Chapter 35

35

The gravel crunched under Jason’s tires as he pulled into the driveway of his sister’s ranch house. The August heat hit him like a wall as he stepped out of the air-conditioned truck, the scent of sunbaked earth and lavender filling his nostrils.

Before he could reach the porch, the front door swung open. Bridger stood there, his usual easy smile replaced by a look of concern.

“Jason,” Bridger nodded, clasping his hand in a firm shake. “Glad you could make it.”

Jason’s brow furrowed. “Everything okay?”

Bridger’s eyes darted to the side. “Jane’s been kinda on edge. Bed rest isn’t her style. The walls are starting to close in on her. She could use the company. Come on in.”

He led Jason through the entryway and into the living room. The coolness of the house was a welcome contrast to the blistering heat outside. Jane lay on the couch, her pregnant belly prominent under a light blanket.

Her face lit up when she saw Jason. “There’s my favorite brother!”

“I’m your only brother,” Jason retorted, bending to kiss her cheek.

Jane grabbed his hand, pressing his palm to her belly. “Feel that? Your nieces are doing somersaults in there.”

The flutter beneath his fingers made Jason’s breath catch. Truly a miracle.

“Uncle Jay!” Kellen’s voice rang out as the boy thundered down the stairs. “Come see the fort I built for the twins.”

Jason crouched down to Kellen’s eye level, giving him a gentle smile. “Hey, buddy, I’d love to see your fort, but I need to talk to your mom for a minute first. Okay?”

Kellen’s face fell slightly, but he nodded. “Okay, Uncle Jason.”

Bridger stepped in smoothly, placing a hand on Kellen’s shoulder. “Come on, dude. Let’s go toss the ball around while Uncle Jason and Mom chat.”

As Bridger steered Kellen outside, Jason turned back to Jane, settling on the edge of the couch. The worry lines around her eyes were impossible to miss.

Her voice was thin. “I know something big is coming. Bridger won’t say, but I can feel it.”

Jason’s gut clenched. He couldn’t risk her worrying more than she already was. “It’s just a regular old op. We got this.”

That earned him a sour look. “I’m pregnant, not stupid. You’re going after Seven-Five. You’ve been after them since you retired. And you’re getting to the end.”

For half a second, he thought about lying, but it went against everything he believed in. Plus, Jane was way too smart for him. She’d see straight through him.

“We got this, Sis. I’m serious. And we’ve got help. Alex Mendoza and her RAVEN team are seriously good at what they do. It’s not just us this time.”

She grabbed his arm, her grip surprisingly strong. “Promise me you’ll come home safe.”

The fear in her eyes about knocked him flat. “Wild horses couldn’t keep me from meeting those little nuggets.”

“So I’m chopped liver now?”

He grinned, rubbing his chin. “You and Bridger. Pretty much. Law of the jungle, sweetie.”

That drew a heartfelt laugh that lifted his soul.

Jane grinned, seemingly satisfied for the moment. But Jason could still see the lingering concern in her eyes, mirroring the unease in his own heart.

She waved at the door. “Get on out there. Kellen’s about to bust a gut.”

He headed out the door. The August heat blasted him in the face, but it hadn’t slowed his nephew any. The kid was running full-tilt after an errant baseball.

Ball safely in his glove, Kellen looked up, face flushed. He flew past Jason. “Come on inside and see my fort.”

With a nod at Bridger, Jason ambled back into the house, the respite from the August heat immediate and welcome.

Kellen’s voice piped up from down the hall. “Uncle Jason! Look what I made!”

The ‘fort’ was an impressive structure of blankets and PVC pipes, decorated with twinkling fairy lights.

Jason whistled. “Wow, buddy. That’s something else.”

The boy beamed. “I wanted the babies to have a special place to play. Mom says they’re gifts from God.”

“That they are.”

“I do kinda wish they were a boy gift still. But I’ll get over it.” Kellen’s face grew serious. “Do you think God knew they’d need a fort?”

Jason blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected depth of the question. “I, uh ... I’m sure He did, buddy.”

Kellen nodded sagely. “That’s good. ‘Cause I think everyone needs a safe place sometimes.”

Jason’s throat tightened as he looked at his nephew, marveling at the wisdom that could come from such a young soul. “You’re right about that, Little Man.”

A shadow crossed the doorway. Bridger. He jerked a thumb at the back door. “Meet you out on the porch?”

Jason rose to his feet. “If you bring lemonade.”

“That I can arrange.” Bridger headed for the fridge.

“For me, too?” Kellen piped up. “Building’s thirsty work.”

Bridger exchanged an amused look with Jason over the boy’s head. “Lemonade we can do, son, but your uncle and I need to talk business. How about you keep your mom company? She’s kinda bored these days.”

Kellen nodded without a word. Great kid. Great family.

The realization made the hole in Jason’s chest both larger and smaller somehow.

He followed Bridger out onto the shaded porch, leaned against the railing, and took in the view of the High Sierra foothills. The landscape looked parched and lifeless, a far cry from the lush greenery of spring.

“How you holding up?” Jason asked.

Ice clinked in Bridger’s glass as he sucked down half his lemonade. “I’m fine. It’s Jane I’m worried about.” He ran a hand through his hair, the gesture betraying his fatigue. “This pregnancy is killing me. Who knew a couple of peanut-sized humans could cause so much stress?”

Jason chuckled. “Yeah, because an instant seven-year-old son and a bunch of armed goons after your girl were a walk in the park.”

Bridger’s tired laugh joined Jason’s. “Point taken.”

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the distant sound of Kellen’s laughter.

Bridger cleared his throat. “So, how’s the mission shaping up?”

Jason straightened, his expression turning serious. “We’re setting the bait. Gabriel’s ‘leaking’ info about his holographic breakthrough. We’ll stage a demo, hope Seven-Five takes the bait. Paige and Cody are working with Mac and Liv, handling the cyber end, creating a legit digital trail that leads straight to Gabriel’s fake lab. Our team’ll handle security and extraction, so we’re good there. Then we’ll see how it goes.”

Bridger nodded, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of pride and longing. “Wish I could be there with you guys.”

Jason clapped him on the shoulder. “I know, brother. But we’ve got this. Your job is here, keeping Jane and those little ninjas safe.”

The corners of Bridger’s mouth twitched upward. “Little ninjas, huh? I like that.”

Jason grinned, glad to see some of the tension leave his brother-in-law’s face. Despite his reassurances to Bridger, he couldn’t shake the feeling that this mission was going to be anything but routine.

Bridger’s sharp intake of breath drew Jason’s attention. Following his gaze, Jason spotted a thin plume of smoke rising beyond the Sierra crest.

“Wildfire,” Bridger said, his voice tight.

Jason nodded grimly. “It’s that time of year. Depending on the wind, we might be smelling smoke soon.” He scanned the parched landscape stretching before them. “Fire will never get over the Sierra. No way it can climb above the treeline, but this valley’s a tinderbox waiting for a spark.”

“I don’t like it, Jason. Too many variables.”

No kidding. He cleared his throat, needing to bring up one last thing. “I told Graham and Mason to stay in town. Help you keep an eye on Jane and Kellen.”

It would mean foregoing sniper cover, but he’d rather Bridger have the extra help. Seven-Five could strike anywhere.

Bridger’s lack of protest spoke volumes. The gravity of the situation settled over them like a heavy blanket.

“We’ll keep the team safe,” Jason promised, his voice low and determined.

Bridger met his gaze, matching his intensity. “You better.”

They clasped hands, the gesture sealing their pact. “See you on the flip side, brother,” Jason said and made his way down the steps toward his truck.

Bridger called after him. “I gotta say, Alex isn’t like the others. She sees right through you.”

Jason’s steps faltered, but he kept moving. “Don’t know what you’re talking about,” he called over his shoulder, his tone deliberately light.

“Nice try.” Bridger’s knowing chuckle followed him to his truck.

As Jason drove away, the dust billowing behind him, he couldn’t shake Bridger’s words. Alex did see through him, and that terrified him more than any mission ever could.

The plume of smoke on the horizon caught his eye again, a reminder of the dangers ahead. He tightened his grip on the steering wheel, steeling himself for whatever was to come.

Fighting Seven-Five would be like fighting a wildfire. Unpredictable. Clearly dangerous. And no matter the outcome, they were bound to get dirty.