Page 119 of The Defiant Curse

“You did the right thing,” he said. “I don’t know what you did to him, but he started the fight. You finished it.”

Yeah, she was aware.

But at what cost?

“It might cost me my badge if I can’t come back from this,” she admitted. “Then add in that Ethan, and I parted on not-so-good terms…I’m just tired, Saint Michael. I’m tired of being everything to everyone, and never having anyone see I’m sinking fast. Even through the case, they kept telling me I could do it, and I could handle it. I was told to fight…but what if I’m too tired to fight? What if I’ve used up all my fight? What if for once in my life, I want to be rescued? Is that so much to ask? Why do I have to lead the way and carry it all alone? Sometimes, a girl needs to be saved, too.”

He heard the misery.

Oh, and she was right.

When he saw the very familiar car heading past them, driving toward the castle, she didn’t think anything of it, but both he and Graham did.

Yeah, they didn’t miss the telltale plate on the front that was a series of numbers and letters.

‘SJ-05-CJW’

That wasn’t only the same make and model as the sports car in the storage area at the landing strip, but that plate was for the Blackhawk five, and Callen’s initials.

Uh-oh.

There was another Blackhawk on the ground in Scotland, and it looked as if Elizabeth was going to get her wish. Someone came here for her.

But who?

The only thing at the top of this road was Ravensmire, and if the car that Callen kept in the hanger storage was on its way there, that meant someone who never had been there before was on their way up.

Because Callen and Chris would have seen their other familiar car that had driven past it and turned around. Instead, it kept going.

He’d bet money that it was Ethan or Gene.

Probably Ethan.

It appeared that Elizabeth had been found. Well, that was probably for the best, considering the conversation they were currently having.

So, he went there, setting it up.

“Then let them rescue you,” he said, as his husband gave him a questioning look as he, too, saw the car and was curious. “If your hero comes, let him carry you for a while. Take that as a sign if he shows up unexpectedly.”

Graham’s eyebrow went up, and he nodded. Yeah, they were on the same page.

Know who wasn’t?

Elizabeth.

Instead, from her spot in the back, she laughed sardonically.

“No one is coming to find me, Michael. Oh, everyone wants to know where I am, to make sure I’m safe, but no one is going to save me. I learned long ago that I had to save myself. I think chivalry is dead. I’m badass Elizabeth Blackhawk, after all. I can handle my shit. Alone.”

Yeah, and they’d all miscalculated on that. Part of this was their fault, too. Often, they forgot she was a woman, too, and instead, treated her like a Marine.

Even Elizabeth had her limits, and it was clear she was at it. He honestly hoped that if Ethan was in that car, he was ready to suit up and do battle.

He had a job to do, and none of them could do it but him.

Clearly.

“Are you leaving them?” Michael asked, hitting the one button on his phone to unlock the gate so whoever was in that vehicle could access the gate with a code.