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TWENTY-TWO

BLACK ROCK FALLS

Wednesday

Jenna gripped the phone so tight her fingers ached. The man at the end of the phone, her loving husband, had turned into the combat-ready sniper. Fear gripped her as she waited to hear the words she dreaded. “What do you mean you’re not coming home?”

“All that’s happened over these last couple of days has been masterminded by Eduardo Souza.” Kane kept on clearing his throat and turned his face away to cough. “They used drones earlier this morning in an attempt to burn us to death in a cabin. We kept vigilant all night and didn’t see it coming. We figured they dropped incendiary devices on the roof. I believe they’ve been following us from the moment we entered the forest. This was a deliberate act to take out your team and the FBI. Most likely Wolfe as well. They wouldn’t know about Raven. I’ve asked him to stay at the ranch for a few days. I suggest you put the men in the cottage and keep the women in the house. Duke will be coming home with Carter. They’ll be working the escaped prisoner case alongside our team, but Raven will be there to protect you along with the women.” He sighed. “This is nonnegotiable, Jenna.”

The fire department sirens screamed in the background. “Okay, sure. I hear sirens. Where exactly are you, Dave?”

“I’m at the office. Firefighters are coming from all surrounding counties. Everything is under control. The DOC is handling the hunt for the escaped prisoners. They have a ton of men coming from everywhere. Once our team has rested and recovered from smoke inhalation, you can send them to assist, but it might be in our best interest for you to keep them in town. We don’t know what the prisoners are doing or what intel they have. They could be heading for town.”

Trembling, Jenna kept her voice steady. “Okay, but the young girl Carter found, did she make it to the res?”

“ Yeah, Chaska called the moment she arrived. She’s with her grandma. You should leave her there until this is over. It’s not safe for her in town just now.” He blew out a long sigh and wheezed. “I’m real sorry about this, Jenna. Don’t you figure I want to come home to you?”

Pressing a hand to her belly, Jenna nodded as if he were in the room with her. “Yes, I know you do. Please don’t tell me you’re going after Souza alone?”

“Yes and no.” Kane paused as if not wanting to continue the conversation. “Wolfe made the call, so I’ll have a support team. I’ll rely on their intelligence and follow their plan. I’m aware of the risk, but it’s our only chance for a normal life.”

Jenna’s grip lessened on the phone. “I figured having him in prison would stop him. I was wrong.”

“We all were. The powers that be believed once they had him in prison, a new leader would emerge, but running the cartel without contacts or finances would be doomed to fail. They didn’t realize Souza had the power to control his empire from prison, and as his people live in fear of him, it was business as usual. Once he’s gone, there are plans in place to break up his cartel. It will be a start because there are many cartels out there, but I won’t be involved in taking down the others.”

Swallowing a sob, Jenna recalled Wolfe’s warning about being Kane’s Achilles’ heel. She tried very hard to control her voice. “That’s good. I won’t ask when you’re leaving. I’m guessing you’ll be holed up somewhere getting prepared.” Knowing her calls were safe from being intercepted, she needed to know one last detail. “Wolfe will be where he normally is, won’t he?”

“Oh, yeah.” Kane chuckled. “I couldn’t go hunting without him. I’ll see you soon. Love you and give Tauri a hug for me.” He disconnected.

Rocking back and forth on the bed, the phone clutched in her hand, Jenna allowed the tears to fall. Kane was going to take down Souza. He was under orders from POTUS, as his own secret weapon to rid the world of a threat to America. An asset they called him, but to Jenna, Dave Kane was flesh and blood, a wonderful husband and a great father. She wanted to scream, wail, and punch the walls. There was no guarantee she’d ever see him again.

Getting slowly to her feet, she placed her phone on the nightstand and went into the bathroom. No one could know about Kane’s mission and she had a house filled with FBI agents. As she showered, she ran excuses for why Kane and Wolfe had gone missing. She finished, dried her hair, and dressed. Head high, she walked into Tauri’s room to find his bed empty. Panic gripped her and she turned and ran along the passageway. Relief flooded over her as she found him at the kitchen table making hotcakes with Beth. “Oh, there you are. Daddy called and he sent you a hug.” She bent to hug him. “He’s helping the firefighters along with Uncle Shane.”

“Duke doesn’t like fires.” Tauri frowned.

“Uncle Ty just called. He’ll be along soon with him and Warrior.” Jo walked into the kitchen. “He’ll be driving the Beast.” Her gaze narrowed and she raised one eyebrow at Jenna. “You sure Kane is okay?”

Nodding, Jenna forced a smile. “Yeah, he’s with Wolfe. He didn’t want to risk leaving his truck in the forest to get burned up and Carter needed to get here somehow. I gather he’ll be bringing Styles as well?”

“Nope.” Beth looked at her. “Styles is coming with Raven. Apparently, they and the dogs needed treatment for smoke inhalation. They were all on oxygen for a time. Someone locked the cabin and set fire to it. They needed to blast their way out.” She shrugged. “Styles is bringing a mess of rib eye, enough to feed an army. He said Kane made a call and they need to go and collect it on the way here.” She looked at Jo. “Kane told him to use the steaks in the freezer first and the new ones can be stored in the freezer in the garage.” She looked at Jenna. “I didn’t know Kane and Wolfe had joined the volunteer fire department. Styles said they might be out there for a week trying to contain the fire.” She raised both eyebrows. “Maybe the prisoners will run out of the forest or, better still, be burned up.”

“I guess that would solve a few problems.” Jo served breakfast and passed the plates around.

“Who is getting burned up, Mommy?” Tauri’s eyes were as big as saucers.

“Beth was joking.” Jo chuckled. “No one is getting burned up.”

“Tauri, why don’t you come with me?” Nanny Raya smiled at him. “We’ll take our breakfast into my place and watch cartoons. What do you say?”

“Can I go, Mommy?” Tauri tugged at her arm.

Dizzy with stress, Jenna sat down. “Yes, of course you can, sweetheart.” She waited for him to leave and the connecting door to the nanny’s quarters to close behind them before she looked at Jo. “We still need to catch those prisoners. I’ll contact the DOC command center and try and figure out what’s happening.”

“Do it after breakfast.” Jo gave her a long look. “If you want my opinion, you need to take it easy for a couple of days. You don’t look so good.”

Running both hands down her face, Jenna wanted to scream about the injustice in her life. Loneliness surrounded her. An empty void had opened where Kane should be. She needed him, even with the wonderful caring people around her. How long before she discovered if he’d completed his mission or died trying? No one must know. Gathering her inner strength, she looked at Beth and smiled. “Don’t worry. I’m not planning on going anywhere until the team arrives and I’ve eaten breakfast. Plus the guys will need a few hours’ shut-eye. They’ve been awake all night.” She leaned back in her chair and shuddered. “And I couldn’t miss my delicious cup of decaffeinated coffee.” She pulled a disgusted face. “I miss Dave’s special blend.”

“You can have a cup of regular coffee, Jenna.” Beth’s gaze moved over her. “Sure, drinking a ton of strong coffee isn’t advised, but one cup in the morning wouldn’t hurt. You can drink it in moderation when you’re breastfeeding as well.” She sucked in her lips. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have presumed you’d be nursing your baby. It’s not for me to comment on something so personal.”

Seeing Beth in a different light, Jenna squeezed Beth’s arm, feeling the instant tightening of her muscles. The woman was like a curled snake. She removed her hand. “I appreciate your interest. Not having a mom to talk to about pregnancy, I need to rely on friends’ advice.” She looked at Jo. “Did you drink coffee when you were expecting Jaime?”

“A little. Like you, I stuck to milk most times.” Jo chuckled. “Jaime was a small baby, so my OB was constantly telling me to eat more meat and cheese as well.”

Relaxing, Jenna glanced at Beth. As far as she knew, Beth had no kids. “Thanks for the advice. Styles mentioned you have a very wide knowledge base.”

“It comes with the territory.” Beth smiled. “Working on computers constantly and delving into all areas of existence, I tend to absorb knowledge along the way. I don’t have any personal advice to give you, but I’m sure Jo will be able to assist you with more in-depth information.” She leaned forward conspiratorially, but Jenna could see vulnerability in her eyes. “What else did Styles say about me? I’m still trying to work him out.”

“I can probably answer that question.” Jo pushed a cup of real coffee across the table to Jenna and then sat down to eat. “We worked together recently, and he spoke about you all the time. He was very concerned about you being with Carter. He regards Carter as a loose cannon and was concerned about putting the pair of you together. I believe Styles is a little overprotective with you, when it’s blatantly obvious it’s not required. We all know you can take care of yourself.”

“Really?” Beth laughed and lifted her fork. “I found Carter to be very professional, kind, and considerate. He has a great mind for crime solving. Who wouldn’t enjoy working with him? He’s the ultimate sexy cowboy. I’m not surprised he’s still single. It would take a very special woman to tame him.” She burst out laughing.

Looking from one to the other, Jenna moved her attention back to Beth. “I know that Styles respects and admires you. Why are you worried about his opinion of you? Has he said or done something to upset you?” She lifted a forkful of eggs to her mouth and chewed.

“No. I do find him hard to read sometimes, but we get along just fine.” Holding a slice of toast between finger and thumb and waving it around as she spoke, Beth sighed. “I figure I’m like a puzzle to him, and right now he can’t find all the pieces.”