Page 67 of Protecting Jess

“Where is everyone else?” Finn asked as he belted himself in.

“Waiting on the street. We’ll go in convoy down to the closest park and wait for Tex to get back to you on a location.”

Finn’s knee jiggled up and down and, as much as he tried, he couldn’t control the anxious tic. “Why hasn’t Tex called? He said he’d get back to me in ten. It’s been fifteen.”

His fellow SEAL chuckled. “Tex is probably making sure he’s got all his ducks in a row before he calls. As this isn’t a military op, he will have to get in touch with the local law enforcement to let them know we’ll be on the scene. This isn’t the first time a team from base has worked with them.”

Finn nodded, but wished his phone would ring. The drive to the park didn’t take long, and as soon as Kevlar pulled to a stop, Finn was out and striding across the grass before turning and heading back to the car. He did that a couple of times until he was sure that he would be able to stand still and wait.

He’d never been like this when he was on a mission. This worried and nervous and…scared.

There was no way he could lose Jess. Not now. Why had he been so stubborn four years ago and believed that putting distance between him and Jess was the best thing to do?

They could’ve been together for longer than just a few days. It might’ve been difficult, but they’d have worked it out. He could’ve done what he was planning to do now—transfer to the east coast.

“Hive, you good?” Preacher asked as he approached the group.

“Yeah, just...” He shrugged, not sure about how he could put into words what he was feeling.

“I get it. But don’t worry. Tex is on the job and he’ll find your woman.”

“But will it be in time?” he asked. Whoever took her had to be the same person who stabbed her.

It was the only logical conclusion he could reach, but who was this person?

It wasn’t Bartholomew. That bastard was still in prison.

Was it a family member who was upset with Jess because Bartholomew was locked up?

There had to be a reason for this attack on her, but what was it?

Another car pulled into the parking lot and Oak jumped out, Kaley right on his heels.

“Is there any news?” Kaley demanded the second she stopped in front of him. “Where is she?”

Kaley’s presence wasn’t a surprise. Either she’d been with Oak when he’d made the call, or his teammate had called her. Either way, he was glad Jess’s friend was there.

“Nothing yet. Still waiting for a call back.” Finn couldn’t imagine the stress Slick was feeling right at this moment. This was the second time in her life that Jess had been taken.

Aunt Poppy had suffered a serious gunshot wound, making sure Jess was unharmed during that ordeal, but Jess was alone this time. Still, Finn didn’t doubt that his girl would fight as hard as his aunt (her stepmom) had all those years ago.

“Why is it taking so long?” Kaley queried.

“Not sure. Tex is doing everything he can to find her.” Finn had to trust what Kevlar said and believe that Tex was as good as they all claimed he was.

“Why is this always happening to her?” Kaley voiced exactly what he’d been thinking about.

“I wish I knew.”

No sooner had he finished speaking than his phone buzzed. Finn froze, wanting to pick the phone up, but also not wanting to.

What if Tex had located Jess and it was too late? That, for some reason, Tex had found her and she wasn’t alive.

But what if she is?

That little voice was all he needed for him to pull the phone from his pocket. Tex’s name flashed up on the screen. “Tex, do you have her?”

“I do. I also have the name of the person who has her. Does the name Daiken Nicholas mean anything to you?”

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