Page 34 of SEAL of Fate

The older man removed a gold container from the inside pocket of his jacket, took out a cigarette, and tapped it twice on the case. Liam stepped forward, produced a lighter, and the end of Halstead’s cigarette glowed as he drew the smoke into his lungs.

Uncle Joe’s gaze never left her face. “I believe you’ve met Liam. He does a variety of things for me.” Both men snickered as though sharing a private joke.

Jordan didn’t respond, but the first stirrings of anger pushed against her terror.

Halstead stepped closer, and his voice dropped to a whisper. “You killed Alex.”

So it’s true.“I didn’t want to. Your nephew was going to shoot me.” As a defense, it would mean nothing to Halstead.

He snorted. “Alex never was good at finishing projects. It seems as though I’ve been going along behind him all his life, cleaning up his messes. Figures he’d leave one on the day he died.” Halstead regarded her thoughtfully. “So, tell me about your friend.”

“What friend?”

“Don’t play dumb, Jordan. The black guy, Travis, or whatever his name is.”

He wants me to give up Travis’s cover? That means he’s alive.A tiny bud of hope began to grow. “That bastard?” She gave her anger free rein. “He works for Alex and that caveman, Brody. I’d have gotten away if it wasn’t for him. I wish he were dead too.”

Uncle Joe glanced over his shoulder, nodding at Liam, who disappeared without a word. Halstead’s gaze traveled over her body, resting again on her face. “Did he hurt you?”

Jordan understood what he was asking and looked away, feeling hot color rise to her cheeks. Seemingly satisfied with whatever answer he garnered from her silence, he swung around and stepped toward the doorway.

“I’ll have to decide what to do with you. Don’t bother trying to escape. It’s impossible.”

“Wait. I won’t tell anyone.” Even though Jordan’s promise sounded empty, she had to try.

Surprisingly, Halstead didn’t laugh. “I wish I could believe that. I hate this part of the business.” His gaze wandered down her frame again. “It’s nothing personal. Alex had good taste in women.”

“And poor judgment in other things,” Jordan blurted.

“True, but he’s left me no choice. You and my nephew met with a tragic accident on your hunting trip. Your bodies will never be recovered. It will all be neat and tidy.” The door closed behind him, and a lock slid into place, echoing through the emptiness his words had left.

Sinking to her knees, she tried to keep her legs and hands from shaking.I’m going to die.There was no hope, no way out. For a few seconds, she allowed the wave of fear and desperation to break over her.

She had no family who would miss her. Her mother had died when she was twelve. Her father—her rock—had died unexpectedly and violently six months ago. Katie and Liz had been right—she’d only been going through the motions since then. Her dad would have been disappointed in her. How many times had he told her tokeep trying, never quit? Yet that was what she’d done when he died, and it was what she wanted to do now.

As her father’s words ran through her mind, a strange calm settled over her. Gradually, her trembling subsided, and her breathing normalized. Gathering what remained of her strength, she forced herself to stand. She was still afraid, but her will to live was stronger. Alex’s uncle would be disappointed if he thought she was going down without a fight.

*****

BRODY WALKED TO WITHINtwo feet of Travis before halting. “I need you to drive that truck to the ranch and wait for the rest of the crew.” Brody hitched a thumb toward the vehicle they’d just finished loading.

Travis’s next breath came a little easier. Though he’d had confidence his cover would hold up, it’d still been tough to stand and do nothing until the verdict came from Brody’s lips. Travis shoved his challenge coin in his pocket and nodded. “How do I find thisranch?” He was almost positive the ranch in question belonged to Halstead and was where Liam had taken Jordan. Travis had reconned the property as preparation for the job, but Brody had no way of knowing that.

“Kyle’s going with you in case you get tempted to make any more decisions by yourself. He’ll tell you how to get there.” Brody tossed Travis the keys and turned toward the other men awaiting instructions.

Shit! Getting out of here alone would be too easy, I guess.“My weapon?”

Brody hesitated, then snickered and handed over the gun. “You might need that if you run into Jordan again.”

Kyle barked a laugh as Travis slid the Sig into his shoulder holster.Laugh all you want.Brody had just told Travis what he wanted to know—Jordan was still alive.

“My spare?” Travis watched Brody’s sneer morph to a scowl before reaching for the middle of his back, producing the 38 Special, and laying it in Travis’s outstretched hand.

He was grateful to leave Brody’s camp behind him, fully aware being sent away in one of only two trucks that held a satellite phone was above and beyond the luck he expected. Thankfully, Kyle refrained from talking while Travis strongarmed the truck through switchbacks as they descended the mountain. The half-full whiskey bottle on Kyle’s lap drained out more every time he raised it to his lips.

“Hey, man, pull over. I gotta piss.”

Travis had been waiting for an opportunity, so he didn’t argue. Kyle set the open bottle on the floorboard, jerked open the door, and hopped out as soon as the truck stopped. When he climbed in a minute later, Travis’s right hook caught him in his weasel-like jaw and flipped his ass onto the ground.

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