Page 131 of Storm and Tempest
Jax went to the couch and brushed Maizie’s hair back from her face. “Wanna wake up for me, kiddo?”
Kenna sat by her feet.
Zeyla took a seat, running her hands down her face. “Setting a fire seemed like a”—her breath caught, and she coughed—“good idea at the time.”
Jax glanced at her. “Ramon had the same one.”
“That’s why it seemed so crazy in my head.” She sounded as if she was trying to smile, but it never reached her face.
Kenna touched the hem of Maizie’s pant leg, and the girl’s eyes fluttered open, her gaze distant at first. But as they waited, she focused on them. Glanced between them. Gasped—and then coughed it out, shaking the whole couch.
“Easy. We’re almost out of here, okay?” Jax touched her arm.
Maizie moved her arm, and he thought she wanted him to draw away, so he lifted his hand. She grabbed his fingers and held on. “Jax.” Her gaze settled on Kenna, and her eyes filled with tears. “Kenna.”
“I know.” She swiped a tear from her cheek. “You okay, Maze?”
The girl curled up, crying, and held out her arms for Kenna. They collapsed against each other in a hug and held on, both of them letting the emotion flow. Jax heard a sniff and pretended he didn’t notice Zeyla crying.
Gunshots echoed across the house. Both the women stiffened and pulled out of the hug. Jax had his gun in his hand before they separated.
“I’ve got you covered.” He started to turn toward the door.
Maizie touched his shoulder. “Love you, Jax.” She leaned down and kissed his cheek.
He forgot all about the gunmen, and the guys fighting on their behalf, as his mind filled with thoughts of Kenna and Maizie and the family they were building together. “Love you, too, Maze.”
She sniffed.
Kenna touched his cheek.
Someone stepped on a creaky board in the hall. Jax spun around in his crouch so fast he nearly fell over, but managed to catch himself and remain upright.
He got his gun up about the same second Preston came in, followed by Jax’s father. Jax slumped to the floor, his back to the couch where Maizie and Kenna sat. Preston had a pistol by his side, and neither of them looked tense.
“Hey, guys.” Jax blew out a long breath, and someone touched the back of his head, running a hand through his hair.
Preston came over and hugged Kenna.
Jax’s dad crouched in front of him, a soft look on his face that Jax had never seen before. “You did good, buddy. You did real good.”
Jax stared at his father, more tears burning in his eyes. He rubbed his nose and realized that was his gun hand. “I need to stop crying.”
His dad shook his head. “Cry all you want.”
Jax closed his eyes for a second, saying the biggest thank you of his life to the Lord, who had brought them all back together.
He heard Preston talking quietly to Kenna, filling her in on what had been happening.
He sat with the feeling for a minute, giving himself a second to absorb the fact they were all back together. Alive and free.
No matter what happened in the months and years to come, they had this moment to remind them of what God could do. That He would bring them through it, walking beside them and guiding them as they kept going. Never quitting. Never backing down. Always fighting.
For their brand of justice.
Zeyla said, “You good, Maizie?”
“Thanks to you,” she replied. “All of you.”
