Page 1 of Lethal Threat

Chapter One

SIERRA

It’s too late now. Squinting against the driving rain, I curse my foolishness. I should have checked the forecast more closely.You know better than to go onto the water on a night like this.

“Sierra! Did you hear me? We should call Cole, he’d know what to do.”

I try to ignore both my friend’s increasing panic, and her outlandish suggestion. Yet, try as I might, the truth is sinking in. There couldn’t be a worse night to be looking for Bryan.

A gust of cold air hits us, whipping my friend’s terrified voice away into the inky sky.

I can’t even look at her face. It makes my anxiety triple every time I do. I have to stay calm.

“We’re okay,” I shout without looking back, “I’ve got this.”

I hope.

Another smack of wind rips spray off the wave, over thebow of the boat, splattering the windshield with salty water. The barrage momentarily covers the drone of the outboard engine.

Colewouldknow what to do.

Any Air Force Pararescuer would be in his element on this reckless night mission. Especially Cole. The man’s like a human Swiss-army knife. Always ready and capable.

Oh god.I can’t believe I’m letting myself think anything good about Cole Strong.

He’s also the reason this nightmare is happening.

Bitter pain tightens my throat, making me want to scream into the howling wind. But there’s no time. Losing my focus could cost us our lives.

We rock violently on the next wave. Tossed side to side like the boat is a cork in the relentless wrath of Mother Nature.

The wind wasn’t wasn’t supposed to be this strong, but conditions are getting worse.

I grit my teeth so hard my temples throb as I fight the boat and push on. We’ve got to be getting close.Water slides between my fingers slicking the wheel as agonizing memories seize my body.

Bryan. Cole. This whole nightmare makes a flush of angry heat twist through me. The only thing to do is channel the anger. I need my focus. My brother needs me.

Tears well in my eyes, making my vision even worse.

We have to find Bryan.I can’t let my brother go. He’s all I have.

The boat’s wheel is vibrating and cold under my shaking hands as I fight wave after wave. The boat rocks hard, the only way to stay upright is to brace my feet wider as the deck tilts this way and that way.

It was foolish to bring a skiff—we need a biggerboat.

A violent gust grabs at my jacket and almost knocks me over. As I fight for my balance, I squint into the darkness. Salty water hits my face as I regain my balance. The chill makes me shiver and hunker down into my jacket.

Of all nights to come. It couldn’t be a nice balmy summer evening with glassy water.

I jump when a hand lands on my arm. Evelyn holds onto the bar on the console, fighting to stay upright. “It’s so dark; this is really scary!”

“I know.”

She’s frightened out of her skull. I get it. I’m trying not to let myself go there.

I’ve got training on managing my emotions and my physiology, but Evelyn doesn’t, and I know I should comfort her, but I have to focus on keeping us alive.

Her voice grows shrill.“I know?That’s all you’ve got?”