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Yet the overwhelming urge to slide up against his chest and let him wrap his arms around her was so intense she took a step forward. Their eyes connected and the energy in the air seemed to crackle.
Or was that her imagination?
“Yeah, I’m not into this whole flirting-in-danger thing, so why don’t you two chill.” Declan’s sarcastic tone was more effective than a bucket of water and Skye shook her head as she took a step back.
Cracker spit into the ground, his mouth chewing hard on a dark clump of tobacco. “So,” he said roughly, “we got a plan?”
Chapter 11
Jagger watched the conflicting emotions that ran across Skye’s expressive eyes. He knew what she was feeling. The same ones were hammering away at the inside of him and he didn’t understand them any better than she did.
He looked at the other men, decision made. “Skye and I will find this cave and retrieve the portal.” He rolled his shoulders and kinked his neck. The corded bands of flesh that ran along the base of his skull were tight as hell. “I need the three of you to do what you can to neutralize the jaguars that are gunning for us.”
His eyes flicked over his older brother and a fierce wall of pride threatened to come crashing down over him. The change in Julian was nearly indescribable. He looked about as far away from the boardroom as you could get.
It was all good. At least Jagger hoped that it was. He sensed a wildness that had never been there before. An untamed edge that the jaguar thrived on. He knew it would explode eventually. Jagger just hoped that when it happened, any casualties would be limited.
“Don’t take any foolish chances. See if you can dig up anything on Cormac. His location, his contacts, plans. Whatever. I want that bastard.” His gaze passed over Declan. “No offense.”
Declan laughed softly, his tone deadly. “None taken, but you’ll have to get in line. The only one who’s gonna touch that slimeball is me.”
The two men nodded at each other.
“Anyone able to contact Jaxon? Maybe utilize some of the PATU information network? There’s no way in hell all of this activity is going unnoticed.” Jagger looked at them all expectantly.
“We’re still hanging below the radar. Colonel Taggert is in, but for now we’re working with little to no backup.” Declan sighed heavily. “Ana, Jaxon, and Libby are holed up somewhere in Canada. They’ve been busy setting up new PATU headquarters, working with Taggert and a select few.”
Jagger frowned at the news. He didn’t like the situation at all. “Do you have a secure channel? Can I get a message to him?”
“We have a satellite phone, yes, but aren’t due to check in for another twenty-four hours.” Cracker made a face. “A precaution. We could try to get hold of him but Jaxon won’t answer unless it’s at the agreed-upon time.”
“Understood,” Jagger answered, clearly disappointed. “When you make contact tomorrow, tell him he can kick my ass in person soon enough.” He smiled wryly. “And ask him to find out anything he can on some dude named Azaiel.”
“Azaiel? What the hell kind of name is that?” Declan asked.
“Dunno,” Jagger replied, his eyes darting back to his brother. “You have anything to offer?”
Julian shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. “I haven’t a clue.”
“Okay,” Jagger said. “You got an extra sat radio?”
Cracker dug around in his bag and handed one over to Jagger.
“I’ll contact you once I have a location for this cave. We can rendezvous there.” He looked at all the men. “We good?”
“Jagger, can I have a word?”
Skye watched as Jagger moved toward Cracker and Declan. The three men huddled together and she tried to ignore the occasional glance her way. She had no clue what the hell they were discussing, but it obviously involved her.
She inhaled a deep, cleansing breath, carefully folded her notes Jagger had given to her and put them into the bag. She grabbed another granola bar and turned away. Skye needed to wrap her brain around the entire mess and make sure she knew what the hell she was doing.
She’d only had a few moments of solace before she became aware of Julian, standing a few feet away. Skye turned and studied the man closely. He was handsome, dark and dangerous like his brother, but there was something about him that was more aloof. Like he was holding back.
Jagger was no such animal. He was full frontal all the way.
Skye also realized with
a start, that Julian had no warrior tattoos on his arms. She searched closer, blushing when he cleared his throat.
