Ghostwalker 08 - Street Game

them out.
    We don’t know enough yet, Mack objected reluctantly. He wanted Jaimie safe and the temptation to kill the two men was strong. But if they were GhostWalkers under legitimate orders, Mack’s team had already made one serious mistake when Javier killed the two men earlier. They were trying to identify the bodies fast. They didn’t need to add two more.
    He eased his body away from Jaimie. She sat up, her back to the wall, drawing her knees up, staying below the window. They stared at each other.
    “We’re family, Jaimie.”
    She shook her head and there was a flash of pain in her eyes. “I don’t know what we are anymore, Mack, but we aren’t family. You chose them over me. The GhostWalkers. And they’re evil. I can’t trust anyone who is part of it.”

    61

    He swore and turned away from her, his hands itching to shake her. This was his fault. He knew it was. She’d lost faith in him and no longer looked to him or the others to help her. But whatever she was into was definitely trouble.
    “We have the same code of honor we’ve always had,” Kane said, his voice calm, much calmer than Mack could have managed. “That’s ridiculous for you to think just because an evil man started the program that it makes us all tainted. Our commanding officers run legitimate missions and we save lives. We specialize in hostage rescue and put our lives on the line all the time.”
    “So why are you here, Kane?” she demanded again.
    Mack frowned. Jaimie was being very persistent and Jaimie was extremely intelligent. He looked at his best friend. “Do you know something I don’t, Kane?”
    Kane sighed. “Do you really think this is the best time to go into it? Of course I knew they’d watch Jaimie; you knew it too. She’s a multimillion-dollar weapon and she’s smart as a whip. Not to mention she can do things no one else can do and no one, not even Whitney, can figure out how the hell she does it. I have no idea what she’s into or why these men are sniffing around her home now.”
    Gideon’s voice whispered in Mack’s head again. Superman has joined the party.
    He’s good, Mack. His camouflage is every bit as good as or better than mine. He’s like a damned ghost. I barely caught sight of him. He moved to get a better angle on the two moving around Jaimie’s house. He’s got the mean end of a rifle on them and looks like he knows how to use it.
    Mack looked at Kane over the top of Jaimie’s head, knowing Gideon had sent the information to Kane as well. They had another player in the mix, with no way of knowing if he was a friend or enemy.
    Has he spotted you? Kane asked.
    I don’t think so, but I’m pinned down. If I move to check out the two below, he’s got a clear shot at me.
    Mack turned the information over in his mind. Stay where you are. Javier wouldn’t have left an opening for visitors to come in, and Jaimie’s got this place fully secure. If they break in, we’ll know about it, most likely with a big boom. Keep your eye on Superman. Try to get a good look at him through the scope, but don’t expose yourself. Just watch him.
    “Are you going to let me in on what’s going on?” Jaimie asked.
    “Like you share information with me?” Mack asked and instantly regretted it.
    “We’re trying to sort it all out. Gideon spotted the two men moving around the first floor, looking for a way in. They were obviously looking for their friends, the ones Javier took out.”
    “I see. Did you tell Gideon not to include me in the broadcast, or did he make that decision all on his own?” She knew Gideon had to be following orders.

    62

    Mack ignored her question. “And then someone else showed up on one of the rooftops and he’s watching them too. We’re fairly certain he isn’t with the others. I think we’ve got two factions here.”
    “Great. You show up, Mack, and my life is instantly turned upside down.” Jaimie swept both hands through her hair, struggling not to cry.
    The insanity had started all over again. And the hurt. As much as she hated it all, she should have been included. She fought to make a life for herself, but now . . . She shook her head. She couldn’t entirely blame Mack, although she wanted to. It would be so much easier to drive a wedge deeper between them, but that was a coward’s way out. She didn’t want to love him. To feel weak inside when he was close. Her body felt out of control, alert and alive around him. Almost desperate, and she wasn’t a