Page 117 of Jase

I spun, looking to the lobby’s TV he was pointing to.

Red and blue flashing lights surrounded the outside of my place. “A fire?” My lips pressed together angrily as I punched in the button even faster.

“Jase.” Rush’s eyes were panicked as his head shook. “What do you think’s happening?”

My throat was getting tighter as rage and fear battled. “They’re trying to force Kody and Tiffany out. They can’t get in…Jesus. Come on!”

My hand slammed against the outside of the elevator.

“Let me drive you. I can get you there faster.”

“I doubt that, Agent Sullivan. Did you see what I’m driving? Besides, I’m going alone.”

“You need me.”

“I don’t.”

I nearly ran over two men in suits who were trying to exit. As Rush went to follow me in, my hand shot out.

“Stay. Ride with Warez to get Rian. Rian needs you. I’ll take care of Kody and Tiffany.”

“You sure? Rian would kill me if I let anything happen to her.”

“I got this. You belong there with your brother.”

“Okay. Get them, Jase, and let me know something.You and I.” The intensity built as he held my stare while I nodded. “Charge your phone and call me the moment you know something.”

“Same with you. I want an update on your brother asap.”

The doors were already closing. I shifted my feet, pacing in a circle as we rode down.

“Revenge isn’t the best thing to plan in front of an FBI agent.”

“No one said anything about revenge.”

I’m not an idiot, Mr. Colter. Besides, I’ve been where you are. You need me.”

“I’m leaving you here.”

“No you’re not.” Gaige’s eyes locked to mine. “Elle, my wife, was kidnapped and trafficked by the Mexican Cartel when she was in high school. By pure miracle, I found her when I was undercover, investigating the husband she was forced to marry. I rescued her from his estate, but that didn’t stop him from coming after us. These men, these cartels and mafias, they’re no joke. It took me a while to make the right connections, but I did, and I’ve managed to bring a lot of them down. I saved my wife, and others as well. I can help save yours too. I need you to trust me. Your building is locked down. Without me, you’ll never make it past the fireman or police standing guard. How do you plan to cover your ass legally if those bastards are still outside your place?” At my pause, he gave me a look. “Exactly. You need me, and me, I need your keys. I’ll be driving. I’d like to make it back to Elle and my two kids if that’s alright with you.”

“You’re pushing it.”

Gaige smiled. “You’ll be thanking me when this is over.”

“Yeah, we’ll see.”

I took out my keys, handing them over. When the doors opened, we both jogged towards my SUV. Gaige was on his cell, and I was cursing myself for the millionth time that I hadn’t checked my phone sooner. Had Kody tried to call? Was she okay? Just because I assumed they couldn’t get in didn’t mean I was right.

Gaige unlocked the car and I slid in, immediately grabbing the charger to plug in to my device. He was still talking to someone, but it wasn’t hindering how fast he was moving. He turned over the engine, not hesitating to pull from the space and get on the road.

“That’s not too far away. What are you hearing?” He nodded. “How much smoke?”

I grabbed my own phone, cursing as I waited for it to charge enough to power on.

“That doesn’t sound good. And you’re sure?”

Tires squealed as Gaige took a corner, pushing the SUV even faster. He wasn’t buckled, but I sure as hell grabbed my seatbelt and put it on.