Whispers in the Dark - Maya Banks [11]
Was it worth it? Was any of it worth it?
Never before had he questioned his dedication or his resolve. He was a soldier. His job was to serve his country. It was a duty he’d embraced.
But here in the dark, alone, without hope, he doubted everything that made him who he was.
Nathan.
Her voice so full of understanding. Caring. How could she care so damn much? She didn’t even know him.
I can’t maintain the link between us much longer. You have to tell me what you can about your location. I’ll write it down. Word for word. I’ll do what I can to help you, and I won’t leave you if I can help it. I’ll stay with you until they find you.
The promise in her words ignited a spark in the darkness of his soul. He wanted it to be true. He wanted this miracle. Was it God talking to him? Was she an angel?
His email is Van@KGI.org. Tell him…Tell him to talk to Joe. Tell him…Nathan strained to get his bearings. To remember. He’d been dragged from the truck. It was daylight. He remembered looking down. Tell him Korengal Valley.
Can you rest now? You have to preserve your strength. Is your pain better?
He felt the stroke of a hand over his cheek. So soft and soothing. He closed his eyes and leaned into empty space. Even with her strength nearly gone, she gave the last of it to offer him solace.
He reached up as if he would capture the hand on his face but his fingers found only his own dirty, blood-crusted skin. But still, he palmed his cheek, savoring the idea that he held her hand in his.
Rest with me. I can feel your weakness. My pain is gone, but yours isn’t. I would take it away if I could.
He felt her smile, and warmth spread through his veins.
Silly, she murmured. No point in me taking your pain if you take it back. Sleep now. I’ll be here if you need me. Just call for me.
CHAPTER 4
“IT’S been two goddamn months, and we’ve got nothing,” Donovan Kelly bit out. Rage consumed him. He wanted to take apart the newly constructed war room with his bare hands.
His brothers didn’t look any happier.
Sam Kelly hunched over the table where the map lay. On it were thumbtacks noting all the places where KGI had already gone in search of Nathan. Garrett stood next to his brother and Ethan was on the other side, his hand curled around his nape as he stared down in frustration.
They were tired. Their resources stretched thin. They’d already spent so much time away from their family. Their wives. Sam’s daughter. Nathan’s disappearance had taken a toll on them all, and yet no one was going to give up until he was found and brought home.
“This is bullshit,” Donovan continued. “You can’t tell me they’re doing everything to find him.”
Sam held up his hand then let it fall to the table again. Donovan went silent but still simmered with fury. He turned away and paced toward the window that overlooked the Kelly compound.
Construction in varying stages was going on all over the grounds. In the distance, the plot of land he’d picked out for his own house stood, still unblemished and thick with trees. How the hell could he think about a damn house when his brother was still missing?
How could any of them think of anything else?
Everything had come to a halt in the Kelly family. Garrett and Sarah weren’t marrying until they had news of Nathan one way or another. There was little cause for celebration when their family wasn’t whole.
The KGI teams had gone in search of Nathan four times already, the first two without permission by Uncle Sam. Not that they gave a flying fuck. Resnick had dragged his heels, not wanting any part of a potentially sticky situation between a private rescue operation and any U.S.-sanctioned rescue operation, not to mention the fallout when KGI kicked the shit out of whoever held their brother.
By the time official permission had been given, KGI was already staging their third mission to the Middle East. It hadn’t surprised any of them that while Uncle Sam was willing to not kick their asses over it, they sure as hell weren’t giving official support either.