Eye of the Falcon (Psychic Visions #12)(75)

She buckled her seat belt and clasped her hands together. “Will they be waiting for us at the airport?”

He never questioned who they were. “Quite likely they will. If not when we first arrive, when we least expect it.”

She took a shaky breath.

“Issa, the truth is, they’re watching us. When they think they can snatch us, they will try.” He again squeezed her hands reassuringly. “If not, I imagine they will wait until we get to your old homestead and just see what it is we’re here for.”

“The trouble is, I don’t even know myself.”

*

With as little as he knew, Eagle would give rein to the fury on the people who’d hurt his friends, but he did his best to hide it from her. He tried not to take his temper out on her. She sat beside him on the plane, her fingers locked together, her knuckles white. He didn’t know if it was the strain of the situation or the pain eating at her, but her face was pale, her lips pinched.

He leaned over and whispered, “Do you need a pain pill?”

She shook her head. “No. I’d like a baseball bat and the men who did this to Panther.”

He sat back in surprise and studied her features. She turned to look at him, and he recognized the glare. She hurt for Panther. She was angry somebody would do something like this to somebody she knew. And, in some way, she was affronted at the human race for being so low. She had a lot to learn about humanity. But she’d had some pretty rough lessons this last month. He was afraid some ugly ones were up ahead too.

As the crowd moved forward, exiting the plane, he tucked her arm into his so he wouldn’t lose her. It would be way too easy to grab her here, move her down the hall out of his sight. He’d have a hell of a time finding out where they’d taken her. He bent down and whispered, “Stay close to me. Hang on to me at all times.”

She gave a hard, jerky nod, not answering verbally. They only had carry-on luggage, so clearing through customs was fast.

Outside, instead of a bright sunny day, they were met by a dark gray fog with a rainy appearance to the sky. She stopped and studied the area, raised her nose and sniffed. “This should feel like coming home in some ways. But it doesn’t,” she admitted.

“No reason you should feel anything here.”

He motioned toward the side of the airport where the rental vehicles were. He walked over, recognizing the profile of someone leaning casually against the gate. As they got closer, Hawk turned and walked to a rental car, opened the driver’s door and unlocked the rest.

Eagle opened the rear passenger door and told Issa, “Get in. I’ll sit in the back with you.”

She looked at the driver and back at Eagle and got in without a word. As soon as they were buckled in, Hawk pulled the vehicle out of the airport. In a low voice, Eagle asked, “Any word?”

Hawk shook his head. “You?” He glanced in the rearview mirror to catch Eagle’s gaze.

Eagle shook his head. “No, nothing.”

“Back to her property then?”

Eagle nodded. “Yes. What does the lay of the land look like?”

“Remote, craggy, a smugglers’ paradise,” he said too succinctly. “Not much has changed from when she lived there as a child.”

“The house is still there?” she asked in astonishment.

Eagle turned to look at her. “Is there any reason why the house wouldn’t be there?”

She shrugged. “For some reason I assumed it was gone. It’s not my house. It was my father’s house.” She leaned forward. “I’m Issa, by the way.”

He tilted his hat with two fingers. “Nice to meet you. I’m Hawk.”

Eagle watched the interchange quietly. He knew Panther and Tiger had approved of Issa. But Hawk in his own way just gave his approval too.

She whispered, “Are you sure it’s safe?”

“Safe in what way?” Eagle asked. “Safe as in, can we trust him? Safe as in, to go to your old house?”

She glared at him. “Of course it’s safe to trust Hawk. He’s our friend, but is it safe to bring him into this mess?” she asked. “Panther and Tiger are in trouble because of me. I don’t want anybody else to get hurt.”

Hawk snorted in the front seat. Eagle studied her quietly, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth. “All three men would be gratified to hear you say that. And they’d also be incredibly insulted if you tried to stop them from going for the action.”

She sat back. “You know that whole alpha-male thing can only go so far. They’ve got Panther. Remember—I want a baseball bat and also a chance at those who hurt him too.”

Eagle chuckled. “I forgot you’re such a spitfire. You were broken when I found you. That personality of yours wasn’t shining through. But I have to admit, these last few days …”

She glared at him. “I didn’t know if it was safe to be around you either. From the moment I woke up, I was figuring out how to escape. It didn’t take me long to understand that not only could I trust you but you aren’t like anybody else I know.” She shrugged. “Of course Gray worried me.”

Eagle settled back. “Right, his accent. Gray is harmless.”

“Is he though?” Hawk asked from the front seat. “He might stitch a mean seam, but it sure hurts.”