Chapter 27 #3
Jaz stood frozen, the reality of it settling over him.
He was about to board a yacht belonging to a man who, if he knew what Jaz had learned, would probably kill him.
Jaz had no real plan except to stay in character and go with his gut.
He had no backup but an aging former agent and a DEA handler who cared more about intel than he cared about him.
This was crazy reckless, and if Jaz knew anything, he knew his recklessness got people hurt. What if he messed up? What if he failed and Henry went after his daughter, his brother, Kenzie or her family?
What if Jaz failed and someone he loved paid the price?
“Hey.” Kenzie wrapped her arms around him, pressing her cheek to his chest. “You’ve got this.”
“I’m not sure.”
“I am.” She backed up to look at him. “You’re a quick thinker. You’re smart, you’re strong, and you’ve got Dad on your side. More importantly, you’ve got God on your side. You can do this.”
Her words were a balm to his fear. Jaz couldn’t do it, but he knew the one who could. He didn’t have nearly enough experience trusting God, but he figured God could make up for his shortcomings.
And then he realized… “We’re going to have to leave you here. I should’ve held off calling. I shouldn’t have—”
“I’ll be fine. All I have to do is go to the airport and get on a plane. I’ve done it a million times.”
The thought of her being alone terrified him. “When this is over,” Jaz said, “I’m coming to Maine.” If he survived, anyway.
Her lips tipped up at the corners. “In April? You know it’s still cold there, right? Like, actually cold. Not Caribbean-breeze-after-a-swim cold.”
“I’ll buy a coat.”
“You’ll need one. And really thick skin, considering my sisters.”
“I’ve met Delaney. She’s as sweet as can be.”
“Yeah.” Amusement played at Kenzie’s lips.
Wow, she was beautiful. And capable and strong and—
“Delaney’s the nice one. Brooklynn will ask you a million questions, and then Alyssa will search your online history to make sure you’re telling the truth. Cici’s all right, but her guy, Asher, could snap you in two.”
“You’re really selling it, but none of them can be scarier than your father.”
“True. Until you meet my cousins.” Kenzie forced a laugh, but it came with a tear. “I’m afraid for you.”
“I know. I think it’ll be harder having to wait for word than for us to go through it.”
“It’ll be torture.”
He felt for her, he did. But he’d rather have her feel tortured and be safe than be in the thick of things. “I don’t know what my life’s going to look like after this. I might end up in witness protection, selling gas station hot dogs in Nebraska.”
Her brows hiked. “That’s very specific.”
“I’ve had a lot of time to consider my options.”
She searched his face with the most beautiful golden-brown eyes he’d ever seen. He studied them, studied her, wanting to remember everything, just in case.
“I don’t know what my life’s going to look like, either,” she said.
“I don’t have a business anymore, and I’m not sure I’d go back to it even if I did.
I’ve spent years on the water because…because I was afraid of the land, afraid of people, really.
I don’t want that life anymore. I want relationships.
I want community. I want a life. And I wouldn’t mind if you were part of that, when this is over. ”
“Okay, then. It’s decided. We’ll sell gas station hot dogs together.”
She laughed. “Maybe not in Nebraska, though.” She rested her head against his chest again. “Do me a favor and don’t die.”
He could hardly think with her so close, this woman who’d started as a project—one person he could save—had turned into so much more.
“Jasper, I don’t want to spend the rest of my life wondering what could’ve happened.” Her voice cracked. “I’ve got enough regrets. Don’t become one, please.”
“I’ll do my best.” He lowered his forehead to rest it against hers. He wanted to kiss her in the worst way, but Wright’s voice no longer carried from the hallway. Jaz couldn’t see him, but he felt the man’s eyes on his back.
He pressed a kiss to Kenzie’s forehead and turned.
“I’ve got a boat that’ll follow at a distance,” Wright said. “We’ll move in if things go sideways.”
“If things go sideways…” Jaz would be dead, but he wouldn’t say that in front of Kenzie. “I’ll figure it out.”
Wright moved toward his daughter, and Jaz stepped out of the way to give him space.
Her father pulled her into a fierce hug. “Do not leave this room until you hear a knock. The man coming to get you is a friend of Michael’s. Michael said he’d trust him with his life—and with yours. He goes by Splat.”
“Splat? As in I dropped my ice cream cone and it went—”
“Special forces guys are weird.”
“What does he look like? How will I know it’s him?”
“No idea,” Wright said. “He’ll be the guy who introduces himself as Splat.
Do exactly what he tells you. Someone from my security team will meet you at Logan.
I’ll text you a number to call when you’re in the terminal.
Don’t leave the secured area until you get instructions from them.
Your mom and sisters are already on their way to Boston. ”
“Dad—”
“We have to go.” He kissed her forehead, eyeing Jaz over her head. “I’ll bring him back in one piece.”
“Bring yourself back too.”
Wright smiled. “I always do, cuddlebug. We got this.”
Kenzie turned to Jaz. “Please, stay alive.”
He took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. “I’ll see you soon.”
Jaz headed for the door, praying his words were true.
Between Kenzie and Charlotte, Jaz had never had more to live for.
He’d also never had more to lose.