Page 16 of Raven’s Claw (Raven’s Cliff #2)

Kash headed to Zain’s truck, letting Nyx jump in the back of the cab before sliding in the front.

His cell pinged, Jordan’s address flashing across the screen.

Zain took a look, then roared out, mud spraying across the road as he hit the corner, barely slowed, then turned right and picked up speed.

The truck rocked down the highway, everything passing in a gray blur.

Zain looked over after a minute or two, hitting Kash in the arm before focusing on the road. “Tell me everything you know about her.”

Kash grunted, resisting the urge to punch his fist through the dash. “Anything I know that you don’t, isn’t something I’m going to share.”

“Not about her that way, dumbass. The woman’s rock solid. But she lets her guard down around you. I’d be surprised if she hasn’t let something slip after…”

“She said she knew Striker — had come across him and others like him in the field. That whoever was hunting her wasn’t like any other threat we’d faced. That it wouldn’t end well.”

“In other words, nothing we didn’t already suspect.”

Kash let his head fall back against the seat rest. “I knew she’d run.”

“We all knew she was going to run, buddy.”

“This was different. The way she kissed me before we joined everyone.” He gave Zain a quick glance. “It was goodbye.”

Zain sighed. “This isn’t about you, Kash.”

“Really? Because it feels pretty damn personal. She knows we’d have her back.” He tapped his chest. “That I’d have her back. No questions. No hesitation. Obviously, that didn’t matter.”

“She ran because she doesn’t want to have your blood on her hands. Because she’s afraid that whoever that asshole was who slashed your tires is part of whatever Shadow Ops agency is gunning for her.” Zain snorted. “Yeah, you were right. Don’t gloat. And honestly, I can’t blame her.”

Zain glared when Kash gave him a swat. “I didn’t say I agreed, jackass. But she’s obviously never had anyone stand up for her before. Never had anyone care. Her little trip down memory lane last night is proof of that. And that’s a hard habit to break, brother.”

Zain pulled over at the end of a long, winding gravel driveway, switching maps — getting an aerial view. “Looks like there’s a building about three hundred meters down. Nothing else showing for a good mile in any direction.”

“I’ll hoof it in from here.” Kash slipped out. “Do me a favor and keep Nyx with you.”

The dog whined, jumping into the front seat.

“I know you want to come along, but the three of us won’t fit on the bike.” He gave her a scratch. “Besides, I need to know at least one of my girls is safe.”

Zain chuckled. “Does Jordan know about your possessive side?”

“Shut up.”

“I’ll wait until you confirm you haven’t missed her.

Then, we’re all heading into town — see if Bodie can source some intel.

” Zain thumbed toward the flatbed. “Take my vest and whatever else you think you’ll need.

In fact, take it all. And assume her place is rigged, and there’s a fucking wet squad waiting in the living room. ”

“So, basically the same as dropping by your place unannounced.”

Zain rolled his eyes as Kash headed to the back, grabbing enough supplies he could counter some serious resistance, then returned to the passenger door.

He slipped a wireless headset over one ear then started down the driveway. He kept to the edge, veering into the woods once he was clear of the main road. The thick underbrush clawed at his pants, but he managed to battle his way around the perimeter before stopping at the rear entrance.

An eerie silence settled over the cabin, even the birds oddly quiet. Kash inched closer. Nothing. No movement from inside. No tracks leading in or out of either door. No tire marks carved into the mud.

She could have parked the bike and hiked in. Maybe used a window.

A hum.

Barely there. More of a vibration than an actual sound.

Drifting on the wind before cutting out.

A couple birds took flight off to his left, squawking as they headed north.

He waited, crouched behind some bushes, ready to dive out shooting if a bunch of tactical assholes showed up, guns blazing.

A hushed rustle of evergreen branches, then Jordan slinked out of the forest, pausing, scanning the cabin, then moving another foot.

She searched the mud, just like he’d done, crouching to trace some sort of outline before making her way to the rear steps.

She checked the doorframe. He wasn’t sure if she’d coated the top with powder or left a sliver of paper in the jam, but she seemed willing to risk entering.

She cracked the door open. Stopped. Ran her fingers along the edges — probably checking for wires.

Another three-sixty scan of her surroundings, then she disappeared inside.

Kash fired off a text to Zain, giving Jordan a minute to recheck the area from the windows then crept out. Staying low. Carefully placing each footfall to avoid making even a hint of noise. He pressed his back against the side of the house, listening at the door.

Still nothing.

He grabbed the handle. Turned.

She was on him the second he slipped through.

Kick to the ribs. Another to the shoulder.

He dodged the elbow to his head, blocking her next two strikes before she was up on his shoulders.

Spinning like a damn top. Taking them both to the floor as she shifted her weight — knocked him off balance.

He hit hard, pain scattering dots across his vision as she rolled off — scrambled to her feet.

He managed to snag her leg — tumble her onto her back before he straddled her hips.

Blocking more of those strikes — the way she tried to thrust him up and over her left side — as he wrestled both her hands into one of his.

Pinned them above her head as he loomed in close.

She looked ready to head butt him, when their gazes locked.

She froze. “Kash?”

He didn’t let up, putting more of his weight on her as he dipped in low, his mouth a breath away from hers. “We need to talk.”