Page 48 of Raven's Claw
“Help?You told them about me?About Rook?Are you nuts?”Jordan holstered her weapon then took a step, stopping when Kash matched her movement — kept himself between her and everyone else.“You said I could trust you.”
“Easy, sweetheart.”Kash grabbed her shoulders — squeezed them.“Let’s hear him out.”
“You can, it’s just… Can everyone take a breath?”Bodie glanced back at the guy — Cannon.“I told you to meet me at my office.”
Cannon didn’t seem fazed.Hadn’t gone for the gun hiding beneath his jacket.He just stood there, his arms crossed over his expansive chest.Looking as if he could have stopped the bullet simply by flexing.“Why, when all the action’s over here?”
“Because I hadn’t gotten around to telling everyone about you and Jericho, yet?As you saw, Jordan’s in more of a shoot first, kind of mood, than waiting to see if you might be trustworthy.”Bodie scrubbed a hand down his face, still looking ready to dive at whoever broke ranks, first.“We’ll go over proper introductions later, but… This is Rick Sloan, aka Cannon.He’s ex-military.Spent a decade leading a Delta team.He has a high-tech security company in Seattle called Wayward Souls.His partner, in all aspects, is Jericho Nash.U.S.Deputy Marshal, to be exact.”
“You called the Marshal Service?”Kash turned and closed the distance — got up in Bodie’s personal space.“You’d better start talking, brother, because we vouched for you, and I’m a breath away from being the one you need to worry about.”
“Easy folks.”Cannon cleared his throat.“Bodie only called because he knew you’d need some reliable help dealing with this situation without ending up in Leavenworth.We’ve been in similar circumstances, and our official contacts know, firsthand, not every scenario can go through the proper channels.So, everyone take a breath, like Bodie said.We’ll explain everything in detail back at his office, because we have far more intel on this issue than anyone knows, even you… It’s Jordan, right?”He didn’t wait for a confirmation.“Kash, can you please ask your dog to stop growling at me?I take that personally.”
Kash sized up Cannon, considering his options before whistling.“Nyx.Guard.”She backed up two steps but kept her focus on the newcomers.Not quite growling, but she wasn’t backing down.Was ready to launch at them if Kash gave her the command.
He glanced at Jordan and damn, she wasn’t masking her feelings, now.Eyes narrowed, mouth pinched tight with red along her neck and cheeks, she looked like she had when she’d still been riding the adrenaline high after taking Tucker down.
She took a calculated step forward.The kind Kash’s gut told him preceded a precision strike.“Give me one reason why I should even consider trusting you.”
“Me.I’m the reason, love.”
Kash cursed under his breath when another guy strolled in as if this was a freaking party.Tall.Leaner than Cannon, who Kash swore could take on a tank and win.This new guy was suave, almost pretty despite the vibe he gave off.Nothing like the death one rolling off Cannon.Similar to what Mac accused Kash and his teammates of projecting.This was honed.The same kind of tightly wound energy Jordan emanated, only a thousand times more lethal.Add to that the British accent, and Kash swore the guy had double O written all over him.
Kash instinctively stepped between the Brit and Jordan before he realized he’d moved.Not that he didn’t think Jordan could handle herself, but he’d promised her he’d have her back, and he wasn’t failing her, now.
Jordan closed the distance, staying somewhat behind him.A fact he’d have to thank her for later.She tilted her head, staring at the guy before she grunted.“Miller?”
The guy — Miller — grinned.“Awe, I told Cannon you’d remember me.Though, Iama hard bloke to forget.”He nodded at everyone else.“The name’s Gibson Miller.”He glanced at the phone, then at Kash, before focusing on her.“I see you finally broke both of Rook’s rules, and in brilliant fashion, as always.The dog handler’s a bit of a surprise.I always pictured you as more of a cat person.”
“Jordan?”Kash gave her a quick glance.“We good?”Or are we throwing down?He didn’t say that part out loud, but she got the message.Shifted closer and gave his arm a squeeze.
“Miller’s good.Not convinced about the other two.”She stabbed Bodie with a death glare.“Or Bodie, right now.”
“Cannon and Jericho are mates, love.And Cannon seems to think Bodie’s an okay bloke, as do most of your friends so…” Miller waved at her.“Let’s go back to whatever secure flat you’ve got and chat, yeah?”
Kash held his ground.He didn’t care if Miller knew Jordan because she was still primed for a fight.Still on that razor’s edge between control and execution.No one moved, and Kash suspected his teammates felt it, too.An electricity in the air that only needed a single spark to get it all firing.
Greer held up her hands.“All right, boys, everyone zip up.We’ve got more pressing issues than who’s the real alpha dog.Like what you think’s going on with Atticus.”
Jordan sighed.“Cannon’s right.This is all part of a larger plan that requires Atticus to stay breathing.At least, for now.”
Greer nodded.“What level of fucked are we talking?”
“Well past holy, but not quite royally, yet.”
“And you’re sure this cell isn’t going to blow up in my hands?”
Jordan shuffled over and grabbed it.“It’ll be for me, anyways.”
Kash glanced at Chase.“Chase?Buddy do me a solid and let me borrow your truck.Jordan and I need a few minutes.We’ll meet you all at Bodie’s in five.”
Chase dug into his pocket and tossed Kash the keys.“Don’t take too long, brother.”
Kash nodded, waiting for everyone else to leave before turning and pinning Jordan with his gaze.“All right.Out with it.”
She frowned.“Out with what?”
“All the stuff whirling around inside your head.I can practically hear it.We both know you’re not going to tell the team everything, so… Talk to me.”
