Jagger hadn’t been on my team, but we’d been over in Afghanistan at the same time. Fuck. We should have never debated staffing up the project.

“What happened?” I ask.

Nothing in Syria would be considered a cushy assignment, but as far as assignments go, providing security for the family of a CIA officer shouldn’t result in a tango with explosives.

“They were targeted. Not sure by who. I’m hearing AF.”

“Israeli forces?” Also known as the “men of silence,” AF are comparable to Navy SEALs, and they fight the war between wars on covert missions. If they wanted someone dead, then that sucked for the target. And the CIA officer would probably never share what he did to get placed on a hit list. The guy was supposed to be over there under cover as an expat businessman. Regardless, Arrow had a job to do. And an injured friend.

Stella, our HR director and Trevor’s girlfriend, wraps her arm around Trevor’s lower back. She peers up at him with concern and love.

“Backup is on the way to the safe house. Best I could do is commercial. We need to get you to the airport,” Stella updates Trevor.

Sending Trevor off into a dangerous situation when he has his first real relationship, the kind that could last fifty years, hits me wrong.

“I should be the one going,” I tell Trevor. “If we can get the FBI engaged today, then I could be on a plane tomorrow.”

“You’ve got your hands full. I’ve got this,” Trevor responds with characteristic aloofness. To Stella, he says, “I’ll send updates.”

“Don’t take any unnecessary risks,” I command. What I don’t tell him is to get his ass back home in one piece.

Trevor gives me a quick nod in understanding and says, “You find that kid, then you can come join me.” He winks, as cool as ever, and leads Stella away.

“Are they married?” Alex asks.

“For all practical purposes,” I answer. “All right. I’m going to call Sullivan from my office.” I pause. Alex has been mostly silent. “Do you think this is good news? The spliced video?”

Alex frowns. “Do you know what we call silent kidnappers?”

I shake my head, but an unsettled sensation stirs in my gut. I’m pretty sure I know where she’s going with her answer.

“Killers.” She chews her thumbnail, thoughtful. When her gaze lifts to look me in the eye, she adds, “Let’s hope he’s received a ransom.”

CHAPTER 13

114 Hours Missing

Alex

My chaotic thoughts churn through the facts. There was an abduction. There should have been a crime scene. But I didn’t find anything. Not even a suspect fingerprint. Are we dealing with professionals? And if yes, what does that mean? Why?

As unreadable as ever, Ryan commands the room. Every time my gaze travels to him, I jerk it back, down, or to a far corner. A slight tingle persists on my swollen lips. And it is truly ridiculous, because someone abducted Sophia. That’s where I should focus. Dad counsels against fraternization for this reason. Divided attention reaps failure.