“Either way, I’m dead.”
In her heart, Kat knew this to be true. But at least with that last scenario, there was a good chance Matt would stay alive.
He’d be crushed by her death, but at least he’d have a life. He could go on working with Bravo to save who knows how many innocent lives. Maybe, over time, he’d even find love again.
Fresh, hot tears poured over her bottom lids as Kat realized what she had to do. Once again, she was in an impossible position, forced to make a choice that wasn’t really a choice at all.
Though she’d buy herself as much time as she possibly could, Kat would begin working to recreate the super-soldier serum for Bukhari. Not because she was afraid of what he’d do to her if she refused. But because she was terrified of what Adrian Walker would do to Matt.
Kat made her decision. She had to protect Matt again. There was no other way. This time, however, instead of giving up her hopes and dreams in order to keep him safe, she’d be paying for his protection with her life.
Chapter 14
Two days. It had been two fucking days and there was still no trace of Kat.
Sitting on Gabe’s couch, Matt looked through the Homeland file they still had on Adrian Walker from when the bastard had shot Nate and taken Gracie a few months back. He’d read it forward and backward a dozen times over the past two days, as if something new would magically appear.
With a growl, Matt closed the folder and threw it across the room.
Sitting in an overstuffed chair across the room, Derek looked at him from over his laptop and drawled, “I take it you’re done with that one?”
Matt shot up from the couch and glared at the former SEAL. “Kat’s been missing for two goddamn days, Derek. This isn’t the time for fucking jokes.”
“Easy, man. Just tryin’ to lighten the mood.”
“There isn’t a way to lighten the fucking mood.” Matt began pacing the small, open living room.
“I’m just glad Nate doesn’t know what’s going on,” Kole muttered from Gabe’s kitchen table. “That shit with Walker taking Gracie is still too fresh for him. He’d be going about as apeshit as you are if he were here.”
With Zade out of commission and Jake taking some time to check on his pregnant wife, Kole had stepped out from behind the scenes to see what, if anything, he could do to help. Matt was more than grateful for the extra set of eyes. He only wished they’d see something that would help them find Kat and bring her home.
“I feel like we’re wasting our time.” Matt ran a hand over his growing scruff. “This is all shit we already knew. There’s nothing here to help us find Walker or who hired him.”
Gabe came into the room. “Yeah, well…until we get something new, it’s all we’ve got to go on.” He used his thumb to point behind him. “I put shit out for sandwiches in case anyone wants something to eat.”
“I’m game.” Kole stood and stretched. “Haven’t eaten since breakfast this morning. I’m starved.”
The young sniper walked into the kitchen, but Matt remained where he stood. His gut had been churning like crazy with worry for Kat. Last thing he wanted to do was eat.
“You should get a bite, too, Matt,” Gabe suggested. “I don’t remember the last time I saw you eat something.”
“I’m good.”
Gabe’s intense gaze locked on his. “You’re no good to her if you don’t keep your strength up.”
“Appreciate what you’re trying to do, Dawson, but I don’t need a fucking mother hen telling me when to eat.”
“I get it, man, but you can’t let yourself—”
“You get it?” Matt crossed the room until he was in his team leader’s face. “Really? Your woman’s been kidnapped and held against her will by a sadistic fucking killer? You’ve had to listen to her screams as she was under attack, and then sit around with your thumb up your ass for days on end because you had no idea where the fuck your girlfriend was or how to even start looking for her?”
“No,” Gabe admitted. “I don’t know what it’s like to have my girlfriend taken and held hostage.”
“Exactly.” Matt stared him down. “So, until that day comes—”
“I do know, however”—Gabe cut him off— “what it’s like to have mywifetaken hostage. To know she was being held at gunpoint by a group of punks spazzed out of their minds on drugs and not be able to do a fucking thing to help her.”
The room went silent.
