Page 124 of Storm and Tempest

Bear opened the rear door. “Hop in. I’ll explain on the way.”

“We’re meeting Preston and my father?”

Bear nodded. “Right now I don’t trust anyone except you guys, but if you vouch for them, I’m okay with it.”

“Thanks.”

Kenna climbed in, moving to the captain’s chair on the far side of the middle row. Ramon in the front seat.

Jax said, “Just tell me you know where Jonas took Maizie and Zeyla.”

Bear nodded. “Get in.”

That was the impetus that meant Jax could follow the order. He buckled up, and Kenna held out her hand. The tiny snack mix they’d found in a cupboard on the plane hadn’t lasted long, but it had helped to settle his stomach. He wasn’t about to suggest a food stop. Not until this was over.

Jax said, “Talk.”

Bear hit the gas, and Jax had to grab the handle on the door. “There’s been a load of turnover at MSI since I left. It hasn’t even been a year since…”

Since Allie had been murdered and Bear had cut everyone off, walking away so he could heal. Keeping in touch only on a basic level with Maizie, she at least knew he was still alive even if he didn’t want to talk to anyone.

“Since I left,” Bear finished. “The new guys seemed okay, but something was off with a couple of them. I didn’t clock that they were the ones who stayed behind when Hollace sent the team out to find you and Ramon, and bring Kenna back in. Mr. Jonas must have planned it that way.”

“I figured it was because he didn’t trust them with the job,” Ramon said, his head bowed to his phone. Texting.

Jax said, “But that’s who we left protecting Maizie and Zeyla. Not super reassuring.”

Bear turned a corner fast, swerving lanes and cutting through traffic like a pro. “Update on the platform, in case you’re interested.”

“Yes.” Jax leaned to the side so he could see better out the front windshield.

“Unfortunately, there was a fire, and it got out of control. The whole place burned down, and no one survived. Not even the doctor.”

“How do you know that if no one is left alive to tell the tale?” Ramon asked with a wry tone.

“Well, there was a similar incident on an island over by the coastline,” Bear replied. “The people who escaped that, locals who were caught up in it but innocent of wrongdoing, happened to notice. The coast guard did a flyby and confirmed there’s only smoldering wreckage where the platform used to be.”

“Interesting.” Jax glanced at Kenna. “Are you okay?”

“I’m glad it burned down.” She blinked back tears and waved away his concern. As if that was going to work. He took it more that she didn’t want to talk about it right now—not never.

Later was another story, alone in the RV. Safe and sound. Maybe somewhere in the mountains, by a lake. No cell signal for miles around and no way for anyone to find them except the people they loved.

He glanced at Bear. “Just tell me where Maizie and Zeyla are.” Right now, Jax didn’t want to know about anything else.

“Hollace has Bruce and Amara with him. He and the others from MSI—the ones we know are solid—are with your dad and Preston. The team is going to rendezvous in the parking lot of a closed-down store about a mile from Earl Jonas’ mansion.”

“That’s where he took them?”

Bear nodded. “Maizie gave me access to a system she keeps connected, for just in case. Which I figure is right now.”

Ramon glanced over. “The trackers?”

“I have the password as well,” Kenna said. “But they took my watch.”

He squeezed her hand. “Mine, too.”

Thank Youfor these people and the care they have for each other.