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Though, she hadn’t managed to keep the girl safe, had she? Maizie was currently being held. And if any of Navarro’s men had touched one hair on her head they were going to learn from Kenna personally why that was a bad idea—if Stairns hadn’t given the lesson already.
“We’ll get them back.”
Kenna nodded. She drove faster than she felt was safe, but not so fast they’d be out of control. Given everything the truck had been through, she wasn’t surprised the temperature was rising.
They were probably leaking something, but with the rain it was almost impossible to tell. The money was going to be a soggy mess by the time they got to the ranch. Assuming it didn’t come apart and fly off in the wind.
She pushed out a breath. “So you spoke to Maizie, and you got the lowdown from the feds about their investigation you landed in the middle of.” But they hadn’t connected it to Elliot Preston, or the US, and they didn’t know the cartel.
“They called for reinforcements after they were drugged but only got two more agents from the San Diego office. Just actually legit ones this time.” He sighed. “One went to the compound to assess the situation there. The others came with me when you called. Which I’m very glad you did.”
“Me, too.” She swallowed against the lump in her throat. “We’re almost there.”
“And this entire situation connects to a sheriff the feds know nothing about?”
Kenna nodded. “Elliot Preston.” How did she explain this? “Remember Luca and Camila? We went to their wedding in Vegas.”
“Sure.”
“Ramon sent them north, hoping they would be able to break free. Or he had it set up but it fell apart.” She shook her head. “But they were caught up in Kart’s operation—which connects to the Preston brothers in Colorado. Elliot seems to be the leader on both ends, and he’s supposedly on his way here.” She hadn’t seen him yet, so who knew? “I think Camila might be pregnant with Navarro’s baby. I’m so glad they’re nowhere near any of this. Thank You, God, that they are long gone and safe.”
He shifted in his seat. “Yeah?”
She heard the hope in his voice and looked over. “I prayed.” Kenna stared at the lines on the highway ahead. “When I had nothing else and I couldn’t see a way out, I prayed.”
“And God met you there?”
She nodded.
Jax held out his hand. When she laid hers in it, he kissed her palm and held her hand against his chest.
“Are you really all right?” Kenna bit her lip. “Or do I have to worry that you’ll suddenly have a brain aneurism, or some kind of stroke?”
“Isn’t there always a risk of that?” He exhaled, and she felt it against the back of her hand. “Any of us could die at any moment.”
“That doesn’t answer my question,” she said. “What was the prognosis?”
“I’m fine.” He chuckled a little against the back of her hand and then groaned.
“You’re as bad as Ramon.”
“That’s another thing you need to explain to me.” But she didn’t hear anything but the question in his voice. “I have internal injuries, but they did surgery. I need to not rip anything, and I shouldn’t be heavy lifting anytime soon. So give me a gun and point me in the right direction.”
She tugged her hand free. “How ’bout you just stay behind me?”
“As long as we go in together.”
“Sounds like a plan.” She pulled off the highway at Navarro’s ranch and headed down the lane.
“Before we get there, who is that Ramon guy?”
“I could barely believe it when I saw him.” Kenna shook her head. “We went to Quantico together. He was undercover, and the report is he went off the reservation, didn’t check in. Dropped off the map and supposedly went dark side. Now I’m not so sure. I think he might’ve been implicated so someone could save face.”
She didn’t mention the agent she’d been roomed with. There would be time later—after this was all over—to look into it. Maybe even to clear his name.
She continued, “Did the feds who’ve been looking into Kart’s operation say anything about a killer? Someone who carves a W into their victim’s lower back?”
Jax made ahuhsound. “Not that I can recall. They’re more interested in the drug money, the mules, and migrant trafficking. Illegal weapons sales goes to the ATF, but they don’t want to share, so they’re keeping that under wraps until the very end.”
