“No.” Her voice came sharper than intended. She softened it. “Sorry. Not yet. You’ll only make your head worse. Let me analyze this data before we point fingers. Not everything is as it seems. Of that, I’m certain.”
She tapped another command. A fresh line of text appeared. “Well, that’s interesting.”
“What is it?”
“A ghost ping.” She tilted her head and studied the screen. “It’s probing for access to my system.”
“Block it,” Rafe commanded.
She stared at the line, her instincts warring. “If I block it, they’ll know I saw them. If I let it through, they’ll think I’m clueless.”
“Raven—” Liam warned.
“I know.” She inhaled. “I’ll let them think they’re in undetected.” She typed fast, adding code to trace the path.
“You sure?”
She finished the process and smiled at Liam. “Not even close. But I’d rather they underestimate me.”
The notification blinked once, twice, then disappeared like a door closing quietly in the dark. Jade sat back, heart hammering. “They took the bait.”
“Meaning?”
“Meaning they think they got in unseen. I’ll see everything they do. And when they attempt to cover their tracks, I’ll see which direction they run.” She pressed her lips together. “If it’s Rhodes or the director, I’ll know. But something tells me someone else is pulling the strings.”
Rafe sighed. “With this fake breach you lured the person into, you could be placing a bigger target on your back if whoever it is figures out what you’ve done.”
“It’s a chance I have to take. This person has to be stopped from exposing our soldiers.”
“Your life matters too.” Liam’s words warmed her heart.
“Thank you. And I’ll be careful. But this time, Liam, I’m not hiding behind a screen. Besides, if they come for me again, I have you to stop them.” She trusted these men with her life. Good thing too. Because she wasn’t sure she’d survive without them.
Shadow Pines, Tennessee – New Safe House
Friday – 1900 Hours
Call Sign: Charlie One
Liam rubbed his forehead,careful not to touch the gash on his temple. Raven trusted him. Trusted his team. The worry of not living up to her expectations bothered him. If they failed, he’d lose Raven. And not just in the relationship sense. As soon ashe could look at the screen without puking, he’d lend his limited computer skills. The two Tylenol had yet to kick in and dull his headache. In another ten minutes, he should be good to go—kinda.
“Charlie Four and Five, status.” He itched to work, but the stupid bullet had scrambled his brain. At least he could check on the patrols while he waited.
“Charlie Four, clear.”
“Charlie Five, stand by.”
What had Xander found to give him pause? Liam drummed his fingers against his leg.
“Five, clear.”
“Charlie Five, explain your delay.”
“Thought I saw movement at my twelve. Negative contact. Probably wildlife.”
“Copy.” The glitch concerned Liam. He refused to ignore it. “Charlie Five, maintain eyes on that area.”
“Copy. Maintaining overwatch.”
