Free Midnight Games: A Killer Instincts Novel by Elle Kennedy

going through right now. She’d met Beth McCall mere hours ago, but it was easy to see that Holden adored his wife. He’d mentioned over dinner that their nineteen-year anniversary had just passed. The couple had been together for two decades, for Pete’s sake.
    Her heart clenched, a wave of grief swelling inside her and gathering strength when she realized what Kane had said.
    Trevor had stayed behind to help Holden.
    She supposed it was only fitting—if anyone could empathize with Holden, it was Trevor. He knew what it was like to lose the love of your life.
    Isabel went on the alert again as Kane’s hand moved to his earpiece. “Yeah, I copy,” he barked. “What’s your ETA?”
    He listened intently, as did Abby and Ethan, while Isabel cursed every single one of them for not giving her a damn earpiece so she could stay in the loop.
    “What’s going on?” she asked. “Was that Trevor?”
    Kane nodded. “He and Holden are on their way.”
    No sooner had the words left his mouth than a series of rapid explosions shook the landscape. Before, Isabel hadn’t been able to see the compound—it was too dark, and the compound was too far away.
    Now she had a clear view of it.
    Her eyes widened as red and orange flames lit up the night. The wind carried with it the sulfuric scent of smoke, and as the compound burned before her eyes, Isabel experienced a strange sense of grief. She’d visited Morgan’s property only a couple of times, yet for some reason the blazing conflagration evoked genuine, visceral loss.
    The others didn’t seem as upset. “It’s protocol,” Kane explained when he noticed the distress on Isabel’s face. Then he turned to Ethan, who was staring at the inferno. “Did you call the airfield?”
    Ethan nodded. “We’re all set.”
    “Good. Take the Humvee and make your way there. The sooner D gets on that plane, the better. I’ll wait here for Trevor and Holden.”
    “I’m staying with you,” Isabel said immediately.
    Abby set her jaw. “Me too.”
    “You’re with Ethan, sweetheart,” Kane said with a shake of his head. “He’ll need help with D.”
    Although Abby looked unhappy, she didn’t object. Isabel knew that when Kane gave Abby an order, it wasn’t as a husband ordering his wife around, but as a superior officer talking to a member of the team. Kane was Morgan’s second-in-command, which meant he called the shots when the boss was away.
    Still, the couple did exchange a tight hug and a not so professional kiss before Abby and Ethan left in the Humvee. The vehicle raised a cloud of dust and disappeared into the darkness.
    Isabel and Kane didn’t say much as they waited for the rest of their party. They didn’t have to wait long; less than twenty minutes later, a third Humvee appeared at the top of the crest and sped toward them.
    When Trevor slid out of the driver’s seat, the relief that slammed into Isabel’s chest was so powerful she nearly keeled over.
    He was alive and in one piece, his tall, muscular frame now clad in cargo pants, a long-sleeved shirt and black shit kickers. His jaw was covered with dark stubble, lending him a feral air.
    Without questioning her actions, Isabel eliminated the distance between them and threw her arms around his neck.
    “Whoa, easy,” Trevor said when their chests collided with a thump. His voice came out husky now. “Good to see you too, sweetheart.”
    Emotion tightened her throat to the point that she couldn’t even swallow. She took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of smoke and death and something that was uniquely Trevor. Woodsy, lemony, male.
    “Are you okay?” she asked urgently.
    “I’m fine.”
    “That’s what Ethan said too, right before he asked me to dig a bullet out of his arm.”
    Trevor chuckled. “I’m bruised, cut up, and I think a couple of bullets grazed me, but I promise you, Iz, I’m fine.” The amusement in his whiskey-colored eyes faded when a car door slammed.
    Isabel shifted her gaze. Her