want to be the reason you get hurt?”
“I’ve considered it.I just don’t accept it.”He waved to the door.“Coffee?”
ChapterSix
Kash waited until Jordan slipped through the doorway before scanning the grounds one last time, checking the tree line twice before shaking off the goosebumps prickling down his spine.He glanced at Nyx.She seemed fixated on a section of the forest at the outer edge of the property — where an old, heavily overgrown two-track met the fence.It wasn’t four-by-four worthy without a hefty lift and a couple backup trucks for the eventual tow out, but a dirt bike might be able to eek its way down the winding path.
He gave Nyx a couple more seconds to decide if the area warranted further action, but the dog finally snorted then trotted inside, most of her earlier limp gone.
The alarm chirped as he armed it before making his way to the kitchen.Jordan appeared around the corner dressed only in his over-sized hoodie and a pair of socks, her feet silent against the well-worn wooden floors.She stopped across the island from him, claiming one of the bar stools then sliding him the knife.
He picked it up, testing the weight, wondering if she’d chosen it for tossing or slicing.“Nice choice.”He placed it back in the drawer, giving her an arch of his brow.“Anything else hiding beneath the hoodie?”
She grinned.“I might let you find out… after some coffee.”
He poured the fresh brew into a mug then slid if over to her, holding up a sugar bowl and some creamer.“I believe you takethreesugars…”
“Don’t judge, just enable.”
“And there’s salted caramel or hazelnut?—”
“You had me with salted caramel.”
She added the sugar and creamer, blowing on the top before taking a cautious sip.“God, this should be illegal.Like a deadly sin kind of thing, it’s so damn good.Why would you ever buy coffee when you can drink this every day?”
He took a swig of his then leaned in, admiring the flecks of darker blue in her eyes.“To see you.”
She smiled at him across the mug, and his damn heart gave a hard thud.He rubbed his chest, wondering if she’d heard it or if he was simply going insane.The only theory that explained the non-stop clench of his stomach, as if he was falling but never hitting the ground.Or the way he wanted to make her a dozen more cups of coffee just to keep that smile on her face.Have her look up at him, all blue-eyes and ruby-red lips, the way she was right now.As if he’d quieted some of those voices in her head.
He gave her a moment to savor the drink, then took a breath — blew it slowly out.“See anything interesting outside?”
She paused, studying him for a few seconds, as if she wasn’t quite sure if he was making small talk or suspected there was someone lurking in the shadows.That heavy feeling he’d felt before coming inside.
“Just Zain.”She leaned back in the chair, still sipping the coffee.“Damn, the guy’s fast.Leaps over brush and logs like a gazelle on steroids.You can barely tell he busted his right knee recently.”
“How do you know about his knee?”Kash knew Zain rarely talked about it.Not when it was a result of that fateful mission.All the baggage none of them were ready to unpack.Except maybe Foster.Though, that was all Mac’s influence.
Jordan scrunched up her nose.“He hides it well, and it’s not nearly as noticeable as when you all first came into the diner, but it’s stiff.Anyone who looks hard enough would notice.”
