Page 74 of Rescued Faith

“The militia just issued a statement. They kidnapped the governor’s wife and son.”

“The militia? What do they have to do with this? And why would they kidnap the governor’s family?” Bryce asked.

“We’re still trying to figure that out. In the meantime, you need to get here. The task force has been called in. All available law enforcement is being pulled in to find them,” Jude said.

It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him.

We had it wrong. It wasn’t your family they were targeting. It’s mine.

She could hear Emma in her head.

You don’t know squat. Because if you did, neither of you would be here right now.

But Jude’s job was to protect the governor and figure out what was going on with the militia. If she said anything about her sister and kids, Jude would be there in a heartbeat.

And he’d probably lose his job because of it.

She couldn’t let him do that. Besides, they could split forces. He could keep looking for the governor’s family. She would get her sister and the kids back.

Emma Kemper and Alonzo werehercase.

Bryce opened his mouth to say something into the phone. To shut him up, she quickly pressed her finger against his lips. Lips she’d kissed tonight. Lips that tempted her to do crazy things like give her heart away and put down roots in Last Chance.

But that was way too much to unpack right now. First…Libby and kids. And keep Jude out of it.

“I can’t be there to help. I’m working another angle of my own.” Penny spoke into the phone. “That’s why I called.”

“What is it?” Jude asked.

“I’m gonna need you to trust me.” Jude didn’t have to know how she got her intel. Many times it was better when he didn’t.

“I don’t feel right about your pursuing it on your own. And it’s the governor’s wife and child missing. Are you sure this lead is worth your time?”

“I’m not alone. Bryce is here. And believe me, the life of a woman and any child isn’t something I’d take lightly.” Her sister was a wife too. Her niece’s and nephew’s lives mattered very much.

“I’ll try to put off Woods. He’s breathing down our necks, demanding every resource we have be spent on this, but I don’t know how long I can hold him back.”

“We’ll be there as soon as we can.” That’s all she could promise.

“Stay in touch. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“You know me better than that, Book. Bye.”

Penny ended the call.

Bryce glowered. “Why didn’t you tell him?” Izan and Stephens looked confused.

“What do you think he’d do?” Penny faced them, arms folded across her chest.

“He would come help us find them,” Bryce said, as if it were obvious.

“Right. And he’d lose his job for doing it when he’s been called in to the investigation with the governor’s family. Then where would he be? Anthony and Olivia are probably out there too.”

Bryce lost some of his bluster. “I suppose you have a point.”

“So it’s up to me.” Penny needed him to understand.

“I’m sure as heck not gonna let you go alone. You already told Jude I was coming with you.” Bryce straightened.

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