Page 103 of Chasing Grace
“You can lead the JTT.”
Chase started shaking his head before Adam had finished his sentence. “I’m here because Gray’s here. Otherwise, it’s all about finding Tak for me.”
“You think he’s still alive?”
“I know he’s alive.” He’d spent two days looking for any sign of Tak in Savannah before heading west. He’d found nothing. But despite the cold trail, he knew his best friend was still out there. Chase would feel it if he wasn’t, and he’d never stop looking. But right now, he needed to settle his immediate future. And that was all about Grace Grayson. “Besides,” he continued, “I’m not the one the colonel tagged as his replacement.”
Adam’s eyebrow registered his surprise with a slight upward twitch at the corner. If Chase hadn’t been looking at the man, he would’ve missed it altogether.
“You’ve been talking to Jay,” Adam said.
“Kincaid, actually.”
“Since when did you two become so tight?”
Chase responded with a one-shouldered shrug.
“Well, don’t get used to it. His bag is packed and sitting by the door.”
“Yeah, about that. I need him to stick around.”
“What the hell?” Adam’s gaze landed on him with a hard look. “In case you hadn’t noticed, he’s developed a bit of a thing for your girlfriend.”
“I’m aware.”
“And you trust him?”
“He took a bullet for her. There’s no one I trust more.” Kincaid had proven himself time and again. He’d do anything to keep Gray alive. And considering the terrorist who wanted her dead was still out there, Chase would have to be a complete idiot to let Grant Kincaid leave. The more people around who had a vested interest in keeping her safe, the better. “Am I wrong?”
“You’re not wrong,” Adam confirmed, pocketing his hands. “Hell of a thing to ask a man.”
“Yep.”
“Then why?”
“Because if you don’t step up and lead this team, I’m going after Johnson, and I’m taking whoever will come with me.”
“You think Johnson knows where Tak is?”
“No. But guaranteed he knows who does.”
“And you think Gray will be on board with your plan?”
“She already is.” This time Adam’s expression registered his full surprise, and Chase continued, “I’m not hiding anything from her. She knows what my plans are because she needs to be included in the decisions we make going forward. She’s a part of this, a part of the JTT, and she goes where I go. What you do with that is your choice.”
Adam snorted. “Well, good luck convincing Kincaid to stay.”
“He’ll stay.” Chase was positive, and it reflected in his voice.
“You’re confident about the man. What makes you so sure?”
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. Gray’s brother was a smart man, and he knew Grant Kincaid better than anyone. Which was to say, he knew him very little. Didn’t matter. Chase needed Grant’s help to keep Gray safe, and he’d do whatever he had to in order to make that happen.
It took a second, but Adam answered his own question with a shake of his head. “He’ll stay for her.”
“Yep.” Adam was right, it was a hell of a thing to ask a man, but Chase was doing it anyway. “Any sign of Hoyt?” Still loose and on the run, Canker Face didn’t know enough to be much of a threat. But he had a cargo van full of high-tech JTT equipment, including the colonel’s laptop, and they wanted it back.
“Mann’s picked up a trail. He’s narrowing it down.”
