Page 28 of Burning Justice (Chasing Fire: Alaska #6)

“Thanks.” He kissed her, because it was a thing now. Because he could and he wanted to. “How is your hand?” He reined back the surge of attraction that was always there when she was around, and turned to the room, his hips back against the counter. He looked at her, sipping his coffee.

“I took another pill.”

The front door opened, so he didn’t get the chance to talk about her being in pain and pushing through it. He’d rather she stay and rest than go out with them to find Elias, but it was probably better he didn’t say it if she was only going to get mad at him.

Rio came in, holding the door for Raine. “We have intel.”

Raine went to a stool in the corner and sat quietly, a sick look on her face.

Across the room, Tristan stared at her. The two of them were going to have to figure things out.

Kane was pretty sure this had nothing to do with the beef between them and a lot more to do with the issue conflicting with a bucketful of attraction that had caught them both by surprise.

“Raine’s grandfather told us where this cabin is. The one Elias is holed up in.”

Kane rolled his shoulders, feeling the pull of the scarred skin on his back.

If things went the way he wanted them to with Maria, she would see the damage in all its glory.

But maybe he didn’t care so much now. He figured everyone was damaged in their own way—whether it was visible or not.

She loved him, so he didn’t have to worry about feeling weak when she knew exactly what it had felt like being captured.

She’d gone through the same thing and survived.

Maria Sanchez was the strongest person he knew.

“We need an update on Logan and a plan.” Hammer glanced at his brother. “You’re staying here.”

Mack looked irritated and relieved at the same time. Ready to take on the world and fully aware of how much fear came with putting your life on the line for the greater good.

His time would come.

“We need a map.” Dani shifted on the couch, as if to stand.

Rio shook his head. “This isn’t on any map.”

Jamie said, “Logan will be able to receive visitors as soon as y’all are done saving the world.

He’s awake, but considering the fact he’s got to reassess his future as a firefighter, he isn’t happy.

Now, tell me about the map. We have some intel, right?

” She glanced at her brother. “You won’t be going in with no idea what you’re getting into? ”

Saxon looked at Kane.

He shrugged one shoulder in response to his friend’s unspoken question.

“You guys are doing that thing again,” Maria said quietly. “Talking without words.”

“All due respect…” he began, glancing from Hammer to look at Rio.

The special agent cut him off before he could continue. “You guys aren’t doing this alone. It’ll look like you have a vendetta.” Rio folded his arms. Badge on his belt. Gun on his hip. “We’re doing this officially. With me in the lead.”

Kane nodded. “Let’s go.”

They piled into several cars, those who wanted to be part of it, while a few of the women and Mack stayed back at the base.

Kane sat in the back of the car with Maria while Hammer drove. He looked at her.

“Oh, I know that expression.” She reached over and took his hand. “Don’t worry, I’ll hang back and be safe.”

He lifted her hand and kissed it. “Thank you.”

She sighed. “I just wish I knew where my father was.”

Kane flinched. He let go of her hand and dug out his phone, sending a text to Tucker.

“I’m such an idiot. I can’t believe I forgot.

” He hit send. “When I saw your father at the hospital, before you escaped those guys”—he wasn’t going to say before you were tortured —“I slipped my tracker ring in his pocket.”

“I remember you telling me.” She stared at him, tears in her eyes. “But now it’s been two days.”

Kane winced. “Tucker will ping it and get us a location.” His phone buzzed in his hand. “There. He’s looking it up now. We’ll find your dad.”

“I’m glad you remembered.”

Kane’s phone buzzed. She leaned over to see while the map loaded. Maria said, “That’s nowhere near where we’re going.”

“That’s good right? Means he’s safe. Hiding.”

She bit her lip.

“We’ll get him back for you.”

Saxon shifted in the front seat and turned to face them. “That is what we promised, right?”

Maria said, “I’m gonna hold you guys to it.”

She leaned her head against Kane’s shoulder and closed her eyes. Kane met Saxon’s gaze and nodded slightly. They were good. She just wanted this thing to be over—as much as the rest of them.

It was more than personal for his team. Elias had torn them apart, tried to destroy them, and in every way he could have, he’d betrayed who they were and what they stood for.

But God, who called me here below, will be forever mine.

Kane had claimed God as much as God claimed him. He’d been chosen, but he’d also made the choice. When both worked together, there was nothing that could pull them apart.

Hammer pulled the car off the highway, and they wound up a dirt road into the woods. Switchbacks meant Kane spotted the cars in front and the cars behind, a convoy of cops and Feds and them, all going up to take down Elias.

Up the hill, between two trees, the first car exploded.

The hood lifted up from the ground with the force of the fireball, flipping upside down.

“Stop the car!” Saxon grabbed the handle at the top of the door.

Hammer hit the brakes, and they skidded to a stop. He shoved the door open. “Stay here.”

Saxon got out as well, and the two of them ran off up the hill.

“Land mines.” Maria straightened in her seat. “Like that cabin.”

Kane prayed for the occupants of that car. “Like when we rescued you.” He swallowed. “And I was captured.”

“Same old tricks.”

“Elias.” He growled the other man’s name. “And we trusted him.”

She touched his knee. “Now you’re going to stop him.”

He watched the others swarm around the burning vehicle. How far was it to the cabin? He could make it on foot better than a vehicle, and no one else would have to die.

Kane twisted in his seat.

Before he even spoke, she said, “Go.”

He kissed her hard. “I really love you.”

“Get him.”

Kane got out of the car and decided in that second that Elias had most likely buried mines up the road only—so he’d know when someone approached by vehicle.

Gun in one hand, he ran parallel with the winding dirt track, pumping his arms and legs.

He raced all the way to the end, where a small structure was barely visible.

One of those tiny homes, one bedroom tucked up in a loft.

A bathroom under it. Small kitchen area and a living space.

He’d liked them—until now.

“On your six.” Hammer came up behind him.

Saxon too, though Kane didn’t look.

He stepped to the side of the door. “Rio?”

“All good. But probably ticked, so let’s do this before he stops us.”

Elias had been their teammate. This was their mess to clean up.

Kane squared up on the door and kicked it in.

A man sat on the couch, drinking from a short glass of amber liquid. He didn’t even flinch when the three of them entered. Blood coated the front of his abdomen, above his left hip. The guy was pale and sweating. A gut shot. This man didn’t have long left to live.

“It’s over. You’re under arrest.” This was the man who’d tortured Maria.

The Chinese hitman sipped his drink, then smiled. “Over?” He winced and motioned to the blood on his shirt. “I already knew that.”

“You’re done.” Hammer strode across the room. “You should’ve left Alaska when you had the chance.”

He chuckled. “I guess you caught me. Too bad it’s too late. Someone beat you to it.”

Kane frowned. “Where’s the canister? Where is Elias Redding?”

“I have no idea.” A flicker of something crossed the other man’s expression.

Kane said, “Who shot you?”

The Chinese man muttered in Mandarin. “That doctor. He tried to kill me, and he took the canister.”

Rio stepped in. “I was having a good day.” He glanced around and spotted the hitman, realized what condition he was in. “It might get better. It might get worse.”

Rio said, “Are you guys done here? Can the FBI finish this?”

Saxon shifted his stance. “He doesn’t have the canister. Doctor Cortez shot him and stole it, if he’s telling the truth.”

“What reason would I have to lie?” The glass fell from his hand and spilled on the floor.

Kane studied this man who had tortured a woman tied to a chair and decided the guy had realized it was over before they’d even come in. After all, he knew he wasn’t going to survive this wound.

Someone had shown up—or been waiting for him. Maria’s father had taken the canister.

“Talk.” Kane faced off with the guy. “Now, before it’s too late. For once in your life, do the right thing.”

“I’m telling the truth. Cortez took the canister.” The Chinese man sneered. “Guess he’s gonna deploy it himself. Or sell it to someone who will.”

“Where do we find Doctor Cortez?” Rio said.

He sucked in a choppy breath and coughed. Blood wet his lips. “Who cares? It’s over for me.”

Hammer sat on the coffee table, facing a man who was their enemy. “You aren’t dead yet. I need to tell you what I know about Jesus Christ.”

Kane left his buddy to preach the gospel to a man most would think didn’t deserve it. But if there was one thing Kane—and all of them—had learned, it was that everyone got the chance at redemption.

He walked outside.

Rio followed him. “It might not be the end I want for that guy, but it’s an end.”

“Justice comes either way.” Kane glanced over.

Rio nodded. “We need to find Maria’s father, the weapon, and Elias.”

Kane patted his pockets but couldn’t find his phone.

“Lose something?”

He looked at Saxon, not answering Rio’s question.

“Come on.” Saxon ran for the car.

Kane followed after him, pushing the pace, but it was too late. In the line of cars up the winding road…there was a space. She had his phone—and the location for her father. And she’d pulled out and driven back down.

Maria was gone.