Page 114 of Storm and Tempest

Buzard scoffed. “That will never work.”

“I’m not so sure,” Jax said. “I think you know it could work. And if you want to stay alive, you’ll explain to us exactly what to say to report in, so they never suspect a thing.”

Buzard’s jaw flexed.

Nothing to say to that? Jax figured that meant he was onto something. Especially when these people had a computer program that could let them pretend to be this guy, or anyone else they wanted. That’s what they’d done with Jax, undermining what he’d built. Trying to strip even more from him.

“Buzard goes with us.” Jax motioned to the guy. “Everyone else stays and does what they’re told. They’re used to it, after all. And MSI is now the proud owner of an offshore platform.”

“I’ll call it in to Mr. Jonas,” Bear said. “Get approval from him and Lightwood.”

Interesting that Preston was now an authority figure at the office. But not interesting enough to ask about it. While Bear pulled out a satellite phone, Jax turned to the others. “You guys are good with it?”

Hollace nodded. “As long as they pay for what they’re doing, it could actually get us a win.”

“Did you get Maizie in this system already?” Jax lifted his chin, indicating the computer on Buzard’s desk.

The doctor sneered. “Soon as we got here. She got into the surveillance and helped us move through the facility without being seen.”

“Good.”

Hollace started to speak, but Bear cut him off.

“Green light,” Bear said. “Pack it up, and let’s get Buzard out of here.”

Jax didn’t move. “Tell me where to find Kenna.”

The doctor only chuckled. A hollow sound, the satisfaction of a man who thought he could do whatever he wanted, and no one would ever hand him the consequences of his actions.

Hollace said, “I’ll find out.” He pressed the button to speak into his comms. “Base, this is three. Do you copy?”

Jax didn’t take his attention from Buzard, not for one second, the entire time Hollace spoke to the office—presumably to Maizie, in the computer network. Scouring the files for information about Kenna, most likely.

Jax stared down Buzard. “You don’t realize it yet, but you’re done. These guys are going to decide what happens to you next. And I doubt they’ll take my advice.”

“She wants to talk to you.” Hollace lifted his chin.

Jax stared at the MSI guys. Bear’s satellite phone rang, and he handed it over.

Jax answered the call, “I just need to know where she is.” He didn’t want small talk, and this wasn’t the time for them to process how they were feeling. The sense that time was running out had grown until he was antsy with the need to move.

“I know,” Maizie replied. “ButIjust need to know that we’re good.”

He heard the fear and hurt in her tone.

“We aren’t right now, but we will be. That’s what families do,” Jax said. “They stick it out no matter what. They get through the hard stuff together.”

“Okay.” Her tone sounded stronger. “There are eight buoys spread out around the platform, at various points, like a boundary line. All about a mile apart. They have codes, and one matches the record of Kenna’s testing.” Her voice shook. “Jax…”

Dread washed over him, cold like the ocean had sucked him under. He wanted the numbness, but it never came. “What is it?”

“She’s been out there for three days.”

Chapter Thirty-One

The speedboat cut across the water, bouncing. Drowning everything out.

Jax had run down to the dock so fast that only Bear managed to get on the craft with him. Now he pushed the engine as hard as it would go, unwilling to waste even one second getting out there.Three days.