Page 50 of Fatal Intent

“Mom, Dad.” Will broke away from Jake to throw himself into his father’s embrace.

Rayne carried Jenna to her mother and let the little girl hug Tara.

“Sorry to break up the reunion, but we need to go.” Seth organized the group so the operatives surrounded the family in a loose circle. Jake took Jenna from Rayne, and Andre continued to carry Tara. The group moved quickly through the rainforest, their movements nearly silent.

Twice, Seth held up a fist to warn of trouble ahead. He melted into the deep shadows each time and returned minutes later.

In half a mile, the group stopped near a thick stand of trees with rock outcroppings scattered around the second rendezvous site.

While they waited for Teagan and the others, Jake checked on the Whites.

Finally, Teagan, Iona, and Elias arrived.

Seth dropped a quick kiss on his wife’s mouth.

“We need to move out,” Iona murmured. “We had to evade several soldiers still searching for the Whites. They’re headed this direction.”

Jake scooped Jenna into his arms as Andre picked up Tara again.

“If you need to switch off carrying duty, sing out.” Seth signaled the group to move out. He led the group through the rainforest, picking up the pace to put as much distance between them and their pursuers as possible.

Thirty minutes later, Elias scooped Will into his arms and continued jogging through the rainforest.

A quarter of a mile later, Sean stumbled and fell. Grant helped him to his feet. “You hurt?”

The father shook his head. “I think I’m tapped out.”

“Not surprising.” He draped one of Sean’s arms across his shoulders. Seth draped Sean’s other arm across his shoulders, and they set out again with Grant and Seth practically carrying Sean across the uneven terrain. The operatives set a faster pace, determined to escape the jungle without further encounters with cartel soldiers.

Two miles from the coordinates where they left their SUVs, Seth pulled his satellite phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. Frowning, he held up a fist. The group stopped, and Seth tapped his comm device. “Go ahead, Z.”

His voice came through all their earpieces. “Hold for the boss.”

“Seth, sit rep.”

Grant’s forehead furrowed. Something was up. Brent Maddox never called in the middle of a mission in a hot zone. He wasn’t one to micromanage his people. So what prompted this unusual contact?

Echo’s team leader gave Maddox a concise report.

The Fortress CEO sighed. “I hate to do this, but Martin called in a favor.”

Seth groaned. “Let me guess. He wants us to rescue Gerald White too since we’re in the neighborhood?”

“You got it. I’m sorry, Seth. White had a team of five bodyguards. He’s down to one. The cartel killed the other four. White and the remaining bodyguard are on the run. They’re heading straight for you with bogies on their tails.”

“Orders, sir?”

“If you can spare a couple operatives, send them to intercept White and Hilliard. They won’t be able to hold off the soldiers much longer.”

“Send us the coordinates.”

“Copy that. I owe you, Seth.”

“Don’t worry,” their leader said cheerfully. “We won’t let you forget.”

Maddox gave a short bark of laughter. “I bet. Watch your backs.”

“Copy that, sir.”