Page 106 of Every Which Way

“I heard the FBI is looking for you.” She lifted her chin.

Bruce tugged on her arm. “Shut up.” To the other man, he said, “Bring them out, and we’ll make the trade.” He had one hand free, presumably in case something went wrong, he could reach for a weapon.

A warranted precaution as it turned out, but not quite enough.

The man in front of them pulled a gun and pointed it at Bruce. He squeezed off a shot. It hit Bruce square in the chest, and he fell backward.

Kenna ducked to the side a couple of steps.

The man was on her before she could react, and she was being lifted. He tossed her over his shoulder. Kenna kicked her legs and put up as much of a fuss as possible. She didn’t have to dig much to find a genuinely scared reaction. But she did have to focus so she didn’t pull too hard on the tape and tear her wrists free.

The trunk of the town car flipped open, and he tossed her inside.

The lid slammed, leaving Kenna in the darkness.

Bruce.

She might not agree with the guy and his tactics, which made Ramon look like a boy scout at this point, but she didn’t want him to die. She didn’t want the team to lose him. Or for him to never have that shot at righting the wrong that had been done to him by his CIA handler. He’d only just come back to the US. He deserved a shot at a retirement, living the life he wanted.

The car set off, the engine vibration rumbling under her.

Kenna felt around for something—or someone. But all she felt was carpet, sticky in places. She curled her knees up and tucked them in the coat. In her heart, she prayed silently, crying out to the Lord for help. Even if she had kinda gotten herself into this situation. With a whole lot of help from Bruce.

She prayed for the mother-daughter pairs, held captive. In who knew what situation.

And for Jax and his father, that they hadn’t sustained serious injuries in the crash.

She prayed for wisdom.

For Ramon, Stairns, and Maizie, that they would find her.

She prayed Bruce would live. Not just because if he did, then she could kick his butt for this.

They drove for a long time before the car slowed, rolling at a low speed down a road that seemed like gravel.Lord, let this tracker in the necklace be transmitting somehow. Let it be the thing that leads them to me.

She was fully in favor of a miracle.

“I’m probably going to need one.”

The car stopped. She rolled a little in the trunk and had to brace herself to keep from smashing her face against the interior.

Finally, the trunk flipped open, but it wasn’t that same guy she saw.

It was Amara.

Kenna said, “This was all you?”

“Of course not.” She touched a thick collar on her neck. “I’m as much a captive as you are right now.”

Kenna frowned.

“Get out of there.” Her mom stood back.

Behind her, a huge house that looked like a mansion version of a log cabin stretched overhead. Some rich person had purposely built “rustic” and thought that meant they’d be roughing it with state-of-the-art high-end features and the latest appliances.

“I guess crime really does pay.” She sat up. “I could use a hand.”

The man who’d tossed her in came over and lifted her by her armpits, setting her down on the driveway. “Both of you inside.”

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