Chapter 671 Chapter 671
“Foster.” Asher’s breath whooshed out as he said his name. “When was the last time you talked to Zain?”
Illias came over. “What do you mean gone?”
Deva watched Asher nod. “He packed and is gone. Tried to go see that wolf from Shepard Addison’s clan before he left.”
“No.” Illias ran his hand over the scar from his jaw to his throat.
“Okay. No. They don’t know. No. He packed.”
She watched Asher’s face. His expression didn’t give her hope.
“Okay. If you do, let me know.” He lowered the phone and taped the screen. “He hasn’t talked to him in about four days.”
“This is bad.” Illias went over and grabbed his phone. “Has someone checked his place?”
“Barack from Alliance Security.” Deva nodded. “Says it looked like he packed in a hurry.”
“Some think he’s a traitor.” Asher blurted out.
Illias stiffened and turned around. “He is not.” Putting his hands on his hips he looked at Asher and then shook his head. “If anyone says that about him again, I’ll carve out their heart with my bare hands. He growled low.
Calum held up his hand. “Let me see if I can find out what’s going on.” He looked from Illias back to Amari and Deva. “Just stay calm. I’ll call Devin and see if he has any insight.”
“Like a secret mission or something?” Amari’s expression was dark.
“I don’t know.” He motioned to Illias. “Can you get an update from Slater? See if those moved on? We’re going to be moving again in a minute.”
Illias nodded and turned. He stopped and turned back. “Zain is not a traitor.” He pointed to the scar on his face. “I did not get this for a traitor.” He stomped to the other side of the room.
What did that mean? She was too stunned to form the words to ask what that meant. Deva felt like her chest was being crushed. Turning on her heel, she went back outside. She needed air. She walked along the deck, heading toward the front. Calum would get answers. He always did. She paused by the rail and gripped it in both hands. A splash had her spin around. Going to the front, she looked into the water and saw someone swimming toward the shore.
“He’s going to help Lars.”
She turned and looked at Tripp. “What?”
Tripp leaned against the rail and watched Taggart swim. “His guy, Lars, was flying back to those guys looking for us. He said they never go in alone.” He shrugged.
Deva looked at him for a second and then at Taggart. “He just jumped in? No plan was discussed?” She saw the jacket and boots sitting on the deck. Putting her hand over her forehead, she sucked in a breath. “Do we have a little boat? A-a lifeboat thing?”
Amari came around the corner. “What’s going on?”
“Taggart jumped ship to go back up his guy, Lars.”
Amari grinned. “Really? Ballsy.” She went over to the railing and looked out at the water. “Wow, he’s a good swimmer.”
Deva blew out a loud breath. “Okay. We’re going too.” She looked at the water. “Tripp, go see if they have a dingy or something. I am not jumping in.” She turned to Amari. “We’ll need some rifles and—” She turned to see Taggart reaching the shore, “—a first aid kit at least.” Clenching her teeth together, she stomped across the deck. “I’m going to fill Calum in.” Her blood felt like it was lava in her veins. What kind of man jumped off a boat and swam to shore? He was insane. Reaching shore was the easy part. He was still going to have to go up the cliff and find the damn road. Growling, she slid the door open with such force that it banged against the frame at the other end.
~
Deva jerked the rifle strap higher, so she could move it to her back. They were halfway up the cliff, which at least had a few well-traveled paths, making the travel faster.
“Got it.” Tripp tapped his ear and glanced back at them. “Creed doesn’t see Lars or Taggart.” He started walking again. “The other guys definitely located the yacht. One is on the phone. The others are watching our people.”
“So they know we bailed?” Amari took off her jacket.
“Yeah.” He glanced over his shoulder at her. “Calum would like them alive, if possible.” He smiled. “Jett is on route to take them into custody.” He stopped and looked around. “Babe, you head that way. It’s a good vantage point where you can keep an eye on the yacht and make sure it’s not disturbed.”
Amari nodded and went over to him, stretched up, and kissed him. “No bloody fun without me.”
“Only if my life is in danger.” He put his hand over his heart.
“Okay.” She nodded to Deva and then started to jog along the path heading the other way.
Tripp watched her for a minute. “Do you have a plan? Or was grab the rifles and come ashore it?”
Deva adjusted the strap and started walking again. “The plan is to make sure Taggart made it, and then I’m going to kill him for being so stupid.”
Tripp chuckled. “I thought as much.” He caught up and walked beside her but didn’t look at her. He was watching all around them. “Mate, huh?”
Deva jerked her chin and looked at him.
He shrugged. “Amari shared, but it’s not like it’s a secret, right? The way he looks at you screams it.”
“What are you talking about?” When she turned to look at him, a large bird swooped down between them and then flew straight up again.
“Looks like Creed needs us somewhere.” Tripp started jogging.
Deva’s heart started pounding before she started running to catch up to him. If anything happened to Taggart, she didn’t know what she was going to do. He was her mate. She still hadn’t decided if that was what she wanted. A mate. “As soon as I make sure he’s okay, I’m going to kill him.” She whispered under her breath. She heard Tripp chuckle.