Page 33 of Challenging Jayce

"We don't kill people without just cause," Luke reminded him.

"So, what, we wait until they figure out who Michael is? You know they’re going to go after him for what Jasmine did. It's only a matter of time before they figure it out. The FBI are putting things together now that I'm in the picture, and we know damn well the cartels have ears everywhere. Why not be proactive instead of reactive for once? Hell, I'll go down and do it myself. No need to drag anyone else into it."

Luke didn't speak at first and Jayce gave him the time to process all that he said. He didn't care about his job. He had plenty of money stashed away to live on for years if it came down to it. If Luke didn't want to help him, then he would be fine on his own. He would do anything to protect his son from the mess Jasmine created.

"Let me speak to everyone else about it. Decisions like this need to be made as a group. I'll call you back once I talk to them."

Jayce nodded even though Luke couldn't see him. He wasn't worried about what his friends would say. They would have his back because that was just who they were.

He hung up the phone just as Shaun was calling in.

"You need to get home pronto," he said in lieu of hello.

"I'm on my way now. What happened?"

"I'll explain when you get here. Have Kennedy come back too. This is a conversation for the entire family."

"Okay. Be there soon."

Jayce disconnected the call and looked at Michael. "Shaun will be here soon and so will Aunt Kennedy."

"Do you think I'm in danger?"

Shit. He hadn't bothered to censor himself when he spoke to Luke. He was too focused on getting Luke to see his point of view that he forgot Michael was in the room.

"I don't think so but I think you could be if we don't stop things ahead of time."

"What did my mom do?"

Jayce really needed to pay more attention when he spoke. "She got in some trouble with some bad people but you don't need to worry. I'm going to take care of it. I promise."

He didn't care what it required him to do. Michael would be safe because he would make sure of it.

CHAPTER19

SHAUN:Get home now!

Kennedy slammed her laptop shut and shoved it back into the soft case. Nothing good ever came from her brother demanding she get home. Especially when he knew she was working feverishly to finish a book on time. She came to the cafe down the street because a change of location always helped the creative juices to start flowing. And it had worked. In the short time since she had been there, she managed to get over three thousand words in. A major accomplishment considering the block she had the last few days.

She drove faster than needed to get back home and managed to beat Shaun. But she did find Jayce's old pickup parked on the street. Rushing out of her car, Kennedy forgot her laptop and ran back to grab it before racing through the front door.

"What's going on?" she asked Jayce, out of breath.

"I'll tell you as soon as Shaun arrives. I don't want to say everything twice."

He might not want to repeat himself but she didn't want to be patient either. Something was happening and she wanted to know what it was.

Thankfully Shaun didn't make her wait too long. Less than ten minutes later he was rushing into the house. Except, unlike her, Shaun wasn't out of breath.

"What happened?"

"Let's take this to the living room?"

She wanted to scream at Jayce and tell him to spit it out already. Her brother must've understood her frustration because he gave her a look and a shake of his head. She squinted her eyes at him in return and all but screamed her displeasure with him.

When all four of them were settled on the couch, Jayce went into a no-nonsense description of what happened. She was mad all over again but this time at the special agent who dared to show up to speak with her nephew.

Then guilt took over for leaving. Even though she had been gone before Shaun was called into work, if she had been home, she could've intervened.

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