Page 34 of Saving Jennifer
Jennifer looked around at the Temple family: Noah’s quiet strength, Marcel’s strategic mind, Jonah’s watchful presence, Caleb’s protective humor, and Vivian’s nurturing force. They had welcomed her into their sanctuary without hesitation, offering protection not just of body, but of spirit.
For the first time in months, Jennifer felt the hollow emptiness inside her fill with something warm and unfamiliar. Something that felt dangerously like love.
“Six days,” she said softly, meeting Noah’s eyes across the room. “And then I testify.”
Noah nodded, his gaze never leaving hers. “Six days. And I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
In that moment, with the morning sun streaming through the windows and the Temple family surrounding her, Jennifer allowed herself to believe it might be true.
CHAPTER TEN
The first goldenrays 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.