Page 89 of Storm and Tempest
Preston said, “Whatever you need, I’m there. No question.”
Jax fought the lump in his throat.
“Did you find her?”
“We have an idea where she might be,” Jax said. “I know you have a house in Washington State.”
“Just outside of Seattle.”
“And I know you’re in contact with MSI.”
“You need a tactical team, just say the word.”
Jax flexed his fingers on the steering wheel. “I’ll have Maizie send you the information.”
“I’d love to hear from her. It’s been too long.”
Jax gave him some details about how long they were going to be, driving up to Washington. Preston didn’t seem to think it presented a problem getting the MSI team there, probably before Jax and his family arrived.
Jax hung up the phone, clearing his throat. He busied himself settling it in the phone holder clip. Ignoring the way Zeyla glanced at him and how he could see the others in the rearview. All of them were here to support him, making sure hedidn’t lose it. They would step in if he did, and probably wouldn’t care if he broke down, but Jax didn’t want that. He needed to hold it together and be their support.
Ramon and Maizie cared about Kenna as much as he did. She was a hugely important part of their lives. Zeyla had pitched in, wanting the chance to get to know her sister. His father had some amends to make.
“If we go up against them”—he glanced at Zeyla—“will you be okay? Will you stick with us?”
“I’m in this until we get Kenna back,” Zeyla said. “We all are.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Almost a day later, Jax drove the RV through a rolled-up loading bay door, into an expansive warehouse. The rain that had been incessantly hammering on the windshield—and driving him crazy—quit as soon as they were under cover. After hours of driving, during which he’d switched off with Ramon so he could get some rest, they were finally in Seattle.
He turned the dial on the lever and shut off the wipers, easing his foot down on the brake. Inside, the warehouse was lit up with bright fluorescents thirty feet above them. Whatever this place had been once, it was a good choice to hide an RV and stage a standoff.
Jax put the RV in Park and shut off the engine, breathing hard. “How long do we have?”
“Probably not long.” Ramon strode down the middle aisle to stand between the front seats. Before he could say anything, Zeyla came awake fast in the passenger seat, swinging her arms. Ramon said, “Whoa,” catching her flailing. “Easy.”
Zeyla blinked. Terror flashed in her eyes until she focused on Ramon. “Let go.”
He loosened his grip. “Good?”
“Sure.” She passed him and stepped out of the RV after Maizie.
Jax’s dad glanced at him, then followed the two women. They’d been in a kind of silent standoff the past few hours, since there was nothing more to say and everyone had been focusing on resting. Only stopping for gas had taken its toll on them. Kind of like sleeping on the floor in the aisle because they’d given the women use of the bedroom.
Ramon glanced out the windshield. “Looks like Preston and MSI have already set up for us. Come on.”
Jax followed him out of the RV into the middle of a tense standoff between the people he’d brought and the men waiting for them. He spotted Preston in the middle, dressed in jeans and a sweater, looking nothing like the man Jax had seen in Arizona at that resort, either before or after he’d been shot in the shoulder.
Kenna had spent time at his house in New Orleans, getting into several situations with Ramon and these people, who were operatives for Miami Security International. Then there was the whole deal in the UK where Preston and a couple of MSI guys had been kidnapped.
Jax spotted their boss, Earl Jonas. He’d brought a team with him, and they were all geared up. Mostly ex-military.
Maizie smiled widely. “Bear!” She stayed where she was, next to Zeyla, who had shifted into a protective stance.
One of the guys in tactical gear grinned at her. “Hey, Maizie. Good to see you.”
Ramon wandered over to the guy. “Bear.” They shook hands. “It’s good to see you back with the team.”
