Jacob's Ladder (String of Fate) Read Online Free PDF Page A

her console of complicated controls.
    Jake moved next to her, touching her arm. “Are you sure you want to hear this?” Jake knew in all likelihood, she had lost friends in the action tonight. His watcher likely wouldn’t know she was listening and wouldn’t soften the words of his report.
    Ria’s eyes closed for a single moment as she seemed to steel herself. “I must.”
    He had to admire her strength, even if he disagreed with the idea that she had to face everything alone. She would soon learn that he would be at her side, ready to share her burdens…for as long as she would let him.
    “All right then.” He nodded to the woman and she flipped a switch.
    “You’re on speaker,” the woman said softly.
    “Jake?” A man’s voice came over the speakers in the wheelhouse.
    “I’m here. We’re safe. What happened after we left?” Jake almost dreaded the casualty report, but he needed to know what the enemy had done after their prize had been stolen out from under their noses. The enemy’s reaction would dictate his next move.
    “As you might expect, once they realized she was gone, they left rapidly. Only a small crew remained to sift through the scene for clues as to where she might’ve gone. I don’t think they found anything. They hung around for a while, but left after reporting in their lack of progress. I believe you got away clean.”
    “What about casualties?” Ria blurted. Jake understood the slight edge of desperation in her tone. From what he understood, her Royal Guards were also her dear friends, with her every day, at all times. Losing one would be like losing a member of her extended family.
    “Three injured. One seriously. I took the liberty of helping them out of the warehouse and giving them a hand finding an understanding shifter medic.”
    “Who are you?” Ria breathed, confusion and relief warring in her voice.
    “Sorry, ma’am. My name is Ben. Jake can tell you more. I’ve been aware of your existence for a while and am happy to be able to help. Your people are safe. I can give you a call back in about an hour from their location if you want to speak with them.”
    “I would love that. Thank you, Ben. And thank you for helping my friends.”
    “It’s my pleasure, ma’am. Glad I could be part of this op, in even a small way. I’ll call back in 57 minutes. Jake, if you need anything else, you know where to find me.”
    “Roger that. Thanks, Ben. Call before if there are any changes.”
    “Will do.” He hung up without much further ado and the line went to static before the female shifter at the console turned off the speakers.
    Ria sagged with relief. “I thought for sure I’d lost Bronson. He was so green. Fresh from training and only in my employ for a few months.”
    “Ben said he was injured. He’s not dead and he’s getting medical help. He’ll be okay,” Jake tried to console her. He really wanted to put his arm around her shoulders the way the captain had earlier, but he was afraid she would pull away. It was too soon to take liberties…even small ones like that.
    Jake knew he had to be patient. She shared her soul with a cat and the panther inside her was going to be harder to convince than the human—or so he feared. He had to approach her slowly and let her get to know him. Let the cat come to accept him.
    And then she turned toward him and walked straight into his arms.
    Or maybe he was all wrong about the cat thing. Maybe she just needed to be held after the ordeal she had been through tonight. Jake hugged her close, resting his head above hers, allowing her to draw comfort from his embrace as he nearly forgot to breathe at having her so close.
    She felt so right in his arms.
    “Dinner is ready,” the calm female voice intruded on their moment and Ria pulled away. Jake wanted to curse the efficient woman who was still manning her console, but he had to let Ria go.
    “Come on,” Ed’s voice reached them across the length of the bridge. He had