Page 34 of Last Chance

“We have the basics in almost every size. It should take care of you for a few days. If you’re still in the safe house by then, we’ll provide more clothes.”

“I don’t want Fortress to go to that expense. Wouldn’t it be simpler to stop by our homes to get what we need?” Janie asked.

“Too dangerous.” Sawyer gave Zane a chin lift and guided Janie into the hall toward the elevator. “It won’t be hard for anyone to find you, Janie. A simple Internet search would do the trick.”

She stopped and swung around to face him. “We left Mexico less than 24 hours ago. How could they get out of Mexico, find my house, and set up an ambush this fast?”

“We didn’t wipe out the Vatos Locos gang in that compound.” Taking the gang out would have meant Janie was safe. Probably. He didn’t believe the gang had targeted Janie at random, not with her brother pressuring her for money. When they settled into the safe house and she’d rested, he and Jesse would question her about other potential enemies who might want to harm her. One thing he knew. Janie was definitely a target. The hijacking wasn’t a random event. Now he had to find out why she’d been singled out. He wouldn’t rest until he had.

She paled. “You’re telling me there could be more members of the gang?”

“Yes, ma’am. They’re 10,000 strong in Mexico, Central America, the US, and Canada. The men we killed have colleagues who will be glad to run you to ground and kill you if that’s their orders.”

“You’re serious?”

“I never joke about things like this. You’ll know when I’m teasing you, Janie. Your life being at stake is no laughing matter to any of us.”

She sighed. “And you have no way of knowing how long it will take to handle the problem, do you?”

“I wish.”

“You weren’t kidding about my employees being at risk?”

He shook his head, then jabbed the elevator call button. “I’ll ask Brent to assign someone to monitor the place, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to protect each person after business hours. We’re shorthanded.” Familiar story at Fortress. The boss was constantly recruiting new talent, but training them to Fortress standards took time.

“I wish I could shut down the store to protect everyone, but I haven’t been open long enough to survive financially if I do.” She stepped into the elevator with him. “Perhaps I should tell everyone to stay home and run the store myself.”

“No.”

“But Sawyer….”

“It’s not safe for you to be in the same place day after day with a set schedule. You’d be begging the gang to take you out along with your bodyguards.”

Her head whipped his direction. “You’re talking about yourself.”

“I’m not leaving your side until this is resolved or unless I know you’re in a secure place with no chance of the gang attacking you.”

“Surely Brent will deploy you and your team soon.”

“You’re our mission, Janie. We won’t deploy until you’re safe.”

“That could take a long time.”

“It’s possible.”

The elevator car came to a stop. They stepped into the garage to see the Texas Team waiting for them.

“All set?” Brody asked.

Sawyer gave a curt nod. “The safe house is fifteen minutes from my place. If we’re compromised, we’ll take Janie to my house.”

“Works for me,” Logan said. “Your place isn’t far from all our homes. We’ll be minutes away if you need backup. Brody?”

“It’s a good plan. I’m sure Brent and Zane thought about that when they suggested this safe house.” He straightened. “Let’s move. My wife is waiting for me.”

“Same,” the others said, except for Jesse.

“What about you, Jesse?” Janie asked. “Will you wife be upset with you for staying to protect me?”

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