Page 95 of Now or Never

But that wasn’t how this was going to end.

Kenna continued, “After Jax gets medical attention, I want to speak to whoever is in charge.” She lifted her chin. “It’s Major General Schnell, right? He’s the commander of this…outfit?”

“You think you give orders around here?” The guy unclipped his helmet to reveal gray hair smashed down, plenty of sweat, and a frown.

It’s worth a try.She was a big proponent of bluffing. “He’s here, isn’t he?” And if Ramon was at the fence, he could get the general on video, and the nails on his coffin would secure his demise. “He’s the one behind all this, right?”

“Let’s go.” He motioned for her to walk ahead of him.

Jax came with her, steadier on his feet than she’d have expected. It made her wonder if he was faking his diminished capacity. They held on to each other, following the commander to the nearest building.

“It’s such a nice day,” Kenna said. “We should have our meeting outside.”

From behind them, the commander didn’t say anything.

Jax squeezed her shoulder as they were pushed inside. That had been worth trying as well. She didn’t like the idea of being inside.

It would feel far too much like being trapped.

When the door clanged shut behind them, she realized she was right.

Chapter Thirty-Six

The room was a hall with an arched ceiling and the width of a school gymnasium. On either side were rows of tables, though she spotted no kitchen facilities. In fact, the far end had a dais built into that wall, a raised platform with the curtains drawn across where the stage would be visible.

She didn’t want to know what went on here, but back in the day, it would have been a place for performers to entertain the troops.

Just in front of the stage, a buffet of platters was set up on a long table covered with a white tablecloth. And she spotted carafes and mugs. Actually, it kind of smelled like hashbrowns in here.

Jax shifted to stand slightly in front of her, on her left side.

Behind her, Zeyla said, “Get off me,” then came to stand in front of her on the right-hand side.

Kenna whispered, “I think they found my Kryptonite.”

Jax twisted his entire body around to look at her, alertness in his gaze. “What’s that?”

“Breakfast.”

Zeyla jerked as if trying to contain a laugh. She cleared her throat. “I think we’re late.”

A man emerged from a side door on the far left. The uniform of a high-ranking soldier, dark hair with a little gray. In his sixties at least.

“The Count of Shadows.” Zeyla breathed out the words like a threat.

Kenna wasn’t sure if her cousin planned to be the threat, or if this man was.

“Come in, come in.” The man waved them over, but it wasn’t a request. These were orders, and he was accustomed to being followed. “There are enough seats for all of you.”

Kenna called out, “I’d rather not eat tainted food today or any day.”

“Nonsense.” The general waved over a couple of his soldiers, who stood against the wall at intervals wearing fatigues and boots. Standing at attention. Mostly men, but a couple of women.

Two stepped away from the wall, and both men came over, taking a plate from one end of the table and selecting something from each platter as if they were at a buffet.

One of them spoke to the general, but Kenna was too far away to hear it. Their commanding officer nodded. “Of course.”

The soldier set his plate down and poured two cups of coffee.