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I didn’t like the sense of relief that washed over me at the words, didn’t like thisvulnerabilityas I muttered, “Yeah, thanks.”
“I’ve got a team working on the CCTV cameras,” the Commander said as I hung up. “Don’t worry, we’re going to find her. In the meantime, I have every man available combing the island.”
Every man available.
Didn’t we just have a meeting addressing his lack of personnel? “Logan,” I growled, and glanced his way.
The brother was on the phone, talking to a former commander of his about a team of mercenaries. There would be no expense spared, nothing we wouldn’t do. When he hung up the phone, he turned to the Commander. “I’ll conduct a sweep of the buildings myself. Have your men fan out and check the perimeter, especially those ruins on the west side of the island.”
“The cabins are boarded up.” The Commander shook his head. “I don’t think—”
“That’s right,” I snarled, meeting his gaze. “You don’tthink…you justdo.”
There was a flicker of anger in Mateo’s eyes, a moment where I expected him to push the boundaries of my anger…and right now, that wouldn’t be a good move. But then he just gave a nod. “Fine. I’ll have a team of men work through the cabins and report back.”
I turned to Freddy. “Take buildings one through five, I’ll take six through eleven.”
“Laz, no. This could be a fucking setup.” Freddy shook his head. “You can’t go on your own.”
“He won’t be on his own.” The husky feminine murmur came from behind me.
Through the open glass doors came Xael Davies, striding in wearing black jeans, heavy boots, a black leather vest, and a set of Berettas. Behind her came Bruno Bernardi, and behind him, his own personal security.
“We search together.” Bruno glanced at Freddy, then Logan. “That okay with you?”
“Yeah,” Logan muttered, looking at the weapons Davies was packing. The savage bastard’s eyes glittered, don’t tell me he was turned on seeing a woman armed to the teeth?
Now was not the time for a fucking romance.
“Okay then,” Xael muttered, and gave a nod. "When you’re ready, sweetheart.” She cut those dark eyes my way and, with a nod, I was striding toward the doors, leaving my team behind, praying like hell we found her alive.
The memory of Baldeon’s face haunted me as we headed toward the sixth building with guns drawn. I took strange comfort in the bite of the patterned steel grip of my piece as Bruno slammed his card against the reader and the doors opened.
“I’ll take the stairs.” I cut a glance toward the elevator. “You take the elevator.”
I didn’t wait for them to move, just strode toward the stairwell door and yanked it open. But there was no movement for the elevator, no stabbing of the button, just footsteps behind me.
I glanced over my shoulder, cutting Davies, then Bernardi, a glare. “I told you—”
“Let’s get one thing straight, Rossi.” Xael scowled. “Be worried all you want, but don’t be a dick, ‘kay? We’re not Freddy or Logan. We don’t take orders from you.”
Then she pushed past me, strode through the stairwell door, and started climbing, the slam of her boots resounding as she took them two at a time.
Bernardi stared after her with brows his raised, then did the same, stepping past me and starting upwards. I followed, because getting furious was all there was left for me. Angry was one thing…but stagnant was another, and there was no way in hell I was lettinganyoneelse get to Kat before me.
That hunger raced in my veins.
Running and humming…
Like a wolf in full flight.
Paws pounded against the earth. Claws digging in, driving me harder…faster.
I charged after them, gripped the cold steel railing, and heaved myself up flight after flight until we reached the top.
“Kat!”Xael roared.
The sound of her name only made my pulse boom in my head. Her name welled in the back of my throat, like a wad I could neither swallow nor release. So it stayed there, wedged tight, sharp edges digging in as I tried to breathe around it, tried to let that runaway panic drive me from room to room and floor after floor, until on the lowest floor, we checked the elevator and strode out emptyhanded.
