Page 20 of Cruel Salvation

“Just breathe, Naz.”

Following the deep sound of his voice, she let Damon help her, even as she hated appearing weak in front of him. It didn’t take long, as she drew in deep breaths,, for her heart to steady and the panic to subside.

“I’m okay.” She stepped away from him when all she really wanted to do was sink into his arms and stay there. Let him take control for just a little bit and carry the weight with her.

“Where do we start looking for these clues you were talking about?”

Grateful he was moving past her mini breakdown, she pointed to an area where she would have taken the shot if she’d been trying to cause damage to the plant.

“Over there.”

While Detective Radnor had his men checking the buildings to the west, she knew the one slightly more south would be the ideal location for this attack. It was a disused office, by the looks of it, with a flat roof.

“Stay behind me.”

“No fucking way am I hiding behind, you, Nazareli. I will walk beside you and do as you ask but don’t ever try and put yourself in danger to protect me.”

“Stubborn alpha males.” She shook her head, but a part of her was touched by his statement, even if it was dumb.

The building itself was clear, which didn’t surprise her, it was the roof she was interested in the most. Taking the fire escape up, she scanned the area, her weapon drawn in case they were still there and the abandoned car was just a ruse.

She didn’t expect to find anyone, and she was right. “It’s clear.”

She walked to the edge of the roof, her flashlight sweeping across the floor, noting the disturbed dust on the ledge and then she saw it. A single shell casing. Not on the floor like it had fallen, but placed on the ledge as if someone wanted her to find it.

Picking it up using a latex glove she kept in her pocket, she turned the shell over and frowned.

“Is that weird that it was right there?” Damon asked.

“Yes, it was placed there on purpose for us to find.”

“Why the hell would they do that?”

“I’m not sure but we need to find out. Let’s head back to the house and call the team.”

Damon was quiet on the way back, although he’d insisted on driving and she hadn’t fought him on it, too damn tired to fight.

As he flicked the kettle on to make tea, she opened the laptop and logged in before hitting dial to connect them face-to-face.

“You look like crap.”

“Gee, thanks, Bás, just what every woman wants to hear.”

“You sick?”

“No, just tired and hungry so get off my case.”

“Damon, make sure she rests and eats.”

She looked up and back to see Damon standing behind her, like he was the only snack she needed to survive right now, a smirk on his overly handsome face as he nodded at Bás.

“Excuse me, neanderthal, but I don’t need some man to look out for me. I’m a grown-ass woman.”

“More like pain in the ass woman.”

“Do you want to hear this or not, because I want to go to bed?”

“Fine, speak, the rest of the team are listening.”