Page 35 of Saving Jennifer
“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 saidYour 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.”