Page 130 of Storm and Tempest

The door to the panic room flung open, and smoke billowed out. Jax lifted his gun, aimed at the fire coming from in the room. Zeyla came out first, an angry look on her face. “Maizie.”

Jax didn’t see the teen, but Earl Jonas came out behind her. The MSI boss said, “No one fires, or I kill her! We’re leaving, and you’re going to let us walk out of here.”

Zeyla winced, hunching her shoulders, and Jax realized Mr. Jonas had a grip on the woman.

“Let her go.” Jax pointed his weapon at the MSI boss but couldn’t get a clear shot with Zeyla in front of him. “Put the gun down!” He said it on a reflex, all his FBI training coming to the forefront with the adrenaline surging through him. His mind cleared in a way it hadn’t been a moment ago, but no doubt it would be short-lived. When this was over, he would crash, hard. But right now, he needed to ensure the safety of two women he cared about a whole lot while making sure no one else got hurt.

Ramon grabbed Kenna’s chair and dragged it back, moving to stand in front of her. Protecting her in a way Jax couldn’t because he was on the other side of the desk.

“Let her go and put your gun down, Jonas.” Jax pushed out a breath. Where was Maizie? “I’m going to keep telling you until you comply. These guys won’t let you past. Youaren’tleaving.”

The MSI guys stood more toward the door, their guns pointed at their boss. But did they have a clear shot? Did anyone?

Zeyla took another unsteady step.

Across the room a gun exploded, and Earl Jonas jerked back, falling to the floor. He nearly dragged Zeyla down with him.

Jax held out his hand, and she grabbed it. He dragged her past him, away from the door. “We need a fire extinguisher!” He ran into the room and searched around, spotting the flickering orange of flames in a pile of papers.

A cot in the corner had a blanket on it, which Jax grabbed and used to smother the fire.

“Maizie!” He searched around for her, desperate with panic that she might be hurt. He covered his mouth with his elbow and coughed. There was nothing he could do to keep himself from sucking in the flames. He coughed again and sank to his knees. “Maizie!”

Ramon shoved him aside and shined a flashlight around. “Here!” He dragged the young woman from under the cot across the floor. “Up we go.” He lifted Maizie and stood, leaving the room.

Jax coughed, trying to catch his breath. In the end he simply stumbled out and followed Ramon. Kenna stood by the door.

“We can’t leave.” Bear stood blocking the doorway, so much intensity in his expression Jax wanted to shrink back.

Kenna reached out her hand for him, and he tucked her under his shoulder, finding solace in her being close again. “She’ll be okay.”

He nodded, not sure if he was quite ready to believe it.Thank You. They had her back, and that’s what mattered. Their familywas together again, no matter that their enemy had tried to tear them apart and destroy them.

Ramon squared off with Bear, Maizie still in his arms. “She needs a medic. Move!”

Bear shook his head. “Preston reported there’s a chopper on the roof and men coming down.”

Jax said, “What about local cops?” as Kenna leaned against him.

Bear gave them all a tight shake of his head.

“We can’t stay in here. It’s full of smoke.” The words caught in Jax’s throat, burning his tongue. “We need air.”

Bear glanced at Hollace. “We’ll find a place for you to hole up. Sit tight until we take care of it.”

“Fine.” Whatever it took to get things moving.

Keeping Kenna close to his side, Jax followed Ramon, who acted as if holding Maizie in his arms was no trouble at all, like he could walk around carrying her forever if he had to. Jax blinked away the burn of tears in his eyes and looked over his shoulder. “Zeyla?”

“I’m right behind you guys.” Tears streamed down her cheeks through the ash, making twin paths of moisture on her dirty face.

Bear led them to a sitting room with two walls of windows. “All of you sit tight.”

Ramon laid Maizie on a short velvet couch. “I’m coming with you.”

Bear didn’t argue.

The two men rushed out, leaving the others with Maizie.