Page 37 of Soldier, Tailor, Spy

The line went dead, and Jake sprang into action.

“Ginger...” He used the same tone he used when he was Asher Rainer 2IC. Old habits die hard. “I need you to go inside, gather the necessities, and get them and the kids loaded in my truck. You’ve got five minutes.” Her mouth opened and closed like a guppy. Never in all the years they’d been married and after had he ever spoken to her in that tone. “Move your ass.” He placed his large hand against the ass he used to love to fuck and pushed her toward the house.

He looked down at Mr. Yamamoto. Both he and Fawn were looking up at him with a frown. “Go help your mom,” he signed.“Don’t forget your ears, either.” He touched the side of his head to emphasize his point. He gestured to Mr. Yamamoto. “You’re coming with us. Don’t bother arguing. You’re getting in my truck willing, or I’ll force you.”

“What is going on here?” the old man murmured.

Jake turned to call out over his shoulder. “Will talk in my truck once we get moving. For now, get your ass in here and help Ginger with Declan.”

“Understood.” For an old guy, he could move. He was behind Jake in seconds.

Jake snagged his go bag, his bag of weapons, his R.O.O.T. issued devices, and his phone. “Two minutes,” he called out after he deposited everything into the back of his truck and was back inside the house.

Jake had Ginger make a bug-out bags for every member of the household when they arrived, for just in case scenarios. They sat by the door. He grabbed all of them and took them back out and returned.

“Thirty seconds.”

“Jesus, Jake, I’m not done,” Ginger hollered down from upstairs.

“You’re ready to go, or I’m hauling your ass to my truck.”

A knock came at the door, halting all of them in their tracks. When it came again, the pounding intensified. Jake glanced over his shoulder at Ginger, who shrugged. Mr. Yamamoto went to the door and peeped outside. “It is Ethan.”

“Ethan?” Jake tilted his head. “Who is Ethan?”

“One of our models.” Mr. Yamamoto opened the door. “Boy, why have you come?”

“I’m looking for my husband, Oscar!” He tried to push past the old man, but Mr. Yamamoto stood firm, endearing him to Jake a little more. “Where is he?”

“Not here,” Jake said, joining Mr. Yamamoto at the door, pushing aside what the guy said. “I don’t know what you want with him, but you’re coming with us.”

“You’re kidnapping me?” The indignant look on the guy’s face any other time would have made Jake laugh.

“Or I could shoot you. Pick, which is most helpful for you at the moment. We only have fifteen seconds left.”

Fawn came speeding down the steps. He’d already loaded her bag, but she carried a backpack, her stuff animal, a blanket she’d taken a liking to, and her tablet. He knew she had her hearing aids dryer and replacement domes in her go bag. “Go get your brother and Mr. Yamamoto loaded into my truck.”

God love his kid because, unlike her mother, she didn’t argue. She got her ass in the front room, got her brother and Mr. Yamamoto, and headed out the door while he stared at the kid, who was shaking.

“Five seconds,” he said, knowing full well he would shoot the guy if it came down to it.

“Jake... No,” Ginger yelled. Giving less than no shits about her protests, Jake hefted her over his shoulder. “You’re still hurt!”

He was well enough, but he’d feel the strain later. It would remind him he was alive, and so was she. “I’m not arguing with you on this, Ginger. We’ve been called in. We fucking go in.”

“Fine I’ll go. But only because I want to know where my husband is,” Ethan shouted, bringing Jake to a shuddering stop.

“I wasn’t giving you an option either,” he grunted, carrying Ginger out the door. “Hurry the fuck up.”

Jake guessed he should’ve been grateful Ginger didn’t move or struggle as he headed down the steps on the porch. Matter of fact, color him surprised when she didn’t say a word until he deposited her in the front seat. He heard the low flying drones before he saw them. Asher wanted it known they had protection and cover. Shit must be bad.

He dropped the remaining bags into the truck bed and hopped into the driver’s seat. He turned it on and was backing out a mere second later.

It wasn’t until they were out of the Cove, she started in on him.

Aware of the audience in the back seat, he turned to her at a red light. “You know what I know. I made a promise to be truthful with you. When I find out what’s going on, you’ll be the first person I tell.” He looked over the seat, catching the dark brown gaze of Mr. Yamamoto. “FYI. I work for an agency that goes by the name R.O.O.T.. I was ordered to bring you to our base. We’ve also been holding your son for integration.” He then looked at Ethan. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, kid. Before you say another word, consider what’s going on here.”

The older man paled. His eyes widened as he fell back against his seat. “He’s alive?”

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