Page 91 of Jenna's Protector
“The best thing you can do for Max is find Jenna.” Blake’s tone leaves no room for argument. His grip on my shoulder tightens, forcing me to meet his gaze. “He’d want you out there, fighting for her. Can you do that?”
It’s the truth, hard as it is to hear. Max is a fighter, a protector. He’d never forgive me if I abandoned Jenna to sit vigil at his bedside.
I’m torn, the need to be there for Max warring with the desperate urgency to find Jenna.
Blake is right. I know he is.
Just then, Malia steps forward, her face streaked with tears but her eyes fierce with determination.
“I’ll stay with Max.” Her voice is steady, resolute. “I won’t leave his side. I promise. You need to go. Find Jenna.”
I look at her, really look, and see the strength beneath her fear.
“Thank you.” With a last glance at the operating room doors, I square my shoulders and turn to my brother.
“I don’t know where to begin.”
“Well, thank fuck we’ve got that covered.”
“We?”
“Yeah, dude. The whole team is here. Charlie team. Sam, CJ, and Mitzy with her magic.”
“How…” I can’t even formulate the words.
It’s different being on this side of a person’s disappearance. It’s as if I’ve suddenly forgotten years of training. Fortunately, I’ve got Blake, and Blake has the might of Guardian HRS behind him.
“We’re all here. Waiting on you. Mitzy’s on support. CJ and Sam are standing by. Come on. Time to get your girl.”
We burst out of the clinic like soldiers going to war, a grimdetermination settling over us, but I pause, glancing back at the doors leading to the operating room.
It feels wrong to leave Max.
Walt places a hand on my shoulder, his grip firm and reassuring. “He’s in good hands. Malia will call the moment anything changes.”
I swallow past the lump in my throat. “I know. It’s just—he’s always had my back. Leaving him behind, it feels…”
“Wrong,” Walt finishes, his voice soft with understanding. “I get it. But Max would want you out there, finding Jenna. He knows you’ve got his back, even from a distance.” Walt repeats the very same words Blake said not moments before.
And damn if they aren’t right.
There are two vehicles in the parking lot, both filled with the members of Charlie team. With Walt’s truck covered in blood, Walt and I climb into a vehicle with Ethan and Blake while Hank, Gabe, and Rigel stay in the other.
Mitzy’s voice fills the cab of the SUV via speaker.
“I’m pulling traffic cam footage from around the café and surrounding streets.”Her words are clipped and focused. The rapid-fire clatter of her keyboard fills the background, a staccato beat that matches the pounding of my heart.“If someone took her, we’ll find them.”
Her voice is a lifeline, a glimmer of hope. I cling to it, to the certainty in her skills. She’s the best there is. If anyone can find a lead, it’s her.
“I’ve got something,”Mitzy says, her tone urgent. “Jenna’s leaving the café with another woman. Max is with them. There’s no sign of distress from Jenna or Max. Switching to the next camera… They’re on the sidewalk.”
The tension in the vehicle is palpable as we hang on Mitzy’s every word. It’s like watching Jenna’s final moments.
“A van just pulled up. They grabbed Jenna and shot Max. Oh, Carter, I’m so sorry. Is he…”
“Max is in good hands. What about Jenna?” I don’t have time for side commentary.
“They forced Jenna into the van. I’m tracking it now. Umm…”