Lethal Threat (Agile Security & Rescue #1)

Chapter 1

Chapter One

SIERRA

It’s too late now. Squinting against the driving rain, I curse my foolishness. I should have checked the forecast more closely. You know better than to go onto the water on a night like this.

“Sierra! Did you hear me? We should call Cole, he’d know what to do.”

I try to ignore both my friend’s increasing panic, and her outlandish suggestion. Yet, try as I might, the truth is sinking in. There couldn’t be a worse night to be looking for Bryan.

A gust of cold air hits us, whipping my friend’s terrified voice away into the inky sky.

I can’t even look at her face. It makes my anxiety triple every time I do. I have to stay calm.

“We’re okay,” I shout without looking back, “I’ve got this.”

I hope.

Another smack of wind rips spray off the wave, over the bow of the boat, splattering the windshield with salty water. The barrage momentarily covers the drone of the outboard engine.

Cole would know what to do.

Any Air Force Pararescuer would be in his element on this reckless night mission. Especially Cole. The man’s like a human Swiss-army knife. Always ready and capable.

Oh god. I can’t believe I’m letting myself think anything good about Cole Strong.

He’s also the reason this nightmare is happening.

Bitter pain tightens my throat, making me want to scream into the howling wind. But there’s no time. Losing my focus could cost us our lives.

We rock violently on the next wave. Tossed side to side like the boat is a cork in the relentless wrath of Mother Nature.

The wind wasn’t wasn’t supposed to be this strong, but conditions are getting worse.

I grit my teeth so hard my temples throb as I fight the boat and push on. We’ve got to be getting close. Water slides between my fingers slicking the wheel as agonizing memories seize my body.

Bryan. Cole. This whole nightmare makes a flush of angry heat twist through me. The only thing to do is channel the anger. I need my focus. My brother needs me.

Tears well in my eyes, making my vision even worse.

We have to find Bryan. I can’t let my brother go. He’s all I have.

The boat’s wheel is vibrating and cold under my shaking hands as I fight wave after wave. The boat rocks hard, the only way to stay upright is to brace my feet wider as the deck tilts this way and that way.

It was foolish to bring a skiff—we need a bigger boat.

A violent gust grabs at my jacket and almost knocks me over. As I fight for my balance, I squint into the darkness. Salty water hits my face as I regain my balance. The chill makes me shiver and hunker down into my jacket.

Of all nights to come. It couldn’t be a nice balmy summer evening with glassy water.

I jump when a hand lands on my arm. Evelyn holds onto the bar on the console, fighting to stay upright. “It’s so dark; this is really scary!”

“I know.”

She’s frightened out of her skull. I get it. I’m trying not to let myself go there.

I’ve got training on managing my emotions and my physiology, but Evelyn doesn’t, and I know I should comfort her, but I have to focus on keeping us alive.

Her voice grows shrill. “I know? That’s all you’ve got?”

“I’m trying not to think about it!” I yell over the noise.

My eyes have to stay on the churning black water in front of me. The island has to be close.

But where?

The darkness is too thick, too filled with misty haze. Conditions are terrible.

My skin is clammy when I use the back of my hand to brush water away from my eyes. The screen of my phone is blurry. I wipe my eyes again and wipe the screen. “Damn. The GPS isn’t tracking.”

I entered the coordinates of the location on the GPS before we left shore. But now all I’ve got is a spinning icon.

Of all times to lose my signal.

I crane my neck back and search the sky.

No stars. Too much cloud cover. Celestial navigation won’t work either.

I know better than to get myself into this kind of mess. But here I am. Fueled on desperation and heartbreak.

Squinting harder, I find the lights on the distant shoreline to try to keep my bearings until the app on my phone resumes. This gives me a second of relief.

We’re heading south. I generally know where I’m going. But that little icon on the GPS app sure would make me feel better.

A stronger gust whips water all around us. The chill from the spray hits my neck and makes my skin goosebump. Evelyn draws her coat up with one hand as she holds on with the other.

I swear, if I find Bryan tonight, I’m going to lock him—

What’s that sound?

I freeze and strain to listen. My sixth sense starts screaming. “Is that a boat?”

No one in their right mind is out on this water tonight.

I spin my head around like an owl, searching the darkness. That groan—something mechanical is getting louder.

Then I see it. A vessel, larger than ours, moving at a fast clip. Right at us.

The boat has no running lights. It’s coming too fast.

My heart plummets as the shadow rises from the crushing blackness. I turn the wheel and push the throttle forward.

The larger vessel changes course too.

I do it again and make a sharp angle with the boat.

They continue to bear down on us.

Terror is pumping through me now. My knees shake as I snatch my phone off the holder on the console, and make a call I didn’t think I’d ever agree to make.

“Siri, call Cole.”

Beep. Beep. Beep. The call doesn’t connect.

I try again. Please let my phone work. Someone needs to know what’s happening. He’ll know what to do.

That black shadow gets bigger. The occupants of the boat finally come into view. Three large men’s silhouettes.

Siri says, “Calling now.”

Voicemail answers, and a voice I never thought I’d hear again speaks. “You’ve reached Cole Strong, leave a message.”

I almost burst into tears. “It’s Sierra, I’ve made a horrible mistake. I’m on the bay, there are three men in a boat, I’m afraid they’re—“

Through the salt-filled air, a bellowed voice drives a spike of terror into my chest. “Drop the phone!”

My heart goes wild inside my ribcage as I stare at the gigantic gun. It’s pointed right at my chest.

Think, Sierra. You’ve got to use your head.

The man bellows across their bow. “Drop the phone now!”

I slowly lower the phone. As I do, I speak toward it, keeping my lips still. I pray that the speaker picks up my words. “Send help. We’re near an island east of the water tower.”

Then I let my iPhone fall to my feet. Maybe it will stay connected. Maybe my message will get through. But I never drop my gaze from the gun.

There’s no doubt in my mind—the man aiming at me is a killer.

It’s in his eyes, the bitter slits showing above his mask. Hollow pits, cold with hate.

There’s a keening moan beside me. My friend’s pale face is frozen in a state of shock.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

This can’t be how it ends. Bryan needs me…

I can’t fail again.