Take - Page 92

I glared at the phone as the man snapped some pictures.

“That will do.” Auclair moved to the others, callously stepping over Weare’s body. The four of them had a hushed conversation.

I wasn’t helpless. I kept yanking against the rope. Soon, I felt one rub my skin raw, blood smearing my wrist.

I had to stay focused and bide my time. Look for any chance to escape.

“Move her,” Auclair ordered. “We’ll have Fury running around New Orleans in a panic, knowing that she’s dying.”

Oh, crap. I breathed through my fear. I had to find a way to leave a clue for Reath and help him.

But how?

“I’ll record a message to leave with the pictures.” Auclair laughed. “I wish I could be here when he arrives, guns blazing, looking for her.”

His men all chuckled.

Auclair met my gaze. “I wish I could be here when he finds nothing. By then, you’ll be slowly dying.”

“Where are you taking me?” One of the men started undoing my bindings.

“To the city of the dead,” Auclair said. “So you can join them.”

My heart squeezed. Oh, God, I hoped Reath found me in time.

39

REATH

In the PSS control room, I watched Noah searching traffic cams.

“Weare can’t have just disappeared,” I clipped out.

“I’m looking for his vehicle, but he could be anywhere.” Noah looked up, face serious. “He may not even be in New Orleans anymore.”

“Auclair is in New Orleans.” I knew he was. He wouldn’t run.

My brothers were all there. Beauden, with a fierce scowl, and Dante leaning against the desk. Colt stood with his arms crossed, leaning against the wall, while Kavner was studying data on the screens.

My brothers. These men had saved me. My last foster father would’ve killed me if it hadn’t been for them.

But they hadn’t just saved me physically. They’d become my family—by choice. They’d saved me in more ways than one.

Now, when I needed them, they’d dropped everything.

“I’ve got extra intel on Trent Weare.” Linc spun in his chair to face me. His fingers were flying over the keyboard. I knew he liked Frankie and wanted her back.

Not as much as I did.

My fingers curled. Had Auclair hurt her? Because of me?

I knew she’d be so afraid. I’d promised to keep her safe, and I’d failed.

Auclair had a snake in DARPA and I hadn’t thought of that. I had no fucking clue why a man of Weare’s experience would take Frankie to Auclair.

“What have you got?” I asked.

“Weare’s ex-wife,” Linc said. “They divorced two years ago. She’s French.”