“And she’s a hot target—you knew that. Time is limited.”
“Then yank her back into the tank and apply pressure.”
Pike grinned. “Already happening. Started at the top of the hour.”
Before he went through more hours of watching her evade questions, he had one of his own. “Hey, Case.” He angled toward the CIA operations officer. “Can you send me the package you have on the HVT?”
She pursed her lips. “Sure.”
“And the interrogation video?”
“It’ll cost ya,” she flirted.
He worked what little of the Metcalfe charm he had and winked. “My treat—your choice … of any frozen dinners in the breakroom.” Her laughter followed him down the stairs even as two chirps hit his device, indicating she’d already made good on her end of the bargain. Making his way down the hall, he felt his phone buzz and answered. “Yeah.” He saw Crow bringing the interpreter across the yard.
“Found those girls yet?”
Jaw tight, Range angled to the side, regretting that Stone had given Canyon his number. “I would’ve called if I had.”
“Willow asked me to check.”
He huffed.
“Keep me posted.”
That’s what he’d promised to do after the interdiction in the Canary Islands.
“Mom wants you to call.”
That was low even for Canyon.
“Thought you should know Stone’s going to be a dad again.” What was Canyon doing? Trying to rub it in his face that Range was the black sheep of the family? “I wouldn’t be surprised if Willow is a mom soon, too.” Road noise filled the connection. “You’re probably wondering why I haven’t hung up yet.”
“Always were smart.” He clamped his mouth, afraid to say more.
“We haven’t heard from Brooke.”
“Nothing new.” She was worse than Range at keeping in touch with family.
“We’re not sure about that. Things were strange with her—Cord said she showed up in Nigeria, and she’s gone silent since.” Canyon huffed. “Look, one last thing. Cord’s doing all this trafficking work as you know. Got wind from Pike about what’s happening there. Just wanted to say … Range, I know you got an iceberg-sized chip on your shoulder, so you won’t want to hear this—but what you’re dealing with,whoyou’re dealing with … you have an opportunity to be the difference … or the destruction in her life.”
What the heck was Pike doing talking about his mission with Canyon?
“I saw that real clear about a year in with Dani after her captivity.”
Range exhaled sharply. Just the sound of Canyon’s voice pitched him back to that godforsaken year. To the rescue of Dani from that yacht. To the powerful hope that God had put her in his path to behis,not Midas’s. Never had Range wanted a family as badly as he’d wanted it with her. But Canyon …
“Tread carefully, little brother.”
He hadn’t needed Canyon’s advice or input in a decade. Didn’t need it now. Besides, his brother had no idea what he was talking about. Range wasn’t trying to make a difference in her life but in the lives of her victims.
“I can feel that cold shoulder all the way across the Atlantic. Stay safe, brother.” The call ended.
Range pivoted and threw a fist into the wall. Heard a distinctive crack and cursed the pain that spiked across his hand and wrist.
Dang, he brought out the worse in Range.
“Are you okay, Rage?”
