Page 67 of Final Sins

That earned him a sour look. “I’m pregnant, not stupid. You’re going after Seven-Five. You’ve been after them since you retired. And you’re getting to the end.”

For half a second, he thought about lying, but it went against everything he believed in. Plus, Jane was way too smart for him. She’d see straight through him.

“We got this, Sis. I’m serious. And we’ve got help. Alex Mendoza and her RAVEN team are seriously good at what they do. It’s not just us this time.”

She grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. “Promise me you’ll come home safe.”

The fear in her eyes about knocked him flat. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me from meeting those little nuggets.”

“So I’m chopped liver now?”

He grinned, rubbing his chin. “You and Bridger. Pretty much. Law of the jungle, sweetie.”

That drew a heartfelt laugh that lifted his soul.

Jane grinned, seemingly satisfied for the moment. But Jason could still see the lingering concern in her eyes, mirroring the unease in his own heart.

She waved at the door. “Get on out there. Kellen’s about to bust a gut.”

He headed out the door. The August heat blasted him in the face, but it hadn’t slowed his nephew any. The kid was running full-tilt after an errant baseball.

Ball safely in his glove, Kellen looked up, face flushed. He flew past Jason. “Come on inside and see my fort.”

With a nod at Bridger, Jason ambled back into the house, the respite from the August heat immediate and welcome.

Kellen’s voice piped up from down the hall. “Uncle Jason! Look what I made!”

The ‘fort’ was an impressive structure of blankets and PVC pipes, decorated with twinkling fairy lights.

Jason whistled. “Wow, buddy. That’s something else.”

The boy beamed. “I wanted the babies to have a special place to play. Mom says they’re gifts from God.”

“That they are.”

“I do kinda wish they were a boy gift still. But I’ll get over it.” Kellen’s face grew serious. “Do you think God knew they’d need a fort?”

Jason blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected depth of the question. “I, uh ... I’m sure He did, buddy.”

Kellen nodded sagely. “That’s good. ‘Cause I think everyone needs a safe place sometimes.”

Jason’s throat tightened as he looked at his nephew, marveling at the wisdom that could come from such a young soul. “You’re right about that, Little Man.”

A shadow crossed the doorway. Bridger. He jerked a thumb at the back door. “Meet you out on the porch?”

Jason rose to his feet. “If you bring lemonade.”

“That I can arrange.” Bridger headed for the fridge.

“For me, too?” Kellen piped up. “Building’s thirsty work.”

Bridger exchanged an amused look with Jason over the boy’s head. “Lemonade we can do, son, but your uncle and I need to talk business. How about you keep your mom company? She’s kinda bored these days.”

Kellen nodded without a word. Great kid. Great family.

The realization made the hole in Jason’s chest both larger and smaller somehow.

He followed Bridger out onto the shaded porch, leaned against the railing, and took in the view of the High Sierra foothills. The landscape looked parched and lifeless, a far cry from the lush greenery of spring.

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