Page 108 of Dust and Ashes

“Are the two of you going to sit in there all night and make out?”

Ramon’s voice brought her around so violently all the muscles in her abdomen wrenched. She wasn’t even the injured one—okay fine, she was kind of bleeding. But compared to him? The guy was bent down and looking in the car with his arm in a sling.

She shoved open the door next to Jax and said, “Let’s get out this way.”

Jax said, “Because you’re in danger of wringing his neck?” But didn’t move to get out.

Ramon called out, “I didn’t do anything! I just got shot helping you.”

Right. It had been completely selfless. “I thought it shattered your shoulder or something.”

Ramon shook his head. “Hurt like it had, but it wasn’t that bad.”

Kenna wasn’t convinced that was true. He didn’t look all right and probably still needed to be in the hospital.

Geez, they’re all cut from the same cloth, aren’t they?

“You worked for Navarro, though. So you aren’t innocent.” Kenna climbed out, visually checking Jax was all right. Not wanting to face Ramon, knowing she had zero ability to hide her emotions right now. She was broken, and anyone who looked at her would know it.

And yet, that was what God had accepted as His—all her mess.

“You work for Navarro.” She faced Ramon, standing in a huddle with Jax by her side. “You’re an accessory at best.”

“We need to go inside and get your arm looked at.” Jax spoke so softly she almost didn’t hear it.

Ramon frowned. “You got hurt?”

She lifted her arm. “No thanks to your boss. He’s dead now.”

“And the FBI is no doubt going to want me here, with a finger on the pulse of who is taking over this vacuum.” Ramon’s expression flickered with something dark. “They’ll probably have me be the new cartel boss just so they have an in. And they’ll keep it top secret so no one ever knows the truth.”

Kenna said, “Kart is dead, that operation is decimated. But how does you gladhanding with the feds and positioning yourself as the one in charge of Navarro’s operation help me find Maizie?”

She was almost desperate with the need to run.

Yet, deep inside there was a calm—a sense of peace—she could draw from rather than the panic that swirled on the surface. Part of it had to do with Jax being here, alive. Stairns would fight for his life. She would leave that in God’s hands. But she wanted Him to send her to rescue Maizie.

She’d rarely wanted anything in her life the way she wanted this. “I need to track where Elliot has Maizie.”

Jax’s hand curled around hers, but she couldn’t relax. As much as she wanted to lean into his shoulder. There would be time for that when this was over.

Jax sighed. “We can’t just go in guns blazing. We need to be smart, or he’ll execute her.”

Ramon said, “That sheriff took her?”

“That’s what Stairns said.” Kenna nodded even though she wanted to be sick. “Elliot probably heard us come in and made a detour. He decided to hit me where it hurts.” Her voice cracked. She cleared her throat. That man wanted to destroy her.

The sheriff must have done his homework on Kenna. Learned where her vulnerabilities were, and how to hit back at her in revenge and do the most damage.

“Oh.” Jax shifted. “Ramon, do you know the code to Navarro’s phone?”

Ramon just waved his fingers. He tapped the screen. “I can get in.”

“Good. Give me it.” Kenna took the phone and got on the browser. She typed in what she thought the system was called. She had Maizie’s email address—the anonymous one she used. “I don’t know the password.”

“I have an idea. Give me the phone.”

Kenna frowned. “You need to make a call?”

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