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CHAPTER TEN

T he first golden rays of sunrise spilled across the mountain ridge, casting long shadows through the pines surrounding Noah’s cabin. He leaned against the porch railing, coffee mug warming his palms as he surveyed the terrain. The morning air carried a bite that matched his mood—sharp and unyielding.

Two days with his family crowding the cabin had been both a blessing and a curse. Their presence meant additional security for Jennifer, but it also meant endless questions, knowing looks, and the unmistakable Temple family intuition that something more than professional duty was driving his determination to keep her safe.

Noah took another sip of coffee, letting the bitter warmth slide down his throat as he listened to the forest awakening around him. Jennifer was still asleep inside, finally resting peacefully after a week of constant vigilance. The dark circles beneath her eyes had begun to fade, but the weight of what she’d witnessed, the harrowing ordeals she’d gone through, still haunted her gaze.

Marcel and Caleb had headed back to the family compound late the previous night, leaving only Jonah to help provide security. His brother was currently making his third perimeter check of the morning, moving silently through the trees with the precision that had made the Temple brothers legendary in security circles. Heck, his brother was probably better than he was at keeping people safe. Seemed to have a knack for knowing when something was going to happen, almost an intuition. Uncle Gator probably would have been better calling on Jonah to guard Jennifer.

The burner phone in Noah’s pocket vibrated. Only two people had this number, Uncle Gator and Samuel Carpenter.

“Temple,” he answered, keeping his voice low.

“Boy, we got trouble.” Uncle Gator’s Cajun drawl came through clearly despite the poor reception. The old man had been running his own unofficial intelligence network since before Noah was born, and he never called without reason.

Noah straightened, instantly alert. “Talk to me.”

“Karim Amir is making a move. His people spotted you and the Baptiste woman on a traffic camera outside of Chattanooga.”

Noah cursed, long and low, a spark of anger growing in his chest. He’d been so careful, sticking to back roads whenever possible. Only sometimes, it wasn’t possible, which was apparently how they’d been caught on camera.

“How long ago?”

“Less than twelve hours. They’ve hired some fancy tech specialist, a hacker who specializes in finding people who don’t want to be found. Digital breadcrumbs, they call it.”

“Son of a—” Noah set his mug down on the railing, free hand automatically reaching for the Glock holstered at his side, sliding out the clip and checking it before shoving it back into place. “How close are they?”

“Can’t say for certain, but they’re moving fast. My source says they’ve got at least four mercenaries on the ground, heavily armed. Former military for sure, not street thugs.” Gator’s voice dropped. “Noah, they’ll track you either to the cabin or the family compound. It’s just a matter of time.”

Noah’s mind raced through contingencies. “Have you warned Marcel and Caleb?”

“Been trying. No answer at the homestead, and both their cells go straight to voicemail.”

A cold knot formed in Noah’s stomach. “What about Mom? Dad?”

“Nothing. Radio silence since night before last.”

Noah moved to the edge of the porch, scanning the tree line for Jonah. “I’ll handle it. Thanks, Gator.”

“There’s more. The Amirs’ attorney is pushing hard to get them diplomatic immunity. Wish I could say it won’t work, but if the U.A.E. goes along with the request, there won’t even be a trial.”

Noah cursed, knowing what that meant to Jennifer. If Sayifa and Rashid were freed, they’d never stop hunting her, never leave her alive. “No exactly what I needed to hear, but better to know now, so I can protect her.”

“Watch your six, nephew.”

The line went dead. Noah immediately dialed Marcel’s number, counting the rings until voicemail picked up. He tried Caleb next with the same result. Finally, he called the landline at the family compound, one that was never supposed to go unanswered.

No response.

“Where are they?” Noah muttered, pocketing the phone as he spotted Jonah emerging from the trees.

His younger brother jogged toward the cabin, rifle slung across his back with a leather strap. At twenty-eight, Jonah was the youngest of the Temple brothers, but what he lacked in experience he made up for in raw instinct. He’d have no problem having Jonah watch his back in any situation—like right now.

“Perimeter’s clear,” Jonah reported. “But something’s wrong. You look like hell froze over.”

Noah pulled him aside, keeping his voice low. “Gator called. Karim’s mercenaries are closing in. Apparently, their computer hacker spotted me and Jennifer on a traffic camera heading into Tennessee.”

Jonah’s expression hardened. “How much time do we have?”

“Not enough. They’ve hired some tech specialist to track our digital trail. I was careful, but there’s no way to completely eliminate being exposed nowadays.” Noah hesitated, before adding softly, “I can’t reach Marcel or Caleb. Or anyone at the compound.”

Jonah’s posture shifted from rest to attentive within a heartbeat. Noah watched him unconsciously reach for his weapon before his hand dropped to his side. “What aren’t you saying?”

“Could be nothing—maybe the storm knocked out communications. But…”

“But we can’t take that chance,” Jonah finished, already understanding where Noah was headed.

Noah nodded. “I need you to go home, check on them.”

“No way. You need me here, keeping Jennifer safe. You know what Jennifer’s testimony means. If anything happens to her—”

“I know exactly what her testimony means,” Noah cut him off, voice sharp. “Which is why I’m staying with her. But if Karim’s people are making a move on our family to flush us out—”

“You’re asking me to leave you both vulnerable,” Jonah countered. “Two against heaven knows how many mercenaries aren’t odds I’m comfortable with.”

“I’m not asking, Jonah.”

The cabin door opened behind them, halting their argument. Jennifer stood in the doorway, wrapped in an oversized sweater Noah recognized as his own. Her dark hair brushed against her cheeks and was sleep tousled, making her look vulnerable and innocent. Despite just waking, her eyes were alert, watchful.

“What’s going on?” she asked, her gaze shifting between the brothers.

Noah silently cursed himself for conducting this conversation where she might overhear. “Nothing you need to worry about.”

“Don’t lie to me, Noah.” Her voice was quiet but firm. “I heard you telling Jonah to head home. You can’t tell me nothing’s wrong.”

Jonah shot Noah a look that clearly said Your call.

Noah sighed, gesturing for her to join them on the porch. “Gator called. Karim’s people spotted us on a traffic camera. He hired a tech specialist to track us down, and mercenaries are on their way.”

Jennifer’s face paled slightly, but her composure remained intact. When he first met her, she might have panicked at this news. Now, after everything she’d been through, she simply nodded at him to continue.

“There’s more, and it’s not good.” Noah hated having to pile more bad news on top of everything else she was dealing with, but she deserved to know the truth. “Karim’s lawyers are pushing the diplomatic immunity angle harder than before. Gator talked to the district attorney and there’s a possibility that it might fly.”

“They can’t possibly—” Jennifer started.

“They can try,” Noah interrupted. “With enough money and influence, people have walked away from worse. And we know the Amirs have enough money to buy their own country. Add in they have a ton of influence with the government in Dubai, and we need to brace ourselves that they might walk if their bid for diplomatic immunity works. Your testimony is the only thing keeping them locked up.”

“And now we can’t reach anyone at the family compound,” Jonah added, ignoring Noah’s warning look.

Jennifer’s eyes widened. “Your parents? Your brothers?”

“No answer,” Noah confirmed reluctantly. “It might be nothing, but I need Jonah to go check.”

Understanding dawned on her face. “Leaving just you to protect me if Karim’s people find us here.”

“I’m not going,” Jonah argued. “It’s too risky.”

Jennifer studied them both for a long moment, her mind visibly working through the situation. When she spoke again, her voice was resolute. “Jonah, you need to go.”

“Jennifer—” Jonah began.

“No, listen to me,” she cut him off. “Your family could be in danger because of me. I won’t have that on my conscience.” She wrapped her arms around herself. “Besides, this cabin is secure, right? You’ve said so yourself. Noah has shown me all the fortifications, and I know where all the weapons are kept. You must check on your family.”

Noah nodded reluctantly. “It’s as secure as I could make it.”

“And even if they somehow track us here, they don’t know the terrain. We do.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’ve been training with you since we got here. I know how to handle a gun now, and my self-defense has improved.”

Jonah looked at Noah, clearly torn. “What do you think?”

Noah studied Jennifer’s determined expression. The woman who’d walked into his life such a short time ago claiming she didn’t need a babysitter, but in truth had been terrified, jumping at shadows. The woman standing before him now had steel in her spine and wouldn’t back down from fight. He was so proud of her.

“We’ll manage,” Noah finally said. “Go check on the family. But I want you back here—or send reinforcements—as soon as possible.”

Jonah hesitated, then nodded sharply. “I’ll take the ATV down. Should reach the compound in about two hours.” He gripped Noah’s shoulder. “You keep her safe until I get back.”

“Count on it.”

“If I find anything, I’ll call.”

Noah easily read between the lines of what his brother hadn’t said. If he got to the homestead and found Amir’s men had gotten there first…he couldn’t continue that thought. Nothing had happened to his brothers, to his mom and dad. It couldn’t have.

They watched as Jonah gathered his gear, checking his weapons one final time before heading to the shed where he kept the all-terrain vehicle. The roar of the engine echoed through the trees as Jonah disappeared down the narrow mountain trail.

Noah turned to find Jennifer watching him, her expression unreadable. “You should have told me sooner.” Her voice held no accusation, just a simple statement of fact.

“I just found out, right before you woke up. I’m not hiding anything from you, I promise.”

“So, what now?”

Instead of answering, Noah gestured for her to follow him inside. He moved with purpose through the cabin to the hidden panel in the living room floor, pulling it open to reveal a stockpile of weapons and supplies.

“Now we prepare,” he said, lifting out a tactical vest and handing it to her. “We assume they’re coming, and we make bloody sure they regret it when they do.”

Jennifer took the vest, fingers brushing against his. “Noah, if something happens—”

“Nothing’s going to happen,” he cut her off, unable to entertain the alternative. “I’m getting you back to New Orleans to testify if it’s the last thing I do.”

Her eyes locked with his. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

Noah paused, suddenly aware of how close they were standing. He’d maintained a professional distance, ignoring the tension sparking between them whenever they were alone. Now, with danger closing in, that distance felt pointless.

“Jennifer—”

She shook her head, breaking the moment. “We can’t. Not now. Show me what to do. If they’re coming, I need to be ready.”

Noah turned back to the weapons cache. For the length of a heartbeat, he considered moving them to another location but quickly dismissed the idea. The cabin’s natural defenses—steep terrain, rugged stone walls on three sides, limited approach vectors, strategic sight lines—it all made the cabin their best option. Any attempt to relocate now would only expose them on the road.

As he began outlining defensive positions, Noah pushed away thoughts of his family, of what Karim’s men might have done to secure their silence. He couldn’t afford distraction, not with Jennifer’s life in his hands.

He only hoped that when Jonah reached the family compound, he’d find nothing more sinister than a downed power line or problems with the cellular provider. If or when Karim’s mercenaries found the cabin, Noah vowed to keep Jennifer safe.

Because if he failed, there would be no second chances—for either of them.

Karim Amir stared at his phone, a smile spreading across his face as he viewed the grainy traffic camera footage. There they were—Jennifer Baptiste and her unknown accomplice, pictures captured heading north into Tennessee. His heart raced with anticipation and an almost maniacal glee. After far too many frustrating dead ends, he finally had something concrete in his search for the woman who’d caused nothing but trouble for his family.

“I’ve got you now,” he whispered to the image of Jennifer’s face, frozen in the still frame.

Pocketing his phone, he glanced at the heavy gold watch on his wrist, the one that had belonged to his father. The hacker his investment broker procured—an expensive but necessary outlay of money—was working to identify the man with Jennifer Baptiste. Soon, he would have a name for the face, another target to eliminate on his path to the evil witch who betrayed his family.

The interrogation room at the jail was austere and cold, much like the woman who waited for him inside. Karim straightened his designer suit jacket and drew in a deep breath before entering. No matter how many times he came here, he could never fully prepare himself for facing his aunt.

Sayifa Amir sat regally on the metal seat bolted to the floor. Despite her orange jumpsuit, her posture was impeccable, her eyes sharp and calculating. Beside her, Rashid slouched slightly, straightening only when Karim approached. The family resemblance was unmistakable among the three of them, the same high cheekbones, the same penetrating dark eyes—but where Rashid’s features mirrored his aunt’s haughty expression, Karim’s held a restraint that set him apart.

“You’re late,” Sayifa said by way of greeting, her voice carrying the heavy accent of her homeland.

“Traffic,” Karim replied simply, taking his seat across from them. No point in mentioning he’d lingered in the parking lot, steeling himself for this encounter. He wasn’t about to give her any ammunition to make him feel small and insignificant, which was her usual go-to whenever they were together more than five minutes.

Sayifa’s eyes narrowed. “Have you made progress? We cannot remain in this place much longer. It is beneath us.”

Karim nodded, leaning forward slightly. “I have good news. We’ve located Jennifer Baptiste. She was caught on a traffic camera crossing into Tennessee.”

Rashid perked up, a predatory glint in his eye. “And you have people following her?”

“Of course. My contact is identifying the man traveling with her. Once we know who he is—”

“Once, once, once,” Sayifa interrupted, her voice a controlled hiss. “I did not raise you to speak of possibilities, Karim. I raised you to deliver results.”

Karim felt the familiar sting of her disapproval. It didn’t matter that he was a successful businessman in his own right, that he had built an empire separate from the family wealth. In Sayifa’s eyes, he would always be less than Rashid, the son who never questioned, who had willingly arranged the abduction of Chloe Hudson and the drugging of Abdullah without hesitation.

“If you had listened to me from the beginning,” Karim said carefully, “we might have resolved this legally. Abducting the girl and drugging Abdullah was unnecessarily risky.”

Sayifa’s hand slammed against the table, drawing a warning look from the guard. When she spoke again, her voice was quiet but venomous.

“Do not presume to lecture me. What’s done is done. Now, what of our release?”

Karim straightened his shoulders. “I’ve engaged our attorney to petition authorities in Dubai and the U.A.E. for diplomatic immunity. If granted retroactively to before your arrest, the charges would be dismissed immediately.”

For the first time in the conversation, a flicker of approval crossed Sayifa’s face. “That is…acceptable thinking.”

The reluctant praise felt hollow to Karim, but he nodded nonetheless.

“But it is not enough,” she continued, predictably. “The trial date approaches rapidly. If we are still here when it begins, the immunity may be useless. You must work faster.”

Karim fought back the urge to remind her that he was juggling multiple international businesses while cleaning up the mess she and Rashid had created. Instead, he nodded again. “I understand.”

Rashid leaned forward, his eyes darting to the guard before speaking in a lower voice. “And when you find Jennifer? What then?”

“She will be dealt with,” Karim said simply. “Permanently.”

He glanced up when the guard standing nearby cleared his throat, before nodding toward his pocket, jerking his head toward the corner of the room. Karim had bribed the guard before going into the visiting room, to keep his phone nearby. There were too many irons in the fire for him to be incommunicado. Surreptitiously, Karim glanced at the screen and felt a surge of adrenaline. His hacker was calling.

“I need to take this,” he said, standing abruptly.

Sayifa’s expression soured. “We still have fifteen minutes.”

“This could be about Jennifer,” Karim replied, already turning away.

He strode to the corner of the room, as far from the other visitors as possible, and called the number from the text. There was no worry he’d be caught with the phone, after all, what was the worst they could do to him? Confiscate it? He doubted the guards would be stupid enough to try to arrest him.

“Tell me what you’ve found,” he demanded without preamble.

“I’ve got a name.” The feminine voice of the hacker irked him. He’d much rather have had a man doing his searches, but he’d been promised that this particular hacker was the best money could buy. So far, he had to admit he’d been pleased with her work, since she’d managed to not only find Jennifer on the traffic camera, but now she’d give him the name of the person accompanying her.

“Who is he?”

“Noah Temple. Former military, now works private security. Clean record outside the military, but there’s something off about his discharge papers. My guess would be a dishonorable discharge that somebody’s trying to cover up. I’m digging deeper.”

Karim’s pulse quickened. “Get everything. Background, addresses, family, known associates, financial records, everything. Have it ready by the time I return to the hotel.”

“That’ll cost extra.”

“Money is no problem,” Karim replied coldly. “Just get it done.”

He ended the call and returned to the table where his mother and brother waited expectantly.

“We have a name for Jennifer’s accomplice,” he informed them. “Noah Temple. I’ll have a complete profile within hours.”

Rashid smiled, the expression transforming his face into something predatory. “Excellent. And then?”

“Then we find them both,” Karim said. “I’ll handle it personally.”

Sayifa studied him, her eyes calculating. “Perhaps you are not as useless as I feared,” she said finally. “But remember, Karim, failure is not acceptable. If Jennifer discovers what we have hidden all these years…”

“She won’t,” Karim assured her. “I’ll make certain of it.”

As he looked at his aunt and cousin, a part of him was tempted to leave them to rot in this place. Sayifa had never been the woman he needed her to be when his own mother had died. Instead of being supportive and caring, she’d been cold, manipulative, always favoring first Tarik, then Rashid. But beyond these walls were his younger cousins, children who still needed their mother despite her flaws. And Rashid, for all his faults, had a wife and children depending on him.

Family was family, no matter how dysfunctional. And the Amir family secret had to remain buried at all costs.

“I will not fail,” Karim said, his voice hardening with resolve. “Jennifer Baptiste will never learn the truth. I promise you that.”

As he left the jail, Karim’s mind raced with possibilities. Finding Jennifer was only the first step. Eliminating her and this Noah Temple would require precision, discretion. If she ever discovered what the Amirs had been hiding from her and her mother, it would destroy not just their reputation, but their very freedom.

Whatever it took, Karim would ensure that never happened. Jennifer Baptiste, his father’s illegitimate daughter, had become a liability that could no longer be tolerated.

In his luxury car, headed back to his hotel, Karim felt a cold determination settle over him. “Noah Temple,” he murmured to himself. “Whoever you are, you’ve chosen the wrong side in this war, and it is going to cost you dearly.”