Page 34 of Her Faithful Protector

Failure is never an option as a Marine. With her, it becomes even more imperative.

11

AVA

The safe house feels more like a gloomy jury room, filled with indecision as deliberation stretches beyond ordinary hours. Sam, Jack, and I still haven’t reached a consensus on how to approach tomorrow. The brothers express their concerns about me facing Willem’s men or even Willem himself. They’re proposing alternative strategies, but for me, there is no other option.

“I have to be there!” I insist. “We’re talking about my son’s life here. I’m not being impulsive or deluded. Willem wants me, so I will be there. And I will find a way, even if the two of you try to stop me.”

Sam says, “Ava, I understand, we’re all behind you, but?—”

“I’m heading to Clancy to meet whoever is waiting for me there,” I determine. I can feel myself becoming confrontational toward Sam, who has always been the voice of reason.

Jack steps forward and manages to calm me down. He takes a moment, then determines, “Ava should go alone.”

The statement leaves Sam speechless, his eyes locked on Jack. I can’t believe what I’m hearing either, but I know Jack will support me no matter what.

He explains further, “That property is away from the town itself. Yet it’s open. If we send too many people, it will only raise suspicion. Our best chance of rescuing Quinton is if Ava goes alone.”

“Are you crazy?” Sam protests.

“Crazy enough that our enemies would never guess what we’re up to,” he counters. “Ava should go alone, but we’ll wire her.”

“Okay,” I agree despite being rattled inside. So many things could go wrong, but this solo mission is something I absolutely cannot mess up.

Jack then adds, “And one of us should stay close enough to reach her and Quinton if things go wrong.”

“What do you mean one of us?” Sam inquires.

Jack takes a seat beside me, his fingers steepled. “Willem is not going to make this easy. When I was in L.A., I sat just a few tables away from him, and I could taste his thirst for revenge. He’ll make sure he’s the only one winning. He’s a man who believes everything revolves around him. I bet he’s going to deceive us. It’s possible that you won’t see Quinton in Clancy tomorrow.”

Sam inhales, contemplating. He reluctantly nods in agreement. “So what’s the plan?”

“The house in Townsend is their real base. That white van caught by the cameras from the nearby farm is the same as the van that took Ava and Quinton at the hospital. While the rental car used by the bearded man had been returned to a depot in New York, the group is still using the same vehicle. It’s how they transport Quinton around.”

Sam nods repeatedly while listening to Jack’s explanation.

Jack adds, “Yes, that Clancy property is quiet. No one would know if you committed a murder. But that Townsendhouse is surrounded by a forest. Missouri River is nearby if they want to escape another way.”

Sam seems impressed by Jack’s newfound knowledge of the areas, especially after teasing him about not being familiar with Montana. It’s amazing how much Jack has learned in just a few hours.

“I trust your instincts, Jack,” I say, showing my support.

“Now Willem’s men have two places to take care of. None of them are aware that we know about Townsend, so it’s likely that the place won’t be as heavily guarded as Clancy.

“So, who’s going where?” Sam asks.

Jack glances at me, heaviness hanging on his face. He tells his brother, “Give us a minute, won’t you?”

Sam smiles. “Take your time.” He brushes his brother’s shoulder and duly leaves the room.

Still seated beside me, Jack turns toward me, his expression tense. “I have a bad feeling about this deal. He will stop at nothing to hurt you. My life and career depend on my ability to read people, and I know I’m right about him.”

“He can hurt me all he wants, but not Quinton.”

I shift my gaze away from Jack, reminiscing the extent of violence Willem can carry. When that wretched man proposed to me, he painted a picture of an everlasting, unparalleled love between us. I had run away from him once before, but he seemed like a new man when he made that promise. It made me question if that was what true love meant—a man was willing to change for me, for us. But it wasn’t love, and I accepted his proposal because I needed help with my pregnancy.

Jack, who has patiently waited for me, finally speaks up. “I’ve never seen a man with such bitterness in his expression when talking about his woman. He hid it from his guests, buthe couldn’t hide it from me. He will try to hurt you in the worst possible way.”

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