Page 76 of Tactical Revival

“And if I had?”

“I don’t know.” I cover my face with both hands and take a deep breath. “It’s complicated.”

“Sure it is.”

“We’re not questioning that,” Andie says. “You both have baggage. He works with your brother, lives at your B&B, and you do have a son to consider. But Jaxson is a good man, Margot. He would never hurt either of you.”

“Not on purpose.” I lie back on my mattress. “He could have died today, and all I could think about was that I didn’t get the chance to really tell him how I’m feeling.”

“I’d be willing to bet he knows because he’s feeling the exact same way,” Andie replies.

My thoughts drift back to the moment on the beach. Right before his phone rang and reality crashed down on top of us like waves eating away at the shoreline. “He told me that he would never hurt us,” I confess.

“See!” Reyna and Andie both yell, then Reyna gently smacks my arm.

I know their perky moods are meant to distract all of us from what’s happening right now. It’s entirely possible they’re walking into a trap. That Michael, Jaxson, and Elijah—along with all of the other men of Knight Security—may not make it home.

And with that in mind, I force a smile because I know they likely need the distraction too. “He told me that I’ve captivated him from the moment he first laid eyes on me.”

“Swoon,” Reyna replies.

“And then he told me that he’d been dreaming about kissing me.”

Andie’s eyes widen. “Did he? Tell me he did.”

“No,” I reply. “He didn’t get the chance.” I close my eyes as tears threaten to spill, reality smothering me once more.

“He will get the chance,” Reyna tells me. “They’ll find her and come home.” She sits up and reaches down to take my hand, then takes Andie’s in her other. “Please, God, keep them safe. Please help them find Lanetti and bring everyone home. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“Amen.”

CHAPTER 21

Jaxson

“Idon’t see anything,” Elijah says as he guides his drone over the top of the barn. We’re all dressed in full tactical gear, ready for a fight should one come our way. And after the stunt this guy pulled on the beach, I’d say we’re up for one. The barn is still standing, but there are holes along the sides, though we’re not close enough to see into the structure.

“Want me to get closer?” he asks Lance.

“Go ahead. We need to know what we’re walking into.” He glances over at me. “Any word from Sheriff Vick?”

I check my phone, not at all surprised when I don’t see a text from him. Getting a warrant for something like this is not going to be easy. Asking to access private property with nothing but a hunch? That certainly wouldn’t fly in LA, and I’m willing to bet it’s the same here. “No. But I’m not waiting for a warrant. I say we go in.”

The wind whips at us, and the sound of waves crashing into the shore is a backdrop to the pounding of my pulse. Adrenaline courses through my veins as I try to remain focused on what’s coming next.

My phone buzzes, so I pull it back out of my pocket and read the text.

Margot: Be careful. We still need to get our timing down.

I know her text is meant to ease my nerves, to bring me back to reality, and it does that. But it also brings the image of her standing on the beach as the breeze toys with her hair, face tilted up toward mine, front and center.

The intensity in her gaze as she stared up at me.

Me: I hear practice makes perfect.

Before I can get too distracted, I shove the phone back into my pocket.

“You in position?” Lance asks Silas through our shared comm units.

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