Page 132 of Storm and Tempest

Jax glanced over his shoulder. “Anytime.”

She bit her lip.

“Don’t worry about it. It’s over. We’re all safe.” He could turn to her, on the floor where he was sitting by the couch, and they could hash this out. But Jax just didn’t have the energy to do that.

“I’m still sorry I kept things from you,” she whispered.

He nodded. “We’ll figure it out.”

Movement by the door caught his eye. When he turned, he saw Ramon at the door, lines of tension across his forehead. “We’re clear.”

Bruce appeared behind him, peering around his shoulder. Jax was pretty sure he saw Amara, too, out there in the dim light of the hall.

Ramon said, “You guys ready to roll?”

Jax nodded. “Thanks.”

“As if you have to thank me.”

“I will if I want to.”

Maizie giggled behind him, leaning on his shoulder so she could stand. Ramon held her hand and helped up Zeyla at the same time.

Jax said, “Who is going to help me off the floor?”

His father smiled.

Zeyla put her arm around Maizie, and Ramon came over to Jax. His father and Preston shifted closer.

Kenna put her hand on his shoulder. “I’ve got this.”

She leaned on him the same way Maizie had and stood before him. Hand held out. Pregnant with his baby, in need of a cheeseburger, hashbrowns, and a decaf cup of coffee.

Jax took her hand. What he didn’t do was make her hold up his weight.

He lifted up, sat on the edge of the couch for a second, then stood. He discovered he was more unsteady than he’d thought, which meant his instincts were right that he’d needed help.

Preston got on one side of him, Jax’s good arm around his shoulder. His father had Kenna put her arm through his, and they walked together, talking quietly. All of them headed for the door.

A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.

He was pretty sure he was paraphrasing some translation of it, but the Bible verse from days ago popped into his mind. That’s what had happened, wasn’t it?

First, he’d tried to use the FBI to solve his problem and find Kenna, even bringing Maizie along. Next, he walked away from them, and Kenna’s team had helped him try to solve the case. He’d discovered far too many pieces he hadn’t been expecting in that puzzle, and betrayal had stung. But in the end, it was the road that had brought him back to her—not even counting the fact his shoulder had been rebuilt in the process. Just as long as Kenna and the baby were safe.

Add to that the fact that all of them were here and walking out together?

They had come through it stronger.

Thank You, Lord.

Epilogue

Five weeks later

Somewhere in Wyoming

Sun shined through the blinds, casting a yellow morning glow across the covers. Kenna Banbury-Jaxton slid to the side of the bed, trying not to disturb her husband. He lay face down, one arm hanging over the side of the bed. Scars on his shoulder, and more on the inside that no one would ever see.