Page 96 of Betrayed

“The team needs to be ready to roll as soon as we have the location,” John added.

“What happens if they grab me at the first site? Will they release Meg?”

Jack flinched. “Probably not,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Then we can’t let that happen,” I said with a bravado I didn’t feel.

Chapter 45

AJ

When everyone was ready, we filed out the back door. I opened the door to the sedan and helped a spaced out Blake get in.

We kept chatter to a minimum over comms. It was non-existent in the car. I had a million and one things I wanted to say to Blake, but couldn’t find a good way to say them.

Instead, I held her hand, tracing circles on the back of it with my thumb, trying to convey what I felt.

“Andrew?” Blake broke the silence.

I was still getting used to hearing my full name and not hating it. “Yeah?”

“Please don’t get yourself killed,” she whispered.

“What?” Where had that come from? I mean, I was glad she felt that way, but why'd she think I’d get myself killed?

“Max told me not to react to anything they do because you’ll do something stupid and get yourself killed.”

Fucking Maxwell.

“Blake, it’s going to kill me to hand you over and watch them touch you, knowing I can’t do anything.”

“Just, don’t do anything stupid, okay?”

I looked at her.What the fuck do I say?I couldn’t make that promise, because as soon as the leash came off, I’d kill every single person who’d laid a hand on Blake.

“Blake.”

“Andrew, listen to me. I already lost my father today.” My head whipped towards her. Did she know something we didn’t? No way. I heard mutterings over the comms; everyone wondered the same thing.

“I mean, I lost the man I thought he was. The only thing keeping me going right now is knowing I can help Meg.” She clenched my hand as she whispered the next two words, “And you.”

“I love you, Blake,” I said it again because it was the only truth I could speak to her in that moment

It’d take an act of God to keep me from going full rampage and killing everyone standing between me and Blake when the time came.

Which meant taking risks that could get me killed.It’s worth it to save her.

“Andrew, please be careful.”

I squeezed her hand. “I will.”

“Sierra Two in position,” Jamie relayed over the comm. Soon after, everyone else checked in. Blake and I were three short minutes from the meeting spot.

When we got to the convenience store outside of town, I walked Blake to the woodpile and stood watch while she looked for the note.

They were watching. I could sense it, but I couldn’t see them. “Anyone have eyes on the Tango?” I continued scanning as everyone responded in the negative.

Doesn’t mean they aren’t watching.

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