Page 123 of Savior

He lifted a shoulder. “Torture, mostly. Oh, and she can do that kung fu shit real good.”

“Interesting,” Lauren said cryptically before winking at Molly. “You did well.”

I’d spent the afternoon biting my nails down to the quick while Jimmy and Zane worked to trace Jeremy’s cell, knowing there was a good chance he’d already turned her over and disappeared. Carnage’s trip down memory lane had been a good reminder that we hadn’t always had a Jimmy or a Mike telling us what to do.

Once upon a time, I’d been a warrior…

“Got him!” Jimmy yelled from the bed of his truck, pulling me from my thoughts. He held up his laptop. “Bastard’s good, I’ll give him that, but I’m still better. Got him down south, maybe headed toward the border—”

“No!” I roared. The noose around my neck tightened and rage flooded my veins at the thought of Kate being handed over to traffickers. “We need to go. I have to leave. Has anyone seen my purse?”

I was rambling—my brain caught between preparing for battle and doing what I was told to do. I’d only ever been good at one of those things.

“Celia, we’re going to get her back. I swear it. Now, I’m going to need a team—”

“Me,” Lauren stated.

Jimmy’s face fell. “You know I can’t let you—”

“¿No puedes o no quieres?” she asked in a low voice. “You know we don’t have the numbers to go up against them, yet you refuse to let us fight.”

“Doll…” Wolverine stepped in. “Let me share a little secret with you. You’re never gonna have the numbers you want when it comes to war. Never gonna be fully ready. Know what, though? Worn these colors for longer than I can remember and they don’t run. So, you gotta look in the mirror and decide that today’s as good a day to die as any.”

Lauren’s mouth settled into a hard line. “Thanks, Wolverine, that was really… motivating.”

“Lauren,” Jimmy called as he leaped down from the back of the truck. “Lauren, come back!”

She stalked back into the house, slamming the screen door behind her. A woman after my own heart. While I’d initially been reluctant, we’d gone into this together, only to have it stripped from our hands as we approached the goal line.

“Where’s Angel?” I asked, scanning the yard. “Wolverine, did you talk to him?”

He frowned. “Ain’t spoken to him today, was he comin’?”

“I called him right after Nate arrived.” I patted the front pocket on the jeans Lauren insisted I wear, the denim almost rough against my skin. “Let me find my phone, and I’ll call him.”

“Alright, boys,” Wolverine turned back to the group. “We ridin’ or plannin’ the best spots to fish?”

Jimmy looked back to the house before nodding. “Wolverine, Zane, Torch, and Little Ricky, you guys are with me—”

“Wait a second,” I argued. “You’re leaving now? What are we supposed to do?”

“You also seem to have forgotten someone,” Nate added.

Jimmy pinched the bridge of his nose. “Just—fuck! Celia, if you can just keep everyone here. Nate, I know you want to go—”

“You’re fucking right I do. She’s my wife.”

“And that’s why I need you to stay here. You’re too close.”

“Too close,” he roared in response. “Too close? Do you have any fucking idea what I’m going through right now, not knowing where she is or even how she is? I show up, and you say we’re going to war, but now we’re being asked to sit this one out? Where the fuck do you get off?” He stepped back, panting heavily, fists clenched at his sides.

I’d never been more proud.

Jimmy took a deep breath. “I know exactly what you’re going through, but you’re still too close. You’re liable to react emotionally, which will get you or your loved one killed. So, if you don’t mind, I’d like to do my job and bring Kate home safe.”

“Come on, Nate,” I held out an arm. “You’re wasting your breath.”

Garrett pushed off the tailgate and wrapped an arm around his brother before turning back to Jimmy. “Anything happens to her, it’s on you now. Remember that.”

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