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He exited before the kid could reply, the bell chiming again behind him.
Back at the car, he tossed the snacks onto Jane’s lap. “Your poison, m’lady.”
“Why thank you, kind sir.” She smiled and ripped open the Redvines.
Bridger sipped his bitter coffee, gaze lingering on her smile. Maybe when this was all over...
He mentally shook himself. Daydreams could wait.
He gripped the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the endless road unfurling ahead. The landscape had shifted drastically since leaving the coast—from verdant mountains and forests to this flat, barren wasteland. It reminded him of the outskirts of Redemption Creek, where the town ended and the desert began.
His thoughts drifted back to their new home base, with its quaint main street, cozy diner, and warm, welcoming people. From the minute he and Tai hit town that first day, he’d never felt so at home. So at peace.
For the first time in a long while, he’d found himself thinking about settling down, putting down roots. The kind of life he’d never dreamed possible with the constant threat of the Consortium looming over them.
But now, miles away and racing towards parts unknown, the simple appeal of that life nagged at him. To have a place to call home, people to call family...
He snuck a glance at Jane, her dark hair whipping in the wind. Could he have that with her one day? Or were he and his friends doomed to live on the run, unable to stop, unable to rest?
Restless now, he dialed headquarters from his untraceable line. “Any updates?” he asked when Paige answered, connecting the call to the speakerphone.
Jane leaned in as the familiar voices of their team came through.
“Nothing definitive on the numbers yet,” Paige said. “But we got a hit on the fingerprint from the divot tool.”
“Let’s hear it.”
Mason’s deep voice filled the car. “Diego Kimoto.”
Careful to keep his eyes on the highway, Bridger clamped down on an exclamation. They didn’t know many names attached to the Consortium, but Kimoto was a high-level cleaner, known for his brutality. And a sickening body count.
“That all but confirms Jason’s after them,” Bridger said grimly. “He must have found something that led him to the Consortium. That’s why he went to ground. Find them before they find him.”
“It’s exactly what the Jay-man would do,” Mason said.
“Copy that,” Tai added. “Bro goes out there all solitary commando. Guy makes me crazy. Sorry, Jane,” he added quickly.
Bridger held his breath, but Jane smiled softly. “He’s hard-headed as they come,” she agreed with a smile.
Bridger reached over and gave her hand a brief squeeze. “We’re gonna find him. And we’re gonna finish this, once and for all. I promise you that.”
She offered a small smile, but he could see the fear in her eyes. This crusade was taking its toll. It was taking its toll on all of them.
How much longer could they keep going like this? Always chasing, always fighting, never stopping to live. His thoughts returned to Redemption Creek, that brief glimpse of something more.
“You’re sure you don’t want backup?” Tai asked. “We’re like ten minutes away by air.”
“Not necessary. We’re going in under the radar. You feel me?”
The Consortium had feelers everywhere. Less so the FBI, but he didn’t know who else was after Jane’s ex. Better to stay low key for now. Plus, Pegasus had stressed that her contact had reason to be skittish. Having the entire team descend on the man might be considered a hostile move.
“It’s your call. Viva Las Vegas,” Tai called out. “We want deets ASAP.”
Bridger faked a sigh. “No can do, bro. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. You know the rules.”
The team laughed. So did Jane. Another check in the win column as far as Bridger was concerned. But as soon as he ended the call, the desert closed in around them, and the mood in the vehicle plummeted.
He searched for something to break the gloomy silence. “So, uh...how’s the dating scene in the Creek these days?” He tried to sound casual. “Any contenders?”
