Page 168 of Possession

I look between Carson, Tim, and Micah, but it’s Micah who says, “I drove you here. I know as much as you do.”

Tim drags a frustrated hand down his face. “It was an oversight. We arrested over a hundred people yesterday. He was not on the list for questioning or charges. The U.S. Attorney didn’t know about your pet projects. Agents were told first thing this morning to release him before we got here.”

“Brax,” Landyn whispers. “You have to find him.”

Carson crosses his arms and rocks back on his heels. “He won’t be found if he doesn’t want to be.”

Landyn frowns at the CIA officer. “You don’t know that. I was going to talk to him and convince him to go to New York with us.”

“Sorry.” Carson winces. “I just hope he watches his back. There are still Jackals with outstanding arrest warrants. News tends to break when there’s a boat chase and shootout off the coast of California—Brax’s cover is blown. The world knows Boz Torres was really a fed working undercover. The DEA’s takedown is headlining every news outlet in the country. We know from questioning the Jackals we arrested that they think Rocco flipped and was working for you. He’ll be in deep shit if they don’t kill him first.”

Landyn’s gaze shoots to me as fear laces her features. I pull her to my side and glare at Carson. “You’re not helping.”

Carson glares back at me. “What? She was tough enough to go back and immerse herself into the Marino Cartel after you told her the truth. There’s no time to tiptoe through the tulips. We need to find Rocco before the Jackals do.”

Tim crosses his arms. “He’s right. And unless Rocco plans to run for Canada, we should assume the remaining Jackals are looking for him too. The agents returned Rocco’s possessions to him, including his cell. We need to ping it.”

“I need an emergency order on that ping and an updated status on Logan Pritchett. Rocco is pissed and hot-headed. Not a good combination when the Jackals and Uncle Sam are looking for you at the same time.”

“Give me your phone,” Landyn demands. “I know he won’t answer, but I can bombard him with voicemails and texts so he’ll know it’s me. I can’t wait to have my own phone again.”

I hand her my cell. “This couldn’t have happened at a worse time. I just booked our flights for New York. We could stay longer, but I’ll feel better having you there while everything settles here. At some point, your father will be out on bail. You were the center of attention from every organized crime group on both sides of the border. I promised you freedom, but I can’t give you that here and know that you’re safe. Putting an entire country between you and Dennis Alba will make me feel better.”

Landyn purses her lips into a tense line and gives her head a little nod. “I know. But I can’t imagine leaving here without at least trying to talk to him. He’s got no one, Brax. You know that.”

“We’ll do everything we can to find him,” I promise her.

“Onto your next project,” Cole says. “I have deals drawn up for Spencer, June, and Miranda.”

“Did they give me what I want?” I ask.

Carson widens his eyes and lets out a low whistle. “Gotta say, I’m shocked. I’ve never seen anything like this before. You didn’t just reach for the sky, you asked for the stars and the moon.”

“But did they do it?” I demand. He’s not lying. I asked for a shit ton, but those three deserve every single thing I asked for and more.

Carson tips his head. “Evidently, there are some in Washington who think you walk on water after what you were capable of pulling off. If you would’ve asked for Taylor Swift to deliver the deals, you probably would’ve gotten it.”

“No shit,” I mutter.

“None of the shit, that’s for sure,” Carson quips. “June and Miranda have signed. We figured they would. I told the U.S. attorney you wanted to be the one to talk to Spencer. Word is, he’s nervous. You should put him out of his misery.”

I check the time and turn back to Landyn. “I was going to take you by your house to pack your things after you talked to Rocco. I wanted to do that before your dad has the chance to get out on bail, but that’s going to have to wait.”

“I can take her,” Micah offers.

I narrow my eyes. “Do you want me to punch you in the face again?”

Micah shakes his head and holds his arms out low. “How was I supposed to know she’s the real thing?”

I look down at Landyn. “What do you want to do?”

She’s typing away on my cell. “I’m not going anywhere until I know where Rocco is. I just sent him about two-thousand texts begging him to come back or at least call me. Let me leave him a voicemail and see if he calls back. We can always go later.”

I turn to the group. “Let’s get the ping going on his cell. I’ll talk to Spencer. But I’m not taking you back to your house if your dad gets out on bail. There’s no way you’re getting anywhere near him.”

Her blue eyes angle to mine. Until now, I had no idea anyone could bring me to my knees with just a glance. “Please, Brax. I can’t leave not knowing where he is. I’m so worried.”

I pull in a deep breath. “Okay. But we’re not putting it off much longer.”

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