Page 104 of Rogue Mission

“She won’t be going in any fucking grocery stores.”

Walton’s eyes lock on mine, sending a shiver violently through all my muscles.

“You’ve been moving around, staying unpredictable,” he says, “That’s smart. But eventually, you’ll have to stop. And when you do, Wraith will be there.”

I groan pitifully, my stomach rolling, causing my hand to fly there and press.

“It’s okay, baby.” Justice pulls me against his chest.

Over my head, he speaks to Walton. “So we set a trap.”

“You set a trap, you better be damn sure you’re the hunter and not the prey.” Walton stands, moves to one of the filing cabinets, pulls out a folder. “This is everything I have on Wraith. Last known sightings, MO, psychological profile. It’s not much, but it’s more than most people get before they end up dead.”

Justice takes the folder, flips it open as I settle back into my chair. Only I wish I didn’t because I accidentally catch a glimpse of photos—crime scenes, blurry surveillance images, a sketch that could be anyone or no one.

X-rays of a mangled body.

It makes things so much worse.

“There’s one more thing,” Walton says quietly. “Wraith never fails. Ever. You go up against this person, one of you isn’t walking away.”

“Then it won’t be her,” Justice says, no hesitation.

Walton nods slowly and the three of us sit, staring at the file.

“Excuse me, can I use your restroom?” I squeeze a few stilted words out.

“Second door on the left.”

When I close myself inside, I bury my face in a towel from the shelf. Justice doesn’t need to hear me cry or know how terrified I am. Not for me.

For him.

THIRTY-SEVEN

I’m rising from the table to check on Rosalie when Walton grabs my arm.

“There’s a guest room upstairs. You need to use it. I’ll keep watch while you two rest.”

I’m dead-fucking tired on my feet.

He knows I need to be clear and alert if I’m taking on some professional assassin.

“Glad you offered. I wasn’t going to do it in front of her, but I was going to tell you we’re staying. There’s no way in hell I’m taking her anywhere else right now. She needs to sleep.”

“Good man.”

He pushes up from the table, a slight limp in his step as he moves toward a desk. “I’m going to dig around for some more intel for you.”

I move to the entrance of the hallway. “Appreciate that.”

“Like you said, I owe you. Have you talked to Spence?”

“No.” A new weight sinks in my chest.

Just thinking about my swim buddy from the SEAL teams makes it hard to inhale.

“He doesn’t want to talk to anyone.”