Page 16 of Burning Justice (Chasing Fire: Alaska #6)

“Someone is going to check you out before you leave.” Crew eyed him.

“You’re not back on the hotshot team until you’re cleared by a doctor, so don’t take off before you get signed out by the doc.

That’s what Tucker told me to tell all of you.

Almost like you guys have a tendency of not sticking around long enough to get checked out. ”

Kane said nothing.

“Once that happens, Tris and I will go with you to get her back.”

Kane glanced between them. “Sure?”

“We know what we’re doing, bro,” Tristan said. “We’re good to go, and we want these guys taken down as much as anyone. We’re in this for the long haul. Something you should know by now.”

Crew just stood there, as if what Tristan was saying wasn’t surprising. Maybe they’d talked about it while Kane was out.

He felt like he’d been hit by a truck—or a bus. Saxon was getting stitches. Neither of them was in any shape to go alone. “Help would be good.”

But only because Hammer wasn’t here. That guy was worth four guys put together, even guys like Kane. It was why he’d been their Delta Force team leader.

“It’s settled, then.” Tristan nodded.

“I want her location. Tell Tucker to hurry up.”

Crew nodded and stepped out of the bay.

Kane turned to Tristan. “How is Logan?”

“The doctor keeps using terms like chronic traumatic encephalopathy , and Jamie is getting all teary-eyed.” Tristan cleared his throat. “Apparently it’s been bad for a few weeks, but he didn’t tell anyone.”

The guy talked a good game, but Tristan was probably just as nervous as Jamie, considering his sister was upset and the man she loved had a medical problem.

“Too many traumatic brain injuries. I’ve seen it before, and if it’s this bad, he’s probably not going to be fighting fire anymore.” Kane winced. “Is Bryce here?”

Tristan frowned. “You know his family?”

“I’m from Last Chance County, but it’s been a long time.” Kane wasn’t going to explain his own family tie to the Eastside Firehouse.

“Good to know.” Tristan nodded. “Bryce and Penny, and Andi and Jude, are on their way. Their mom stayed with their dad.”

That was likely what was making everyone nervous.

Logan’s father had a TBI that severely hampered his ability to have a normal life—but it didn’t steal his enjoyment of fishing.

With a nurse and plenty of family around to care for him, the Crawford siblings’ father had a peaceful life.

At least, he did now that their family wasn’t the target of a dangerous cartel.

Still, with history seeming to repeat itself in Logan, they were probably all on edge.

“Thanks for the update.” He held out his hand. “I appreciate it.”

Tristan shook hands with Kane. “No problem. I’m just glad I can help. Better than feeling useless here.” He stepped away from the end of the bed. “I’m gonna go see if Crew has a location for Sanchez.”

Kane said, “Thanks.”

He was all fine to stay put and let a doctor check him out, but after he took care of some pressing business. Which meant finding a restroom down the hall.

He was washing his hands when the door opened and a man stepped in.

Kane twisted around, the faucet still running, not exactly registering a threat, but close. He wasn’t going to let his guard down with his back to the room.

Kane stared at the guy, and the pieces clicked into place. “I know who you are.”

He’d only ever seen this man in a picture.

Never in person. The older man nodded, lines permanently etched into the skin around his eyes and on his forehead, gray hair on the sides of his head, and a beard covering the lower half of his face.

He looked too thin, almost sick. Definitely malnourished.

He said, “That makes this easier.”

Kane shut off the water. “Doctor Cortez?”

“Rodrigo.”

“Kane Foster.”

“You’re the one.” The older man studied him. “Good.”

“You know who I am?”

“I know you’ll do everything you can to protect her. Is that right?”

Kane nodded. “That’s right.”

“You and your friends.”

“Because I asked them to help me keep her safe.”

Rodrigo was still for a moment, then nodded. “You have a way to find her?”

“We’re working on it.” Kane had a feeling this conversation was going to be over just as fast as it started, so he moved closer to the other man and grabbed a paper towel. Wiped his hands dry, using the movement to tug off his tracker ring. “Anything you can share that might help me do that?”

“It’s too risky, me even being here, but they’re all distracted with her. I need your assurance that she will get through this. Otherwise I can’t do what I need to.”

Kane didn’t like the sound of this. “Maria wants to see you. She’s been looking for you since you were taken from her.”

“She’s made a life for herself. Once she’s free of these people, she’ll be able to be happy.”

“That won’t happen without you.”

Rodrigo looked aside at the bathroom stalls. “We both know what’s at stake here. If I allow them to capture me again, this will never end. I’ll die a captive.”

“I have a friend in the FBI. He can help you?—”

“You trust them?” Rodrigo laughed, the sound hollow. “One day they’ll betray you. I’ve learned not to be surprised.”

“This agent is one of the good ones. One of us .” Rio was married to a smokejumper. He’d more than proven himself. “Please, come in. Stay somewhere you can be safe, where Maria can spend time with you after I get her back. She wants to see you.”

Rodrigo was already shaking his head before Kane even finished. “Find her. That’s your job—to keep her safe. My job is to finish this.”

“I’m going to, but?—”

“Good.” The older man nodded, turning for the door. “I’m going to hold you to your promise. I expect you to protect her.”

Kane followed him to the door, grabbing the wood above Rodrigo’s head. He could see he’d thrown the man off guard, and Kane used the distraction to slip his tracker ring into the man’s jacket pocket. “I can do that better if she and I know you’re safe.”

“What happens to me doesn’t matter. Only that they are stopped, no matter what they try in order to get me to give up. Give in.” Rodrigo lifted his chin. “Not even Maria’s life will sway me. That’s why it’s up to you. ”

The door clicked shut and he was gone.

Kane whipped it open and stepped out into the hallway, looking both ways. “What does that mean?”

But Maria’s father was gone.

Not even her life would sway her father to do anything but “finish” this?

It sounded like he was determined, but also that he didn’t care enough about his daughter to put her well-being above…

thousands of lives? The destruction of the US economy?

Those were high stakes, and maybe Kane didn’t want to have to face a choice like that.

A choice between the country and the woman he loved.

All he knew was that he needed to find her before she was killed. Then they could worry about saving the world.

Together.