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“You taught me to be prepared. Keep Fallon’s line open. I’ll send your trophies and will expect you to exchange them for Fallon—alive and in good shape. Do we have an agreement?”
“We do. Once we have this unfortunate bit of business behind us, we should meet and have dinner. I believe I underestimated you.”
Nora ended the call without another word. She needed to find Colby and Hutch. They had work to do.
CHAPTER18
NORA
Knowing time was of the essence, Nora jumped in the shower to wash away the excess of the night before. She smiled—she couldn’t help it. She was happy. Even though there was danger all around and it would be a long time before they were safe, she was where she needed to be. She ran her hands over several places that had beard burn on them, and that made her almost giddy. She had a feeling that was going to be a constant part of her life from now on. Pulling on leggings and boots, she looked at the various things that had been brought in for her to wear. She pulled on her bra and grabbed one of Hutch’s sweaters. There was something comforting in the way it slipped over her head and encased her in its warmth.
She ran down the stairs, almost colliding with Hamish, who had Trudy with him. Impulsively Nora hugged her close. And put her finger over Trudy’s lips when she started to speak. “There is no need for apologies, not with me. I have done so many things that are so much worse than you did, and I wasn’t trying to save my species.”
Trudy’s eyes filled with tears. “Everyone has been so understanding…”
“See, lass, I told you all would be well,” said Hamish.
“Any chance you can show me where Hutch and Colby are?”
“I can do you one better than that,” he said in his thick brogue. “They’re headed up from questioning the weasel to have breakfast.”
“Good. Can you direct them to the study? I’m going to see if Maya will bring us something there. I need to speak with them.”
“Should I see Trudy to our room and join you?”
“No. You stay with your mate. When we know what we’re doing, we’ll include you.”
Hamish nodded and Nora trotted down the hall to ask Maya if she could serve the three of them—Nora, Hutch, and Colby—in Colby’s study. Once that was arranged, Nora went back to Colby’s office and fired up her laptop, finally managing to connect with Deke Campbell via video chat.
“So, you’re the Ghost,” he said by way of greeting.
“News travels fast.”
He chuckled. “You have no idea. Glad to have you with us, by the way.”
“There were only two people the Master was ever truly afraid of…”
“Hutch and Colby?”
“Not to hurt their egos, but no. They were inconveniences. One he thought I could and would eliminate for him. The two that scared him were you and the hellhound.”
Deke nodded. “Hayden North. Truth to tell, Hayden scares everybody, including me.”
“Can he be trusted—either because we’re paying him, or because he believes in our cause?”
“I’ve never heard anyone say that once North agreed to a contract that he didn’t fulfill it. I take it you think we have need of his services?”
“Me more than the resistance, but yes. I have a friend who needs rescuing. The Master is holding her hostage. She knows nothing of shifters or my being the Ghost…”
“The Master will kill her if you don’t take out Hutch and/or Colby.”
“Both. I need to send him trophies in addition to photos.”
“You propose we send Hayden to get her.”
“If it comes to that, he could make the exchange, but I don’t expect it will. Can a hellhound stand up to a dragon?”
“It’s one of the few creatures who can. What are we sending with the pictures?”
