Page 107 of Ghost

Her knees gave out and she sank into a well of disappointment.After everything Alexei had trained her for.Taught her.She’d still lost.

Just like Alexei, she was no match for Irinia.

***

“You realize we’recoming in fucking hot?”Zain said from the back seat.

Ghost clenched his teeth.High cortisol made his knee bounce.The only thing he hated more than riding passenger at a time like this was Zain challenging a situation they had little control over.

“What other option is there?”Rami said.

“We already killed a couple people and threw a goddamn grenade today,” Ghost finally said, swiveling his head to meet Zain’s dark stare.“Don’t tell me you’re chickenshit now.”

“Not chickenshit,” Zain growled.“I don’t want Mila to get killed over a stupid move.”

“I don’t want her to get killed at all, asshole.That’s why we’re getting her out quickly.”

“Stop arguing,” Rami commanded.

“Just sayin’,” Zain grumbled.

Ghost shook his head with irritation and stared out the windshield.The sun was still low behind the mountains, but the sky was streaked with pink and purple.Colors he wished Mila could see right now—from the safety of his house.

Guilt struck him in the chest like an ax.None of this should’ve happened.She should have been safe at his home.With him.

Pressure pounded against his temples.He pinched the bridge of his nose.If something happened to Mila, he’d never forgive himself.All she’d needed was safety.Freedom.Bare fucking minimum for human existence.She’d almost had those things with him.

They’ll hurt her.

Suffocating constriction circled his lungs.She was strong.She could handle herself.But he was no stranger to torture tactics.How they’d break her...

Jesus Christ, he couldn’t go there.

“We’ll find her,” Rami said softly, as if reading his mind.“We’re almost there.”

“And if I’m wrong?”he blurted, the deep-seated fear he hadn’t wanted to feed spilling out.“If she’s not at this farm?”

Rami didn’t respond.

“There’re no other leads,” Ghost continued.Self-doubt doubled by the second, revealing a vulnerability he’d never shown anyone, even himself.

Mila had ripped away his armor.Whatever guard he’d had in place was no match for her sweet laugh and husky voice.

I need her back.That’s all.Just let me have her back.

Who the hell he was praying to, he couldn’t say.Evie.God.Fuck, he wasn’t picky.Anyone who’d grant the request.

Zain swatted his shoulder.“Another minute or so.We’ve got this.”

Ghost glanced at the GPS screen.They were barely a mile away.Adrenaline bunched his fingers into fists.He’d kill the fuckers who’d taken her with his bare hands.

Irinia deserved worse.

He had several ideas in mind for that old hag.But he wouldn’t steal that opportunity from Mila.If she wanted him to handle it, he would.Otherwise, he’d let her decide what to do with the bitch.

Rami slowed.There it was.Lights shone from a sprawling bungalow with a huge barn behind it.Two SUVs and a sedan sat in the driveway.

“We’ll park down a ways and head in on foot,” Rami murmured.