Page 31 of Last Chance

“David’s not as likely to corner you when someone else is with you.”

Janie gave a slight smile. “Thanks, Brent.”

“We could have a problem,” Zane said, his voice grim.

“Sit rep.” Brent turned toward his communications and tech guru.

“I’m picking up chatter on the dark web. The Vatos Locos are stirred up about someone important coming to the states soon.”

His eyes narrowed. “And?”

“The visitor is bringing two heavy hitters with him to take care of a problem.” Zane looked at Janie.

CHAPTER 9

A BALL OF ice formed in Sawyer’s gut. This wasn’t good. Two hit men coming after Janie? Was this related to her brother or something else? Despite her detailed journey through the events of the hijacking, was it possible that Janie saw or heard something that was a threat to someone in the gang? Was Brent correct in wondering if the missing passenger was the head of the Vatos Locos?

Brent rose. “I’ll return in a minute. Sit tight.” He looked at Sawyer. “Take care of her.”

“Yes, sir.”

After he left the conference room, Janie said, “You don’t have to do that, Sawyer. I’m fine. Really.”

“You won’t disobey your grandmother’s directives in her will. I won’t disobey my boss. So, do you need anything?”

“I’m still cold,” she admitted. “Would the break room have more tea packets?”

He walked toward the door. “It does. I’ll be right back. If anything happens while I’m gone, do exactly what Zane tells you to do. He’ll keep you safe.” Although Sawyer hated to hand responsibility for her safety to anyone else, he trusted Zane as much as he trusted Brent. Both of the SEALs had saved his life more than once since Fortress had employed him.

He hurried to the break room, found another packet of mint tea, and nuked the water in a to-go cup. When the brewing cycle finished, Sawyer added the lid and carried the drink to the conference room.

In his absence, the rest of his team had assembled around the conference table. Brent motioned Sawyer to take a seat.

“Has there been a development?” Brody asked.

“Two things. Z is picking up chatter from the dark web about a Vatos Locos bigwig bringing two hit men to deal with a problem in the states.”

“And you think the problem is Janie?”

A nod from the CEO of Fortress Security.

Brody blew out a breath. “Nice. We’re taking on a gang whose membership is 10,000 strong, plus two guest assassins.”

“You said two developments,” Logan said. “What’s the second one?”

“Sawyer and I showed Janie pictures of all those hostages we believed were passengers aboard the hijacked plane. One man is missing. We also showed her pictures of the known Vatos Locos gang members from that compound in Mexico. The missing man’s picture wasn’t in the array we showed her.”

Two beats later, Logan said, “Janie saw Diego Hernandez?”

Max’s eyebrows soared. “Good for us. Not for our principal.”

Jesse whistled.

“The danger level just increased by a thousand percent,” Brody said.

“If your guess is correct.” Janie looked at each man. “This is pure speculation.”

“Zane doesn’t raise the alarm unless he’s sure.” Brent shook his head. “I’m sorry, sugar.”

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