Read Online Talon: Combat Tracking Team (A Breed Apart) by Ronie Kendig - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Ronie Kendig
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that.”
“I meant no harm.”
“I know.” Nobody ever did. But it hurt more than anyone could imagine and more than she could possibly explain. “You said you know the last place Austin was seen—”
“Possibly
seen.”
Aspen held up both hands. “Right. But if there’s a chance, then that scent is one Talon can pick up. He’s our best chance of figuring out if who you saw was Austin.” Tentatively, she touched that trembling thread of hope.
Austin…
“If we can get a team together—”
“I can put one together.”
Point of no return. He’d said the words. Started the opening dialogue of commitment to this mission. With her.
He wanted to curse himself. Cut his eyes out so he couldn’t see the hopeful longing in her icy-blue eyes. Eyes so pale they looked cold, yet nothing but warmth flowed from this woman. Angel. The fight club guy had called her that. Now Cardinal understood why. The fire lingering beneath that cool, sultry surface could singe the unsuspecting.
But he wasn’t unsuspecting. This was his doing. She’d walked right into his trap. Grinding his teeth, he stood there, waiting as she stared up at him. Expecting. Hoping.
“You can?” A voice soft and pleading like that should be illegal.
Soft, pleading voices had never affected Cardinal. Most often, as now, the woman had no idea how they’d played into his carefully laid plans. But her voice…that hope…the common thread of knowing Austin.
That’s what was different this time. They both knew Austin. That’s why it pulled at him. Barreled over his conscience.
“How can you put together a team?” Suspicion oozed out of the former Green Beret. Daniels was bred to mistrust those he didn’t know. The Army and multiple tours of combat did that.
“I got a call after my interview with Ms. Larabie.” Cardinal avoided the woman’s gaze, watching as the Lab and the other dog, Trinity, loped around the porch. “There is a team ready and willing to help.” He gave a light, halfhearted shrug. “A high-ranking DIA officer offered it to me.”
“DIA?” Daniels perked up.
Act hesitant. Didn’t want to give himself away. “Uh, yeah. You know them?”
A wall of granite would’ve been easier to read than Daniels’s face. “Go on.”
“Right, okay. Well, he told me they’re with me if I decide to do something.” Cardinal checked out Talon, now on his belly. “Just not sure about this, especially about the dog.”
“Talon should go.” Aspen stepped closer to Cardinal.
Pure. Pure trust. Pure beauty. Pure innocence. Pure Aspen. Angel.
And then the angel flew
. A cold breeze swept over him. Cardinal hauled his thoughts into line and flogged them. “Are you sure? What if he shuts down or goes nuts on us?”
“He was Austin’s partner.” Fiery determination sparked in her eyes. “If Talon caught his scent…I think there’d be no stopping him.”
“But what if there is?”
“We take Trinity.” Daniels joined them and leaned back against the railing that stretched the perimeter of the house. “She’s Talon’s new woman. She keeps him motivated.” He smirked. “He’ll find his way. If Austin is out there, she’ll help Talon find him.”
Not good—having the former Green Beret and his M WD on hand would increase the chances of things falling apart, of Cardinal’s identity and dealings being compromised. He’d have to find reasons to exclude the man that wouldn’t appear artificial. Arrange something…
No, he wouldn’t put this man in danger. Getting married in two weeks, Daniels should be able to walk down the aisle on his own two feet.
“Give me forty-eight hours.” Cardinal had to take control of this before they stepped in. “I’ll be in touch.”
Aspen nudged into his way. “If something comes up, how can I reach you?”
Cardinal hesitated, ignoring his steel barriers that demanded he spout off some gruff answer like he’d call her. He tugged his wallet out, plucked a card, and passed it
“I meant no harm.”
“I know.” Nobody ever did. But it hurt more than anyone could imagine and more than she could possibly explain. “You said you know the last place Austin was seen—”
“Possibly
seen.”
Aspen held up both hands. “Right. But if there’s a chance, then that scent is one Talon can pick up. He’s our best chance of figuring out if who you saw was Austin.” Tentatively, she touched that trembling thread of hope.
Austin…
“If we can get a team together—”
“I can put one together.”
Point of no return. He’d said the words. Started the opening dialogue of commitment to this mission. With her.
He wanted to curse himself. Cut his eyes out so he couldn’t see the hopeful longing in her icy-blue eyes. Eyes so pale they looked cold, yet nothing but warmth flowed from this woman. Angel. The fight club guy had called her that. Now Cardinal understood why. The fire lingering beneath that cool, sultry surface could singe the unsuspecting.
But he wasn’t unsuspecting. This was his doing. She’d walked right into his trap. Grinding his teeth, he stood there, waiting as she stared up at him. Expecting. Hoping.
“You can?” A voice soft and pleading like that should be illegal.
Soft, pleading voices had never affected Cardinal. Most often, as now, the woman had no idea how they’d played into his carefully laid plans. But her voice…that hope…the common thread of knowing Austin.
That’s what was different this time. They both knew Austin. That’s why it pulled at him. Barreled over his conscience.
“How can you put together a team?” Suspicion oozed out of the former Green Beret. Daniels was bred to mistrust those he didn’t know. The Army and multiple tours of combat did that.
“I got a call after my interview with Ms. Larabie.” Cardinal avoided the woman’s gaze, watching as the Lab and the other dog, Trinity, loped around the porch. “There is a team ready and willing to help.” He gave a light, halfhearted shrug. “A high-ranking DIA officer offered it to me.”
“DIA?” Daniels perked up.
Act hesitant. Didn’t want to give himself away. “Uh, yeah. You know them?”
A wall of granite would’ve been easier to read than Daniels’s face. “Go on.”
“Right, okay. Well, he told me they’re with me if I decide to do something.” Cardinal checked out Talon, now on his belly. “Just not sure about this, especially about the dog.”
“Talon should go.” Aspen stepped closer to Cardinal.
Pure. Pure trust. Pure beauty. Pure innocence. Pure Aspen. Angel.
And then the angel flew
. A cold breeze swept over him. Cardinal hauled his thoughts into line and flogged them. “Are you sure? What if he shuts down or goes nuts on us?”
“He was Austin’s partner.” Fiery determination sparked in her eyes. “If Talon caught his scent…I think there’d be no stopping him.”
“But what if there is?”
“We take Trinity.” Daniels joined them and leaned back against the railing that stretched the perimeter of the house. “She’s Talon’s new woman. She keeps him motivated.” He smirked. “He’ll find his way. If Austin is out there, she’ll help Talon find him.”
Not good—having the former Green Beret and his M WD on hand would increase the chances of things falling apart, of Cardinal’s identity and dealings being compromised. He’d have to find reasons to exclude the man that wouldn’t appear artificial. Arrange something…
No, he wouldn’t put this man in danger. Getting married in two weeks, Daniels should be able to walk down the aisle on his own two feet.
“Give me forty-eight hours.” Cardinal had to take control of this before they stepped in. “I’ll be in touch.”
Aspen nudged into his way. “If something comes up, how can I reach you?”
Cardinal hesitated, ignoring his steel barriers that demanded he spout off some gruff answer like he’d call her. He tugged his wallet out, plucked a card, and passed it
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