Page 118 of Hidden Agendas (Tempting SEALs 4)

“And here I thought he would have the nerve to kill if he found the chance.”

Kell swung around, pushing Emily behind him again to stare down the wrong end of the pistol Jansen Clay was holding on them.

“Son of a bitch!” Kell cursed. “I’m just about getting sick of having you in my fucking face, Jansen. There are two teams of SEALs out there. Do you really think you’re going to get away this time?”

“Only the three of you know about me.” Jansen shrugged. “I kill you and it’s over with.”

“Wrong.” Kell took great satisfaction in watching Jansen’s eyes narrow almost fearfully. “We knew who had her. We tracked your wife to that chateau in Switzerland. She’s being picked up by American agents even as we speak.”

He felt Emily behind him, her slender fingers gripping the Beretta he had tucked into the back of his pants. Fear slammed into his gut.

“It doesn’t matter,” Jansen stated quietly. “Without witnesses, it will be very hard to prove. You can watch your friend die, then die yourself as I take Emily.”

The gun turned on Nathan as Jansen’s finger tightened on the trigger, and the little fox that Kell would have sworn would never hurt a fly fired the weapon from his side.

Point-blank at the center of Jansen Clay’s chest.

The gun dropped from Jansen’s fingers, his hand covering the wound as he turned his surprised gaze back to Emily.

“I didn’t hurt you,” he whispered in shock. “I was going to save you . . .” He lifted his hand and stared at the blood staining it before his gaze returned to Emily. “I was coming for you—”

He collapsed to the floor as Captain Malone and Commander Charles rushed into the room.

“Em.” Kell jerked around, prepared to snatch the gun from her nerveless fingers, prepared for the horror in her eyes. What he saw instead sent a surge of heat rushing through his veins. Her gaze was clear; only a glimmer of remorse touched the blue depths as she deftly turned her wrist, holding the gun, barrel pointing down, out to him.

“Monsters don’t deserve to live,” she said calmly. “I won’t lose any sleep over killing him.”

He took the gun carefully, tucked it in the band of his pants again then jerked her into his arms, holding her close, feeling his throat tighten with the emotion that suddenly filled it.

“God, I love you,” he whispered.

Kissing her brow, Kell sighed deeply before releasing her just enough to turn and watch the men swarming into the room. The medics had come prepared for Nathan, but Kell wondered if anything could put the man together again.

He was slumped against the wall, naked, his eyes filled with madness as he glared at Jansen’s dead body. His muscles twitched spasmodically, his once-strong body nearly emaciated.

“Nathan?” The captain moved slowly into the room, staring at his nephew as tears filled his light blue eyes. “Boy, you’re slacking off. Did I give you permission to rest?” Malone’s tone snapped with strength.

Nathan jerked, dragging the blanket closer as he tried to struggle to his feet.

“Do you walk out of here or do we carry you?” the captain barked.

“Make him stop.” Emily flinched at the tone. “Please, Kell.”

“No, Emily. If he doesn’t walk out of here, he’ll never have a chance of surviving.” He held her close, watching as a glimmer of sanity returned to Nathan’s eyes as he struggled to come to attention.

“Boy. I said do we carry you out?” the captain yelled.

“No, sir.” Nathan shook his head. “No, sir.”

“On your feet.”

Nathan struggled to his feet, securing the blanket around his hips.

“Sir.” He weaved. “On my feet.”

“You will walk to that helicopter outside. You will submit yourself to the medic standing by. Are we clear, Lieutenant Malone?”

Nathan shuddered, shivered, but his head tilted before wobbling on his shoulders.

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