Page 52 of Joshua's Mistake
Where are you taking her?”
Will said, “Nevada. There’s a place southeast of Vegas.”
“We’ll follow as soon as we can. I get the impression Banta is not done with this.”
Joshua locked eyes with Jess. He could see the other man’s accusation. Everyone knew this was Joshua’s fault. He had failed, Lon was dead and Tessa was lost.
Kane said, “We’ll need all the help we can get.”
Jess gave a nod and Will, Kane and Joshua with Tessa ran toward the hangar. A few minutes later they were taxiing down the runway and then heading northwest.
As jets went, Will’s was all luxury. The Gulfstream G550 heavy jet could seat up to sixteen with its large luxury seats and couches.
There were seats with tables and they all reclined so passengers could sleep. Joshua placed Tessa down on the long couch, grabbed a pillow from the overhead compartment and knelt beside her.
Kane sat in the copilot seat, assisting Will with the flying of the plane. The cockpit door was open but he felt alone. Tessa’s chest rose and fell evenly and her expression was serene and peaceful. She looked as if she were merely asleep and would wake up at any moment.
From the moment he’d met her, it was her aura that let him see she was the one. He couldn’t feel anything from her now and yet he knew he had to have her back. He knew no one else would ever make him feel as complete. Without Tessa there was nothing for him.
He rested his forehead on hers.Can you hear me? Please come back to me, Tessa. Are you in there at all?
He’d probably repeated those same things a hundred times when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up into the sympathetic eyes of his brother.
“Let her be for now, Josh. Adianca will know what to do.”
“You don’t understand. This is my fault. I should have protected her.”
“She didn’t think so. That bullet was headed straight for you. It would have killed you and she knew it. She wanted to protect you and she did. She saved your life and her decision came at a cost.”
“The price is too high, Kane.” His voice cracked. “I’m not worth it.”
His brother squeezed his shoulder. “I know you feel that way, but Tessa disagreed. Frankly so do I.”
Joshua couldn’t stand the idea anyone would sacrifice themselves for him. The fact it was Tessa made it a hundred times worse.
Kane said, “You should rest. I have a feeling this is going to be more difficult than anything we’ve ever done before.”
Kane was right and Joshua knew it. If the shaman could help there would be another price to pay. They would be stationary and vulnerable.
He didn’t even want to think about the very real possibility Banta would recover and find them.
“Go lay down, Josh. I’ll keep an eye on her until we get close to landing. Will is going to try to put down on the reservation.”
He wanted to stay there and keep trying to reach Tessa but it was irrational. His brother was right. He needed to rest and she couldn’t hear him anyway. She was too deep if she was in there at all. His chest clenched at the idea all their efforts might be for nothing. If Tessa’s soul had moved on or been damaged too severely by Banta’s gathering power she would not come back.
He got up off the floor and sat down in the bucket seat just across from the couch.
“Take these.” Kane handed him two aspirin and a bottle of water. “I’m betting you’ve got a few aches and pains from that fight and jumping from the helicopter.”
“Thanks.”
Kane didn’t acknowledge the thanks. He turned toward Tessa. “Her parents are safe. I found them in a hotel about fifteen miles from their home. Pretty clever to have left home when they did.”
“Tessa said her mother was intuitive.”
Kane nodded. “I moved them to the safe house with Lena and everyone. They’ll wait this out there until one of us contacts them.”
Joshua’s throat tightened, he gripped his Kane’s arm from across the aisle.
