Page 70

Xavier sat at the end of the table, close to Ash. When his eyes met hers, the heat in them skyrocketed her already jittery nerves. That look said so many things, and deciphering them all was beyond her at the moment. Then, as if he knew exactly how she felt, he gave her a gentle, encouraging smile, and suddenly she felt stronger than ever. How did he do that?
“Jazz,” Ash said, “it’s good to see you looking so fit.”
Jerking her attention back to the entire room, she cleared her throat and said, “Thank you, Ash. And thanks to all of you for saving me. I did something dumb and almost died. I’m truly grateful to all of you.”
“We’re just relieved you look so well,” Serena said.
“Thank you. I’m feeling great and ready to get to work.”
“That’s good to hear, but I think you wanted to say something before we get started?” Ash said.
This was their signal. She’d sent a text to her boss this morning to let him know she wanted to make a formal apology and explanation to the team. He’d replied with, Sounds good.
“I feel the need to explain in detail why I did what I did. When Bass was shot, I took off after the shooter. Xavier got caught up in saving a woman from being trampled, so I went on ahead. When I ran out to the alley, I saw the shooter getting into a black SUV. The description I gave you was mostly accurate. His height and weight were accurate. What I didn’t mention was that a strand of golden-blond hair was sticking out from beneath his skullcap. Also, when he went to open the car door, I saw a glimpse of his wrist and noticed a thick scar. Additionally, our eyes met for a second or two before he got inside the vehicle. His eyes were an unusual shade of green, a blend of aquamarine and jade. They were vivid and unlike any color I’ve ever seen, except for one person.”
“Your brother,” Ash said solemnly.
“Yes,” she answered softly.
Thankful there were no interruptions, Jazz continued, wanting to get everything out in the open. “I panicked. I couldn’t get my head wrapped around the fact that my loving, kindhearted brother was a killer. I thought if I could find him first, I could talk to him and bring him in.
“I had nightmares of OZ finding him and there being some kind of shootout that didn’t end well for anyone.” She glanced around the room again, wanting to make sure they understood her sincerity. “I messed up, and I’m incredibly sorry.”
“I’d like to suggest that we move on from here,” Eve said. “Jazz, yes, you screwed up and didn’t trust the team. But there’s not one of us who hasn’t screwed up in some way. We’re human, and we make mistakes.”
“I agree,” Liam said. He sent Jazz a grim look. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to help you, Jazz, but Aubrey and I were overjoyed with relief when you were found.”
“Thank you, Liam. And even though I sent you a text, I want to say in person, congratulations on your baby girl. I cannot wait to meet Lily.”
Grinning like only a proud father could, he said, “And she can’t wait to meet you.”
“All right, then,” Ash said. “Are we agreed that we need to move on? Jazz has owned up to her mistakes, and we’ve got a lot on our agenda. However…” Pausing for effect, he sent each of his operatives a warning glare. “This better be the last time any of you remove your trackers. They’re there to protect you, not inhibit you. Understand?”
Jazz nodded along with everyone else. It had been an insane thing to do, and its absence had almost gotten her killed.
“Next up, let’s talk about Jazz’s abductor.” He looked at Serena and said, “I understand you have some interesting intel to share.”
“Yes.” Serena sent an apologetic grimace to Jazz. “Sorry. If I’d searched the correct parameters earlier, I would have found him sooner.”
Jazz sat up straight in her chair. “You found him?”
“I believe so.” She clicked a couple of keys on her laptop, and the photo of a well- dressed older man with thinning hair and a sallow complexion appeared on the large wall screen. Jazz knew the face well, as it continued to appear in her nightmares.
“That’s him,” Jazz whispered.
Serena sent her another quick, apologetic smile. “His name is Kevin Doyle, once a high-ranking soldier for the Byrne crime family in Chicago. When Byrne and his family were killed, the organization fractured into various factions. Doyle took a piece of it with him, but he never could gain the support to grow beyond a small-time gangster.”
“But why did he take me?” Jazz asked. “I knew nothing about Ronan Byrne and want nothing to do with him.”
“Maybe so,” Ash answered, “but you’re the daughter of the man they looked upon as a king.”
“So they wanted to use me…for what?”
“That’s a question we all want answered,” Gideon said.
Her mind whirling in a thousand different directions, Jazz let the intel sink into her brain. She was aware that her teammates continued to make remarks and give their opinions, but she heard the comments only in her periphery. That was, until Liam said, “Serena, you said if you’d used the right parameters, you would have found him sooner. What did you mean?”
“I should have broadened my search to include the deceased.”