Page 74

Montana

Jaw clenched, muscles strained to the max, Sean glared at the chin-up bar as if it were Colton Kingsley’s neck as he pulled his body up one more time. There was a time when he could do fifty in a single workout session. Now he struggled to get in twenty without collapsing.

He was using his anger and frustration to fuel him, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the helplessness he felt. Serena had been in that hell house for over four weeks. Over a month! Knowing where she was and not going after her was driving him crazy.

“Overdoing your physical therapy won’t do anything but reinjure yourself.”

Sean glanced over his shoulder to see Xavier standing at the gym door. Since the man wasn’t dressed for a workout, Sean figured he had sought him out to talk. Things were still strained between him and several OZ operatives. He wasn’t sure they’d ever get back what they’d once had. He put the blame squarely on his own shoulders. He’d turned his back on them and cut them off. They had every right to their anger and distrust.

Jazz especially had been hesitant to forgive him. Again, he couldn’t blame her. Serena was like a sister to her.

“I’ve got to be ready when Serena makes the call.”

“She’s sending us substantial intel.”

Sean nodded his agreement. Not only had she provided intel about the businesses and organizations she was being forced to hack into, she’d also given them information about the inhabitants of Kingsley’s compound. She believed the majority of them were there against their will, many, if not all, trafficked victims. It was going to take a small army to rescue them as well as take down Kingsley and his minions.

With what she was providing, along with the information Kingsley had revealed to Sean during his captivity, they had an excellent chance of finally bringing this evil empire down.

But at what cost? He knew she was too valuable to Kingsley for him to physically hurt her, but the mental stress she was undergoing might be just as damaging. Especially for someone like Serena.

“You’re going to have to get past your guilt, man.”

Xavier’s voice jerked him out of his reverie. Sean shook his head. “I don’t see how she’ll ever forgive me. I left her there with that psychopath.”

“That’s not on you. They’ve wanted Serena for a long time. When she created that impenetrable firewall to keep them from hacking us, she put a target on her back. She knew that and, by all accounts, was prepared. Don’t take that away from her.”

“I won’t. She’s one of the bravest people I know. But she wouldn’t even be a part of OZ if not for me. She was completely satisfied with her job with the State Department. I was the one who urged her to follow me to OZ. I knew she was as well qualified as any operative, but she didn’t have the experience or toughness. I told myself that I’d always be around to make sure she was safe.

“Instead, I deserted her, left her alone to fend for herself.” Grabbing the towel he’d placed on the bench beside him, he wiped his face and then glared at Xavier. “So tell me how this is not on me? Every damn bit of it is my fault.”

“Do you know how many lives Serena has saved since she’s been a part of OZ? Hundreds…maybe thousands. If she were here, she’d tell you the risks are worth it.”

“But she’s not here, is she?” Sean growled. “She’s⁠—”

“Xavier?” Jazz stood at the entrance. “What are you—” She broke off when she spotted Sean. Her expression told him he was the last person she wanted to see.

Xavier sent a smile to his wife and then gave Sean a hard look. “You’re going to have to get past your guilt, or you’re not going to be able to help her when she comes home.” Turning back to Jazz, he softened his voice. “And you, my love, are going to have to get over your anger and forgive your friend.”

With that, Xavier strode out the door, leaving Sean and Jazz alone. Though he had tried to talk to her several times since he’d returned, Jazz hadn’t allowed him more than a few words before stalking off.

He didn’t expect today to be any different, but he was going to try one more time. “Can you, Jazz?”

“Forgive you? I honestly don’t know, Sean. Watching my best friend get her heart broken…” She shook her head, and her voice thickened. “She didn’t deserve what you did to her.”

“No one knows that better than me, Jazz. I have no excuse for my stupidity, but if Serena will let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to earn her forgiveness.”

“She’s already forgiven you.”

Yes, she’d told him that. But after all this, would she really be willing to give him another chance? Serena’s generous, loving heart forgave easily, but after all this, trust might be the hardest thing for her to do.

“If she has it in her heart to forgive you, then I have no right to hold it against you. Just…don’t hurt her again.”

Sean nodded. That was a promise he would keep to his dying day.

“Can I ask you a question?” Jazz said.

“Of course.”