Gabe kissed her again, simply because he wanted to. “Be right back.”
“Be careful.”
“Always.” With a wink, he left her safely tucked away inside the cabin.
While he hated leaving her for even a minute, he knew his Elle. If it came down to it, she’d shoot. He just prayed she never had to.
Checking Nate’s app on his phone, Gabe studied the electronic map. Nerves sparked to life when he realized the breach showed in the trees on the backside of the property. If it was his team, they’d be coming down the driveway, on the front side of Kole’s land.
Praying it was just a deer or some other animal big enough to trip the sensors, he held his gun steady and began making his way through the timber, moving as quietly as he could. It wasn’t easy given all the dried leaves that were already starting to cover the ground, but thankfully Gabe’s training had taught him ways to move silently through some of the toughest terrains around.
Several minutes later, he was about to chalk the tripped sensor up to a wandering animal when he spotted something off in the distance. Check that…someone.
The trespasser was twenty yards to his south, squatted down behind one of the area’s larger trees. If the guy was trying to hide, he was doing a shit job of it. He must also have a death wish.
Anyone who knew anything about Texas—or any other area of the country where property like this one existed—should know better than to sneak around on someone else’s land. Around here, some landowners were likely to shoot first and ask questions later.
So whoever it was, was either stupid or had a fucking death wish. And if they were dumb enough to come after what was his, Gabe wouldn’t hesitate to pull the trigger.
Closer and closer, he crept through the trees and brush. Knowing it would be impossible to get right up on the bastard without being detected, Gabe waited until he knew he’d hit his target without fail to stop moving and let himself be known.
From his position behind him, all Gabe could see was the man’s dark hair, dark jacket, and dark jeans. It was impossible to see the man’s face, but it didn’t matter. No one hid in the fucking woods unless they were up to no good.
Arms taut and gun steady, he gave the intruder one chance to stay alive. “Show me your hands. Slowly.”
The man didn’t startle. He didn’t turn around to see who Gabe was. Instead, he began to move slowly, just as Gabe had instructed.
“Now stand up.”
Again, the man did as he was told.
“Turn around. And you so much as breathe in a way I don’t like, you’ll be dead before your body hits the ground.”
“I believe you.” Familiarity rang through the man’s voice as he faced Gabe. “I’ve seen you do it.”
The air left Gabe’s lungs in a loud huff. “Ryker?” Gabe stared back at Jason Ryker—R.I.S.C.’s Homeland Security handler. “What the fuck are you doing out here?”
“Came to see you.” The strait-laced bastard tilted his lips into a slight grin. “Can I put my hands down now.”
Realizing he was still holding the government agent at gunpoint, Gabe cursed under his breath and shoved the weapon back into his waistband.
“Thanks.” Ryker lowered his hands to his sides. “I was beginning to think you weren’t gonna come out here.”
Forcing his heartrate back to a normal level, Gabe nearly growled at the other man. “Why the hell didn’t you come to the front door like a normal person?”
“Normal’s overrated.” He brushed some leaves from his ass. “Besides, I didn’t want anyone to see me pull onto the road. Can’t be too careful.”
“Speaking of careful, how the fuck did you even know I was here?”
One of the man’s dark brows lifted. “You’ve worked for Jake McQueen for how long, and you still have to ask that question?”
Shit. The guy was right. He may not be CIA, but he sure acted like a damn spook.
“Whatever.” Turning on his heels, Gabe started back the way he came. “Talk and walk. Ellena’s waiting for me back at the cabin.”
“Ah, yes. The ex-wife. How is she?”
“She’s not a fucking ex, for one.”
