Damn.
This person was definitely into setting a scene. It had been a while since she’d gone against someone who was this into playing the game.
Without mistakes.
So.
Far.
“I have warrants in for the four victims. This one,” she said, taking the phone over to the grave and pointing it into the hole, “didn’t disappoint.”
Ethan saw the body, and saw that she was missing her head.
Oof.
Yeah, that was going to be something, and exactly what they thought it was going to be, too.
“And if that’s not enough, look what he left,” she said, turning to show him the skull with the horns, skin, and eyeballs. Under it was the message.
Ethan was to the point.
“This is absolute escalation.”
Callen was beside her, and wanted his brother to know that wasn’t all. Elizabeth tended to downgrade any danger that was focused on her, but they all needed to be on the same page.
This cuckoo was cuckooing.
“Uh, did she tell you that he was in the trees not far from our wife?” he asked.
Immediately, Ethan began flushing.
Oh, and there was no doubt why.
“But the dog kept her from going near the trees,” Callen added. “Shadow went ballistic, and he wanted to go into the woods after whatever ran—I say whatever, because this POS is evil. I can feel it to my bones.”
Ethan was damn grateful no one went after the man because that was not a good plan in the dark. Even with the Marines, they’d played this game not long ago on the rez, and it had been too damn close for comfort.
“Don’t chase,” he said. “It would be a trap. He’s got a penchant for women, but he’ll kill anyone who annoys him. Plus, he’ll hurt anyone who he deems is keeping her safe.”
Yeah, she’d thought so.
Ethan continued.
“As for Shadow, that dog can haveALLof my shoes if he keeps you from getting hurt. That’s my declaration for tonight, other than I’m on my way back.”
She stopped him.
Oh.
Hell.
No.
There was no way that was happening, and for one damn reason too.
“NOPE. You’re keeping that fine ass of yours there. You have that meeting with the council in the morning. You’re going to claim Shaman-ship for the reservation. I’m good. Chris is on his way here, and we’re going to be busy all night. We’re going to play divide and research all night.INSIDE.”
He hesitated.
