Gun drawn, he checked the space behind the door, then expertly swept the rest of the open area. Nothing.
There were no obvious signs of a struggle. His computer set-up was as he’d left it and Gracie’s purse was still hanging off one of the kitchen chairs, which told him they hadn’t been robbed.
Fear for Gracie ratcheted through his system, but Nate pushed it back and continued further inside. He wanted so badly to call out for her, but he didn’t dare make his presence known, in case the intruder was still in the cabin.
Doing his best to control his breathing, he headed toward the hallway. Nate had just made it past the living room area when the back bedroom door squeaked open and his nightmare unfolded.
Adrian Walker moved slowly toward him. With an arm wrapped around Gracie’s waist, he held her tightly against his chest, his other hand pressing a gun to her head.
Nate’s hatred toward the man skyrocketed when he noticed the skin on the side of her face was red, as if she’d been struck.
Fucking bastard.
He didn’t dare look into Gracie’s eyes for fear he’d lose his shit and get her killed. Speaking in a calm and collected voice right then was one of the hardest things Nate had ever had to do.
“Let her go.”
Walker smiled. “Ah, good. The big, bad protector has finally arrived.”
Seething, Nate held his gun steady as he spoke again, this time through clenched teeth. “I said, let her go!”
The other man ran the barrel of his gun along the side of Gracie’s cheek. Stopping just below her chin, he leaned forward and brushed his bearded jaw against her temple, almost as a lover would.
Gracie whimpered, Nate’s veins flooding with pure, murderous rage at the sound.
“Hurt her, and I swear to God it’ll be the last thing you do.”
The warning had no effect on the soulless bastard. Speaking softly in Gracie’s ear, Walker said, “Such strong words from the man who left you all alone.” Then, to Nate he taunted, “Too bad you didn’t take longer. You interrupted our…playtime.”
He’s working you.Nate knew this. Had been trained for it. Hell, Gracie was still fully dressed.
Still, in that moment, Nate realized all the training in the world couldn’t prepare him for the anguish those words caused.
The very idea that this man, this traitor, had touched his woman like that…Christ, he couldn’t even think about it.
Blinking, he finally looked at Gracie. A tear had escaped the corner of her eye, ripping him open as it fell.
Nate held the weight of his gun with ease, but the fear and guilt reflected in her eyes nearly had the power to bring him to his knees. She was blaming herself for what was happening and terrified he’d get hurt because of it.
“You’re okay, Gracie,” he vowed, praying his words would bring her some comfort. “I promise, everything’s going to be okay.”
Making a clicking sound with his tongue, Walker brought the gun back up to the side of her head. “Shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep, Carter.”
Schooling his expression, Nate nodded. “So, you do know who I am.
“I know everything about you,Nathan.”
“Good. That means you know what I do and who I work for.”
Walker looked bored. “This interests me, how?”
“Think about it. If she had what Yavuz has been looking for, don’t you think we would have used it to take him down by now?”
“And I’m just supposed to believe you know what it is he wants?”
“Craig Wyatt had dirt on Yavuz. Something that would destroy the relationship he’s built with Russell, as well as the citizens of the country you once vowed to defend. Isn’t that right,Adrian?”
The man smiled. “I see you’ve done your homework, as well.”
