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“I’ll get her back to the island,” Pete said. “You two track down those credit card leads.”
She cast her gaze at Jed. He knew she wanted to go, wanted to be with him when they found her mother.
“You should go with Pete. The island is the safest place for you right now.”
Her heart sank. “I want to go with you.”
“I know you do, but if either of these leads pans out and we head into danger, being with us is the last place you need to be.”
“Agreed,” Grange said. “And it’s possible whoever has your mother thinks that’s exactly what we’ll do—that we’ll bring you along with us. Which means it’s the last thing we’re going to do. Go with Pete and we’ll report in as soon as we know something.”
Jed started the car and headed back to the helicopter.
Pete got out and the pilot fired up the engine.
Grange held her hands. “This is the best lead we’ve gotten. Even if it’s nothing more than a game someone’s playing, it’s a start, a way to track them and find your mother.”
“Please be careful. I just found out I have an uncle. I’d hate to lose you.”
He hesitated for a second, then pulled Elena into his arms for a hug. “I’m always careful.”
He stepped back, cleared his throat. “Go with Pete. I’ll worry less knowing you’re with him.”
She nodded and he walked away, leaving her with Jed.
She should leave. Pete was waiting for her. But something held her there.
She didn’t want to go.
Jed moved next to her. “I know you want to come along, but it’s not safe for you.”
“I need to be there.”
“Your safety has to come first.”
The logical part of her knew that. She’d be in the way. She wasn’t feeling very logical right now. She laid her hand on his chest. “You stay safe. If it’s a trap . . .”
He wrapped her hand in both of his. “I’m good at taking care of myself.”
She sighed. “Okay. Take double good care of yourself this time. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
Jed cast a look at Grange, who leaned against the car, his arms crossed, staring at both of them.
“Ah, hell.” He pulled Elena into his arms and kissed her soundly.
When he broke the kiss, she smiled at him.
“I’ll be back soon. Stay close to Pete.”
She nodded and squeezed his hand. “I will.”
She climbed into the helicopter. As it rose, she watched Jed walk toward Grange.
THIRTEEN
The silence in the car was deafening. The one thing Jed knew about Grange was that he didn’t have to say much—or anything—to speak volumes about how he felt about something.
And he hadn’t said a word since the helicopter lifted and they drove off.
