Free Fight to the Finish by Shannon Greenland

make eye contact with each of us. “I’d like to start out by saying this is an incredible place we live. Regardless of your backgrounds, I hope each of you realize what an honor it is to have been picked for this program.
    You are an elite, talented, intelligent group, and I’m proud to say you are on my team.”
    No one uttered a sound as we stared at him. I was sure they were picking up on the same thing as me. While his words were complimentary, his tone came across disappointed.
    Pushing back from the table, TL stood, and rolling his chair in, he rested his hands on top of the leather seat back.
    My eyes wandered down to his ring finger where he wore no wedding band. I looked across the table to Nalani’s finger and saw the same. What kind of relationship did they have that not even in the safety of the ranch did they wear rings? I didn’t understand the two of them.
    TL took a breath. “David, go ahead.”
    David hit the remote, and the wall inserted screen flickered. An image of Zandra popped up with a rag tied around her eyes and tears streaking her face.
    I sucked in a breath as I stared at the curls matted to her little cheeks.
    66
“This picture arrived today,” David explained. “We traced it and have found out it was mailed a block away from where Zandra was taken. This picture was probably snapped moments after she was kidnapped.” He pressed the remote, and another image came into view.
    It was a note, just like the first. FIND HER OR SHE DIES.
    David put the remote down. “That message came with the picture.”
    “What about prints?” Chapling asked.
    David shook his head. “Nothing.” He turned to Mystic. “Do you get anything looking at that?”
    Mystic shook his head. “No, I’m sorry. I need to see her eyes.”
    “Again,” TL spoke up. “The kidnappers could be anybody. Nalani and I have so many enemies.” TL stopped for a second and rubbed his hand across his forehead. “What do they want? It doesn’t make sense. Do they want me? Nalani? Money? To free someone from prison? I don’t know.” He rubbed his forehead even harder. “At this point, I’m beginning to doubt if they want anything at all. Maybe they’re just playing a game. I’m beginning to doubt their intentions .
    . . and what exactly their plans are with,” TL swallowed, “with our daughter,” his voice cracked a little.
    I swallowed, too, at the raw emotion in his tone. At the horrible things that could happen to their daughter.
    Dropping his head, TL pressed his fingers into the sides of his temple.
    “Please . . .” Nalani squeezed her fingers together so tight her knuckles turned white.
    “Please, you all in this room, you’re our only hope.”
    My stomach clenched at the desperation in her voice. And I realized this was the first time I’d heard Nalani speak since first seeing her.
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She looked first at Mystic and then Bruiser. “TL told me you two are hesitant to do this mission.”
    I glanced over at my team members to find them both dropping their heads. I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe they’d actually gone to TL. I loved my teammates, but at this point I felt incredibly disappointed in them, too. I didn’t care what hesitancy I might have, it was TL and Nalani’s daughter, for God’s sake. Did Mystic and Bruiser not see this?
    “I can’t make you do this,” TL softly spoke, taking his fingers from his temple and dragging his gaze to both Mystic and Bruiser. “I could have gone to anybody. I know people on all levels of the government. But I brought this to you because I know you’re the best, we’re the best.”
    Mystic and Bruiser kept their heads down. I didn’t know about them, but I would feel very guilty and definitely a little “in trouble” if TL were putting me on the spot right now.
    “Look at me,” Nalani requested.
    Mystic and Bruiser raised their eyes.
    Nalani released her white knuckled fingers and laid them flat on her chest. “I’m here asking you as