Page 60 of Tabitha

A hint of worry tinges Gage’s green eyes, his body tense, like he’s ready to take off after me if I run.

It’s almost kind of sweet.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” River shakes his head as though the very idea is foolish. “Our girl is made of much sterner stuff. I bet she has stories that will make our hair turn gray, right, baby girl?”

A blush heats my cheeks, and I suddenly feel shy. I duck my head and shrug, shuffling my feet. “Maybe one or two.”

River throws back his head and cackles, and I grin at him. Though Gage throws up his hands in exasperation, a small smile plays around his lips. I turn away from them, struggling to keep my composure, squashing the odd impulse to bask in their teasing.

My gaze lands on the twisted remains of plastic and metal Bast holds in his hands. Only scraps of the bomb casing remain. If I didn’t know what I was searching for in the charred mess, I would’ve assumed it was merely part of the house.

As I approach, he lifts the device for my inspection, and I grunt in displeasure. “It’s professional. This was no accident. It was hooked to the gas line. If anyone even bothers to investigate, they’ll probably assume it was a gas leak.”

Bast grunts in agreement with my assessment. “We could report it.”

But I’m already shaking my head. “The cops are bought and paid for by Banks. The only thing reporting it would do is paint a bigger target on your backs.”

Pierce scowls down at the remains of the twisted casing. “I could call in a couple of favors. Have some people check it out.”

I peer up at him, not sure I like the reminder that he had a life before working for the Belladonnas. That he’s basically the enemy. I purse my lips as I go over the different options in my mind, but I ultimately shake my head. “Bringing in outsiders will only put more innocents in danger. Even if we suspect Banks, I doubt there is any forensic evidence on the framework to prove it.”

I glance back at the still smoldering cabin one more time, then resolutely turn down the trail and head back toward the house. “No, the best thing we can do is up our timetable and figure out the real reason they’ve taken over the valley.”

River takes one last, harsh look at the cabin, then follows me, shaking his head, and mutters, “Fuckers aren’t even bothering to send anyone to investigate.”

I cock my head, then grimace. “They probably saw you leave my house and know their attempt failed. My question is why plant the bomb in the first place?”

River snorts, looking at me like the answer is obvious. “The fucker is jealous.”

My brows furrow at the odd comment, and I shake my head. “That makes no sense. Banks isn’t the type of man to jeopardize everything over a woman. We’re no closer to figuring out where McNeil is located. There was no need to go to such extremes—”

“Unless they have their own timetable,” Bast says, finishing my sentence.

I give a grim nod in agreement. “They’re planning something big and want you guys out of the way. Something that would incriminate them if they’re caught. They wouldn’t risk drawing attention to themselves for any other reason.”

“We need to see your bunker.” Gage picks up his pace, his expression harsh. “Buford must have left a clue that we’re not seeing.”

My eyebrows lift at the sheer arrogance of the man. “You think Pierce and I missed something?”

Gage only shrugs, giving me a slightly sheepish look. “A new set of eyes can’t hurt.”

“That wasn’t a denial,” I mutter under my breath, slightly offended.

“Buford left the room with Tabitha in mind. It’s even keyed into her biometrics.” Pierce is constantly scanning our surroundings, like he expects us to be ambushed at any moment. “If there is anything to find, it would be something hidden that only she would understand.”

I mentally go over the room in my mind, wondering what I missed. “It must be something important, something that Banks needs. It’s probably the only reason he’s showing any interest in me.”

The men snort, a mixture of amusement and incredulity. Bast quickly masks his expression and nods. “Yeah, I’m sure that’s the only reason.”

Furious barking catches my attention, and I stiffen.

Rocky!

I take off at a dead run, ignoring the vicious cursing behind me when I don’t wait for the men to go first. Though they might be fast, I grew up in woods like these. I know how to head down the mountainside at a fast clip without breaking my legs or neck.

Rocks tumble behind me, twigs and underbrush snapping, the men blundering through the trees like a herd of rhinos. To keep up with me, they have to be practically throwing themselves down the mountain.

“I’ll be pissed if you assholes get yourselves killed!” I yell back at them but don’t slow my downward descent, urgency pounding through my veins.

---