Page 89 of Havoc

“Give her two men.” I turned my back to them.

“Go with Jason, Kenna.” I heard her crying softly as Jesse spoke to Jason, then he came back inside.

“Grim,” Jesse’s voice made me focus for a moment. He put a hand on my shoulder. “Paige.” I turned and looked where he pointed toward the window. She lay naked, half-buried in a pile of clothes on the floor. I spotted my jacket next to her.

Jesse was on the phone then. As he made a few calls, I tried hard to pull myself together. I needed to take action; I knew things needed to be done.

Something stuck out from the breast pocket, and I forced myself up off the floor and walked toward it. I removed a handkerchief from my pocket and picked it up. TheHanged Mantarot card.What the hell?A memory from the night before rushed back. The man who bumped into me at the bar. I flipped it over and saw a signature on the back as Jesse came to my side.

“Leo took my jacket last night. My God, this was meant for me, not him.”

Kenna

Jesse handed my bags to a flight crewman then put a hand on my shoulder and turned me toward him. “Kenna.” He leaned in close, so I’d look at him.

My mind was hazy as I tried to focus on him. I wasn’t new to processing death, but Leo’s terrible murder was a whole different story.

“I need you to buy me two days. Your silence will help. Can you do that?”

“Yeah.” I nodded numbly.

“Watch everyone, Kenna. We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet, but I’ll have my best two guys, Jason and Lorenzo, keep a close eye on you.” He pointed behind me, but I didn’t look. “They’ll always be there, but pretend they don’t exist, don’t make contact unless you have to. You may not always see them, but they’ll be there. I promise. Just try to go on as normal.”

My brain fought to catch up. “Wait, what about Jim and Laurel?” I instantly felt a whole new wave of pain as I thought about his parents and what they must be going through.

“They’re already on the way here with Knox.”

“Oh, my God, Knox,” I gasped, shocked I hadn’t considered him in this entire event.

“It’s all been handled, Kenna. Now I just need to make sure you can do your part.”

“I can.” Tears leaked.

“You think you can figure out that strange symbol?”

“Yes, I didn’t forget.” I tried to pull myself together.

He smiled warmly, and I was in awe of how well he handled the situation. I now truly understood why Grim hired him.

“I’m worried about Grim,” I couldn’t help but confess.

“Me too.” He opened his mouth then paused like he second-guessed his words. “For what it’s worth, you’re the only one I’ve ever seen who even got close to the real him.” Then his hand left my shoulder so fast I jumped. He read a text.

“Jesse,” I whispered and pulled his attention back to me, “I feel like you’re telling me he’s done with me.”

“He’s in a dark place, Kenna. The darkest I’ve ever seen him. I’m not sure where things will go from here. I gotta go.” He turned away then stopped himself. “Two days,” he reminded me. “I’ll be in touch. You can do this.”

Right.I climbed the steps and didn’t remember a single thing after I hit the cool leather seat.

“Ma’am,” a woman shook my arm and drew me out of a dead sleep, “we’ve landed, and your ride is here.”

“Oh,” I rubbed my sore neck, “thank you.”

“Of course.” She offered me her hand to help me up then held out my purse. “Have a good rest of your day.” The concern showed on her face. I tried for a smile but didn’t offer her a comment.

The moment I deboarded, Minnie raced into my arms and squeezed me hard.

“Jesse called Trigger, told us everything. I just can’t believe it.”

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