Page 15 of Raven’s Claw (Raven’s Cliff #2)

Chapter Seven

This was a mess.

She was a mess.

All because she’d allowed herself to have a glimmer of hope — believe, even for just a second, that maybe she could have a future with Kash. That, with his team backing her up, she could access the intel, topple Scythe and Rook, and somehow walk away unscathed.

Four slashed tires.

Coincidence? Some vendetta against Kash? Rook toying with her, just to make her sweat? To draw out the inevitable ending. Shred the last bits of her soul that she’d salvaged when she’d limped out of that compound.

Kash caught up to her, slipping his hand over hers. He didn’t ask her any uncomfortable questions, just gave her hand a squeeze as they stopped at the back door. “You good?”

She tiptoed up — kissed him. Not long and hot and deep like she wanted.

Like back at the house. What might have been her last chance to fully taste his mouth.

This was soft. More of a brush of her lips across his.

And it hit her just as hard. Had her stomach clenching, her head spinning.

She thought about trying, again, when Nyx nudged them, tail wagging. Tongue hanging out.

Kash sighed, tsking at Nyx. “Traitor. You just want in because you know they probably have bacon.”

Kash opened the door, letting Nyx dart inside. He took Jordan’s hand — looked her dead in the eyes. “If this turns out to be your brand of trouble, promise me you’ll talk to me before you take off.”

Her throat closed, her chest tightening. “Let’s hope it’s not.”

It wasn’t the answer he’d obviously been hoping for, but it was the best she could give him without lying to his face.

After everything they’d shared — the way he’d held her as if she might fly apart — she couldn’t do that to him.

Maybe if they’d only had that one round on the ottoman — what was closer to her usual hit and run — she could have smiled and rattled off an easy yes .

But when she’d told him she was fine with a quickie on the counter, and he’d insisted on taking her to bed.

Holding her close. Watching her reaction as he moved inside her, daring her to deny that somewhere between him waltzing into the café and her dumping Tucker on his ass, she’d fallen for him.

Broken the ultimate rule. That killed any chance she had of making this a clean getaway.

Foster cut off mid-sentence, smiling at Kash as they walked into the kitchen. “I was just about to send Chase over to bust down the door. Coffee?” He grabbed two mugs off the counter, handing them over. “Not as good as Kash’s, but it’s hot, and you two look like you could use the kick.”

Jordan held the mug between her hands, taking in the gathering of people. “Does anyone need to get any ribbing or chest pounding out of the way before we go over the footage? Maybe exchange some cash for whoever won this pool?”

Chase laughed. “I did, and we’ve already settled, but thanks. Though, we all know you were really just worried about Nyx.”

She smiled. At least his buddies weren’t overly concerned, yet. Weren’t slipping on tactical vests or nailing plywood over the windows. Bracing for the storm she might have brought to their doorstep. Instead, they just waved her and Kash over.

Zain ran his fingers through his hair, looking less than impressed. “The footage isn’t great, but judge for yourself.”

He hit the button, and the screen popped on, the driveway flickering to life in eerie shades of gray. Kash’s truck loomed in the distance, just visible amidst the thick fog. Nothing happened for the first few minutes, the truck fading in and out as the mist rolled across the ground.

There.

Back end.

Creeping up the side. A figure. More mist than man.

A shoulder, then a leg. Crouching down. She caught a flash of something hanging down his neck for the split second his head took shape, a few square items protruding from his chest area, then it was gone.

Nothing but the grainy feed showing the truck slowly sinking a bit as the air bled out.

Kash scrubbed his hand down his face. “That’s it?”

Zain fisted one hand but didn’t slam it down. “I’ve been more worried about people infiltrating the house than taking a shot at one of our trucks.”

“No argument there, brother.” Kash gave her a quick side-eye, and she knew he’d noticed it, too. “Can you zoom in on the guy when his head’s somewhat visible?”

Zain sighed. “Already have, though I’m glad you spotted it, too.”

Damn. That meant it had been a comms unit.

Who needed to coordinate with a team to slash some tires?

Foster crossed his arms. “We were thinking the same thing.”

Jordan stilled. Had she spoken that thought out loud? She glanced around at Kash’s buddies, groaning inwardly. And she’d thought she was off her game last night.

Foster leaned against the counter. “You look a little pale, Jordan. Everything okay?”

She swallowed, impressed when she didn’t puke. “I need to change.”

Mac scooped her clothes from yesterday off a nearby chair, then handed them over, leaving her set of keys still lying on the surface. “There’s a bathroom just down the hall.”

“Thanks.” Jordan left the keys as she headed for the bathroom, stopping when Kash hooked her elbow. “I just need a few minutes, okay?”

He held firm, studying her face — probably looking for any sign she was lying to him — before nodding. He released his grip, his gaze following her as she walked down the hall then slipped into the washroom.

The lock clicked over, though it wouldn’t keep anyone out for more than a few seconds. The amount of time she’d give herself to grieve the loss before she boxed it away. Did her best to bury Jordan with it — bring Ember back to life.

While she hadn’t recognized the silhouette, it screamed Rook. The kind of guy he would send to mess with her head. A warning, she supposed, of how far he’d take it if she didn’t surrender.

That he’d kill Kash and his teammates without a moment’s pause. That’s why the creep had slashed all the tires. It represented Kash’s team. That they’d all pay the price if Rook found her there.

And despite how much she wanted to stay — to ask them for help — she knew she’d never survive if she got them killed. That the part of her she’d kept hidden — that she’d given to Kash — would die with them.

After a couple sobbing breaths, she changed in record time. Pushed down all the thoughts of Kash and the future until they were nothing more than a hint of a suggestion. Something she could examine later — agonize over.

He’d be pissed. She knew it.

But at least he’d be alive.

While that might not be enough for him, it meant the world to her.

It took a full minute to bypass the window alarm and slip out — drop to the ground a few feet below. She hit two since she’d locked the door behind her as she reached the corner of the house. What she figured was their limit for how long it took to change — maybe splash some cold water on her face.

A quick sweep, then she raced toward her bike, all the while avoiding any direct sight lines from the windows. She popped the spare key out from under the cowling, then straddled the bike.

The front door opened. Kash and his buddies busting ass across the porch and down the path.

She kicked the pedal, giving the motor some gas.

It sputtered, then caught, revving loudly as she spun the rear tire then peeled out, shooting mud out the back.

Her name sounded behind her, but she knew, if she so much as glanced over her shoulder, she’d stop.

Cave to Kash’s way of thinking. And as much as she wanted his help, she knew exactly how it would end.

“Jordan!”

Kash slid to a halt, mud splashing across the bottom of his jeans as the bike’s taillight vanished around the far bend — where the driveway met the main road. He doubted she’d stay on the old highway for long. Not if she suspected someone was shadowing her.

Nyx gave chase, flying down the gravel road, ears straight back. Looking like a damn missile shooting across the ground. He whistled her back, aware there wasn’t a chance of her keeping up. And he couldn’t risk her getting hurt. Not when he suspected this was far from over.

He should have reacted faster. He knew Jordan would try to run. But he’d thought it would take more than two minutes for her to bypass Zain’s system and make it out to her bike. Especially with her keys still sitting on the counter from when she’d given them to Foster the night before.

She’d done that on purpose. A red herring of sorts. Knowing he’d assume he could catch up before she’d had enough time to hotwire the bike.

And he’d bought it.

Chase came racing across the path, cell in hand.

He stopped next to them, shaking his head as he gazed at where Jordan had disappeared.

“You’re not gonna like this. Greer just called.

Seems someone broke into the sheriff’s station last night.

Made it look like a routine smash and grab.

But when she checked, the only thing missing was her report from the café.

” Chase stared directly at Kash. “Including all of Jordan’s info. ”

Kash’s stomach clenched. “Do we honestly think Jordan gave Greer her real address?”

Chase paled. “Greer already knew from when Jordan took down those bikers who’d tried to steal that purse.

Maybe Jordan thought lying about it would only make her look more suspicious.

If she’s half as good at reading people as we think she is, she’s pegged Greer as an ex-federal agent.

Regardless, Jordan’s renting some old prospector cabin several miles from here. Completely isolated.”

“So, whoever took that report…”

“Knows where she lives. I bet my ass she’s heading there now to grab whatever she can’t leave behind before she vanishes.”

Kash stared up the driveway. “Not on my watch.”

Zain clapped him on the back. “I’ll drive. Chase, send us the address.”