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Kate’s reticence about giving them intel to help find Jazz was infuriating. Xavier didn’t care that she’d sworn that what she was withholding wouldn’t help find her. She was keeping something from them that pertained to Jazz, and that wasn’t right.
When this was over and Jazz was safe, they were going to have to confront Kate. She might not be an official OZ operative, but for years they had relied on each other to provide intel and assistance as necessary. Not being able to trust Kate Walker hit at the very heart of who Option Zero was and what they fought for every day.
An unusual feeling of helplessness washed over him. Jazz had been taken almost two weeks ago, and other than a name and a city, they had absolutely nothing to go on. Two of the men who’d abducted her were dead, which showed whoever was responsible didn’t have a problem with killing.
Why she’d been taken, who had taken her, what, if anything, was being done to her were all still mysteries. Option Zero was one of the most powerful covert ops organizations in the world. They had taken down terrorists, prevented wars, and destroyed dictators. And yet, one of their own had been taken, and it was as if they were fumbling around in the dark, having no idea which direction to head.
Jazz was counting on them to find her. He knew she was strong and resilient. If she could get away, she would. Her size and beauty took nothing away from her strength and courage. She’d had his back more times than he could count, and he trusted her with his life.
And she trusted him with hers. That was one of the most frustrating things. Jazz needed him, was depending on him to find her, and he had no idea how to do that.
He thought about all the missed opportunities he’d had to tell her how he felt about her. He’d let fear of rejection hold him back. If he’d told her he was falling for her, and she hadn’t felt the same way, he had known their partnership would be ruined. All that fear was gone now. The moment he found her, she would have no doubts about where he stood. If she didn’t feel the same way? Then he’d do his very best to convince her otherwise.
The vibration of the phone in his pocket jerked his attention away from his worry. Serena was supposed to call with a whole new list of Byrnes to check out. Quickly turning into the parking lot of a convenience store, he turned off his engine and grabbed his phone. Not looking at the screen, he clicked the answer icon and growled, “What’ve you got?”
A weak, whispering voice said, “Xavier?”
Every cell in his body stiffened as his heart stalled in his chest. “Jazz?” he whispered. “Is that you?”
“Xavier…I need help.”
“Where are you?”
“Not sure. Close to Chicago…I think.”
“Okay. Hang on, baby. I’ll trace the call.” Quickly putting Jazz on hold, he punched in Serena’s number. The second she answered, he said, “I’ve got Jazz on the phone. Can you trace the call?”
“Yes! I’m on it.”
Returning to Jazz, he said, “Jazz…you there?” When there was no answer, his heart fell. Had she passed out? “Jazz! Can you hear me?”
“Xavier…I need…”
“We’re on the way, baby. Just hang on.”
“It hurts…”
Hearing those words almost broke him. “I’m on the way, Jazz. Are you safe?”
“Yes…think so… Please hurry.”
His phone pinged with a text from Serena with an address and a map of Jazz’s location. Another text followed: We’re jumping on the chopper and will be right behind you.
Needing no more encouragement, Xavier hit the starter on his bike and took off. He was grateful he’d packed his helmet since he was able to turn on the Bluetooth and continue talking to Jazz.
“Hey, you there?” he asked.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Feeling woozy.”
Since he needed to keep her awake and talking, he asked, “Can you tell me what happened?”
“Not sure. Some men grabbed me in Seattle. Brought me to Chicago.”
Weaving around a slow-moving van, Xavier asked, “Do you know who they worked for?”
No answer.
“Jazz!” he shouted. “Stay awake!”