Page 135 of Fatal Intent
“Satisfied?”
“For now.” He looked at Gino. “He’s clean.”
Gino sneered. “Forget everything you learned in the military? You never give up all your weapons.”
“You threatened to hurt Rayne if I held something back. I’m not taking any chances of your following through on your threat.”
Barry laughed. “Oh, that’s rich. I can’t believe it. The EOD man with a block of ice for a heart is wrapped around the finger of a beautiful woman. The rest of our team would never believe it if I told them.”
“But you can’t tell them, can you? Donovan killed everyone but your team and ours.”
“He’s doing what’s necessary to avenge his brother. Wouldn’t you do anything to protect your parents and siblings?”
“I wouldn’t slaughter innocent soldiers who did nothing except survive a mission gone horribly wrong.”
“No one really knows how they’ll react until the worst happens,” Gino said flatly. “Be grateful you didn’t lose one of your siblings to a senseless war.”
Hmm. That statement right there might be the key to finding out why Gino and his team turned into thieves. “I did what you asked. Where’s Rayne?”
“Not so fast, Bowen.” Barry brought out two zip ties. “Can’t have you roaming free in our safe house while we wait for the rest of your team to show up.”
“Do you see anyone else but me?”
“Nope, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t out there.” He gestured to the empty acres of land. “Your unit always had each other’s backs. I can’t see that changing this late in the game.”
Oh, how right good old Barry was. Grant turned his attention back to Gino while Barry cinched his wrists together with the zip ties. One zip tie was easy to break. Two zip ties made for more of a challenge. Hopefully, Rayne still had at least one of her knives on her. “I want to see Rayne.”
A shrug from the team leader. “It’s your funeral. Donovan is with her. If you’re lucky, he’ll allow you to say goodbye to Rayne before he works on you. I don’t believe your death is meant to be quick, Grant.”
“Take me to her.”
“So eager to die?” He shook his head as though disappointed. “I hope you know what you’re doing.”
So did he.
Barry gripped Grant’s upper arm and propelled him toward the back door. “Let’s get this over with,” he muttered. “I don’t trust Ellis.”
“Why not?” Gino asked.
“Do you need to ask me that? He’s clearly off his rocker, G. I always knew he had a thing for BDSM with the women, but his plans for Rayne and her teammates are sick. Keeping them prisoner, raping and torturing them daily? Come on. No sane man does that.”
In Grant’s ear, Seth growled. “If you don’t take down Ellis, I will.”
He agreed wholeheartedly. Jail or the grave. Either was fine with Grant. Ellis couldn’t be allowed to escape justice. Women weren’t safe with him in the world.
Grant stumbled over an exposed rock and would have gone down if not for Barry’s hold on him. He hissed as pain shot through his aching side. He’d be glad when this op ended and he could take pain meds and lie down for a few hours at the hospital. The constant ache in his side was ramping up to excruciating.
Gino stepped ahead of them and knocked on the back door. “It’s Gino. We have Grant.”
“Come.”
One word but Grant recognized the deep, raspy voice. Donovan Vance.
“Watch yourself,” Seth murmured. “Don’t antagonize him. We’re almost in position.”
Gino threw open the door and stepped inside, motioning for Barry and Grant to follow.
Grant scanned the room, memorizing the layout and the position of everyone present. His gaze settled on Rayne and Ellis. The soldier had one hand wrapped around Rayne’s hair and had pulled her head back so her neck was exposed to the blade of a Ka-Bar pressed against her throat.
