Page 93 of Risky Passion

"Ditch the cop car?” Whitney glared at his brother. “We’re not in some crime show, Jaxson."

"No shit. But when Eddie doesn't return home or show for his shift, an APB will be slapped on this cruiser ASAP.”

Onyx's ears pricked forward at their rising voices, and I ran my fingers through her fur, trying to settle us both.

"Okay, genius,” Whitney said, “how do you propose we get another car? I'm not stealing one."

"We need Parker." Jaxson clenched his jaw.

Whitney reached for the radio mic, and Jaxson's hand shot out to stop him. "Don't."

"We can use the comms to reach Parker."

"No. I think B gets her intel from police comms."

"Oh my god. You're losing it, brother."

"No, I'm not." Jaxson barked. "You weren't there when Eddie shoved a gun in my face."

"For God's sake, would you both shut up!" The words exploded from me before I could stop them. Onyx lifted her head with a worried whine, her eyes searching my face. "You're worse than my sister on a rampage."

Blessed silence filled the car.

In the rearview mirror, Jaxson's eyes met mine, concern softening his features and something in that look made my heart skip. "You okay?" he asked.

I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the warmth spreading through my chest. "Well, other than being hungry, exhausted, and nearly every inch of my body aching, I'm super."

He offered a tiny smile, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. "That’s a good outcome considering you nearly died four times in the last twenty-four hours."

I nodded. Was it only twenty-four hours?

Whitney fiddled with the radio, scanning through static until he found ABC news. The announcer's voice filled the tense silence.

"—massive explosion at Rosebud Wharf has destroyed an entire warehouse?—"

"Shit! Turn it up," Jaxson said, taking his foot off the gasa fraction.

"—three people were injured in the explosion, with two still missing. One confirmed fatality, Grant Hughes, who was in hospital following amputation surgery after his arrest last month?—"

"Grant Hughes is dead?" I gasped. "Jesus!"

"—Hughes was kidnapped from Rosebud Hospital early yesterday morning. His doctor, Yusuf Lurami, was murdered during the kidnapping. Initial reports suggest Dr. Lurami may have been assisting the kidnapper at the time of his shooting?—"

"Oh shit!" Whitney's face drained of color. "That's Yusuf – I know him. Worked with him on three cases last year."

"Do you think B did this?" I asked, my heart booming in my chest.

"Without a doubt," Jaxson said grimly. "And I’d bet the warehouse explosion was her handiwork, too."

The radio announcer continued, "Among the injured was Aria Morgan, from?—"

My heart stopped. "Oh my god." My hand flew to my mouth, smothering a cry threatening to escape. Onyx pressed against my leg, whining low.

"Two other members of the Alpha Tactical Ops team are hospitalized and are in a stable condition.” The announcer was way too chirpy for my liking. “However, two more are believed to have been inside the warehouse when it exploded and collapsed, and they are yet to be found."

“No!” Tears blurred my vision, spilling hot and fast down my cheeks. "This can't be happening."

Jaxson pulled the car to the curb. Before I could process what he was doing, he was out of the driver’s seat and opening my side door. His strong arms wrapped around me, and he pulled me into his chest.

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