Chapter 518 Chapter 518
Amari sat back in her seat and was silent for a minute. “We’re going to have to work something out, Tripp—I will not be sidelined by anyone.” She leaned over so he could see her face without turning his head. “I’m going to do my part to take out Tomas and everyone that’s helping him. The day they get him, I will be there.”
He looked at her for a second, her focus was stone-cold and unmoving. She flopped back into her seat, letting him know that was all she was saying on that. He lifted his gaze to watch where he was driving, slowing down so he wouldn’t miss the turn. It was a good excuse to give him a moment to think of how to explain to her that there were some things you couldn’t curb your animal from doing, not that he was an expert on it—because, until her, he thought he was always in control of his animal, with absolute certainty. He slowed more so the tires were crawling over the uneven ground. He saw his SUV. This wasn’t right. “Amari, that’s not where I left it.”
She leaned closer to the window and looked at the vehicle. “Maybe it had to be moved for someone to land.”
“They land on the other side of those trees.” He knew that for a fact because he’d walked in slow motion through them while giving himself a pep talk to get on the plane.
“Park back a bit, keep the lights aimed at it.”
Tripp nodded because he’d been thinking the same thing. Fuck. Had they gotten here before them? The tracker, if they were dialed in on all the vehicles, could have known exactly where he was the whole time. He put it into park and pulled his gun out. There would be no tranqs this time.
Amari reached down and got hers free from the case, she looked nowhere but out the windows.
“You should stay here…”
“Bite me.” Leaning down, she loosened her boots.
Smart idea, in case she needed to shift. Tripp nodded, there was no way he could protect her if she refused to listen. Something told him it would always be that way with her. “Climb over and come out my door.”
“Yeah.” Her voice was steady, which didn’t surprise him at all now, she was cool in tense situations where emotions had no place.
Tripp opened the door, keeping his eyes on the tress. It was the only place someone could be the rest was open and visible. He stepped out, using the door as a shield. He didn’t need to wait for her, she cleared the shifter and was out the door, behind him.
“I’ll cover behind us.” She whispered it and put her hand on his back.
They moved as one, out from the protection of the Jeep. He kept his gun up, his eyes scanning the area as he listened for any movement. Amari didn’t make a sound behind him, which shouldn’t have surprised him, but it still did. Her hand was still on the small of his back, so she could move when he did. It was like they’d been doing this together for years. Inhaling, he quickly processed the scents around them. There was only one body signature close by. Friend or foe, he couldn’t be sure.
“Simmer down.” A deep male voice came from the trees. “We’re on the same side.”
He adjusted his direction and aimed the way it came from. He felt Amari turn so she could see that way too. He couldn’t see anyone.
“Glad you’re okay, Hughes.”
Amari stiffened, “Tait?”
“Yeah.” A tall man with long blond hair stepped out of the trees. How he’d managed to not be seen, Tripp has no idea.
“It’s okay, he’s one of ours. From the surveillance team.” She moved to stand beside him. “What are you doing here?”
Tripp lowered the gun, but he wasn’t holstering it until both he and his cat knew this was one of theirs.
“A few of us were sent this way when you missed check-ins. To see if there was a base around here.” He looked at Tripp and made it obvious he was checking him out. “Zander is watching for planes, and I came back here to disable the tracker in your ride.” He motioned his head toward Tripp’s SUV. “She’s all fueled and ready to go.”
Amari went over and opened the passenger’s door of the Jeep, reaching in she got out the leather case for her gun and put it away. “You guys going to follow that plane?”
He shook his head, “no, just tag it.”
“We need to dump this Jeep.” Amari grabbed her pack out of it and closed the door.
“I’ll deal with it. There’s a nice ravine a few miles West.”
Tripp gave him a quick look and turned back to the Jeep. The only surveillance member he knew was Uri. He’d seen some of them in passing and there was this creepiness to them that put him on edge. His cat seemed okay with his presence. He glanced at Amari smiling at the other man. Jamming his piece back in the holster, he stepped back to the open door and reached in to grab his phone. As long as she kept her distance from him, Tripp wouldn’t be forced to do something stupid that would result in her stabbing him. Grabbing his bag and pack, he slammed the Jeep door and turned to his SUV. At least the tracker was disabled. Amari opened up the back and set her backpack in it.
Turning to bid the creepy man goodbye, he paused when a phone rang.
“Yeah.”
He glanced through the door to see Amari answer hers.
She smiled, “Hey, Z, I was just going to let you know we’re at the—” she frowned, “what?” If her brows went any lower, her eyes would be closed. “Fuck. How?”
Tripp sent her a questioning look.
“Hang on.” She tapped the phone screen and then tossed it on the seat, “it’s on speaker.”
“Well, that saves me contacting Tripp then.”
“Why are you contacting me?” Tripp leaned back against the open door and watched Amari. She had her hands on top of her head and looked like she was going to explode. “What’s going on?” Had something happened with the teams?
“Change of plans,” Zain-the-male-that-sent-Amari-gummy-bears said. “You two aren’t heading to the teams right away.”
Tripp turned his attention to the phone. “You have something else we need to do?”
“Uh, yeah.” Zain was much quieter now. “I don’t know how or who, but Amari’s father found out she’d been taken.” He cursed softly, “Jesse and I didn’t share it outside the teams, but he still found out.”
“And?” He looked at Amari who was standing there with her hands on her hips looking at the ground.
“He’s demanding she be brought home.”
Tripp looked at the phone and then back to Amari, “he couldn’t call her and tell her himself?”
“He doesn’t have my number.” She said in a low tone.
Tripp opened his mouth and then snapped it shut. He’d given his mom and sister his number. Maybe she hadn’t had time since she got the new phone.
“I’ve been ordered to never give out her number.”
“By who?” Tripp was surprised. Her own father couldn’t call her?
“Me.” Amari picked up the phone and looked like she wanted to squeeze it until it shattered into pieces in her hand. “This can’t wait?”
“No. Even our king has said it’s best if you make a quick appearance and then get back to work.”
“Shit.” She blew out a breath. “We were heading back to the teams.”
“I know. Jesse said to tell you there will be plenty of fun to be had once you do this and get down there.”
“Shit.” Her whole aura went cold.
“Sorry.” Zain said quietly, “I tried.”
“I know you did. Thanks. Tell Jesse I’ll talk to him later.”
“Got it.” There was a ring in the background, “gotta go, we got relocates all over the map right now.”
“Yeah.” She tapped the phone screen and then tossed it on the dash.
“On that happy note, I’m out.” Tait walked by him and went toward the Jeep. He stopped behind the SUV and looked at Amari, “if it helps, Hughes, your abduction has landed us some big prizes.”
Amari snorted, “happy to help, Tait.”
He turned and looked at Tripp, then inclined his head and got in the Jeep without further comment.