Page 83 of Haunting the Hunter

Sharp.

Benjamin Teller.

He strides in, grabs the suitcase, and walks out—locking the door behind him.

“I’m in.” Jack exhales with relief.

“Wait… this doesn’t make sense…” Static chews the feed and my stomach sinks. “Cade—no—ri—Get ou—”

“We’ve be—intercept—”

Crackle. Then nothing. Silence hangs in the air until—

“Hello, Cade.” A smooth voice hums in my ear. Confident and almost bored. “I was hoping we’d run into each other.”

My stomach caves and I fling open the closet door and bolt for the window only to find it’s been sealed.

Shit.

“Not gonna talk?” He chuckles in my ear and I grind my teeth. “Credit where it’s due. It took my witch over fifteen minutes to jam your comms. You’re good. Damn good. Wouldn’t have caught it if Genevieve hadn’t spelled the grounds.”

“Benjamin Teller,” I growl, turning to face the room once again.

“Cade Halloway.” His tone softens into something like amusement. “Call me Ben. No need for formalities. I hear your name so often… it feels like we’re old friends by now.”

“What the fuck do you want,Ben,” I snarl, running a hand through my hair.

“See… my boss wants your head.”

I snort. They can join the club. “Planning to deliver it?”

“Mmm… not exactly. You’re my leverage. Now that your friend’s inside my files—he’ll figure it all out soon enough. But you… you’re going to help me.”

I begin pacing like a caged animal, trying to calculate my escape.

“Why the hell would I help you? You’re just another Covenant lapdog.” I grunt, going over to try the door. Locked.

“Yeah… about that. I’m not as loyal as you think.” He clicks his tongue, voice still amused. “Rosa? She’s unraveling. Not shockingconsidering her daughter is dead and her husband is rotting in the desert.”

“It was necessary.”

“Oh, I’m not judging.” He laughs, sounding almost gleeful. “Honestly? I’m impressed. You’ve got balls.”

“Get to the point,” I snap, going back to the desk and leaning against it.

“Simple. I give you what you need to finish the job… and you help me disappear. My family’s ties to the Covenant have long since soured and I’ve grown tired of them.”

I laugh, but the sound is anything but happy. “I don’t know you. And I don’t trust you.”

“Trust isn’t part of the deal. Information for freedom is.” He pauses, his voice going mockingly soft. “You do want to save your sister, right? Isn’t that what this is all about? Big brother… doing the right thing.”

I drift back toward the window, testing it again.

“And you just… want out?” I confirm, keeping him talking.

“That’s it. I don’t give a damn what happens to them. But Rosa? She suspects my hesitance. Hence… this fucking dump. Middle of nowhere, heavy security. The magic barrier.” His voice lowers and then echoes in my ear and behind me at the same time. I tense. “You’ve got someone to protect… and so do I.”

Metal clicks, cold steel pressing against the back of my skull.