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2024-10-29 19:42:56She was afraid, he realized. Afraid that he’d wind up a drunk like her father or killing himself one day like Robby just had. He shook his head slowly. “I’m not them,” he said simply, his voice rough. “And you know it.”
Something ignited in her eyes. Anger, yes, but also conviction. “You’re exactly like them. You’re trained to think and react the same way they were. I’ve lived my whole life around SF soldiers, so don’t tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about. You’ve dealt with everything you’ve been through unbelievably well so far, but I know how you guys think. And I know you wouldn’t hesitate to give up your life for one of your teammates during an operation, just like I know you wouldn’t hesitate to take a dangerous job if Pam or one of the others asked you to. It’s part of who you are and nothing can change that.” She stopped and took a breath, folded her arms across her breasts.“But?” he heard himself croak. There had to be a but in there somew
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Risen To The Top CHAPTER 98
Four hours later Claire pushed her laptop away from her on the kitchen table in the safe house where the team was staying and leaned back into her chair to rub at her eyes. After such a great start and a promising breakthrough with Marshall, the day had suddenly turned to shit and wasn’t nearly over yet.Not only had the threat level gone up substantially in the past few hours, she and Marshall had been too busy working with the rest of the team to even begin an attempt at ironing out the remaining issues that had split them in the first place. Her parents both wanted her to meet them at Robby’s place to go through his things before her mother left town but with this new threat Claire couldn’t come and go as she pleased. And she didn’t dare tell her parents what was going on.Her father knew something was up though, she could tell from the things he’d asked her over the phone. But as long as she was with Marshall and the others, she felt safe.
Risen To The Top CHAPTER 99
Seating herself at the kitchen table, she raised an eyebrow at Aliyah, who studiously ignored her as she forked up a bite of her lunch and shoved it in her mouth. Claire cleared her throat for emphasis.Aliyah’s eyes darted up to hers, expression all innocent. “What?” she demanded around a mouthful of noodles.“Exactly,” Claire countered. “You got something going on with Duke that I don’t know about?”She snorted and forked up some veggies. “He wishes.”Okay then. Claire hid a smile, enjoying the opportunity to rib Aliyah and glad to be talking about something so normal for once. “Just checking, because I seem to recall you saying something about swearing off men for cats for the next six months. Of course this just means I like you even more.”Aliyah paused and gave her that cool look Claire had no trouble seeing through now. “What are you talking about?”Claire knew her co-worker wasn’t used to dea
Risen To The Top CHAPTER 100
They all made it through the meeting without falling asleep, though Claire looked ready to pitch face first onto the boardroom table at any moment. Marshall shifted and leaned back farther into his seat, trying to mask his annoyance for her sake.The meeting he’d thought would be so pivotal to this entire investigation had unfortunately turned out to be a total fucking waste of everyone’s time. Acting on an anonymous tip that had precipitated Luke’s previous meeting with all the agency higher-ups in the first place, the FBI team on scene had reported that the man they’d found was not Paulo.After two hours of useless effort, no one was any closer to knowing the bastard’s whereabouts or plans, nor could they find any further trace of him via cell phone towers or credit card info. So far he’d been smart enough to use cash and stay below the radar. For now the investigation was at a standstill and both Luke and Alex were just as frustrated abo
Risen To The Top CHAPTER 101
Something was up and it was making her damned nervous. They should’ve all been inside by now, relaxing. Instead Alex had her well back from the safe house and Marshall and Sean hadn’t given the all clear yet. And despite his calm exterior, Claire knew Alex was on full alert. His posture was tense, his eyes watchful. Her nape tingled in warning.“What’s going on?” she demanded, half turned in her seat so she could see the safe house behind them a block and a half down the street. The neighbors had been talking to Marshall and Sean a minute ago, then they’d bolted back into their garage and closed the door like a rabid animal was chasing them. Marshall and Sean had disappeared into the backyard. Now Marshall had come back around the front of the house, only this time she could tell from the position of his arms that he was holding a pistol in his hands.What the hell? “Did they find something?” Her heart rate accelerated. If Marshall was in any danger, she
Risen To The Top CHAPTER 102
Marshall was doggedly up on one knee now, still sucking in air. He was bleeding from dozens of little gashes across his chest, probably from flying glass and other debris, and she could already see bruises forming beneath his skin. God, he was a total mess. The burns on his face looked painful and had to hurt like hell. Why wouldn’t he just lie down? He managed to get both feet underneath him, though he wobbled a bit. Claire automatically shot out a hand to grab his upper arm and for a moment she was sure he would shake her off like an angry dog but instead he turned his head and looked straight into her eyes.“I’m all right,” he gasped out, loudly, though the effort of speaking clearly cost him. He was pale, way too pale for her liking.“You’re not all right,” she snapped, on the verge of tears again. “Your fucking ears are bleeding.”He frowned and stared at her mouth and she realized he couldn’t understand her because he couldn’t hear her
Risen To The Top CHAPTER 103
Sean and Alex were across the street directing the crowd back from the safe house and doing an initial sweep of the property when the first responders finally arrived. Police cruisers roared up and cops swarmed the area. One officer came over to her and Marshall to help and she filled him in on what had happened and explained that they were working for the L.J Corp, while others talked with Alex and Sean and worked to get all the bystanders back to a safe distance in case another device went off. Marshall’s ID was in his wallet but hers was back in her purse, on the floorboard of the SUV she’d been in with Alex.When the ambulance arrived Marshall was none too pleased about being herded toward it but she and the cop assisting her gave him no choice. He flat out refused to get on a gurney though, and stubbornly sat on the tailgate while the paramedics checked him over. She stood back a ways with the officer and overheard one of the medics say something about a chest tub
Risen To The Top CHAPTER 104
The cops swarmed the yard. Alex let out a vicious curse and kept going for another few seconds before Sean reached out and stopped him. Alex snarled in disgust and stood up, running a bloody hand through his hair. “Fuck, we needed him for questioning. God dammit.”Marshall walked over and pointed to the remote. Alex’s gaze shifted up from the device into Marshall’s face. He shook his head in disbelief. “How the hell’d you get here, anyway?”“Piggybacked,” he gasped out, jerking a thumb over his shoulder at the cop who’d helped him. The rest of them were securing the scene, taking possession of the body and questioning Sean. Alex would be next, but at Marshall’s wisecrack the team leader’s harsh features transformed into a broad grin.“Hardcore, man.”“Yeah.” Shit, he barely had the strength to stay upright now. “Give me…a ride back …so I can…see Claire?” He paused to wheeze in another breath, clammy all over and shaky as hell.
Risen To The Top CHAPTER 107
Marshall glowered at her, like a kid pouting because he didn’t get his way. “This is fucking stupid.”Stupid? Really? Sighing, she stood and walked to the window that overlooked the parking lot to get a grip on her emotions. It was dark out now, a bright half moon hanging in the clear night sky. Everything was so calm out there. Made it twice as surreal considering the hell they’d been through today. She’d come so close to losing him forever. So close. Her throat tightened.“Claire.”Schooling her features into a calm mask, she turned her head to look at him. “What?”He reached out a hand, his expression contrite. “Come here.” He said it so softly, his deep voice holding that intimate tone she couldn’t refuse, let alone ignore.Crossing to him, she sank down carefully onto the edge of the mattress close to his hip and slid her hand into his. Marshall closed his fingers around hers and stroked his thumb over the ba
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- Risen To The Top
CHAPTER 181
Evelyn came awake slowly. Painfully. A sharp ache pulsed inside her head and made her wince as she tried to open her eyes. What? She was facedown over an animal, no saddle. The animal’s spine dug into her hips and stomach.Her hands were bound. The lack of blood flow and frigid temps meant they were like ice blocks on the ends of her arms. Dammit, what if she had frostbite and was too far gone to even know it? She wriggled her fingers, and the returning blood made her gasp. She kept moving, tried to wriggle her legs but they were also bound. The struggle shifted her center of gravity until she was in danger of toppling upside-down beneath the animal and being trampled. Hell. Who’d done this to her? What did they want?The smell of musty fur was overpowering, making her throat heave as her stomach rebelled.“I’m going to be sick.” The contents of her stomach splashed against the gray talus that the horse was working hard to cross. D
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CHAPTER 180
They’d followed the spoor for two hours but ground sign was disappearing as dust swirled in the wind. Duke was torn. Did he keep following the unknown originator of these tracks or go back to base camp and regroup. Base camp was calling his name but he wasn’t sure whether that was because Evelyn had destroyed his objectivity or because it was the smartest thing to do.Hell, right now he was going in circles.“Let’s mark this GPS position and head back,” he said to Sri luc quietly. The sound of horses hooves drumming against solid earth made him glance in the direction of the biologists’ camp. The student—Ivan—came flying into view, coat open and flapping in time to the rhythm of the horse.“What the feck?” They’d all rendezvoused at the snare where the tracks had been spotted, but he’d sent Ivan and the local man back to camp on horseback an hour ago. He hadn’t liked the idea of Evelyn being alone, although she’d managed without hi
- Risen To The Top
CHAPTER 179
He split them into three groups.“Can’t I go with the doc?” Lucas moaned. He might have the reputation of being the ladies’ man of the Mountain Troop, but after what Duke had been thinking five minutes earlier while trying not to kiss Evelyn Cox’s lips, legs, and everything in between, maybe he was a frickin’ ladies’ man too.He wanted her and he’d let his eyes tell her exactly how much he wanted her.What was he thinking? There was a time and a place for that sort of thing and this wasn’t it.“No.” He kept his voice light. None of them were here to get laid. “You’re with Sri luc. Jordan you go with the Great Dane. I’m with the doc.” He gave them a firm smile that told them this wasn’t up for debate. “We’ll get the biologists to give us a demo how to tranq and release the Polar bears before we head out. I want hourly radio checks.” He nodded to the men. “It might be a couple of days until the other guys get here. I’m
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CHAPTER 178
When she woke she was staring straight into the startling cobalt eyes of Officer Robert Duke. He looked like he’d wait all day for her to wake up.“I must be dreaming,” she croaked.He held out a mug of black tea.“Definitely dreaming.” She sat up, took it, and sipped. The warm liquid eased her dry throat. “Thanks. What time is it?”“0600.” His voice rolled over her. She blinked groggily. There was enough of a burr in his accent to make his voice very sexy and she figured he was laying on the charm this morning.His face was scrubbed and clean-shaven. She found herself studying his features. The vivid eyes shaded by thick brows, the cheeks scraped smooth, the jaw firm and obstinate, his nose too flat to be conventionally handsome. Yet the combination stirred up her insides like hot coals. She fought the urge run her fingers through his short blond hair. He was tall and lean and he looked really, really g
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CHAPTER 177
Evelyn shoved back the yurt flap. Mikado flung up his hands in surprise and gave a nervous laugh. “You’re back. You scared me.”“There’s a lot of that going around.”He smiled at her, brown eyes twinkling. “Ivan was worried when the horse came back without you, but I told him you be okay.”Mikado had more faith in her than she did. He returned to whatever he was doing with the cubs.She strode to the computer and opened her email and read the message. Christ, the Trust really had forbidden her to release the animals. She inhaled deeply and tried to calm the rage that continued to burn inside. They thought she was overreacting and had no proof, and in the next sentence they told her it was too dangerous for her and Ivan to go after a guy with a gun. Ivan came slowly into the tent. She didn’t know if he was scared or angry. He had a right to be both.“Did you reply to this email?” She was vibrating with em
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CHAPTER 176
For fuck’s sake. He spat in the dirt. Great. He’d spent his whole life fighting against scumbag terrorists and what happened? He ended up accused of being exactly the same sort of nutcase by someone he was trying to help. It stung. He wasn’t about to let her know that.“That’s right, love. That’s why they pay me the big bucks, so let’s move it.” He maneuvered her in front of him. “Step where the trooper steps if you want to keep your legs.” He let her walk a few paces ahead and spoke into his comms. “Jordan and Lucas, keep a low profile as we head back to the RV. See if this bastard’s hiding somewhere and decides to follow us.”They both acknowledged with radio clicks and he followed Evelyn through the bush and along the rocky path. The old guy must be damn good or damn lucky to have spotted them near that other collar. He must have night vision equipment to move so swiftly at night too. Or he had insider information.Duke moved cl
- Risen To The Top
CHAPTER 175
The midday sun beat harshly on this patch of barren rock, melting the inch of snow that had fallen during the morning. The woman beside him had finally stopped wriggling and fallen asleep a couple of hours ago. His team was in position and they’d been on stag duty while he caught a quick nap. Now he was wide awake and refreshed, but so far, nothing yet.What had made Vladimir jores turn his back on his former homeland? What made him defect to fight on the side of people who got their kicks out of brutalizing innocent civilians?Duke understood terrorists better than anyone this side of a suicide vest. He’d grown up with them, would probably have become one himself if not for the tragic death of his sister. That was the family business, right alongside farming. Being immersed in that indoctrinated shit from a young age meant he understood how people born into it found it hard to break free. It was so ingrained, so fecking normal. Talk about brainwashing. H
- Risen To The Top
CHAPTER 174
How many years had it been since she’d held hands with a guy? A soldier? A shiver brushed over her skin like a ghost from the past.It felt strange. As if she’d been transported back in time. And yet, here she was, relying on the strength of those long, strong, foreign fingers to guide her safely through the night. Adjusting her footing in response to subtle pressure changes, tuning her body to match his. Trusting a man she’d just met. Relying on a man, period.It wasn’t something she did.It wasn’t who she was.She believed in saving things, in using data to make her point, not violence. But data wasn’t going to save her Polar bears from their current predicament. Her fingers tightened involuntarily and he slowed to match her pace. The guy was fit, not even breathing heavily, despite everything they’d been through and how many miles they’d walked. She was fit too, she ran and worked out, but exhaustion was making her
- Risen To The Top
CHAPTER 173
As Evelyn lay down, her mind kept wavering back to years ago when she was still a child.When her grandfather was still the minister of ammunition, their family had been good friends with the Connery family so they always stood by each other.Her grandfather had hated L.j corporation because they and Connery corporation were rivals.They each made weapons for governments and L.j corporation were beginning to outsell Connery corporation.She remembered the old Mr Connery coming to visit her grandfather and the two of them talking in hushtones about the issues.During that period, a heated rivalry had begun and it all came to its peak one cold night, years ago.she remembered it clearly.Her mind went back through the years, reliving the moment.“Come away from there, Evelyn. Quickly now.”Evelyn knew better than to argue with her mother, but sh
