Ghostwalker 06 - Predatory Game

baby?”
    “I don’t know, but I think you should pull over.”
    “We’re only a few yards before we hit the entrance to Patsy’s place,” Jess pointed out, but he slowed the van until they were barely moving.
    Her heart was racing now and prickles raced across her skin. She tasted fear in her mouth.“Someone is broadcasting tremendous fear. I can hear the heartbeat thundering in my ears and it isn’t…right.”
    Jess swore. “Patsy. It’s Patsy, isn’t it?” He accelerated. “She’s having a heart attack.”
    Saber put her hand on his arm. “No, it isn’t that. Pull over and cut your lights. Did Ken and Mari follow us?” She swiveled around in her seat looking for headlights.
    Jess did as she asked and rolled down his window as well, trying to feel the flare of energy that signaled something was wrong. Whatever it was, they were a distance away. Saber had to be very sensitive to feel it.
    “I’m going in. Pull the van around to the back of Patsy’s property and leave the engine running and the doors open. We’ll make our way to you.”
    “That’s bullshit, Saber. We don’t even know what’s going on. We’ll wait for Ken and Mari and go in at full strength.”
    Saber swallowed the lump of fear in her throat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. We need them here as soon as possible, but something’s not right and I have to try to get to Patsy now.” Her hand fluttered Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    against her throat. It was getting harder to breathe. “I have to go now, Jess.”
    He caught her wrist, his grip hard. “No, Saber.”
    Her gaze locked with his. “I don’t think she’s alone.”
    “We’ll wait for Ken and Mari.”
    “We don’t have the time.” Her hands trembled. “She’s terrified, Jess. You have to trust me, trust in my abilities. I can get into and out of places without detection. I can do this.”
    “It isn’t a matter of trust, Saber. I’m not risking you. I can’t risk you.”
    She tilted her chin. “You wouldn’t say that to Ken or Mari. You can’t get into the house without being seen and you know it. I can. Patsy needs me and I’m going.” She tugged at her hand, trying to get free.
    “I’m in a fucking wheelchair. What’s going to happen if you get caught?”
    “The wheelchair has never mattered, Jess. If something happens, you’ll get us out.I know you will.” Her blue eyes met his. “I trust you completely.”
    He swore, his gaze angry, furious even, but he nodded his head, jerking her close and catching the back of her head to hold her still while he kissed her. He ground his mouth hard against hers.
    She tasted the potent mixture of fear and anger, a fierce need to protect, helplessness, but most of all a predator unleashed. She kissed him back, trying to convey confidence and love all wrapped together.
    Jess rested his forehead against hers, his fingers shaping the nape of her neck. “Stay in communication with me. I’m a strong telepath. I’ll hear you.”
    “I will.”
    “No, Saber. Promise me. No matter what’s going on. Don’t let your fear or your need to protect me stop you from telling me what’s happening. I’ll need all the data in order to have a plan of action.”
    “I promise.” And she meant it. Because no matter what, Jess Calhoun was lethal, and if she needed him, he would find a way to get to her.
    Jess reached up and flicked the overhead light off. “I’ll pull around to the back of the house, but you need to make certain the way is clear. If they have a guard posted, once I turn onto the drive, lights or not, they’ll know I’m heading for Patsy’s house.”
    “I’ll clear the guard.”
    He pulled a gun and silencer from a compartment behind the glove box. “Take this and the spare clip.”
    “What about you?”
    “I’m armed. Just be careful.” He kissed her again, this time gentle, tender, wanting her to feel loved. “I’ll be pissed if anything happens to you.”

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    “Right back at you,” Saber said and cracked open the door.
    She dropped to the ground and took off running to the deepest part of the woods surrounding Patsy’s house without looking back. It had taken precious time to convince Jess to let her go in alone and she knew what it had cost him in pride. If it were anyone else but Patsy in danger, he would have tried to stop her—and a part of her