Isaac swallowed back the tears that threatened to completely unhinge him and crack the iron grip he was holding on his composure.
“All I want, all I will ever want, is to have her back,” Isaac whispered hoarsely. “I love her more than anything and there’s nothing I won’t do to have her back where she belongs and I swear to God, as long as I live, I will never let her go again.”
Gavin put a comforting hand on Isaac’s shoulder and squeezed. “We’ll get her back, son. I’ve been through what you’re going through. I thought I’d lose my wife and my daughter and was helpless to do a damn thing to prevent it. But you and your men changed that. You and your teammates gave me back my family and as God is my witness, I’ll get you back the missing piece of your soul just as I was once missing that same piece of my soul and had it returned to me. With the resources we have at our fingertips? Look around you, son. No one stands a fucking chance against the full power of our connections and more importantly, the iron will of every single DSS agent in this room. You aren’t alone in this. There’s not a single person in this room who won’t die to get that young woman back after all she’s done for those the people in this room hold dearest to their hearts.”
“Thank you, sir. I appreciate that more than you’ll ever know.”
“Be thinking about your wedding and where you want to go afterward,” Gavin said, in an abrupt change of subject, one that had Isaac reeling as he imagined the beauty of the day when he’d make Jenna his under the eyes of God and the law. “If you’re anything like me, all you’ll want to do is marry her as fast as humanly possible and then leave for a very extended, very isolated honeymoon where the only concern you’ll have is seeing to your new wife’s every need.”
Isaac nodded, unable to speak for fear of breaking down.
“I can make that happen. You just say the word. Security will be taken care of. No one will get within a mile of you and Jenna and your every need or wish will be catered to.”
“Thanks for the offer,” Isaac finally managed to choke out. “I may have to take you up on that. But first, I just want her back.”
“Listen up,” Dane called from across the room.
Isaac surged forward. Thank fuck the man was finally off the goddamn phone. Dane made eye contact with Isaac as Isaac pushed his way through so he was standing closest to Dane. Dane nodded at him, his expression tight and his eyes hard and utterly focused.
“We’re going to get her back, Isaac,” Dane said quietly. “Fucking Jaysus will never know what hit him.”
Then he glanced across the room to Caleb and nodded. “It’s time,” he said grimly.
Isaac’s pulse sped up and he had to swallow back the urge to vomit as his nerves assaulted him.
“As soon as Ramie can give us information identifying the location where she’s being held, then we move out,” Dane announced. “They no longer outnumber us nor do they have not one, but two black ops groups who about came in their fatigues when I offered up Jaysus on a silver platter and all they had to do was go in with us and kick some fucking ass.”
A chorus of “hell yeahs” and cheers echoed through the room until Isaac’s ears rang with them. But this wasn’t over. Not by a long shot. They still had no idea where Jenna was. What if Ramie wasn’t able to see? Her gift wasn’t infallible. But she was their only chance. Because it didn’t matter how much firepower and muscle they had behind them or that every single man and woman involved in the mission had vowed to bring Jenna back at all costs. If they couldn’t find her, then all the might and resolve in the world was utterly useless.
THIRTY
WITH half a dozen groups of men, including two military black ops groups, waiting nearby for the command to move out once Jenna’s location had been ascertained, the mood inside had gone silent and tense as all focus was directed on Ramie.
Knowing well how devastating the process was on her and how vulnerable she was during and in the aftermath, Caleb quietly conveyed his wishes to Dane that only he, Isaac and Dane be present during Ramie’s ordeal.
“I understand, Caleb, and normally you know I’d agree to keep the people around Ramie to a minimum, but in this case, I think we should include Gavin and Wade Sterling, as both men are familiar with the underworld where Jesus operates and it’s possible they would clue in on things Ramie says better than we would. I also think Eliza should be present in support of Ramie,” he concluded quietly.
Caleb nodded, closing his eyes. “I understand. I hate it but I get it. And Ramie will understand as well. Hell, she wouldn’t care if the whole room was present. It’s me who’s so protective of her and tries to shield her from as much scrutiny as possible when she’s at her most vulnerable.”
“Let’s get to it,” Dane said. “We don’t have any more time to waste if we’re going to get to Jenna in time.”
Everyone except those mentioned by Dane left the room to prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. The tension could be felt throughout the room and every single agent was armed to the teeth, determination etched into their expressions. Tonight, only Caleb and Beau would remain in Dane’s fortress to watch over Ari, Tori, Gracie and Ramie. The women had argued vehemently in favor of going but were shut down on all sides so forcefully, they’d had no choice but to give up the argument.
But after the showdown between Eliza and Wade, no one dared suggest she too remain behind. She would have had the balls of every single man who suggested it. In the end, it had been Gracie who’d gotten Eliza to agree to remain behind by telling her with complete sincerity that she would feel much safer if Eliza was here to help Beau and Caleb should anyone breach the safe house.
Wade had shot Gracie a look filled with gratitude and relief, but he’d made sure his wife hadn’t seen his silent thank you.
Ramie sank down on one of the now vacant couches and immediately locked eyes with Isaac. “I won’t stop until I have what we need to find her. I swear it.” Then she turned to her husband, whose face was a mask of agony. “Promise me you won’t stop me, that you won’t bring me back until we have what we need. Swear it, Caleb.” Her expression was identically tortured and her fear of not being able to provide the information they so desperately needed was tangible in the air.
Caleb merely nodded tersely and then positioned himself beside his wife. Isaac sat on her other side, while the remaining people gave her appropriate space, but remained close enough to hear and witness anything she said or experienced.