Chapter 25

25

Time to move.

Jason eyed the mountainside, assessing their precarious position. The narrow turnout barely accommodated both vehicles, leaving them exposed.

“We need to leave the SUV. I sort of borrowed it,” he confessed, holding out his hand. “Gimme the keys to the Mustang. It’s more maneuverable on these roads anyway.”

Alex hesitated for a moment, then dropped the keys into his palm. Her earlier fury had simmered into a wary cooperation. He knew because he felt the same.

He transferred his go bag to the Mustang, running through a mental sitrep. Assets: one speedy vehicle, two operatives, limited supplies, a handful of weapons, and no immediate backup. Liabilities: an unknown number of hostiles, his wound, which left him less than a hundred percent physically, and a severe lack of intel. Objectives: find secure location, establish contact with home base, and formulate a counter-strategy against Seven-Five.

The Mustang’s engine roared to life, a sound both comforting and dangerous in the mountain quiet. Jason guided the car down the winding road, hyperaware of every bend and potential ambush point.

“Where to now?” Alex broke the tense silence.

He considered their limited options. “There’s a small town about twenty miles south. We can hole up there and regroup. At the very least, we need to ditch the Mustang.”

As they descended the far side of the mountain, the SUV grew smaller in the distance, a metallic marker of the first battle. He prayed that by the time the attackers returned, he and Alex would be so far away they’d be impossible to track down.

The rumble of the engine and the occasional crackle of gravel under the tires punctuated the silence between them. His hands were steady on the wheel, but his mind whirled with calculations and contingencies.

He glanced at Alex, noting the tension in her jaw, the way she scanned their surroundings with the same intensity as his own. Despite their earlier conflict, he felt a grudging respect. Whatever else she might be, the woman was a professional.

As the mountain road gave way to more level terrain, Jason allowed himself a small breath of relief. They weren’t safe, not by a long shot, but they’d bought themselves some time.

Now, they needed to make it count.

She cleared her throat. “Jason, I ... I’m sorry,” she said, her voice barely audible over the engine. “I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions about you.”

Her admission surprised him. “I’m just as guilty. We both got played.”

She nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly.

Rounding yet another bend, he spotted a rustic roadside hamburger joint half a click up the road. The parking lot was half-full of cars. He pulled the Mustang off the road, carefully maneuvering it under the cover of thick coastal oaks.

Alex froze. “Why are we stopping?”

“We need to eat.” He killed the engine. “Plus, I need to check in with my team. They know I came after you. I wanted them aware in case things went sideways.”

Her face flushed red. “They’re going to think I’m an idiot.”

“They won’t,” he assured her, his voice softening. “We’ve all been in your shoes. More than once. They understand how this game works. Come on, let’s grab some food.”

They settled into a secluded booth with a view of the front door. A weary-looking waitress took their orders, returning quickly with two ice-filled sodas. The minute she disappeared, Jason pulled out his phone, but before he could begin the text, the device chimed. Bridger’s name flashed on the screen.

“It’s Bridger,” he told Alex and answered the video call.

“Wait!” She held up her hand. “If my phone’s compromised, yours could be, too.”

He bit back a laugh. The woman was sharp, but she didn’t know the depth of talent and experience on his team. “Hang on,” he said to Bridger and turned toward her. “Normally, I’d agree with you, but my people are seriously good at this stuff. And my phone hasn’t left my possession.”

“I second that.” Bridger’s face filled the screen, concern etched in his features. “Jason, we need a sitrep.”

“Copy that. I’m here with Alex.” Jason angled the phone so Alex and Bridger could see each other. “It’s complicated, Bridge. We’re okay, but?—”

“But nothing.” His friend cut him off. “You two need to get your hind ends to Redemption Creek. Now.”

And Bridger didn’t even know about the helo attack yet.

In the background, Jason saw teammates nodding in agreement. Tai leaned into the frame, his usually jovial face serious. “Your rear end’s hanging way out there, my man.”

“Guys, I appreciate the concern, but I’m not bringing this fight to your doorstep.”

Graham’s voice carried from off-screen. “And we can’t risk losing you two out there on your own. We’re stronger together. You know that.”

Jason looked at Alex, seeing the conflict in her eyes. They were at a crossroads. Whatever decision they made now would shape everything that followed.

Kate appeared next to Bridger, her eyes blazing. “Jason Reilly, if you and Alex don’t get yourselves down here right now, I swear I’ll?—”

Her threat was cut short as Jane waddled into view, her pregnant belly leading the way. Jason’s heart clenched at the sight of his sister. She looked exhausted, dark circles under her eyes, but there was a determined set to her jaw.

“Jase, please,” Jane said, her voice soft but firm. “We need you here. Safe.”

His sister’s words hit him like a physical blow, piercing straight through his carefully constructed defenses. In that moment, he saw not just his pregnant sister, but the girl he’d left behind years ago. The one who’d waved goodbye as he set off for basic training, who’d sent care packages during his deployments, who’d waited anxiously for his rare phone calls.

He remembered the worry in her eyes every time he came home, the relief mixed with fear that this visit might be the last. And now, here she was, about to bring new lives into the world, and he was still causing her grief.

The weight of all those years, all those missed moments, crashed down on him. He’d told himself he was protecting her by staying away, by keeping his dangerous life separate. But looking at Jane now, he realized that his absence had been its own kind of harm.

“We need you,” Jane repeated.

Not just for protection, not just because of the current crisis, but because they were family. Because despite everything, they still wanted him there, still considered him a part of their lives.

He swallowed hard, fighting back a sudden surge of emotion. He opened his mouth to respond, to apologize, to promise he’d be there, but before he could find the words, Jane’s expression changed, her hand flying to her belly.

She winced slightly, a fleeting expression of discomfort crossing her face, then she took a deep breath, seeming to steady herself.

“The girls are getting restless.” She attempted a smile. “I think they’re eager to meet their uncle.”

Suddenly, Jane’s face contorted. A small gasp escaped her lips, more surprised than pained. “Oh!”

Bridger’s face drained of color. The usually unflappable SEAL looked utterly terrified. “Jane? Honey?”

Jane’s eyes widened, a mix of surprise and uncertainty flashing across her face. She gripped Bridger’s arm, her knuckles white. “I ... I think ...” she trailed off, her brow furrowing in concentration. After a moment, she took a deep breath and met Bridger’s anxious gaze. “That felt different. We might need to call Dr. Reeves.”

Bridger turned back to the camera. “I gotta go. Hospital. Now.” His eyes locked with Jason’s through the screen. “Jason, get here. That’s an order.”

The call ended abruptly, leaving Jason and Alex staring at the blank screen.

“Well,” Alex said after a moment, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, “I guess we’re going to Redemption Creek.”

Jason nodded, a mix of worry for his sister and relief at having a destination washing over him. The thought of becoming an uncle, especially now, amidst all this chaos, felt surreal. “Looks like it. You okay with that?”

She met his gaze, the earlier hostility replaced by determination. There was something else there too—understanding, perhaps even a touch of empathy. “Lead the way, Army.”

He hurriedly paid for their barely-touched meals and headed for the Mustang, Alex on his heels. He slid behind the wheel, his mind already mapping out the fastest route to Redemption Creek. A little less than five hours.

Totally doable.

“What happened to ditching the Mustang?” Alex asked.

“I re-evaluated.” He thrust the key into the ignition. “Seven-Five knows where Redemption Creek is. My guess is they don’t expect us to head there, but if they try to stop us, having a different car will only buy us so much time. Finding another vehicle will take a while. I say we take the chance.”

And he needed to get home ASAP to check on Jane.

Alex appeared to give that some thought before nodding. “I agree. Let’s hit the road.”

“Aye, aye, captain.” He sketched her a salute and started the car.

As the engine roared to life, he allowed himself a small, determined smile. Seven-Five had no idea what they were in for now.

But beneath the determination, worry gnawed at him. Jane’s face, etched with a mix of pain and uncertainty, flashed in his mind.

Please, Lord, keep Jane and the twins safe.

“We’ll get there,” Alex said, her voice softer than he’d ever heard it. “Your sister looks plenty tough. And those babies? They’ve got Reilly blood. They’ll be fighters.”

Jason shot her a grateful look.

He’d finish this fight with Seven-Five, make the world a little safer, and then be the best uncle Jane’s kids could ask for. Resolve renewed, he pressed the accelerator, heading the muscle car toward Redemption Creek.

Toward home.