Chapter 265 Chapter 265
His head was pounding as he tried to open his eyes. He was laying down and moving in a vehicle. Inhaling he tried to scent who was with him, but couldn’t smell anything, his face felt numb. Jesse’s whole skull felt like it was pulsing.
“Jesse,” he felt a gentle touch on his face.
He forced his eyes to open and saw Evanna’s worried eyes a few inches from his own. “Are you okay?” He tried to sit up and got his head a few inches from the floor before he had to hold his forehead before it imploded.
“I’m okay.”
He leaned down and put his hand on her leg. “Who’s driving?”
“I am.”
He heard Devin answer.
“What?” He lifted his head again. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“Relax,” Calum’s voice came from the passenger seat. “I’m here too.”
Jesse slumped back into Evanna’s lap.
“The chopper is circling around looking for that car.”
“They got away?”
“One of them didn’t,” Calum told him, “Your mate shot him right in the heart.”
He felt a moment of pride before the throbbing overrode it.
“We tossed him in the chopper and sent it to find the car.”
“Your mate almost shot me.” Devin didn’t sound happy.
“I told you not to go charging into the bush until I called him.” Calum sounded entertained.
“They fucking tranq’d me.” Jesse blew out a breath.
“How’s the head?” Calum must have turned in the seat because it sounded like he was yelling in his ear now. “That’s one thing I’ll never forget, the headache after the darts.”
“I’ve never been followed before,” Jesse moved his tongue around trying to create some saliva, “they knew I have Evanna with me.”
“That’s what we figure.” Calum’s voice was at half volume now.
“How the fuck did they know?” Jesse growled, “only my folks and—” he hissed out a breath, “we dropped Thera off at my clan before heading to the boat.”
“Dad is talking to Deshon now, to see if there were any visitors around when you did. We’re going to the campground, in the chopper tonight. Your mate’s location will be a guessing game from now on until we take down Tomas.”
Jesse opened his eyes and looked up at Evanna. This wasn’t what he wanted for her. This meant they were going to have to keep moving around, stay off the grid, and never tell anyone where they were. He’d promised her a home, stability—safety. This was not even close to that.
“You have to stop getting shot, Jesse. It upsets us a lot.” She enunciated slowly.
He studied her for a moment. She didn’t look angry or freaked out. She looked steady and calm. He smiled at her slowly, “I’ll do what I can, babe, but apparently I’m really easy to shoot.”
He could hear Calum’s chuckle as he closed his eyes and wished for the pain to stop. Someone was going to pay for his mate going through this. He inhaled slow, someone was definitely going to pay, just as soon as this pain eased.
“You ready to get back to it?” He heard Cal but wasn’t going to try to lift his head to look at him.
“Yeah.”
“No time for drug-induced naps, Jesse.” Devin sounded amused. He was going to hear about this forever. That time he got tranq’d and his mate saved his ass. Forever.
Opening his eyes, he looked up at Evanna’s looking down at him. The concern on her face made a lump form in his throat. Lifting his hand, he touched her cheek softly. He didn’t know how he was going to do his job and keep her safe, not after what had just happened. He also knew there was no way he could leave her behind. She smirked like she was reading his mind and then leaned down and kissed his mouth softly.
“Stop thinking and rest.” She held his look for a moment and then glanced over her shoulder and looked at the men in the seats. “They will watch over us and shoot anyone that comes close.”
Jesse smiled and then closed his eyes again. He was so glad he had gone up that mountain and found her.