Guardian Ranger (Shadow Agents 2)

Gunfire blasted once more.

* * *

JASPER AND LOGAN HAD their weapons out. They were scanning the area around Veronica’s ranch. So far, there were no signs of Jimmy.

Not yet.

“The front door’s open,” Logan whispered.

Jasper nodded to show he’d heard. Then he gave a quick gesture with his hand. He’d go in first, and Logan could follow for cover.

One, two...

By three, he was in the house. And the house had most definitely been searched. Ransacked. Not just Veronica’s room this time. Not just Cale’s room.

Everything had been destroyed.

Was the guy still in there? Only one way to find out. Another fast hand gesture, and he and Logan swept through the kitchen. Sydney had her weapon out now, too, and she flanked them. Room by room, they searched.

Downstairs.

Upstairs.

Broken furniture. Overturned chairs.

But no Jimmy Jones.

Jasper peered down from Veronica’s window. “He could be in any of those buildings.” Just like before. Only this time, the guy was watching them, not Veronica.

“If he’s out there, why hasn’t he taken us out?” Sydney asked. “He could have gotten shots off when we came on the porch.”

“Maybe our cover was too good. He didn’t have a clean shot,” Logan said instantly. “Maybe—” He broke off, frowning, then pulled his phone out of his back pocket. The phone made no sound, but Jasper knew the device would be emitting a small vibration. “It’s Gunner.” Logan put the phone to his ear. “Area isn’t secure yet. We’re—”

Jasper saw his eyes widen.

“When? Damn it, yes, we’re on the way.” He shoved the phone back into his pocket. “Gunner says we aren’t going to find the deputy out here. He’s back in town, shooting at Wyatt.”

“He lured us away,” Sydney said with a shake of her head even as they all raced for the stairs. “That guy wanted to separate us so he could attack better. He left his phone for us to track.”

Now he was heading in to take out Cale. And Veronica. They rushed out of the front door. The porch creaked beneath their feet.

But then they heard the peal of a ringing cell phone, a sound that came from within the house. Jimmy’s phone? Sydney glanced back at the house. “Why...” Then her eyes widened. “The bomb at the sheriff’s station—it was triggered by a cell! He could be doing it again! Run!”

But there wasn’t time to run. The house exploded behind them. The force of the blast sent Jasper flying into the air, and then he hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud.

* * *

VERONICA RUSHED BACK down the hallway. There was no more gunfire. Just silence. She crouched low, not wanting to make a target, and turned the corner that would take her back to the small lobby.

“Wyatt?” Veronica whispered. He was bent near the front desk.

He turned around, eyes widening. He had his phone in his hand. “I can’t get Logan and the others.” Worry hardened his words. “No one’s answering.”

She swallowed over the lump in her throat. “And Cale’s gone.”

Wyatt tensed. “What?” Then, suddenly, Wyatt was right in front of her, grabbing her arm and pulling her close. “Hell, he’s supposed to be cuffed back there.”

“The handcuffs were on the floor. The room was empty. He’s gone. H-he must have picked the lock and managed to pry the boards off the window.” The EOD had underestimated him. Her brother had gotten out of plenty of tight spots over the years. As if that little room would have held him for long.